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

Chapter Sixteen - Fire

Their order of magazines was left at their door. Alex received them daily to keep up with what the tabloids fed about him to the public. This time she was the feature. Alex remained asleep. Jade brought them in, struggling to lift them onto the table. She let them spread out on the table. Her eyes went directly to the one cover where a photo of James's painting was on the cover. In capital letters and red was the word "Fake" across her. She struggled to breathe. William, Alex's father, bought it. A secret he threatened her with, and now without warning, he released it. All of her scars are out for the public to see. She rushed to the bathroom and threw up.

"Damn it," she heard Alex cry out. She must've woken him, and now she'd have to listen to it from him. "Where the Void did they get this photo?" He asked as she crossed back out of the bathroom.

"I. I can't say."

"What a damn shock. You did just whore it out for anyone, didn't you?" She gasped, the words shocking her. He turned away, not giving her any reaction to hers. She struggled to stay standing, the world was attacking her, and she remained defenseless.

"It's one of James's paintings," she said. Alex scoffed and turned to her.

"Well, then you did bring this upon yourself, huh?" Her eyes welled up, and she nodded. "I'm not in the mood for your dramatics, Jade. I have some major damage control. You better stay in here today. I can't have you out there gaining any more attention. You acted so upset I discussed your scars, but here you are with them out and open." She opened her mouth to speak, but he walked out of the room, slamming the door. Jade sat at the table and stared at all her photos, headlines, interviews, etc. They showcased her deepest insecurities, and now she became a live target where everyone has the advantage with the ammo they shoot at her.

A knock sounded at the door. "I'm not going to class today, Joe," she called out. She frowned when there was no response and more knocking. She sighed and crossed over to the door. She wasn't going to give Alex any other reason to be mad at her. She opened the door and immediately tried to shut it, but the group of people who stood on the other side made their way through. They closed the door behind them. It seemed like there were a dozen people, unrecognizable behind their masks. They grabbed her arms and legs and slammed her to the ground. Jade shouted in pain. Her arm, which was days from fully healed, reverted with a snap.

One of them shoved a cloth in her mouth. "Shut up. We've heard enough out of you. We're not going to let you make a fool out of Alex." Jade's eyes widened. Four of them kept her still as the rest took turns attacking her. Jade gritted her teeth on the cloth, her hands turning to fists, she tried to fight against the pain, but she could feel herself growing weaker with every blow. They dragged her, tying her to the leg of the bed. They cleaned a spot on Jade's arm. She turned to see a girl use her finger to produce a flame. Jade tried to shift out of the bounds. She screamed, despite the muffled sounds that resulted.

"We're going to make sure everyone knows you for what you are." She started writing on Jade's arm with a flame. Jade screamed, her eyes shut tight, trying to take the pain. The stench of burning flesh made her nauseous. She was finally released. Jade felt as though she collapsed, despite being on the ground. They sat her up, adjusting her restraints. "I guess I should've said. We're going to make sure everyone knows you for what you were." Jade struggled to open her eyes but did. She watched as the girl lit various things around the room on fire. Jade's eyes widened, and she screamed, trying to get someone's attention, but she couldn't muster a loud enough sound. "Don't worry, Alex will be taken care of by someone more worthy of him." They all left, locking the door before they shut it. The fire spread quickly, the room warming at an intense speed. Smoke started to form, her body limp, her mind clouding, her breaths slowed.

Finally, you're getting what you deserve. Jade heard a voice say, a voice she clung to as everything started to fade.