Remembering Rose

Chapter Two- Beautifully Broken

Galen's POV:
        "That's not garbage....that's a girl." Time seemed to freeze in that moment. Everything left my brain, and I was left staring at the broken form of a ragged girl, abandon in the shadows of a dark street.
        Her clothes were in tatters, streaked with dry blood and covered in dirt. Her wild mane of blonde hair was matted. A constellation of putrid gashes and plum-colored bruises bloomed from her pale skin. But even in her marred and horrifying state, she was beautiful. Beautifully broken.
        Farley's brows furrowed in confusion. He bent down to the girl, his hand cautiously reaching toward her bloodied body. His troubled eyes traveled over her before he turned to us and asked "Is she dead?"
        Knox and I crouched beside him, grim scowls mirroring our thoughts. "It doesn't look good," Knox hissed as he carefully lifted the remains of her shirt, "She's alive, but just barely. I'm not sure we can do anything, Galen," Knox spoke cautiously. He knew I wasn't one to leave those in need (it was my nature to help) but there was only so many we could aid.
        I looked at the girl laying before me. Beautifully broken. Her battered body let out a shuddering breath, and I knew that leaving her behind meant death. But, the boys and I were no ordinary people. We were renegades. We were calloused criminals. We were everything she would never understand. To take her meant to keep her. To leave her was to sentence her to death. I looked up at Knox, my deep molten eyes flashing.
        We were not heartless. We were not cold. We were her only hope...and Knox knew that. "Anything is better than nothing," I answered.
        "I'll carry her," Walker volunteered stepping forward. I gave him a curt nod and turned my attention to the fading darkness around us. The alley was quiet--empty of anything that might give a clue as to what had occurred. "Alright, Galen, where are we taking her," asked Walker as he easily lifted the girl into his paint-speckled arms, "The base is too crowded with everyone still recovering from the Reds attack."
        I rubbed my face tiredly. "You're right. I don't want everybody to know about her either, so we need to keep her close," I added quietly.
        The boys were silent for a moment, their eyes jumping between the girl and the others around them. A silent debate was raging--each one attempting to say 'you watch her! No you!'. Finally, Farley began snapping his fingers desperately.
        "We can take her to Peony! Since Lilith just moved in with me, Peony has the room," he explained.
        I nodded slowly, "That's good, mate. We know we can trust her and she can take care of Her."
Walker and Knox quickly agreed and we were off, the girl completely unaware.
*************
        Knox knocked on the faded yellow door softly, his towering form blocking the flickering light of the hall. Within thirty seconds the door opened and a sleepy-eyed girl with wild chestnut brown hair appeared. She squinted at Knox for a moment before letting out a squeal, and throwing herself into his arms. "Big Brother!"
        Knox wrapped his sister in a tight hug, a small smile growing on his face as he lifted her off the floor. "Hey there, Sis," he whispered.
        When Knox relented Peony from his hold she turned to the rest of us who stood in the hall, a warm smile on her face. Farley held open his arms and Peony quickly filled them, then she turned to me and did the same. However, when she turned to Walker she faltered. Her dark, forest green eyes widened in surprise as she noticed the pale form in his arms. The smile fell off her face and the hall grew still.

        With a sigh I put a hand on Peony's shoulder bringing her attention away from the girl. "Peony, we need your help."

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Hello my wonderful readers! So I promise in the next chapter you will officially meet The Girl! I'm so excited! I really think this story can be so sweet with all the plans I have, but I would love to hear what you all think. With that said, thanks for reading :)

-agirlmadeofstars