Key Story (2) - Chapter 12
Sable sat on the floor of her room, the silence wrapping around her like a heavy blanket. The past few weeks had been a haze, a blur of days blending together, each one feeling heavier than the last. She hadn't even realized how much time had passed since the incident—since Lynx—and yet, here she was, staring at herself in the mirror, trying to remember the girl she used to be.
Her reflection was familiar, but at the same time, so distant. The dyed strands of her dark hair, the blue that streaked through, were intentional. A declaration, a rebellion against everything she didn't want to be. She had done it back when she couldn't bear the comparisons—when her aunt's critical gaze and thinly veiled remarks about her father's failings had pushed her to the edge.
Sable had always admired her father. He was strong, silent, and never asked for more than what life had given him. But those family dinners with her aunt…they chipped away at something inside of him, and it had infuriated her. His sister's expectations, her constant advice on what he should be doing, had made her feel like their lives weren't enough. That she wasn't enough.
That's when she dyed her hair the first time—rejecting the image her aunt might have expected her to fit into. She wanted to be someone else, someone her father didn't have to worry about, someone who could stand on her own.
But now, looking at herself, Sable couldn't help but wonder: who had she been trying to prove herself to all along?
She ran a hand through her hair, feeling the familiar texture of her bangs. The blue streaks, once so vibrant, now looked dull in the dim light of her room. Her identity had been wrapped up in these colors for so long, in her outward rebellion, that she hadn't noticed how much she had been hiding from herself.
Sable thought about Raxian—his steady presence, how much he had grown since they first met. His confession still echoed in her mind, how he had admitted his feelings for her after everything that had happened. But she wasn't ready, not yet. How could she be? When she didn't even know who she was anymore?
The version of herself before all of this—the confident, bold girl who pushed boundaries—felt like a ghost, someone she couldn't fully recognize now. The trauma had reshaped her, and she was still figuring out what that meant for her future. What she wanted her future to be.
She turned her gaze away from the mirror, staring instead at the soft glow of her phone screen. Raxian had messaged her earlier, but she hadn't responded. He had been trying so hard to keep his promise—to stay by her side, to help her heal. It was something she had needed, even if she couldn't admit it to him.
But the weight of his support also made her realize that she couldn't lean on him forever. She couldn't rely on someone else to pull her out of the hole she had been digging herself into. Raxian had his own life, his own path to follow, and as much as she appreciated his presence, she had to start standing on her own feet again.
The rumors about her disappearance at school had reached her, mostly through him. At first, she had tried to block them out, but now, they seemed to buzz at the back of her mind. People had noticed her absence, whispered about what had happened to her, but none of them knew the truth. They couldn't. It was her burden to carry, and one she wasn't ready to share with anyone—not yet.
Slowly, Sable stood up, walking over to her dresser where an old box of hair dye sat. She had been meaning to redo the streaks, to refresh the color that had faded over the months, but now…now, she wasn't so sure. Her fingers brushed against the box, hesitating.
Maybe it was time for a change.
The thought settled in her mind, and she couldn't shake it. Not just a surface-level change, like the dye in her hair, but something deeper—something that would reflect the person she was becoming, not the person she used to be.
She picked up the box, weighing it in her hands for a moment, before setting it back down. No. Not today. Not like this.
Instead, she made her way to the bathroom, turning on the light and staring into the mirror once more. She reached up, running her fingers through her tangled bangs, which now hung messily around her face—no longer styled with the careful attention they used to get. For the first time in months, she let herself really see the person in the reflection. The marks on her wrists were still faint but there, reminders of what she had been through. But the girl looking back at her wasn't broken.
She was still here.
With a deep breath, Sable turned on the tap and ran her fingers through the water. She washed out the last remnants of dye from her bangs, letting the blue fade. It was just the first step, but it felt right—like she was taking control again, little by little.
And maybe, as time went on, she'd keep going. Maybe she'd let the rest of her hair return to its natural color, the way it had been before the world started to weigh so heavily on her shoulders. Maybe she'd even find a new color, something that reflected who she wanted to be, not just who she had been running from.
For now, though, the simplicity of her blonde strands returning felt like a small victory.
She had a long way to go, but Sable was starting to believe that she could get there. Not because someone else was pulling her along, but because she was finally ready to move forward on her own terms.
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Sable had been listening to the quiet murmur of Raxian's voice for a while now, unsure of whether she should make her presence known. He'd come over again, like he always did. She heard the sound of his footsteps, his familiar shuffle as he sat on the couch in the living room. He hadn't knocked on her door, hadn't tried to talk to her—just sat there, waiting, respecting the space she needed.
She lingered in the hallway, peeking around the corner, her heart thudding quietly in her chest. She wasn't sure why today felt different, why she was pushing herself to step out of her room. Usually, the effort it took to come downstairs felt insurmountable, but today... maybe it was because he had kept his promise. He hadn't given up on her.
