“Go now before I throw you out.” Paula demands. I’d really like to see her capitalize on that threat. I sigh and stand up. I’m done arguing, I’ve already embarrassed myself enough. Max strides into the room, thankfully missing the shit storm that ruined the night.

“Are we leaving?” Max asks, oblivious to the tension still lingering in the air.

“Yeah…” I mutter. “Thank you for the wonderful dinner Mr. Carlin, I’m sorry if I’ve disrespected you in any way.” He smiles gratefully and walks with me to the front door.

“You’re a good kid Alex; I know everything will work out.” He tries to assure me. I hold my hand out to him which he takes before promptly pulling me into his arms. Any other time I would’ve pulled away but on this night I welcome the comforting hug. “Don’t give up on her.” He whispers, trying once again to put me at ease. Spencer is lucky to have a father like him. Dying to get home and sleep away this horrible night Max and I leave the Carlin’s home. The cold air feels refreshing against my skin. I can’t wait till winter but I doubt I’ll be here that long. I think I’m going to ask Jesse for some time off, I need to go somewhere and get away from everything. I stop in my tracks when I see two figures huddled together by a truck. I hear Aiden groan and see him push Spencer against his car door; whatever was left of my heart shattered in an instant. I bite my lip hard enough to taste blood, hard enough to will my tears away. Spencer gasps loudly pulling her lips away from Aiden’s. She falls to the floor while clutching her chest. I take a step forward but stop immediately. She doesn’t need my help, and I doubt she’d want it anyway.

“Spencer? Spencer what’s wrong?” Aiden kneels in front of her. Her breathing is coming out in short gasps and her eyes easily find mine in the dark. I feel that same serene feeling from earlier try to subdue my heartache but I fight the feeling to the best of my ability. “Look at me.” Aiden grips her chin forcing her gaze away from me. My emotional struggle seems to settle down, leaving me in control and on high alert. Something doesn’t feel right. I search around for an agent who might be nearby. I frown in frustration when I’m only met with darkness. The coward could very easily hide in the shadows; who knows how long he or she has been there.

“Come on Ash lets go.” Max whispers by my side. I give up my search and walk down the Carlin’s driveway. I can’t deal with this right now. I walk away from Spencer, from Max, from my mission, and from my pain. “Ashley!!” I hear Max yell my name foolishly, causing me to pick up my pace and start running. I run past houses and parking lots, dipping through alleys and back yards. The burning in my lungs only makes me run faster. I can’t believe her; the whole fucking time we were together obviously meant nothing to her. I’m expected to not give up on her even though she’s clearly given up on me. I should’ve listened to Max. I should’ve never followed my heart. Look where it’s got me, look how weak it’s made me. I turn and automatically head straight for the woods that enter my line of sight. I can feel myself losing control. My energy is rising to dangerous levels. Part of me wants to let it consume me; disintegrate me from the inside out, anything to get rid of this pain. Lost in my thoughts I trip on a tree root and slide to the ground roughly. I close my eyes tightly as a scorching sensation flows through every nerve in me. Succumbing to the pain in my heart and the pain coursing through me I let out a loud agony filled scream. My pent up energy forces its way out and disperses freely. It completely annihilates everything in its path, even burning up my clothes as if they were made from paper. Anything once living is now destroyed by the explosion. I fall limply on my side and am blanketed by ash and smoke. My eyes feel too heavy to keep open any longer. I let my tears finally fall before I’m overcome by sleep.