A Queen Returns

Chapter4

Coming to, I realized it was still dark outside. I was still lying in the backyard, so I slowly pushed myself upright. My parents weren’t beside me anymore. Confused, I forced myself to stand, but the moment I looked around, my entire world shattered.

Body parts were scattered everywhere. Blood stained the grass, splattered across the patio, and dripped from the trees. Guts hung from branches like some kind of nightmare. The metallic scent of blood filled the air so heavily it made me sick.

My breathing turned ragged as I stumbled through the yard, searching for my parents and Temperence. Then I found them.

I froze.

They were torn to shreds.

A scream ripped from my throat as I collapsed beside them. Looking down, I realized I was covered in blood from head to toe. My hands shook violently.

What happened?

I clutched at my mother’s lifeless hand, sobbing uncontrollably. I had no idea how long I stayed there screaming before someone finally arrived.

Through blurred tears, I saw a police officer rushing toward me.

“Victoria,” he said softly, kneeling beside me. “Come with me. You need to get to the hospital. I’ll ride with you.”

He tried pulling me away, but I refused to move. Eventually, he carefully lifted me into his arms and carried me to the ambulance.

Once inside, the paramedic sitting across from me spoke gently. “Victoria, are you hurt anywhere?”

I honestly didn’t know. There was blood everywhere, but I couldn’t tell if any of it was mine.

Before I could answer, darkness swallowed me again.

When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed with IVs attached to my arm and machines beeping around me. My throat burned, and my entire body felt weak.

Looking toward the chairs beside my bed, I saw Officer Michael sitting there.

The moment he noticed me moving, he jumped up. “Victoria, you’re awake. Thank God. Don’t try to sit up too fast.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

“Easy,” he said quickly. “Your throat’s dry. Let me get you some water.”

He poured a glass from the pitcher beside my bed and carefully handed it to me. After a few small sips, my throat felt better.

“Michael,” I whispered, “why am I here?”

He stared at me like he couldn’t believe I asked that. “Victoria… do you not remember what happened?”

The memories hit me instantly, and tears flooded my eyes again.

Officer Michael moved closer and rested a comforting hand over mine. “Shh. It’s okay. But I need you to tell me what happened.”

I looked down at my trembling hands. “I don’t know. I remember being in horrible pain before I blacked out. When I woke up… everyone was dead. I was covered in blood, but I don’t know if any of it was mine.”

Michael squeezed my hand gently. “You had a deep gash across your stomach, but it wasn’t as severe as we first thought. The doctors cleaned and bandaged it to prevent infection.”

I swallowed hard, trying not to cry again.

Then his expression turned serious. “Victoria… they found skin in your teeth. Do you remember biting anyone?”

I stared at him in horror. “No. I don’t remember anything after the pain started.”

He nodded slowly, though I could tell he wasn’t fully convinced. “Alright. I need to head back to the station and file your statement. Try to rest while I’m gone, okay?”

I nodded weakly as he left the room.

The second the door shut, panic overwhelmed me again.

What happened to my friends and family?

Could I have done that to them?

Was that why I couldn’t remember?

A knock at the door interrupted my spiraling thoughts.

“Come in,” I called weakly.

The door opened, and Dimitri stepped inside carefully, glancing behind him before shutting it.

“Victoria,” he breathed. “Are you okay? I heard what happened. I’m so sorry.”

The moment I saw him, the tears started again. Dimitri rushed to my bedside and carefully wrapped his arms around me.

“Vic,” he whispered, “what happened?”

“I woke up and everyone was dead,” I sobbed. “I don’t know what happened to them. I’m all alone now.”

He went completely silent, holding me tighter while I cried into his chest.

After a long moment, he finally spoke. “Vic… when you get out of the hospital, come stay with me and my mom.”

I pulled back slightly. “I don’t know if I can. There’s still an investigation.”

“I’ll stay with you until it’s over,” he promised immediately. “You shouldn’t be alone right now.”

As he stood to leave, I grabbed his hand. “But your mom? I thought she couldn’t be left alone.”

He leaned down and kissed the top of my head, sending strange sparks through my body.

“It’s okay,” he said softly. “I called my best friend back home. He’s staying with her until I get back.”

I slowly released his hand.

“I’m going to get the doctor,” he said. “They’ll want to check you over before they release you.”

I nodded silently.

A few minutes later, Dimitri returned with a doctor.

“How are you feeling, Victoria?” the doctor asked gently.

I looked away. “I honestly don’t know how to answer that.”