Small steps, she reminded herself. You can do this.
Her bare feet felt heavy against the cool floor as she made her way down the hallway. She watched Raxian from the shadows, sitting on the couch, his gaze distant, almost lost in thought. There was no expectation in his body language, no demand for her to interact. He was just there.
Sable paused by the wall, pressing her back against it, drawing in a slow breath. Her hands felt clammy as she wiped them against the fabric of her hoodie. What was she even going to say? She hadn't spoken to him properly in weeks, hadn't spoken to anyone for that matter.
Finally, she stepped forward, leaning against the doorframe of the living room. Raxian noticed her immediately, his eyes softening when they met hers. He didn't move or make a big gesture, just watched her with quiet patience. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence between them stretching—but it wasn't uncomfortable.
"Hey..." Sable's voice came out rougher than she expected. She coughed lightly, clearing her throat as she tried again. "Raxian."
He gave her a small smile, warm but subdued. "Hey."
The word was simple, but it held a world of understanding. He didn't push her for more, didn't flood her with questions or concern. Just a gentle acknowledgment that she had taken this small step.
She felt her fingers twitch at her sides, unsure of what to do with them. She folded her arms across her chest instead, feeling more guarded. "How... how's school?" she asked, keeping her voice quiet, as though speaking too loudly might break whatever fragile thing they had between them.
Raxian seemed to think for a moment, his expression thoughtful before he answered. "It's alright. Same old stuff, really." He chuckled softly. "You're not missing much. Just a lot of homework and people talking about the tournament."
Sable nodded slightly, biting the inside of her cheek. The thought of school made her chest feel tight, a reminder of how far she had fallen behind. She used to be able to keep up with everything, balancing school with her life outside of it. Now, she couldn't even bring herself to leave the house. "I... I got some homework sent over," she mumbled, her voice faltering. "Haven't really done much of it, though."
Raxian nodded, not judgmental, just accepting. "That's okay. You'll get to it when you're ready." He glanced at her for a moment, his gaze drifting to her hair. Something seemed to catch his attention, but he didn't comment on it. Instead, he shifted in his seat, leaning forward slightly. "You know... it's good to see you out here, Sable."
She shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, feeling exposed, but not in a bad way. It was as if he could see the effort she was putting into this moment, how much it took for her to be standing there. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, feeling the faint hints of golden blonde that had started to peek through her bangs after washing out the dye. Raxian's eyes flicked briefly to the strands, a subtle recognition there. She wondered if he noticed the similarity to his own golden streaks—but he didn't say anything, just kept the quiet observation to himself.
The silence stretched between them again, and she found herself retreating, pulling her hoodie up over her head. It was instinctive, a way to shield herself, even if she wasn't in immediate danger. She tugged at the strings, the weight of the hood comforting as it fell over her face. Her fingers fidgeted, and she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
Raxian watched her, his expression softening further. "You okay?"
Sable hesitated. She hadn't been okay for a long time, but she appreciated the way he asked—not too invasive, not pushing for answers she wasn't ready to give. She bit her lip, her gaze shifting toward the door, an urge rising within her. She didn't know why, but she wanted to leave the apartment—just to step outside, to breathe the air that had been foreign to her for so long. But the thought of it made her stomach churn with anxiety.
"I..." Her voice wavered as she spoke, her hand moving to grip the edge of her hoodie. "I'm... going for a walk."
Raxian straightened up slightly, his brow furrowing in mild surprise. "A walk?"
Sable nodded, though her body felt like it was stuck in place. She could see the suspicion in Raxian's eyes—he didn't trust that she would be okay out there by herself. Maybe she didn't trust herself either. Her feet itched to move, but her mind screamed at her to stay inside, where it was safe.
"Mind if I join you?" Raxian asked, his voice soft, careful.
She froze, not looking back at him. Part of her had hoped he wouldn't ask, that she could slip out alone without the pressure of his watchful eyes. But the fact that he offered... maybe it was comforting. Maybe she didn't want to be alone out there. She wasn't sure what she wanted anymore. She hesitated for a moment, standing in the doorway, her back to him.
Raxian watched her closely, unsure of whether to stand up or stay seated. He could see her struggling with herself, the internal conflict playing out in the way her shoulders tensed. He made a decision and stood up slowly, approaching her but keeping his distance. A small, gentle nudge might be what she needed.
He reached out and lightly placed his hand on her shoulder, the touch soft, barely there, as if he was afraid of startling her. But even that small gesture made her freeze. She didn't pull away, though—didn't react with fear or anger. She knew it was him, and... she didn't mind it. Her body relaxed, just a little, the tension easing ever so slightly.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Raxian's hand lingered on her shoulder, and she found herself strangely comforted by it. His presence felt steady, like a tether to something real, something safe. She didn't know why, but... she thought she might have missed this. Missed him.
