Chapter Twenty one
1305 Words
A twig snapped beneath my foot.
Heads whipped around. Dozens of eyes locked onto me - some curious, some hostile, some indifferent. Brett's gaze burned coldest, like he recognized something in me that I didn't yet understand.
The moment stretched, tension humming through the crisp autumn air.
"Well, well," Poppy's voice cut through the silence, sharp as a blade. "Look who decided to crash the party."
Poppy's perfectly manicured hand gripped Brett's arm, her nails digging into his skin like tiny daggers. Her eyes narrowed, sizing me up with a predatory intensity that made my skin crawl.
"Who invited the ghost?" she hissed.
"Looks like the shadows finally found a face," he shot back, crossing his arms.
Miles elbowed his date, laughter bubbling up as he pointed at me.
"Someone call a priest; we've got an exorcism to perform!" Poppy said.
My fingers curled into fists. Cold night air bit through me. I couldn't even think of a come back, I had to get out of here. I turned and ran straight for the woods.
Branches scratched at my arms as I plunged deeper into the darkness.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?" Brett's voice echoed, followed by laughter that chased me like a shadow.
I pressed on, my heart pounding, unwilling to look back.
I heard Rose calling me by name, her voice slicing through the murk.
"Mauve! Wait up!"
The urgency in her tone jolted me, but the laughter behind me surged like a wave. I pushed through the underbrush, running toward anything that felt like refuge.
My body was in too much pain for this madness, but the laughter clung to my skin.
"Stop! Come back!" Rose's voice cut through the taunts, desperation lacing her words.
I stumble on a root, gasping, willing my legs to move faster. My body just gives way, and I fall to the damp earth, the ground rough against my skin.
"Mauve!" Rose's voice breaks the chaos, her breathless urgency a lifeline.
I glance back, see her silhouette pushing through the trees, leaving the laughter behind.
"Why?" I croak, despair snaking around my chest. "Because I came for you!" Rose steps closer, her eyes wide, reflecting the moonlight.
I shake my head, breath ragged.
"They don't care, Rose. I'm just... nothing."
"Not to me," she insists, reaching out, her hand trembling with resolve.
We need to get you back to the hospital before someone finds us here.
"No! I won't go back," I rasp, pushing to my feet, heart racing.
"Mauve, you can't—"
"I'll put it all together at the ruins, not here! Just trust me!"
Her eyes flash with stubbornness, but I can't back down now.
"You've been missing for months Mauve, months and then I find you inch's away from death, I will not let you disappear again." Rose's voice trembles, urgency cutting through the night air.
I can't even argue at this point, I'm in such a bad way, I should have let myself heel before leaving. "Just come with me," Rose pleads, stepping closer, fingertips brushing my arm.
I want to collapse, but her determination tugs at me, igniting a spark of defiance.
"Fine," I mutter, clenching my jaw.
Rose helps me out of the woods and into the back of a car, I stare into the front and see Lyle leaning against the steering wheel, brows knitted in concern.
"Mauve!" Lyle exclaims, eyes widening. "What happened?"
"It's not safe here," Rose urges, pulling me closer.
Lyle meets her gaze, then nods, shifting into gear with determination. "Let's get you out of here."
We arrive back at the hospital parking lot, the fluorescent lights flickering overhead like a heartbeat.
Lyle jumps out, worry etched across his face. "Stay put. I'll get help." Rose grips my arm, her fingers steady against my skin.
"Focus on your breathing. We're in this together."
I nod, forcing back the tremors threatening to overtake me. The glow of the hospital looms, but my mind drifts back to the ruins. "I need to speak to someone," I rasp, scanning the entrance as panic swells.
Rose grips my arm tighter. "Let's just get inside. You can explain everything later."
The lobby buzzes with life, nurses darting past, and families huddled together in worry.
"They'll ask questions," I protest, my pulse quickening.
"Let them," Rose replies, urgency threading her voice.
"You need to heal Mauve. The hospital is the best place."I can't do this," I gasp, clutching my side.
Rose's eyes harden, determination sparking in their depths.
"You don't get to decide. We're not leaving until you're safe."
The next morning, I'm woken by a nurse tugging at the sheets, her eyes flicking between the chart and my face.
"Time for some tests," she announces, pulling back the curtain, light spilling into the room.
I blink against the brightness. "Glad to see you're awake," she says, her tone brisk as she jots notes on my chart.
"Where's Rose?" I rasp, scanning the room.
"Out front. You'll feel better once we finish these tests." The nurse's tone is brisk, her focus unwavering as she lines up vials.
"Can't you just let me see her now?" I press, anxiety tightening my chest.
"Deep breath," she instructs, her eyes darting back to me, assessing. I force air into my lungs, feeling the sting of the needle as she prepares a vial.
"Is it serious?" I manage, fighting to keep panic at bay.
"Just routine," she replies, a hint of warmth breaking through her clinical facade. "Is that what you tell everyone?" I shoot back, my heart racing.
Her eyes narrow, a flicker of challenge sparking in them.
"Only when they're as stubborn as you." She finishes drawing the blood, then steps back, lifting an eyebrow. I go to sit and oh God the pain in my side, forcing a wince as I grit my teeth.
"Easy now, don't push it," the nurse warns, her voice sharp yet calm.
Rose's POV
I'm sat anxiously waiting to get into see Mauve, I feel so bad I never should have gone last night. Lyle had to go sort out some business, so I'm on my own. I have so many questions to ask her, where has she been all this time? What was she on about ?ruins? Has she lost her mind.
The sterile waiting room buzzed with fluorescent flatness. Metal chairs squeaked under her restless fingers. Her thumbnail scraped a fraying thread on her jacket sleeve, each nervous pick punctuating her racing thoughts.
A nurse with crisp burgundy scrubs tapped her clipboard. "She'll see you now."
I pushed the door open, and I couldn't help it. Tears started falling down my face.
Mauve's pale hand trembled against the stark white hospital sheet. Her eyes, once vibrant green, now looked washed-out and distant.
"You came," she whispered, her voice brittle as autumn leaves. A fragile smile cracked across her pallid face.
I rush over and practically leap into her arms ," I've missed you so much."
I grab her into a hug and just stay there for a moment.
"Im so sorry, for everything has happened to you, you know you can tell me anything....I mean anything!"
"Don't you mind if I ask you something?"
"Go ahead," she winces
"Who hurt you?? Don't lie to me , please, Mauve, don't lie to me. "
Mauve's shoulders stiffened, her gaze darting to the ground.
"It was… it doesn't matter now."
I stepped back, searching her eyes. "It does matter. Tell me."
She swallowed hard, her fists tightening at her sides. "It was my uncle and aunt." "Mauve, that's…" I paused, grappling with the weight of her words.
"They said it was for my own good," she replied, bitter edges cutting through her voice.
I clenched my jaw. "That's not love. You deserve better than them."
- Writer
