Blamed

Chapter 2: The Fall

The days turned into weeks, and Sage's life continued to unravel. Each morning, she woke up dreading what new accusations would greet her. She stopped attending school, unable to face the cruel whispers and judgmental stares. Her grades plummeted, and she withdrew from the activities she once loved.

Her relationship with Riley deteriorated rapidly. Once full of love and trust, it was now tainted with suspicion and resentment. He questioned her constantly, his anger bubbling just beneath the surface. The trust they had built over the years was shattered, replaced by a chasm of doubt.

One evening, after yet another heated argument with Riley, Sage found herself standing on the edge of despair. She couldn't take it anymore. The weight of the lies, the loneliness, and the constant scrutiny had become too much to bear. In a moment of utter hopelessness, she decided to end it all.

With tears streaming down her face, she took a handful of pills and collapsed onto her bed. Darkness enveloped her, and she welcomed it, hoping for an escape from the torment that had become her life.

Hours passed in a haze. The world felt distant, a murky blur where pain and peace intertwined. In this state, she was vaguely aware of a faint ringing sound, a persistent noise that seemed to pierce through the darkness. It was her phone, lighting up with a call from her sister Grace. Somehow, amidst the fog, Sage managed to answer it.

"Sage? Are you there?" Grace's voice was frantic, filled with concern. "Sage, talk to me!"

With great effort, Sage whispered into the phone, her words barely audible. "I can't... I can't do this anymore."

Realizing the severity of the situation, Grace acted quickly. She called their brother Daniel and together they rushed to Sage's house. They found her unconscious on the bed, the empty pill bottle a glaring sign of her desperation. Panic surged through them, but there was no time to waste. They carried her to the car and sped to the hospital, their hearts pounding with fear.

At the hospital, Sage was rushed into the emergency room. The doctors worked swiftly to stabilize her, pumping her stomach and administering fluids to flush the toxins from her system. Grace and Daniel waited in agonizing silence, holding each other tightly, praying for their sister's survival.

After what felt like an eternity, a doctor approached them, his expression serious but reassuring. "She's stable now," he said. "It was a close call, but she's going to be okay. We'll need to keep her here for a while to monitor her and ensure she gets the care she needs."

Relief washed over Grace and Daniel, but it was tempered by the gravity of what had happened. They knew that this was only the beginning of a long and challenging journey for Sage. As she lay in the hospital bed, unconscious but alive, they made a silent vow to stand by her side, no matter what.

When Sage finally awoke, she felt a profound sense of emptiness. The sterile hospital room was a stark reminder of her attempt to escape the unbearable pain. She glanced around, her eyes landing on Grace and Daniel, who sat by her bedside, their faces etched with worry and love.

"Why... why did you save me?" Sage's voice was hoarse, her throat dry.

Grace reached out and took Sage's hand in hers. "Because we love you, Sage. We're not going to let you go through this alone."

Daniel nodded, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "We're here for you, no matter what. We'll get through this together."

Sage felt a flicker of something she hadn't felt in a long time: hope. It was fragile and tentative, but it was there. With her siblings' unwavering support, she began to see a glimmer of light in the darkness that had consumed her.

The days that followed were filled with therapy sessions and heart-to-heart talks. Sage slowly opened up about the torment she had endured, the lies that had torn her life apart. Grace and Daniel listened, their hearts breaking for her, but they remained steadfast in their support.

As Sage started to heal, she found solace in small things. She began drawing again, using art as an outlet for her emotions. She reconnected with a few friends who had believed in her innocence, seeking comfort in their presence. Slowly, she started to rebuild the pieces of her shattered life.

Riley's visits to the hospital were infrequent and strained. The rift between them seemed insurmountable, the trust they once shared now a distant memory. Sage realized that clinging to a broken relationship would only hinder her healing. With a heavy heart, she decided to let go, ending their relationship to focus on her recovery.

The decision was painful, but it was also liberating. Sage felt a weight lift off her shoulders, allowing her to breathe a little easier. She knew the road ahead would be difficult, but she was determined to move forward, one step at a time.

One afternoon, as Sage sat in the hospital garden, sketching in her notebook, she felt a presence beside her. She looked up to see Ronnie, his expression a mixture of sadness and determination.

"Sage, I'm so sorry for everything," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "I know you didn't do it. I should have stood up for you more."

Tears welled up in Sage's eyes as she looked at her friend. "It's not your fault, Ronnie. None of this is your fault."

Ronnie sat down next to her, his gaze unwavering. "I want to help you, Sage. I want to be there for you, like I should have been from the start."

Sage nodded, feeling a sense of warmth and support from Ronnie's words. "Thank you, Ronnie. That means a lot."

In that moment, surrounded by the beauty of the garden and the support of her friends and family, Sage felt a renewed sense of strength. She wasn't alone in this fight. With the love and support of those who truly cared about her, she knew she could overcome the lies and reclaim her life.