The thing inside Isabell's cheat just stopped making weird loud noises.
Her heart stopped. Breaths strangled inside her throat
Vines were wrapping all around her body.
Isabell tried to move but she couldn't. No matter how hard she tried, her body was unable to move. They were hurting her, the vines were digging deep, dwelling holes all over her body. The pain was unendurable but she couldn't scream, her voice couldn't leave her throat. She tried to break them, she yanked her body out of them but they didn't move an inch, her mouth opened trying to shout, eyes opened wide
Emily's brother was right in front of her and she knew no matter how she would explain, everybody was going to blame her. She told herself that the secret was no longer safe, she said that Sebastian was going to announce that Isabell was a murderer to the world and even if he didn't do that, Sebastian was never going to forgive her for not saving the life of his sister.
She knew her convincing works, and she knew she could make anything up but her brain jammed, it wasn't working. She tried to speak, forced her throat to let her voice out
"I-I-am-" The vines grabbed harder as soon as she tried to speak, they choked her, and pain, shivers, and unveiled screams blocked all oxygen from going inside her body.
Her tears sprouted from her wide eyes, and her body was shivering violently as it was experiencing a panic attack
"Isabell" she could hear Sebastian yelling, her eyes could see horror all over his face
"Isabell!" His voice felt to be in pain to her but she couldn't respond to him. Isabell remembered, the only thing that stayed in her mind at the moment was how Sebastian calmed her down last time and every time but she was aware that he was not giving her his hands again because now she had become the murderer of his sister.
Sebastian didn't hold Isabell's hands as she expected but what she never expected was Sebastian embracing her in a warm hug. "Calm down," he said in a soft voice and she hugged him back, tighter. For an instant, he could not believe what was happening because this was Sebastian Lightwood in front of her and he was nothing like she remembered him to be. Isabell knew Sebastian would be angry, so angry that he could hurt her but as soon as he found out about it, he came to her house, not to take revenge or anything but to check on her. It was making zero sense to her "It's okay" Sebastian slowly moved his hand up and down across her back
The vines tore apart letting her body free and then slowly they left, her head stayed on his neck, hands holding him as a hope, lips separated and finally, she was able to breathe normally
"I- I a I am sorr-sorry" she said, her words breaking into pieces "I- I am sorry. I could not save her" she cried louder, her sobs echoing through the room
"It's not your fault," he said, brushing her hair with his fingers. In the yelling of her inner voice she was unable to listen to his voice "I know, I know I did everything wrong but please, please forgive me"
"Hey, Isabell" he broke the hug, moved inches away and she opened her eyes a little and then pinched them close. She couldn't look in his eyes. Her head moved side to side, eyes shut, tears running "I am sorry, please forgive…" Sebastian cupped his hands around her face and moved them towards him and the words were all gone
"It's not your fault, It never was," He said to her "I am truly sorry, I didn't know what to do, I thought- I thought I could do it- I thought I could help her–I am sorry–I am sorry, Sebastian. I am—-"
"Hey," Sebastian said, his thumbs moving across her cheeks rubbing the tears away, he gently held her face in his both hands
"Stop apologizing" Isabell's face gone red from the pressure her body was dealing, eyes puffy from crying "Emily was always grateful to you"
"I-I am—"
"Stop, Isabell," he said and she listened this time, her lips were sealed but her eyes never stopped shedding tears
"Listen to me" Her face moved up in his hands, and her eyes gazed at him. She looked at him as if she had never seen Sebastian before and she was looking at him for the first time over and over again
"It's okay," he said, she remained silent, staring at him, while he returned her stare with a soft bare smile. She knew it was a fake smile, no one would smile while talking about their dead sister and the tears ran down like a stream. It was hurting her to see Sebastian hurt
Her head still felt heavy and her face gently slipped from Sebastian's touch. Her eyes got tied to the floor, she nodded lightly and his hand stayed comforting on her shoulder
Isabell never realized how fast time flies until this moment. Sebastian hadn't left her side, still sitting in the same position and he never said a word to her but stayed by her side. The silence was yelling the emotions of support.
After some time Isabell sat up on the couch, gently rubbing her eyes to help her see clearly "I-" Isabell hesitated, she breathed and then she got up from the couch "I have something for you," She said and looked at already staring Sebastian, he stood up and nodded "In my room," she took the lead and Sebastian followed her silently and entered her room
She counted her steps, they didn't help her to relax and then she stopped at the table, she glanced at Sebastian who was standing two feet away from her,
Sliding the drawer open she grasped the recorder. She darted at him one more time with feelings of uncertainty in her eyes
"I- I don't know if- this is the right time- but I don't know when will it be the right time, So I want you to listen to it" Sebastian appeared clueless about whatever she was saying. Isabell passed him the recorder still holding onto it tight,
"Em- Emily, sh- she recorded a message for you" and then he held it, and she released it from her grip
"A Message?"