Finally, she gave a small, reluctant nod. It wasn't much, but it was enough for Raxian to understand. Silently, they stepped over the threshold together, heading downstairs. Sable hesitated before reaching for the front door of the apartment complex, her hand hovering over the handle as she braced herself.
When the door swung open, the outside world greeted her with a dull, gray light. It wasn't bright, but the change from the dim apartment made her squint as her eyes adjusted. She hadn't been outside in so long, and the sensation felt strange—like she was stepping into unfamiliar territory.
She took a few hesitant steps, her feet moving on autopilot as she scanned the quiet street around her. Everything seemed normal, but it felt new to her—alien, even. Raxian stayed a few steps behind, giving her space but still close enough to offer silent support.
At first, it was alright. The fresh air felt cool against her skin, and for a brief moment, she thought she might be able to handle this. But then... something shifted inside of her. The shadows cast by the buildings seemed to deepen, and her gaze began to flicker nervously toward every corner, every alley. Paranoia settled over her like a heavy fog.
Lynx. He could be anywhere. Watching. Waiting.
Her breath quickened as her heart began to race. Every dark spot on the street seemed to hide a threat, every passerby a potential danger. Raxian noticed the change in her demeanor, the way her body stiffened, how her head whipped around to look over her shoulder.
He quickened his pace slightly, his concern growing. Sable was spiraling into her own fear again, lost in the panic that had become all too familiar. He didn't want to push her too far, but he needed to ground her, to bring her back before she went too far into the spiral.
"Sable," he called gently, reaching out to place a hand on her shoulder once more, hoping to anchor her.
But as soon as his fingers brushed her, something snapped inside of her. The sensation of being touched, even though she knew it was Raxian, triggered a flood of memories. The way Lynx had grabbed her, held her, restrained her... the memory sent a shockwave through her system. She froze, unable to move, unable to breathe.
Raxian's hand fell away immediately, disappointment flashing in his eyes. He hadn't meant to push her, hadn't wanted to make things worse. He could see how fragile she still was, how even a gentle touch could break her all over again. He felt helpless, unsure of what to do.
Sable remained motionless for a long moment, her eyes wide, her mind racing with memories she didn't want to relive. She felt so small, so breakable. Even now, with Raxian beside her, she couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped.
Without a word, she turned and walked back toward the apartment, retreating into the safety of her familiar walls. Raxian followed her quietly, his heart heavy with the weight of defeat. He had tried, but it hadn't been enough.
As they stepped back inside, Sable slipped into her room, shutting the door behind her without so much as a glance in his direction. Raxian stood in the hallway, feeling the weight of failure pressing down on him. He didn't know how much longer he could keep this up, how much longer he could watch her fall apart without knowing how to help her.
Raxian stood in the hallway for a few more seconds, staring up at Sable's closed door. The faint sound of her moving around inside was the only sign that she hadn't completely shut him out, but it wasn't comforting. He wanted to knock, to say something, but no words came to him. He wasn't sure if anything he could say would even help.
With a heavy sigh, he retreated back to the living room. The air felt heavier now, like a weight pressing down on his chest. He sank into the couch, the same place he'd been sitting just moments before—only now, the sense of defeat hung over him like a storm cloud.
He stared at the floor for a moment, his hands resting limply in his lap. The apartment was eerily quiet, the silence amplifying the ache inside him. He hadn't expected it to be easy, but this... this felt like a setback. He didn't want to think of it that way, didn't want to believe that his attempt to help had only hurt her more, but the knot in his stomach told him otherwise.
His hand reached for his phone almost out of reflex, the cool surface feeling oddly grounding in his palm. He unlocked the screen and stared blankly at the home page, scrolling aimlessly through his apps without any real purpose. It was a distraction—a way to avoid the heavy emotions swirling inside him, the guilt and frustration that came with watching Sable retreat into herself.
He flicked through a few unread messages, swiping them away without really reading them. His mind kept drifting back to her, to the way she'd frozen at his touch, the way she hadn't even looked at him when she retreated back to her room upstairs. It was heartbreaking. He could see the pain she was in, the fear that still gripped her, and he felt powerless to fix it.
Maybe I shouldn't have pushed her, he thought, his fingers idly scrolling through his phone. Maybe I should've just let her go outside on her own.
But even as the thought crossed his mind, he knew he couldn't have done that. The idea of her being alone out there, still vulnerable and shaken, had been too much for him to handle. He wanted to be there for her, to support her, but now he wasn't sure if he was doing more harm than good.
