Wilting Rose

~Chapter 5~

"H..how d.do you know that?" A boy asked, tears were streaming down his cheeks. Blotches of red were a patchwork quilt draped across his face and tears were ravines of sorrow.

The healer finally arrived, but I knew better. She was dead. Unless this healer could bring back the deceased, the poor girl was a lost cause "Hurry up!" The boy shouted, the tears were beginning to dry, they looked kind of like clear parched blood. "Now!" I could tell that the boy was worried, I mean he'd just lost some one special, maybe a girlfriend.

"I'm really sorry, she gone." The healer reported. I felt bad, it honestly looked like the boy was about to claw out her eyes and saw her tongue with, I don't know a saw. "You!" He shouted, tears still falling freely down his face. I pointed at my chest, confusion  was a mask hiding my features. He scoffed. I whispered into Zion's ear, "Am I in trouble?" His head bounced up from the floor. He locked eyes with the crying guy who was now stomping towards us and nodded meekly.

Before I knew it I was slammed against the hard brick wall. Blood was gushing out of my head, I must have hit it when I collided with the wall. But I couldn't think about that not now, right now all I could think about was the soaring pain in my body as I was kicked and punched, pushed and insulted. "You did something to her, you killed my sister!" He screamed in my face. So he was his sister not girlfriend, strange they looked nothing alike. I had four options, I could keep quiet and except a punishment for something I never did; laugh in his face; shout in his face; or wait for back up. I chose the second. Spoiler alert, bad idea.

"You did it you lunatic. My sister is gone and it's all your fault." He continued to beat me. Punch here, punch there, kick in my legs, my head was smashed against the wall; again. "Enough!" I couldn't tell who had said it but I knew they were strong as their body rammed in between me and the grieving brother. If you were wondering why I couldn't see it was because my eyes were swollen shut and pain was a boa constrictor wrapping itself around me, it was a ribbon tied around a present.  I couldn't tell whether or not I had broken a rib, probably.

"Maeve, listen to me, can you hear me?" It was the voice. The one from the bookcase door which meant it was Noah. Despite my pain, I managed a smile, Noah was better than Zion; kinder. Noah actually seemed like he had my best interests at heart.

- - - 1 - - -

It was so bright. I squinted my eyes, barley able to see; I turned my head to the side but a sharp slash of pain made me regret it. Where was I? What had happened? My head was pounding, it felt like I had been thrown into a wall. Maybe I had, I couldn't remember. This time I was smarter, I didn't move my head; instead I reached my arm out for my phone, it was in my pocket. Or it was. I sat up as fast as I could. My phone. It was gone. An excruciating wave of pain clawed my inside out. I couldn't help but let out a pain induced moan. What had I gotten myself into? I slammed my head back against my pillow, I couldn't deal with this right now. "Time?"

My voice was so small, I was shocked when someone actually answered. I didn't recognise the voice, maybe she was a healer, that would be nice.

A hand touched my stomach. It was cold but gentle. The pain that had been absorbing me was slowly leaving. It felt like the hand was pulling it out from me. Then it stopped. I wasn't completely better, had something happened or was I just not allowed to be free from the pain that was drowning me.

I heard the door open and close. Were people coming in? Or were they leaving? To be honest I wasn't really sure which I would rather.

I stayed still for a while, waiting to hear any noise, seeing if I could eavesdrop but no one said anything. When I was sure I was alone, I opened my eyes and swung my legs to the side of my bed. Pain tightened its grasp around my bones when I did but it felt good. It felt refreshing. It made me feel alive. Maybe I could just... I tried to stand up but my legs buckled beneath me. If I couldn't stand how could I do anything? I was useless.

I decided to sit up instead. A flash of gold invaded the left side of my eye. It hadn't been there before.

New mission: get to the golden thing and investigate.

It looked like it was on my desk and that wouldn't be a problem if I could walk but I couldn't so. All I needed to do was get my chair over to my bed so I could climb upon my carriage and drive towards my destination. I looked around my room hoping, praying that a solution would appear out of thin air like it often does in fairy tales. It didn't. But I did have an idea. I reached out my leg and dove deep into my non existent memories of non existent ballet lessons and pointed my toes so perfectly my non existent teachers mouth would drop to the floor.

It worked.

My leg had managed to latch on the the seat.  All I had to do now was get it over here. Maybe if I hooked my ankle around the legs I would be able to drag it over to me.

It worked.

To whoever my fairy godmother is I love you and thank you, things seem to be going my way for once. I lifted myself up and tried to sit in the chair. Focus on the word tried because I failed. To whoever my fairy godmother is, why? I was doing to well.

I barely had time to think before I had face planted on the floor. A loud bang erupted from my room and evaporated off of me. I know it was loud because 1 I heard it and 2 about 5 people, I think came running to help. I can't confirm whether it was five or more or even less because my face was currently engulfed in carpet and I could barely breathe let alone see.

"Opal!" I couldn't tell you exactly who shouted for this poor girl but I could guess. A man because of the voice, past puberty because it was deep. Has authority because he was commanding people around like an entitled high schooler. Maybe a commander, the king, a head of something at least.

"Yes sir, coming sir." The voice this time was small, probably a girl and quite young or at least insecure. I recognised her voice though, she was my healer. Opal was my healer or at least I think so; who else would have the same voice and answer to a command directed at Opal. I felt a sudden pant of sympathy for her, to be honest I wouldn't be surprised if she was younger than 15 and already being controlled and used.

If I can't get out of being queen maybe I can at least help kids not have to be used when they are so young. Well obviously kids are young but you know what I mean.

Her hand touched my back again and a cold sensation seeped into my bones, it crawled into every crevice and flushed out the pain. "You can turn around if you like, it shouldn't hurt now." I'm guessing it was Opal and her voice was so soft and calming but it had a hint or nervousness or unease to it. I did as she said though and I was so grateful for the air that seeped into my lungs when I did.

"Can I ask something?" She asked. I kind of already knew what she was going to ask but I thought I would hear her out first. I was mid sitting up so my response was kind of mumbled but she understood.

"Did you do it?" She asked. I knew it. I called it. Well to be honest I don't know what else she would've said but I still couldn't believe it. She was my healer. Maybe my friend. But not anymore. She doubted me, I couldn't trust her, even though she was so young.

I wasn't one hundred percent sure what to say to her question but I had to think of something otherwise it would be suspicious. Maybe if I acted like she was being ridiculous, which she was. A laugh should do. Then I would shake my head, continue laughing and say, "No why earth would you think that?" That should do, right? I mean I didn't do it so I didn't have any reason to worry, right? At least I don't think I did it.

"Ok then, I'll go." She replied. I couldn't really tell whether she believed me or not, I hope she did. She was sweet, a kind girl trapped in a palace of monsters; and a killer.

I waited till her footsteps had faded before I continued my now easy mission. Funny how getting something off of your desk is so much simpler when you can use your legs. The envelope was tinted yellow with age and had the royal stamp embedded into the wax seal that was was hiding my letter. I carefully tore open the envelope as I wanted to keep it for storage maybe. A clean white letter free from age's grasp stared back at me.

There were only two words on the page. A name.

Eva Whiteworm