Bound by Honour

14

The first sensation I become aware of is the overwhelming weight dragging me down like a force pulling me to the ground. My eyelids felt impossibly heavy as I struggle to open them. The erratic bleeping from the heart monitor echoes through the room, letting me know I was in the hospital. Every breath feels labored and each beat of my heart seems to rock my entire body. I was acutely aware of every sensation, and every sound, as my mind tried to piece together what happened to put me in this place.

The room spun as I struggled to open my heavy eyelids. My tongue felt dry and coated, and a dull ache radiated through my skull. I willed my arms to move, but they refused to cooperate. Fear crept in as I realized I couldn't remember what had happened. My stomach knotted with unease and my heart raced with panic as I tried to piece together my memories.

As I lay there, the events come rushing back in a jumbled, terrifying rush: the crash, Royce's maniacal grin, the sound of his voice echoing in my ears. My father had taken Evie. He threatened to kill her if I didn't surrender.

My heart hammers in my chest, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps. I could still hear his voice, cold and taunting, promising pain and death. I saw the darkness in his eyes, a pit of malevolence that seemed bottomless. My father was a monster, a man who tormented me throughout my childhood, leaving scars both seen and unseen. The memories of his cruelty were etched into my soul, each one a jagged wound that has never fully healed. And now, he had Evie. My thoughts spiralled, imagining the worst. What if Evie is hurt? What if she's scared and alone, crying out for help that might never come? The images in my mind were too much to bear, each more horrifying than the last. I close my eyes, trying to steady my breathing, to find some small measure of calm in the chaos. It felt fucking impossible.

I tried to get up, hissing in pain, but hands pushed me back down. "Hey, you're awake," i heard Cameron murmur and I pried my eyes open to look at him.

"I bet you're devastated, huh? Wishing it had of been me instead?"

"Maisie..."

"It's okay. I am too."

"I'm sorry-"

"Please leave."

"I can't do that, you're injured; you've got a concussion and broken ribs."

"I don't want you here."

"Maisie, the hospital doesn't want an unattended minor ... I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry for saying those hurtful words. There's no excuse for what I said..." He took a deep breath, his shoulders slumping. "I was frustrated with everything that's been happening, with losing Ashton, and I lashed out."

I stayed silent.

"I keep losing the people I love. I never should have said those things. You're my sister and I love you. I don't wish it was you instead of Ashton. Not ever."

"You said you wished things were different."

"Different as in Ashton was still alive. I miss him and I took my frustration out on you," he said, his voice cracking. "Maisie, you are my world. You're my little sister. I will do anything for you. I love you. I am truly sorry but I know that I cannot take it back."

I sighed, realizing I wouldn't get my way, and glanced towards the ceiling, turning away from my brother. I heard the door creak open and noticed Sebastian enter, smiling when he noticed I was awake. He sat next to Cameron, not taking his eyes off me. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine, fine - okay, a bit sore, but otherwise fine ... Evie, did you find her yet?"

"No. Not yet. Jaime called John, the detective that helped us back in Los Angeles-"