"Yes, a message for her brother," she said, her fingers pressing the button on the recorder in his hands and the clip started to play
Isabell: 'So it's the turn of the best brother ever right?'
His face shaded tension, and Sebastian's lips showed a smile
Emily: 'Yep! The best brother this world has ever seen'
His smile started to shed and then it disappeared completely from his lips upon listening to his sister's voice
Isabell: 'Yeah the full introduction'
Emily: 'Yes, yes, Exactly!'
Isabell: 'So, Ready?'
Emily: 'Absolutely'
Isabell: 'Okay, then start'
Emily: 'Okay. So If you are listening to my message then it means I'm gone, like already gone, but don't worry about me I'm going to be alright with Mom and Dad in there. Yeah, I—
OMG!
WAIT!
OH!
Isabell: 'What? What! Wha- What happened?'
Emily: 'If my brother! If my brother is listening to this, that means, that means he met you! He is with you right now!'
Isabell: 'You excited about this?'
Emily: 'So Excited!'
Isabell: 'Keep your voice low or the president gonna kick us from his Art Room'
Emily: 'Nah, he doesn't even know we are sneaking in and organizing these crime-investigation-detections-testimonies-things!'
Isabell: 'Yeah, of course, but the hell you keep your voice this high, he gonna kill the two of us'
Emily: 'Obviously, Not'
Isabell: 'Maybe beat us?'
Emily: 'Good guys don't do that stuff'
Isabell: 'How do you know he is a good guy'
Emily: 'Well, he is your friend and technically- logically- assumably he is a good guy'
Isabell: 'Technically, Eth- Ethan wa- was my friend. Logically, he stole all of my work and named it as his, assumably, he is definitely not a good guy'
Emily: 'News to me!'
Isabell: 'Keep your voice low, Emily'
Emily: 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I was just naturally excited today"
Isabell: 'Excited to record a death note?'
Emily: 'Oh yeah, haha. First time doing this'
Isabell: 'This girl is getting on my nerves'
Emily: 'Oops!'
Isabell: 'Don't shout! your screams are scary'
Emily: 'It's fun you know?'
Isabell: 'No, I don't scream'
Emily: 'You not fun'
Isabell: 'Never said I was. Now continue, please
Emily: Of course, of course. So yeah, yeah where was I?
Isabell: 'Your brother'
Emily: 'Oh, yeah… brother… brother… I- I, haha I don't know what to say'
Isabell: 'It's okay. Take your time'
Emily: 'I guess we don't have that thing… okay okay, so I'll start...
Brother, I know you hate it when I never listen to you and oppose you in every possible thing but you know what I actually like nah I love to see that annoying face of yours.
You should see it too, Bella. It's pretty cute'
Isabell: 'Hah, How will I ever see that?'
Emily: 'Destiny?'
Isabell: 'What fantasy world are you living in, Emily?'
Emily: 'Haha, an unrealistically possible one?'
Isabell: 'And this girl started to play again
Emily: 'No I was—'
Isabell: 'Continue please'
Emily: 'Yeah yeah, I am
So best brother, out of so many possible options I want to ask you about that day. Do you remember my birthday last year?
It is still the best day of my life when you suddenly come to California at midnight. I thought you didn't remember it and that's why you never left a message but damn! You were preparing a surprise. I don't remember if I have ever said it to you or not but I want to thank you for that day and for the gift— the gift, Oh My God! It was hilarious
My stomach gets pangs after laughing at it every single time
It was lame it's still lame, that you brought couple necklacesfor us, like for us siblings, and your speech– mind-blowing
I remember every word you said while explaining the star and moon to me, let me copy your words in your deep ocean voice
Emily, I got you one with a star and a moon for myself, because just like the moon and stars, no matter how many times they fade away from the night sky, they find their way back to each other so no matter how far I go from you I need you to know that I'll always come to you when you need me.
I can't stop laughing!
You are supposed to say these things to your girlfriend, not your sister, dummy. Ah, I can't stop laughing, It's so funny. It's so funny, right? Right?
Wait-
Hey
Where have you gone, Bella?
Bella?
Hey, Bella!
Isabell: 'Oh, sorry, sorry I zoned out'
Emily: 'Was I that boring?'
Isabell: 'No, no it's not like that. I just- I don't know but your brother sounds so caring and nice'
Emily: 'Well, He is caring and he is nice too. If you ever met him you're going to like him so much'
Isabell: 'Well, what can I say'
Emily: 'Of course is what you can say. Because when I say he is best I mean it, Bella. If only I had time I would have introduced the two of you'
Isabell: 'Yeah'
Emily: 'Don't do that, don't put the sad face on, I'm feeling pretty alright today'
Isabell: 'yeah'
Emily: 'Yeah! So, Bella, I know I have been asking for so many favors but can you do exactly one more?'
