The Truth About Monsters

Chapter 11: Wanheda

Rosie faded in and out of consciousness for several minutes, a normal reaction to news that sent her body reeling into shock.

He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.

Was Rosie a monster?

It was her fault, and now, Caddel was dead.

Caddel was dead.

Murdered, though indirectly, by Jungkook Jeon.

Her so called brother.

She'd fought for him. She'd fought for Jisoo. Were they monsters? Was she one by association?

Could she live with herself? She'd broken the doctrine by which she'd lived. She'd broken the Hippocratic oath. She'd taken a life. Jungkook lied to her.

Everything she knew was a lie.

"Holy shit." A lower voice breathed, from somewhere in the darkness, the aching of Rosie's pitch black mind and vision.

"The door, Jennie, shut it. Make sure no one disturbs her." That voice. Rosie would run miles to chase that voice into the setting sun if she had to.

"She's breathing?"

Long fingers resting on Rosie's neck.

Silence, for a moment.

"...Yes." The breathy sigh was etched with relief.

Rosie felt her head cradled in someone's lap. She felt the cold, hard floor beneath her, rising to meet the weight of her body. Had she fallen, off the edge of her sanity? Was this hell?

No, her father wasn't here. Couldn't be.

Rosie took a breath. She opened her eyes, immediately adjusting them to the blinding light that she was met with. She glanced down out of force- and found that she was wearing a black dress.

Such a familiar scene.

Rosie glanced up curiously at the sound of various sniffles. And there it was.

The lush, grassy meadow. The sun swelling overhead, birds chirping softly as they soared and glided from branch to branch, dust particles floating in the golden glow of the light.

Mark was grinning, his eyes alight with happiness. He was alive, in that picture. That same picture that stood on a stand, in the middle of the cemetery.

Gentle sobs were muffled by handkerchiefs and sighs.

"You're going to be alright." Jungkook's voice, thick with remorse, sounded from behind Rosie, as he put a strong hand on her shoulder. "We'll make it through this together."

Rosie turned, surprised at his touch. He looked devastated, as if he'd lost a younger brother. His eyes, usually warm and brown, were glossy and tired. He wasn't looking at Rosie, like everyone else was, so expectant to see the girlfriend mourn.

Rosie felt the ghost of a kiss pressed to her temple, and she ached for those lips. "I'm here." The voice sounded gently, though not loudly enough to shake Rosie from whatever subconscious nightmare was gripping her.

He was staring at Lisa, who'd all but crumbled up against the nearest tree, tears freely streaming down her devastated face.

Rosie's soul ached for the girl, so clearly in love.

Rosie wanted to end things with Mark. She had, in a way. They were distancing themselves from each other, because Mark was becoming more and more involved in Jungkook's covert, shady affairs.