The doctor checked the IV bags and scribbled notes onto his clipboard. “Any physical pain?”

I shook my head.

“Can you lie back for me? I’d like to check your wound.”

Dimitri carefully lifted the edge of the hospital gown and peeled back the gauze.

The doctor froze.

My stomach tightened. “What’s wrong?”

He stared at my abdomen in disbelief. “Victoria… your wound is completely healed. There’s already scar tissue forming.”

I looked down in shock. He was right. The deep cut was gone, leaving only a thin scar behind.

“So… am I okay?” I asked nervously.

The doctor frowned thoughtfully. “I’d like to run some bloodwork just to make sure we didn’t miss anything.”

I glanced at Dimitri, and he immediately shook his head.

“Doctor,” Dimitri said calmly, “this has happened before. Her body heals unusually fast. Our family doctor can confirm it.”

The doctor looked skeptical, but after a moment, he sighed. “Well, I’d still prefer to keep you overnight for observation.”

I shook my head immediately. “I just want to leave and bury my family.”

After a long pause, he finally nodded. “You’re eighteen, so legally it’s your decision.”

Once he left the room, I turned to Dimitri. “Why didn’t you want him taking my blood?”

Dimitri gently took my hand again, those same strange sparks racing through me. “Because every time you heal like this, doctors run tests and never find anything. There’s no point.”

I frowned, but honestly, he did have a point.

“Dimitri,” I murmured, “I don’t have any clothes. The police probably took mine.”

He kissed my forehead softly. “I already thought of that. I got you a hotel room, too. You’re not going back to that house tonight.”

Tears filled my eyes again.

“I promise I’ll protect you, Vic,” he whispered. “And I’ll figure out what happened.”

Then he left to grab my clothes.

Not long after, a nurse entered to remove my IV.

“Your discharge papers should be ready soon,” she said kindly. “Do you have something to change into?”

“My friend’s bringing clothes,” I answered quietly.

She nodded and left just as Officer Michael returned.

“Victoria,” he said carefully, “are you sure you should leave already?”

“The doctor said I could,” I replied softly. “I just want to bury my parents.”

Michael sighed heavily. “That may take some time. They still have to complete the autopsies.”

I clenched my fists. “But they’re my parents.”

“I know,” he said gently. “But this is a homicide investigation.”

Before I could respond, Dimitri walked back into the room carrying a bag.

“Officer Michael,” Dimitri greeted politely. “Until everything settles down, Victoria will stay with me at a hotel.”

Michael smiled slightly. “Dimitri. Long time no see.”

Dimitri nodded. “I came into town for Victoria’s birthday yesterday. When I heard what happened, I turned around and came back.”

Then he handed me the bag. “Go shower and change, squirt. The doctor will bring your papers soon.”

I tried getting out of bed, but my legs immediately gave out beneath me.

Dimitri caught me instantly. “Easy there.”

He helped me slowly to the bathroom before stepping back outside to give me privacy.

Inside the bag were clothes, shampoo, conditioner, and even framed pictures of my family and Temperence. Seeing them nearly broke me again.

I stood under the hot water for what felt like forever, crying silently as the reality settled deeper into my chest.

They were really gone.

Eventually, Dimitri knocked softly on the door. “Vic? The doctor’s waiting.”

“Coming,” I called weakly.

After changing into sweatpants and one of my dad’s old T-shirts, I walked back out.

The doctor handed me my discharge papers with a warning to return if I developed dizziness or fever.

Then Dimitri led me out of the hospital and into his truck.

The drive to the hotel was silent.

When we arrived, I realized immediately this place was expensive. Very expensive.

Inside, the receptionist smiled warmly. “Welcome back, Mr. Malenko. Your penthouse is ready.”

I blinked in surprise.

As we entered the elevator, I looked at him. “Your last name is Malenko?”

He smirked. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, squirt.”

When we reached the top floor, my jaw dropped again.

“You stay in penthouses?” I asked.

He laughed softly. “Only when I’m here.”

Once inside, I stared around in disbelief. The suite was massive and luxurious.

Dimitri carried my bag into one of the bedrooms before returning to the living room and sitting on the couch.

I hesitated before sitting beside him.

“Dimitri…” I whispered. “I don’t think I can sleep alone tonight.”

His expression softened instantly. “Then I’ll stay until you fall asleep. I’ll be right in the next room if you need me.”

I nodded before carefully resting my head in his lap.

He brushed my hair back gently. “Get some sleep, Vic. You’re safe now.”

For the first time since waking up in that nightmare, I finally let my eyes close.