His thumb hovered over the screen as he debated sending a message to someone—anyone—just to pull himself out of his head. But nothing felt right. What could he even say? That he was falling apart trying to be strong for someone else? That he didn't know if he could keep doing this?
Raxian closed his eyes for a moment, letting the phone fall to his side as he rested his head against the back of the couch. He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as he tried to push away the heaviness sitting on his chest.
He just had to hold on. For her.
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The sound of keys jingling at the front door echoed through the quiet apartment, cutting through the stillness like a lifeline. Raxian's eyes flicked toward the entrance as the door creaked open. Sable's dad stepped inside, his shoulders heavy with the weight of another long workday. The usual tiredness was etched into his face, but there was something else too—something quieter, more reserved. He glanced around the room, his brow furrowing slightly as he noticed Raxian sitting alone on the couch, looking down at his phone.
"Raxian?" he asked softly, setting his briefcase down near the door. "How's she doing today?"
Raxian sighed, pocketing his phone before looking up. His expression was weary, the heaviness of the afternoon clearly weighing on him. "She tried," he said, his voice quieter than usual. "We went outside for a bit, but..." He trailed off, shaking his head. The words felt hard to speak, like admitting defeat. "She got paranoid, and I... I tried to ground her, but it was too much. She froze up and... went back to her room. It was—" He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I feel like I messed up."
Sable's dad stood still for a moment, processing what Raxian had told him. He glanced toward Sable's closed door before walking over to the living room, his steps heavy yet steady. There was a kind of understanding in his eyes—one that came from experience, from seeing how fragile his daughter had become over the past few weeks. He settled down in the armchair across from Raxian, letting the silence linger for a moment.
"You didn't mess up," Sable's dad said gently, his voice low but firm. "She's trying. And you are too. That's what matters." He leaned back in the chair, folding his hands together as he looked at Raxian. "The fact that she even stepped outside... that's progress, even if it doesn't feel like it."
Raxian frowned, the guilt still gnawing at him. "I just... I wanted to help. I wanted her to feel like she could take that step, you know? But now I feel like I pushed too hard."
Sable's dad offered a small, knowing smile. "You care about her. It's only natural that you want to help. But healing... it's not always straightforward. Sometimes it looks like a step back when it's really just part of moving forward."
Raxian sat quietly, absorbing the words. He looked upstairs where Sable's door remained closed, the silence from her room still heavy. "I don't know if I'm doing this right," he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. "I don't know how to help her."
Sable's dad sighed, glancing at the door as well. "I don't have all the answers either. I wish I did. But one thing I've noticed... she's making changes. Little ones." He gave Raxian a meaningful look. "I've seen her pull out the dye bottles from the bathroom—small things like that. She might be trying to figure out who she wants to be again. After everything she's been through, reclaiming even those little things is a big deal."
Raxian's gaze softened, thinking back to the streaks of blonde he'd noticed in Sable's hair earlier. It had been such a subtle change, but now it felt like a symbol of something deeper—a quiet attempt at reclaiming herself, little by little.
"Her hair..." Raxian murmured, more to himself than to Sable's dad. "She washed out the dye today. I didn't really think about it, but it was almost like..." He trailed off, his thoughts catching up with the realization. "Like she's trying to go back to something."
Sable's dad nodded, a sad yet hopeful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I remember when she was little, how her golden hair would catch the sunlight. Her mother used to say it was the brightest thing about her." His voice softened as he recalled the memory. "I think Sable's starting to realize that she can embrace parts of who she was, while still growing into someone new. She doesn't have to reject everything from before just to prove something."
Raxian felt a pang in his chest at the thought. He could still see her, standing in the hallway earlier, with those hints of blonde streaks peeking through. It was such a small thing, but it carried so much weight now.
"She's trying," Sable's dad continued. "Even if today seemed like a setback, it wasn't. Every little step forward counts, even the ones that seem small. And you being here... you've helped her more than you know. I see it in the way she talks about you."
Raxian's heart tightened, a mix of emotions welling up inside him. He wasn't sure what to say. He just nodded, feeling the heaviness start to lift, even if just a little.
Sable's dad stood up, placing a reassuring hand on Raxian's shoulder. "I'm grateful for you, Raxian. You've kept your promise, and that means the world to her. To me." He glanced toward Sable's door again, his expression thoughtful. "She's strong. She'll get through this. But she's going to need time. And I know you'll be there, just like you've always been."
Raxian gave a small, grateful nod, his throat tight with emotion. He watched as Sable's dad headed toward the kitchen, leaving him alone in the living room once again. The weight of the day still lingered, but it felt a little lighter now, like maybe there was hope—however fragile it might be.
Raxian leaned back on the couch, glancing toward Sable's door one last time. He couldn't fix everything. He couldn't take away her pain. But he could be there. And right now, that was enough.