The Truth About Monsters

Chapter 24: The Fall of A Monster

Jisoo was, unfortunately, beginning to acclimate to the bustle of the emergency room, far more than any one person ever really needed to.

She had sat there for hours, ignoring every single call, from Jennie, from Darius, Hyori, anyone and everyone. She'd seen the staff wheel Chanyeol Park away, and then Rosie.

Her Rosie. Who was very much alive.

Irene was dead.

Jisoo felt an absolute whirlwind of emotion, with great peaks and absolutely unbearable lows. She couldn't bring herself to cry; she felt incredibly numb inside.

Everything was Rosie.

"Jisoo." Alicia's voice was soft and uncharacteristically warm as she sat down beside Jisoo in the private waiting area of her wing in the hospital.

Jisoo's eyes shot open as she felt herself pushed back into her chair by Alicia, keeping her from getting up unnecessarily.

"Alicia." Jisoo swallowed the lump in her throat. "Rosie. Please tell me-"

"She's just fine." Alicia cleared her throat. "Or she will be. After a lot of rest and relaxation, which I'm sure you'll give her."

Jisoo fought off the tears that welled in her eyes. She shook her head weakly. Alicia frowned, rubbing a hand on Jisoo's shoulder.

"You won't?"

"I can't." Jisoo croaked. She hated how weak she sounded. "She's in this because of me."

Alicia sighed. "Jisoo, don't tell me-"

"I'm dangerous, Dr. Park." Jisoo hissed. "I am a killer."

Alicia didn't flinch. "And?"

"And?" Jisoo mocked incredulously. "Rosie is endangered with me."

"She loves you." Alicia answered calmly.

"And, believe me Dr. Park, I love Rosie more than I ever have loved, or will love anything or anyone in my life." Jisoo practically whimpered.

Alicia's heart lurched at the confession. Even given the circumstance, it was oddly beautiful. "Then you feel the same way Rosie does."

Jisoo nodded without hesitation. "More, even. Rosie is everything, Dr. Park."

Alicia chanced a small smile. "Then you know how heartbroken she'd be if you left her."

Jisoo bit back a sob. "But if she's alive..."

"That's not living." Alicia shook her head. "Listen, I haven't seen Rosie in years. But I know my daughter. I know when she's happy and fulfilled. Jisoo, you give her that. You can't just erase that."

Jisoo bit her lip. She knew every single word out of Alicia's mouth was true.

"I couldn't if I wanted to." Jisoo admitted brokenly.

Alicia nodded, rubbing Jisoo's back. "Jessica says your people are trying to contact you. She's the one who patched Rosie up."

Jisoo grit her teeth. "They can wait."

Alicia bit back a chuckle. "Would you like to see her? Rosie's not awake yet, but-"

Jisoo was already out of her seat, eyes pleading for Alicia to lead her to her lover.

"Jisoo." Alicia spoke firmly as she led Jisoo through the bustling halls, sticking closely to the walls and out of the way of the hospital staff. "Rosie's broken a rib, suffered a mild concussion, and well, she might seem a bit different upon waking up."