Chapter 43: Chapter 43

Tobias' POV —

I sit there, in the middle of chaos, clutching her body to mine. Around me, people scream and scramble to call an ambulance but I already know there's no hope. The tears have dried up and I sit there numb, emotionless. I'd finally found my person and she'd been taken away from me.

Have I really done such evil in life to deserve this?

I know I haven't lived a perfect life and I've done unspeakable things but Trish didn't need to pay the price for that.

"I'm so sorry," I whisper, stroking her hair away from her face. The rain continues to pelt down on us both and everyone around me blurs out until it's just me and her. I close my eyes and breathe in her scent because I know it'll probably be the last time I'm able to. In the distance, I hear the sirens of the police and the ambulance approaching us.

"I'm sorry." I repeat, hanging my head in sorrow as my heart continues to break into a million pieces.

*****

It's dark, pitch black outside. I don't realise I'm staring at the front door for what seems like forever until the wind picks up around me, causing me to shiver. It snaps me out of the daze I'm in and I glance down at my clothes that are soaked in blood. My mind is one hazy cloud, unable to allow me to think straight. It hasn't sunk in that I'll never see Trish again or hear her sweet voice.

Slowly I put the key in the front door and push it open, stumbling inside the house. My body feels empty, almost as if I'm floating instead of walking. Every action I take seems like I'm living a dream . . .

Or a nightmare.

I make my way to the kitchen, noticing the lightbulb illuminated from behind the glass door. Silent tears stream down my cheeks and I feel them slide off my face, mixing in with the blood staining the fibres of my shirt. I push back the kitchen door, stumbling over my own feet. My eyes lift to meet my family.

Jake. Emily. Ivory.

They all turn to look at me and spring off their chairs, horror appearing across their features.

"Oh my god, Tobias!"

"What happened?"

"Who's blood is that?"

"Are you okay?"

"We've been waiting for you!"

"Tobias, answer me."

I don't response to either of them and turn my head slowly until my eyes connect with Ivory's. She breathes in sharply, holding my stare with confusion and worry. I take a staggering step forward, opening my mouth to speak . . .

No words come out.

Instead, I lift my hand and point my finger at her.

"You." I whisper, tears invading my mouth. Jake takes a step forward and I shake my head furiously, signalling for him to stay away from me.

"You!" I repeat, my words dripping with pure venom. Ivory gulps and takes a step back, her eyes flickering down to my shirt.

"Where's Trish? Or Jason?" She whispers, glancing behind me to see if she can see them. I automatically tense up at the mention of her name —

"No! Don't you dare! Don't you dare say her name! Don't you fucking dare!" I scream, my words bouncing off the walls. I notice Emily fall backwards into her chair in shock, her eyes widening. Jake remains frozen to the spot and Ivory's face contorts in pain. My chest rises and falls heavily as I struggle to catch my breath. Jake is the first one to break the silence —

"Tobias, what the hell happened?"

His words are spoken quietly, urgently. I keep my eyes trained on Ivory, waiting for her reaction but there isn't one.

"Trish . . . Is dead." I whisper, unable to believe the words coming from my mouth. Automatically, Emily stands to her feet, her mouth open wide in shock. Emily's eyes widen and Jake stumbles back —

"What do you mean, she's dead?" Emily says quietly, shaking her head in disbelief. I glance down at my clothes, clothes that are soaked in her blood.

"She's dead." I whisper. I turn back towards Ivory, my hands shaking by my side. I take a slow step towards her, never once breaking eye contact.

"She took your car." I say firmly. Ivory nods, her body frozen in shock.

"She wore your jacket." I add and Ivory nods again, silent tears streaming down her cheeks.

"And she was killed because people mistook her for you!" I scream, my entire body visibly shaking. Ivory begins to shake her head repeatedly —

"No! No! That can't be right!" Ivory yells. I whimper and walk towards her, my heart breaking with every step I take. Once I'm standing in front of her, I pause.

"You're still in the drug business." I say quietly. Ivory's eyes widen and she begins stuttering, her reaction already answering my question. I breathe in sharply, squeezing my eyes shut. Tears escape and roll down my cheeks as the realisation of the situation hits me. Trish was in the wrong place at the wrong time . . . Because of Ivory.

"Tobias, I'm so so sorry." Ivory cries, reaching out to take my hand. My eyes snap open at the contact and I lurch backwards. I lift my finger up and look into the eyes of my baby sister, the sister I've loved and cared for my entire life. I remember laying eyes on her for the very first time when I saw her at the hospital. She was wearing a baby pink hat and I was so excited to be a big brother. A family's love is unbreakable or so I thought. Without hesitating, I speak to her for the very last time —

"You're dead to me."

Her pained cries fills the kitchen and I turn around, heading back for the door. As I'm leaving, I hear Emily cry out in pain whilst Jake attempts to soothe her. I continue walking, ignoring their protests for me to stop and wait.

I continue walking away from my sister, away from Jake and away from Emily. I walk away from my mother and from my niece who's sleeping upstairs. I don't know if or when I'll ever see them again. In that moment, the spark of life inside of me completely fizzles out and dies. I feel like my spirit leaves my body and I become numb to the entire world.

I walk through the dark streets, silent tears continuing to stream down my cheeks. I think about Trish, how scared and confused she must have been. I think about how much pain she endured due to Ivory's actions and I cry out, looking up into the dark night sky. I fall to my knees, putting my head in my hands —

"I'm sorry Sugar.”