Page 48 of The Destruction You Desire

"Luca," she sighs after a few seconds.

"I know. I'm sorry. I just want to make it better, P."

"You can't."

She turns her back on me. My arms move to reach for her, to pull her back into my body and hold her, but the set of her shoulders tells me not to. So instead, I stand there feeling like I'm drowning not knowing what to do to help, all the while her words from only a few moments ago echo around in my head.

I can't do this alone.Not,I can't do this without you.

The elevator pings with our arrival and to my surprise, the second the doors part, Peyton moves forward. She studies the signs hanging from the ceiling in the sterile hallway before marching forward. It seems she's found some strength from somewhere, and as glad as I am that she has, it also terrifies me because I know she didn't take it from me.

She's right. She really isn't the girl I used to know.

12

Peyton

"Oh my God," I cry the second my eyes land on my big sister.

She looks tiny in the hospital bed, surrounded by harsh white sheets but it's not her size that's the most shocking thing because that is the state of her face.

I rush forward, taking in her dark sunken eyes, hollow cheeks and the sores and scabs that cover her once flawless skin.

As a teenager, I was always green with envy of her clear skin while I was always fighting acne.

"Libby, what have you done?" I whisper, finding her cold hand that's resting on the sheets and holding it in both of mine as tears cascade down my cheeks.

The machines around us beep and whir. They're noises that I remember all too well from the last time I was in a hospital and sitting around both Mom and Kayden's beds.

"You can fight this, Lib. I know you can. I'm here, Sis. I'm right here," I cry.

Strong arms wrap around my waist from behind as I stand there staring at my sister in disbelief.

All my hopes and dreams about her finding a new life, some happiness have been totally obliterated as I stare at my worst nightmare.

Luca holds me for the longest time with his lips pressed against the top of my head as my world crumbles around me.

She looks so weak, so frail, so hopeless, and I can't help but let it bleed into me.

She's not going to come back from this. How can she?

"Peyton Banks?" a soft voice says from behind us a few seconds later.

Luca turns with me as I look at the young doctor who's joined us.

"Y-yes."

"I'm Dr. Willis, we spoke on the phone."

I nod. "H-how is she?"

"Would you both like to come with me, we can get coffee and I can explain what's happening?"

I look from her to my sister. I don't really want to leave her now that I'm here, but I also need to hear what the doctor has to say, and the coffee. God, I need coffee.

"Yeah, okay."

I give my sister's hand a squeeze.