Saving Rose

Nightmares

A flash. Then, a scream. Filled with pain and agony. A strangled cry. It was her own, she soon realized. She stumbled around, desperate for an escape. There had to be an escape...

They were coming. The people who hurt her. They were chasing her.

The boy, what was his name? Jason, it was Jason. How could she ever forget? He had always pushed her into the cold, metal lockers at school. Spat a stream of dark words in her face. She would never be loved. She would never be happy. She would never be safe. She believed him. It was true, after all.

Behind Jason was the group of popular girls. Jason's friends. They had destroyed many lives with their cruel words. Many lives including hers. They had written things on her locker, in bathroom stalls, on mirrors, online. Everywhere. Everyone hated her because of them, and they made sure she knew it.

Then came her parents. Dressed in black and white; like the day of their wedding. The only picture she had of her parents. They didn't even notice. They were just walking lazily, holding hands and occasionally smiling at each other.

She screamed at them, begging for help. They didn't hear. It wasn't fair.

The people from the orphanage pushed past her parents angrily, marching towards her. The people that had destroyed her childhood. She looked down, pulling up her shirt a little. There were the scars, the thin stripes from the harsh leather belts. Every time she misbehaved. And they had just started to fade, she thought, as they came closer.

Behind her, she heard loud footsteps approaching. She weakly turned, gasping at the sight of her ex-boyfriend, Reilly. He smirked evilly. "I've missed you," he said with a harsh voice that made we wince. Then, he jerked her towards the group.

"Come on. What? Are you afraid, you pathetic little" he was cut off by a brave movement, a slap, from the girl. His face went red with anger. He pushed her roughly, then slapped her cheek. It stung.

She couldn't run. She tried her best, but she was in so much pain already. She wouldn't get much further. Then, she would give up. Not yet, though. She was a fighter, but this fight wasn't fair.

I awoke with a gasp and a shudder, tears flowing down my cheeks. I can't go through this anymore. I can't stay with the band forever; I'll have to go back someday. Reilly will find me where I go. He hates me with everything he is. He used to love me, then he started doing drugs. Then he became abusive. I wasn't able to leave; I didn't have anywhere to go back then. Reilly was insane, and he wanted me dead. Maybe I did, too...

He would find me. I was completely confident in that statement. I didn't want it to happen around the guys.

The guys were practicing. Their slot to perform had been rescheduled for tomorrow night, so they were getting even more prepared. I had told them I was tired, then fell asleep on the free bunk.

I stood up, briefly stretching, then opened the door. When I was sure nobody was looking, I darted out, closing the door quickly, and started to run. Somewhere; anywhere, I just had to go somewhere, to be alone for a while.

I crashed into something suddenly, and looked up. My puffy red eyes widened. It was Andy Biersack, the lead singer for Black Veil Brides. I gasped, unable to speak.

"Wow... Are you okay?" He said immediately, looking down at me. I shook my head, trying to get past him, but he kept blocking me. "Nope, you're not going anywhere until I'm sure you're okay. And, don't look so sad!" He said, looking like a protective parent a little. Well, as mature as he can look, with the war paint and tattoos and stuff.

I shook my head. "I'm fine, I just need... space. And time, I guess, so if you could just..." I said, raising my eyebrows. It didn't work. He crossed his arms. "You're Rose, aren't you? The depressed girl who the guys saved from a wacko in a dark alley? The one who Jaime's kinda in love with?

They told me that you've had a hard life. I can't let you go and sit by yourself; that's how a lot of people end up getting crazy ideas about giving up, and I'm not letting that happen," Andy rambled on, and I sighed. Why won't anyone let me give up? It's my life! I can do whatever the hell I want with it!! I'm just tired of running and hiding from my problems. Reilly can win. Nothing lasts forever.

"Well I'll give you credit for trying," I growled under my breath, spinning around and running back to the trailer, leaving Andy behind in the dust and crowds.

Once I was inside, I went straight to the bunk where my small bag was with my keys and stuff. I washed my face, dabbing on a bit of makeup, then left, after making sure the coast was clear.

Once I was back at my apartment, I packed up all of my possessions. I placed my apartment key on the bed, along with a few bills.

As I was leaving, I ran into Reilly. He had changed from my nightmare a few hours ago. Wet black hair, so he must live nearby now.

"Rose... Pleasure finding you here," he snarled, pulling me out of view from anyone walking by. Then, as soon as we had moved, he punched my shoulder, which pushed me against the wall. I winced in pain.

"Listen, you little worthless thing, you better go say bye to your famous little friends, because you're coming with me. Don't even think about telling anyone. You do and I'll kill you." He said, punching me in the stomach at the end. My face twisted in agony, making him notice immediately. He smirked inhumanly when I cried out in pain, then smacked my cheek, then suddenly vanished, after a startled look. He probably saw someone walking by. It doesn't matter, though. He's gone.

I came up with my plan as I stumbled away. I'd say bye to the guys, then go back to my own personal hell. The punishment would be worse if I tried to resist. I just was too scared to run. I had tried before. It hadn't worked out very well. I had been in horrible pain for weeks. 3 broken bones.

When I got back, I had to sneak back in. It took about an hour, since there were security guards everywhere. I had to flash an old school ID I had dug out of my old junk a few times to some suspicious looking ones.

I wanted to write a note thanking the guys. I didn't want to come back, but I hadn't been able to help it. I owed them so much for helping me. As I was searching for a piece of paper in the mess they called a trailer, I heard a bang. The door opened, revealing Kellin, Andy, and Vic. I froze, worried sick.

"Uhhhh..." I stuttered, not sure what to say. Andy looked at the others, as if saying 'I told you so.'

"Rose! What...what HAPPENED to you??" Vic shouted, looking overly concerned. I just closed my eyes. "Leaving. I'm sick and tired of running. I can't do it anymore." I whispered, barely loud enough for them all to hear.

"No. You're not leaving. You're not giving up. I can't let you do that," Vic said sternly.

"Now, what the hell happened?" Kellin questioned, sitting down on the couch next to a tired looking Andy. Vic lead me to the opposite couch and we sat down.

"I fell down the stairs," I lied quietly. Suddenly, Vic gave me a small hug. I yelped in pain, then tried to cover it up unsuccessfully with a cough.

"Liar. Come on, is this about the guy in the alley? He hasn't found you, had he? Who did this to you?" Kellin asked, leaning on his knees.

"He-He'll kill me... He'll kill me if I tell anyone..." I whimpered. I really needed to learn to keep my stupid little mouth shut.

"Oh my God. Who?" Vic gasped, gently putting his hands on my shoulders, noticing not to push to hard. He was staring into my eyes, but I had to look away. I couldn't tell anyone... Could I?