All My Broken Pieces (FindingLight #2)

Chapter 23

Fallon

She’s gone.

The words repeat in my mind on a loop as I stare at the empty doorway, clutching the notepaper to my chest.

After what felt like hours, I push up onto shaky legs and stumble out into the hall. Glancing both ways, I try to see some sign of where she went, but only find the empty hallway.

My heart hammers in my chest, feeling like it might burst from the force of its beating.

What is happening?

The sound of crinkling pulls me from my shocked state long enough to look down. Forcing my locked fingers to slowly uncurl, I move the note away from my chest, my eyes scanning over the words once more.

I’m sorry. I love you.

They’re not enough.

I need her. And I need some answers.

Without another thought, I stumble out of our apartment down the hall and slip into the elevator. Pressing the button for Ava’s condo, I stare blankly at the light as it moves its way up the floors. The elevator comes to a stop, but I find it too hard to move.

A drop hits my arm and I realize I’m crying. The moment the realization hits me, my legs crumple.

Sinking to the floor, I curl against the wall, hugging my legs to my chest and burying my face against my knees.

Why?

My sobs fill the elevator as my soul cries out.

Why is this happening?

I suck in useless breaths, my lungs screaming for oxygen that I can’t seem to get no matter how many inhales I take.

I can’t…I can’t…

I cry harder, my body shaking.

Please, please don’t take her away from me.

I don’t know who I’m crying out to. It’s not like anyone’s listening, and if they are, they don’t care. That’s clear enough.

“Please.” The plea slips from my lips, nearly incoherent around the hiccupped sobs still wracking my body.

The sound of voices breaks past my hysterics moments before the doors slide open, light flooding into the dimly lit elevator.

“Fallon? Ohmygod, what happened?” Ava gasps, rushing inside and falling to her knees before me.

She’s gone.

I can’t get the words out, instead my cries grow louder.

Glancing over her shoulder, Ava snaps at Killian, “Find out what’s going on.” He grunts a response that I can’t hear as I get lost in my mind.

She’s gone.

I just got her back. And she’s gone.

I jerk away when soft hands gently grip my arms. “Shh.” Ava soothes, urging me to my feet. “Let’s get you inside. Come on.”

I try to respond, I really do, but I can barely hold myself together right now, let alone move.

When her attempts are unsuccessful, Ava releases her hold on me, disappearing and leaving me alone in my sorrow.

I’m alone.

Another sob breaks free at the thought, bringing with it another wave of uncontrollable hysterics.

Strong arms gently slide behind my back and under my legs, lifting me with little effort. I stiffen in Killian’s hold as he strides into the penthouse and deposits me onto the couch. Curling up into a ball, I clutch Arriana’s note to my chest and close my eyes, tears still streaming down my face as I picture her being handcuffed and dragged away.

What did you do?