Severed Bonds
Chapter 12- Moments of agony

Before I walk past the gate Thomas pulls my arm, "Don't go soft Ian." He threatens. "You won't survive... if you go soft." I walk past him and everyone else inside. They glare at me but don't say anything. All of their chatter has disappeared, I head to my room and use my back to close the door. Soon as I hear the door click, I let out a shaky breath I pull myself off the door and sit down on my bed. My head lowers to my knees, I'm fucked...I'm so fucked! Damn it! All I had to do is do what was asked of me! If I allow any thoughts to cloud my judgment I'm done for. I fold my hands together keeping my head down, everyone here already thinks I'm incapable of leading. Once father hears about this, he'll be furious. He might even return early just to give me a lecture. At least the clans were taken care of, that should hold them off from making any rash decisions for now. Bzzt...bzzt...I let out a long sigh and answered my phone.

"It's done Julian."

"She won't be getting kidnapped at school or threats of any sort?"

"For now, at least."

"Good, so...is it over?"

"No, it won't be till we figure out who's behind this."

"And when you do? She'll be safe, right?"

"Yes, when we take care of the clan responsible for going after her."

"Allright, thank you Ian."

"I didn't do it for you."

"I know..."

"I'll keep you up to date Julian."

"Allright." I hang up. Sigh, I don't know when this will end. Julian is too naive to think that it will end as soon as we replace the clan who's going against ours. Truth, be told I don't think it will end there. Whoever is behind this spent a lot of time and effort to rile up the other clans and plan these attacks. It wouldn't make sense for them to stop there after they've been caught. Knock, knock!

"Ian? Can you open the door?" I stare at the door. I know that voice.

"It's me, Ali." I stay silent. "Ian, please...I know you're there." She softly pleads. She could've turned the knob already, and she would've been inside. Damn, I hate it when she does this. I slowly walk to the door and open it. Ali stands there holding my gaze with a worried expression, I move to the side so she can step in. I closed the door behind me, hopefully Thomas didn't see her. I stand there by the door waiting for Ali to say something. She stands there with her back facing me holding her wrist tightly. I throw my hands in my pockets, she slowly turns around and looks at me. "Are you okay?" Here she goes.

"Never better." I shrug. She bites her lip.

"Ian."

"What?" I say coldly.

"Don't shut me out..." She pleads. Her eyes grow bigger and misty. My breathing hitches. "You...can, talk to me." Don't do this, it's not fair for me or for you.

"Ali, I said I'm fine." I say a bit softer. She turns her back to face me,

"I hate it, when you lie to me." Says so quiet it's almost a whisper. I sigh, as I feel my lips form a frown.

"Ali..." She turns around to face me.

"I'm here for you, you know!" She says filled with hurt.

"I know..."

"So, why won't you open up to me?" She's hurt and frustrated. Why are you asking me this? You already know why I can't open up to you. It's just...too hard.

"I can't...always depend on you Ali."

"Why not?" She walks close to me. "Why not?" She demands again. She wraps me in a hug, and holds me there for a while. I care about you...I can't stand hurting you like this. You don't deserve to suffer this way Alison. So why do you keep allowing me to hurt you over and over again?

"Because...you're Just like everyone else!" I snap.

"Ian..."

"Thinking that I'm not capable of doing this shit!"

"Ian...that's not what I-"

"Fuck you Ali!"

"Ian..."

"Get out."

"Ian...please-"

"I said get the fuck out!" I wave my finger at the door. She slowly walks out and closes the door behind her. Once she's out of sight I sit on my bed, fold my head down and the mask i've been wearing begins to crack. Tears slide through the cracks, and red puffy eyes are now being revealed. When I finally calmed down, I roll out the covers and head to sleep. Only to be awakened up every second I close my eyes! Argh! What is with her! Oh, for fucks sake! It can't be that difficult to turn off your damn brain! In the morning, I wake up feeling exhausted. I barely slept,maybe two hours. I head off to school dragging my ass through the day. Since the operation yesterday I've decided to keep a closer watch on Hannah, the plan is for those idiots to back down. But what's stopping them from retaliating? We did just have a rat...who had the nerve to threaten the clan. Things should die down, but just in case...I underestimated them I should keep a better watch on her. I head to the counselor to switch out my homeroom, he asks for the reason why and I make up an excuse and say that I can't get to the next class in time because the other one is too far away. He buys it and says he'll see what he can do. I exit the office and head to class. I fall asleep halfway through the lecture and get called out for it. When school ends I head home counting the seconds for Thomas to tell me something.

"Your father wants you to know that as soon as he gets back you guys will talk."

"Tell him, I can't wait." I say sarcastically. I notice Ali in the corner, she walks towards my direction. Thomas glares at me.

"Which will be soon, Ian." He adds firmly.

"Even better!" I throw my hands up and form a smug smile.

"Ian?" Ali pokes her face between me and Thomas.

"Annie? Is it?" I ask smugly. Thomas shakes his head and walks away.

"No." She says back puzzled. Giving me a demanding glance. "We need to talk?"

"Well, what's there to talk about?" I fold my arms in.

"About yesterday-"

"Oh, right when I fucked up. Don't worry I don't make the same mistakes twice...Amy." Her lips move to speak but nothing comes out. Her eyes are mixed with worry and frustration. "Is that all?" I ask annoyed.

"Yeah, that's all." Her eyes look down as she rubs her lips together. I walk past her and walk up the staircase.