Apocalypse: The Dead Lives
Chapter 56: Hollow

Chapter 56: Hollow

The entire camp was talking about the fight.

Whispers buzzed through the halls. The fight was on everyone’s tongues. It was lingering in the looks that people threw at Ronan and Marco whenever they passed. It was like a wildfire, spreading uncontrollably.

"They say Ronan nearly killed him."

"Did you see that lightning? That wasn’t normal."

"Marco’s strong, but that? That was something else."

I could hear it everywhere I went, no matter how hard I tried to tune it out.

I didn’t want to hear it.

Didn’t want to think about it.

But I couldn’t stop.

I saw it happen firsthand. Ronan, completely lost control. His raw power crackled through the air like a living thing.

He had been seconds away from going too far. If I hadn’t screamed, if I had been just a second too late- Marco would have been dead.

And I would have been the one to blame.

I found Ronan outside, leaning against a stone pillar, arms crossed. He looked calm. Too calm. But I knew better.

His shoulders were tense. His jaw set. The storm inside him still simmered just beneath the surface.

I walked up to him, crossing my arms. "What the hell was that?"

Ronan didn’t look at me. "I think you know."

Anger flared in my chest. "You nearly killed him."

"He deserved worse."

I exhaled sharply, trying to keep my voice steady. "You don’t get to decide that."

His eyes flicked to mine, dark and unreadable. "Don’t I?"

A chill ran through me.

"You think I should’ve just let it slide?" he continued, his voice low, controlled. "Let him walk around after what he did? After what he said to you?"

I shook my head. "That’s not the point, Ronan. You didn’t fight him because of me. You fought him because you wanted to."

He pushed off the pillar, stepping closer. "You’re right. I did." His expression hardened. "And I’d do it again."

Frustration bubbled up inside me. "This is exactly why I didn’t want to tell you!"

Silence.

Ronan’s jaw tightened. "What?"

I swallowed, my breath unsteady. "I knew this would happen. I knew you’d lose control. That’s why I didn’t want to say anything." I shook my head, voice breaking. "I should’ve kept my mouth shut."

Something in his eyes flickered. Hurt. Then something sharper.

"You regret being honest with me?" His voice was quiet now, dangerous.

I hesitated. Not because I didn’t mean it. But because I did.

"Yes."

The word landed like a slap.

Ronan let out a cold laugh, shaking his head. "Of course you do."

I frowned. "Ronan-"

"You always do this." His voice was sharper now, cutting through the space between us. "You always put everyone else above me."

My stomach twisted. "That’s not true."

"Isn’t it?" His fists clenched at his sides. "Because from where I’m standing, it sure as hell feels like it. Luke, Marco, everyone." He exhaled, shaking his head. "But what about me, Hailey?" His voice cracked. "What about what I feel?"

I didn’t know what to say.

"You never choose me." His voice was raw now, laced with something deeper than anger. "And I’m done pretending like that doesn’t matter."

My throat tightened. "Ronan-"

"I’m done."

I froze.

The words hung between us, sharp and final.

A part of me wanted to pretend I hadn’t heard him right. That this was just another argument we’d work through. That we’d fix it like we always did.

But I saw it in his eyes.

This wasn’t just a fight.

This was the end.

My breath hitched. "You don’t mean that."

Ronan exhaled sharply, looking away. "Yeah," he said, voice barely above a whisper. "I do."

He turned and walked away.

I stood there, feeling like the ground had just been ripped out from under me.

And then, before I could stop it, the first sob broke free.

●●●

I didn’t go looking for Ellie. She found me.

The moment she saw my face, she pulled me into her arms. I collapsed against her, the weight of everything crashing down all at once.

And I cried.

I cried harder than I had in years- maybe ever.

Deep, gut-wrenching sobs shook my entire body and stole the breath from my lungs. I buried my face in her shoulder, my hands clutching at her shirt like she was the only thing keeping me from completely falling apart.

Ellie didn’t say anything. She just held me, rubbing slow circles into my back, letting me break in her arms.

I didn’t know how long we stayed like that.

But eventually, the tears slowed. The pain didn’t go away, but it settled, dull and aching, beneath my ribs.

Ellie sighed, resting her chin on my head. "He loves you, you know."

I let out a shaky breath. "Then why did he leave?"

She hesitated. "Because he’s hurting, too."

I didn’t have an answer for that.

The hot water hit my skin, scalding and perfect.

I leaned against the tiled wall, eyes closed, letting the steam curl around me.

I still felt hollow.

Like something had been ripped out of me.

Like a piece of me had walked away with Ronan, and now I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get it back.

I shut the water off and stepped out, wrapping a towel around me. The air was cool against my damp skin, sending a shiver down my spine.

I reached for another towel to dry my hair when-

The window blew open.

A gust of cold wind rushed through the room, making the candles flicker wildly. I froze, my heart lurching.

And then-

He appeared.

A man. Tall, broad-shouldered, with dark, abyssal hair that shimmered like sunlight and eyes the color of a storm. He stood in the middle of my bathroom, his expression unreadable, his presence commanding.

An angel.

I didn’t breathe.

He looked at me.

His gaze flickered over my bare shoulders, the towel wrapped around me, the damp strands of hair clinging to my skin.

Then he smirked.

"Not exactly how I imagined our first meeting," he mused, voice rich and smooth.

I swallowed hard. "Who-" My voice came out hoarse. I cleared my throat. "Who are you?"

He tilted his head like he was deciding whether or not to tell me.

Then, after a long pause-

"Orion."

His name settled in the air between us.

And I had the distinct, terrifying feeling-

That my life was about to change forever.

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