[COMPLETED BUT WONT LET ME PRESS THE COMPLETED BUTTON AHAHHA]
Aurora Lockheart was once the sunshine girl-bright, kind, and full of life. But one night changed everything, leaving her a shadow of who she used to be.
A year later, just as she's be...
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It hurt when I tried breathing. Jesus Christ, I'd rather have Sean throw a car at my face again than deal with this pain.
Darren walked in without Joey, like I'd asked for. For a second, I forgot he was even here.
"Hey, kid," he said, voice soft and careful, "it's been a while."
I didn't want to talk to him. I didn't.
"I wanna talk to Joey. Where is he?" I rasped, struggling to lift the cover. A sharp pain shot through me, and I groaned, clutching my ribs. "Where's Gibsie?"
"He's outside the room," Darren said, stepping closer but keeping his distance. "You need to calm down."
"I want Joey," I croaked again, my voice barely more than a whisper.
Darren sighed, his face tightening with something that looked like guilt. "I'm here. I'm staying for good."
"I don't care," I spat. "I need my brother."
"I'm your brother," Darren replied, his voice cracking as the words left his lips. He looked heartbroken, like he was standing on the edge of something he couldn't come back from.
Before I could respond, Joey's voice cut through the room like a knife. "I told you to stay the fuck away from her," he growled, storming in. His eyes were wild, filled with anger and exhaustion. "She just woke up, asshole."
He moved to the edge of the bed, his presence immediately making me feel a bit more grounded. Gibsie followed in behind him, sitting quietly in the chair beside my bed. His hand found mine, a silent reassurance, while his other hand adjusted the blanket over me with gentle care.
"What happened?" I asked, my voice a little stronger now, but still shaky. Joey sighed, and I noticed his bloodshot eyes.
He was high. My heart sank as I frowned at him.
"I'm fine, Aurora," he muttered, avoiding my gaze.
"What's going on?"
Flashes of memories flooded my mind—my sister's face, her eyes rolling back...
"Where's Shan? And the boys—oh my God, don't tell me he finished them off—"
"Hey, no, calm down," Joey reassured me quickly, his hand reaching for mine. "They're fine. They're home."
"You're okay," he added, finally meeting my eyes. "You've been in and out for four days. Doc gave you something so they could put the—" He paused, his face contorting in frustration. He flailed his hands in the air, his whole body shaking as he tried to find the words. "The—fuck, I can't remember the words."
Darren stepped in, more composed. "You were brought into the hospital on Saturday evening," he explained in a steady tone. "Today is Thursday morning. You've been in and out since then."
