Electric Blue Rose - Book One. [COMPLETED] Undergoing Edits

Chapter Four - Chaos

Jade took a deep breath as the glow from the podium enveloped her hands. After losing one future today, she prayed that Asai would grant her this prayer—a chance to prove herself, to show her ability to heal and help others. The result flashed on her screen, and the larger one behind her. Jade gripped the podium as her legs buckled. Her head shook, but no sound escaped her as the screen read [Omega 5].

Clarke rushed over, pressing her hands repeatedly against the screen, praying for an error. The chaos of the crowd—shouts and intense displeasure—distracted her from the screen.

"She rigged it."

"There's no way she's a power-wielder."

"Arrest her already!"

Jade's eyes met Amorio's. His expression filled with distress as he silently urged her to run. She sprinted from the podium, but two Ivory Phase officers intercepted her before she could reach the edge of the stage. Cheers and applause mocked her as they paraded her in front of the crowd. They carried her into a cold stone building, where other Serfs rotted on the floor. The officers tossed her into an empty cell. One lifted her by the neck as if she were a mere twig. His grip tightened, cutting off her air. Jade tried to pry his fingers from her throat, but her body grew limp. Before the nightmare ended, they threw her against the wall. A scream tore from her lips as a loud crack sounded from her arm, followed by the impact of her head hitting the stone floor. Her cries brought laughter as they kicked her. Blood spilled from her mouth with each cough, blow after blow striking her stomach. Closing her eyes, Jade whispered, "Kill me. Kill me, please." Another prayer went unanswered as they lifted her by the collar of her dress—her dress riding up her legs.

"Talk, Serf!" The officer's words came through like a command, but Jade could barely speak through the pain.

"I didn't do anything," Jade managed, her voice breaking.

The officer's knuckles cracked before an aura of red illuminated the metal rod in his hands. He pressed it against her stomach, searing her skin and holding it there until her voice was worn out from her screams. The other Serfs, covering their ears, tried to block out her agony. All the strength Jade had left drained away.

"You do not get the relief of death, Serf," the officer sneered, tossing her to the ground and pinning her beneath his weight. Her dress hitched up, and Jade could no longer summon her speaking strength. The world around her darkened.

"Get off of her!" Alex's voice cut through the air. Jade tried to open her eyes, wondering if Alex had come to help or if death had finally come for her. Her breathing grew shallow as the man's weight lifted off her. Her body was gently lifted from the ground.

"Jade, oh Asai, Jade, no. Don't give in. I've got you." The coins from her pocket clattered to the floor as Alex held her, but her head swung against his chest.

"Stay awake, please. I can't lose you."

"No, my Jade. No," Amorio's voice cracked.

"Dad?" Jade whispered, though no sound came.

"We have to get her to the Medical Unit now." Tiny drops of water fell on her face as they ran. "Everything's going to be okay, Jade."

They stopped soon after, and Jade was lowered onto a flat surface. The cold metal beneath her sent shivers down her spine.

"We need a doctor, now!" Alex's voice was frantic.

Pain seized her as something sharp poked her arm. She screamed silently, the sensation like thousands of needles piercing her body. A rough strap tightened around her neck, and soft fabric covered her arm.

"I can only give her one of these," a voice said. A hand pressed a small amount of liquid to her forehead, and warmth spread through her, easing the throbbing in her head. Jade squeezed her eyes shut, feeling hands move under her dress. A warm hand slid into hers while another wiped the tears from her face.

"Alex?" Jade asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"We can't hear you, love," a voice resembling Craig's responded.

Pained tears fell from her right. Were they for her? Jade frowned at the thought of causing someone else pain.

"Jade, can you see me?" Jade struggled to open her eyes, their weight making it hard to keep them open. Blurred shapes hovered above her. "Jade, please stay awake. Please, I can't lose you." Alex's voice trembled with desperation, bleeding into the surrounding darkness. Minutes stretched into what felt like hours.

"Okay, she's stabilized," a voice said.

"Jade has come to me many times, pleading for help. Even when she knew she shouldn't, I've helped her when I knew I shouldn't. It's hard to turn away when a young, frail girl comes in with bruises, blood, and burn marks as punishment for existing. Jade needs significant rest. She may be out for a few days once she sleeps. They'll have her start at Omega 5, but she's in no condition to leave yet."

Jade's heart raced. Would she really be going to Omega 5? Did that mean she had an ability? All the suffering she'd endured for being powerless might have been wrong.

"Am I to understand you're going to Solsper, Amorio?" Jade finally recognized Dr. Straten's voice.

"Okay, I'll arrange transportation, but—"

"What is it?" Amorio's voice was strained. "I can't lose my little girl, please."

Sweat beaded on Jade's forehead. What was the doctor about to say? All the secrets Jade had shared in confidence. She opened her mouth, but no sound came.

"I'm concerned about Jade's mental health. After such an attack, I'm not sure she's safe from herself."

"From herself?" Amorio asked. "Like you mean?"

"I'm afraid so."

"What do we do?" Alex asked. Jade's tears were wiped away again before she realized they were gone.

"We?" Amorio's voice sounded incredulous. "Every damn day, she's shattered because of you. You do nothing. As if it wasn't bad enough, you ignored her for years. You broke her heart on the most important day of her life."

"It's not that simple, Amorio. I love your daughter. Let me help!"

Love? Alex loved her. Then why?

"Enough!" Craig shouted. "Don't you see the pain Jade's enduring? You two need to let go of your differences and focus on what matters: Jade."

Jade recognized Craig's delicate hand, the one that had been comforting her throughout the ordeal.

"Amorio," the doctor's voice interrupted. "They'll make her go to Omega 5, no matter what. Having someone there to monitor her could be crucial to her survival."

"I know what I've done, Amorio. Let me come with you. I can help Jade regain her strength, and I'll look after her now and when we go to Omega 5 together. Please, give me a chance to prove my love for her."

"She needs protection, Amorio," Craig added.

After a long pause, Amorio sighed. "Fine," he said, his voice defeated.

And just like that, they decided everything for her. Was this real? Exhaustion took over as more liquid entered her arm. "It's okay now, love. Just rest." With that permission, Jade succumbed to her body's needs and drifted asleep.