It's really short and isn't good but I'm having exams. After that I'll have a lot of free time to write. Hang on a little longer please. Sorry. Hopefully you'll enjoy this chapter. Let me know.

Chapter 18: Redemption

"Gaia!" Elena shouted.

Elena wasn't an impolite or angry person but when it came to people she cared about she could be.
She smashed the door and walked further into the hallway.
When Gaia didn't come she shouted again.

"Gaia!"

Suddenly a figure appeared in front of her.

"Elena." Gaia said in a firm but compassionate way.

Elena stood still and looked into Gaia's eyes. She was trying to confront her to make her feel guilty.
Gaia didn't do anything but accept the look Elena was giving her.

"It has been a week."

"I know." Gaia replied.

Elena slapped Gaia hard in the face. It happened in an instant. It happened in a moment of furry and pain. Gaia's head didn't even move. Just like the look Gaia accepted the impact on her face.
Elena wasn't sorry. She was angry and desperate. She didn't apologize.

"She is gone and that is your fault. You promised to fix her not to make her go away."

Gaia felt the guilt wash over her. She knew this would happen, but still she felt guilty. She also missed Katherine and wondered how she was doing, but in contrary to Elena she expected Katherine to run away.

"I am truly sorry Elena, but this had to happen in order for Katherine to heal."

"Why? Why did she run away?"

"You have to give her time to heal. She is feeling everything she has pushed away for so long. Give her time."

Elena didn't understand. How could Katherine leave? How was she doing? What was she doing? All these questions were floating around for days inside her head. She couldn't bear to miss Katherine. She just couldn't accept her friend was probably alone and overwhelmed by all the emotions. Elena was angry at Gaia for what she did. She had never been angrier in her life. They should be together. Elena should be helping Katherine to process everything.

"There is no time. She is probably alone and we need to help her."

Gaia understood Elena's worries. She was worried too. She knew they had to give Katherine time. Time to heal and time to come back. She was sure Elena wouldn't let it go so she thought of something to give her reassurance everything was alright.

"I will go and find Katherine."

That one sentence gave Elena new hope. They would find Katherine and help her.

"I'll come with you."

"You can't."

Elena was about to protest but Gaia tried to explain.

"I'll be much faster alone."

Yes it was true, but Gaia was also certain Katherine didn't want to see anyone, especially Elena.
It would be too confronting.

Elena couldn't deny that truth. If she wanted her friend to come home she would have to trust Gaia.
it was difficult after what happened, but it was her only chance.

"Promise you'll bring her back."

"I promise." Gaia answered. Gaia never broke a promise.

It was almost entirely dark, except for a lit candle in the corner of the room. Katherine couldn't see it because her eyes were closed, but she could feel the warmth radiating from it. She could feel everything now. She was broken, hurt, lost. Darkness was surrounding her mind and she felt heavy, literally. The pain spreading around her was excruciating. She considered she could be dying. She also had considered she was just going crazy because how could mental pain cause so much physical pain. She had never experienced it before. Katherine couldn't breathe. It felt like something heavy was pressing down on her chest. This strong, pressing pain she was feeling pushed her to contemplate dangerous things. She already thought of ending it. Ending the pain and sorrow. That would free her from al the guilt and pain. Something was holding her back. Beneath the darkness was redemption. She could feel it. She craved it. But what if the redemption never fully came? What if it was only a way of her mind to torture her? Katherine didn't move. Her limbs were too heavy and she felt captured in her flood of emotions. All she could do was give in and wait for the redemption she was hoping for.