Chapter 60
Audrey, heartbroken and perplexed about being finally rejected by the love of her life, turned to her friend Tiana for comfort. They found a quiet spot in the grove to talk about Audrey’s daring plan to run away.
Tiana greeted Audrey with a friendly smile, not knowing that Audrey was about to leave and that she was going through a difficult time.
Audrey glanced around, ensuring that no prying eyes or listening ears were nearby. Taking a deep breath, she began, “Tiana, we need to talk. It’s about the plan.”
Tiana’s smile faded slightly, replaced with a curious expression. “What’s going on, Audrey? Is something wrong?”
Audrey hesitated for a moment, “I… I’ve made a decision. I can’t stay here any longer. I have to leave, Tiana.”
Tiana’s eyes widened in surprise and her voice was laced with concern. “Leave? But Audrey, what about the pack? What about our plan? What about Tyler?”
On the mention of Tyler, she frowned her face. Her gaze dropped, “He’s the main reason I want to leave. Don’t you remember he banished me? I know, Tiana. I know what we were supposed to do, but things have changed. I can’t be here anymore. It’s not safe for me, and it’s not safe for you either.”
Tiana’s brows furrowed, confusion etched across her features. “What do you mean it’s not safe? We’ve been working together all this time. We had a plan.”
Audrey’s eyes met Tiana’s. Her was gaze filled with regret and determination. “The plan has changed, Tiana. I can’t explain everything right now, but I promise you, it’s for the best. By staying, I put both of us at risk.”
Tiana’s eyes welled up with fresh tears,”But Audrey, we were going to make a difference together. We were going to expose the truth about the Banshiks and help bring change. I can’t do it alone. You know I can’t.”
Audrey reached out, placing a gentle hand on Tiana’s shoulder. “You’re strong, Ti. You’ve always been. You can still make a difference, even without me. I believe in you. The people who’ve underestimated us for so long will quiver when you finally realize your great potential.”
Tiana’s voice cracked. She was saddened and beyond disappointed. “I trusted you, Audrey. I thought we were in this together. How can you now say you want to just run away?”
Audrey’s own voice wavered with emotion as she spoke, “I never wanted to let you down, Ti. But sometimes, circumstances force us to make difficult choices. This is one of those times.”
She continued to speak with a shaky voice. “I can’t stand the idea of being forced to leave, Ti. I won’t accept my fate without a fight. I have a plan to escape the pack’s punishment and start over.”
Tiana looked surprised and worried at the same time. “But Audrey, running away is dangerous. It could make things even worse between the pack and grove and put both of us in danger.”
A sad smile appeared on Audrey’s face. “I know it’s risky, Ti. But if I stay here, I’ll be alone and always feel guilty. I can’t face the consequences that will happen because of what I did. I need to find my own way, without being judged.”
Tiana felt conflicted as she thought about her friend and their safety. She sighed and said, “Audrey, I really want you to be happy, but we need to be careful. Running away won’t solve everything. It might make things even more complicated.”
Audrey looked determined and looked directly at Tiana. She said, “I know it won’t be simple, but staying here means being stuck in the reminders of my mistakes…. and all my failed plans. I need a fresh start, a chance to redo everything.”
They stood there quietly, feeling the sadness and loss of their broken plans. Audrey moved away, carrying a heavy heart filled with both sadness and a strong resolve.
“Tiana, I can’t ask you to understand or forgive me right now,” Audrey said, her voice filled with genuine remorse. “But please, promise me one thing. Promise me that you’ll stay safe and continue fighting for what we believe in. Promise me that you won’t give up and that you won’t let anyone trample on you.”
Tiana’s tears finally spilled over. “I… I promise, Audrey. I’ll do my best to keep fighting, for us.”This is property © of NôvelDrama.Org.
Audrey nodded,. “Thank you, Ti. I’ll never forget the time we’ve spent together, and I’ll always cherish our friendship. You’re the only true friend I’ve had all my life. Thank you really…I promise, things will get better. We will get what we deserve.” Her tone grew more darker, “And everyone who’s ever made us feel worthless, useless or undeserving, we will crush them beneath our feet. We will win and have the last laugh in the end, Ti. Just you wait.”
She squeezed Tiana’s hands tighter as the latter kept on shedding tears.
With their decision made, Audrey and Tiana hugged, hope and fear wrapping around them. Audrey sadly turned away and disappeared into the shadows of the grove, leaving behind a broken plan and a lost connection. Tiana stood alone, torn between their dreams and the reality of Audrey leaving. She watched as Audrey became smaller in the distance, crying.
Time felt slow, but Tiana gathered the strength to wipe her tears and compose herself. She took a deep breath and promised to keep her word to Audrey, even if she was no longer there.
As Tiana returned to the grove, she thought about how to continue their mission. She knew she couldn’t do it alone, but Audrey’s departure couldn’t stop their progress.
Although Tiana knew she would forever miss Audrey and felt sad about her absence, she didn’t let it take over her thoughts. She understood that their fight was bigger than any one person, and they had to keep going for their cause and the justice they wanted.
She wiped her tears one last time and the night fell. As the bells rang alerting them that Audrey had ran away, she blankly smiled to herself whilst guards rushed around her, knowing fully well Audrey was far gone and she would continue in the next phase of their plan.