Isabell: 'Anything for you, girl'
Emily: 'Can you please take this box? Like there is a pendant in it and if like by any chance, like by any rare chance you happened to meet my brother give it to him'
Isabell: 'I'm not sure if I'll be able to, but okay'
Emily: 'Thank you so much, Bella"
Isabell: 'No need to say things like those. Anyway, do you have to say anything else
Emily: 'Yep, last thing. An apology to my brother for not staying his innocent little girl. Brother, I'm sorry for disappointing you but maybe I'm going to meet the consequences soon. I am sorry and Thank you, thank you for always taking care of me, thank you for doing every possible and impossible thing just to make me happy.
I love you and I love you so much, brother.
And yeah a Goodbye too'
Isabell: 'So… our last interview for a while?'
Emily: 'Or maybe forever'
The clip stopped, letting the silence take over every inch of the room.
Emily's voice was gone.
Sebastian stood in the center of Isabell's room with his head bent. He clenched the recorder harder, and his heavy breaths were audible. Isabell lifted her hand and closed it over his tight fist. He raised his head meeting her in the eyes
This wasn't how Sebastian Lightwood was supposed to be. Isabell was used to seeing an emotionless face but right at the moment his usually darkened eyes were red, revealing a vulnerability she had never witnessed before. They were moist, glistening with unshed tears, mirroring the silent turmoil within his soul. Isabell placed a gentle hand over the back of his head and guided it gently towards her shoulder. Sebastian rested his head on her shoulder. He stayed quiet
She shuffled his hair and then "It's okay" she said silently
Sebastian broke into tears, his body convulsing with each sob. He dropped to the floor, his body shivering from an unseen burden. The pain ignited in his eyes as he tried to speak, hands muffling as his lips vibrated with apologies
"I- I am s-sorry, I'm sorry, My angel" his hand covered his mouth, veins over his forehead tightened "I'm sorry for being useless" Isabell remained silent, she took a seat along with him on the floor
For a long moment, they stayed like that. Sebastian got quiet, and Isabell stayed silent as well
"I will ask you one more time," After a while, Sebastian said in
"What?" she whispered
"Are you sure you want to do it?" he asked
"Yes" she replied without a moment of hesitation
"You know there will be no going back from here?" Isabell nodded, she stood up and walked to the scenery of The K2.
"I'm ready, Sebastian"
The mountain of Godwin-Austen was gone to a side as Isabell slid it revealing the board behind. She turned around and Sebastian somehow looked surprised
"Is this your evidence board?" he asked in the same surprise. Sebastian stood upright, eyes unmoving from the board and he looked normal again. Sebastian gathered himself and his face was looking as perfect as it always was
"How do you know about it?" Her face appeared to be puzzled "Well, there are stings, pictures, documents, and a lot of other stuff making it look like an evidence board, and" his words suddenly stopped coming out,
"And?" she asked, his face darted a ray of grief "Last year when it- it happened" he paused for a breath, inhaled deeply "And I shifted back to our house in California. I read all of her diaries and she wrote how much she loved your evidence board" Isabell's eyes flinched
"She wrote about me?" She asked in surprise as if she had heard something totally unexpected and unreal, even more, surprise appeared on Sebastian's face
"You know nothing" A slight grin of shock rose on his face "She was a fangirl of yours" Isabell stayed surprised
"Really?" she asked
"Really" he replied. Even though it felt surreal she was still so happy and then no one was saying anything
"I have something for you," Sebastian said after an instant
He slipped one of his hands into the pocket of his black jeans and took a letter out. Isabell never needed to ask what it was because she had been waiting for it every single day for an entire year
"This…This is… This is…"
"A letter Emily left for you" She held it with a soft grip and then, she stared at it as if she had found an old friend who had gone for ages. A smile spread all across her face, beaming with happiness and she nodded her head up and down looking at it, softly
"I found it in one of her diaries" Her gazes got fixed on him, grief and relief visible on them at the same time, silently asking him for something
"It's okay, You can read it when I leave," he said what her eyes wanted him to say, Isabell nodded again
"Last year Emily said she wanted to change her major from Commerce to Law, and I was shocked because it was merely the beginning of her year and she already wanted to change it" he smiled to lose some of the tension in the air and it worked when her expressions softened too, "I asked her the reason and she said it's a secret. I thought she wanted to follow in the footsteps of her brother and she was shy to admit it, but I was hopelessly wrong" he laughed weakly "Well, I know the reason now" Sebastian pointed a finger at her
"No way," Isabell said in disbelief
"Exactly, hopelessly wrong," he said
"Like you are obviously and absolutely better than me,"
"Maybe but I am obviously and absolutely not as cool and obviously and absolutely not good with things like this" he pointed a finger at the evidence board
"Yeah definitely, not cool" Isabell laughed mocking him and Sebastian moved his eyes away from her face "Maybe because you never tried it," she said, still chuckling
"It's not something I…" he stopped speaking and Isabell's eyes stared at him. Sebastian took some steps toward the front wall
"Wait," he said, staring at the evidence board with wide eyes, Isabell turned around, looking at it
"What the hell am I doing here?" his finger touched
Sebastian Lightwood