Red Hood. (Complete)

Chapter VII

Liam sat inside the hospital waiting room, waiting for his son to arrive. He couldn’t believe that she had actually done this. She had let her guard down for a second to look over at Gresham and now she was in the operating room.

“Dad? What are you doing here?” Liam stood and hugged his son when he was within reach.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t let her tell you because I was hoping you’d fall in love with someone else.” Liam whispered before letting go of his son and looking down at Diana. “You shouldn’t have had to see that.” She glared up at him and stalked off towards a chair on the other side of the room.

“She’s halfway through her surgery. It took them a while to find out what her blood type was, apparently she hid that information really well.” Gresham walked over towards Diana and sat down next to her, pulling her close to him. She closed her eyes and let out a shaky breath. Gresham closed his eyes and a memory came back to him.

“You suck at this game.” Hood frowned as she watched Gresham try again to skip his stone across the pond. “It’s like this.” She got up, her red cloak brushing against the ground. They were both ten and neither knew what their families did. She stood behind him and placed her hand on his throwing wrist. She flicked his wrist forward and sent the flat rock in his hand skipping halfway across the pond. “Easy.” She smiled and picked up her own rock and flicked it three-quarters across the pond.

“I really hate you sometimes.” Gresham frowned and sat on the picnic blanket. “What did your grandma pack for us?” Hood opened the basket and took out a plate of turkey sandwiches, a thermos filled with hot chocolate, several bags of homemade chips and a bowl of cupcakes. “Did she think we were inviting other people?” Hood laughed and grabbed a sandwich.

“No. Here, take one.” She handed him a sandwich and poured out two glasses of hot chocolate. “You know, grandma still won’t tell me what happened to my mom and dad the night they died.” Gresham sighed and rested his hand on Hood’s shoulder.

“You still won’t tell me your first name.” She glared at him, taking of sip of her cocoa and looked at the leaves overhead.

“You still won’t tell me how you feel about me. So I guess we’re even.”

Gresham ran a hand through his hair and stood. “I’ve told you twenty times how I feel. You don’t seem to understand. Maybe this will help you.” He leaned down and kissed her quickly on the lips. “Happy now?” Hood stared up at him, surprise crossing her face.

“Gresham Ax?” The doctor’s voice hit his ears and he jerked awake. He looked down at Diana, who was still sleeping. “She has her own room. If you want I could take you to her.” He nodded and stood, moving Diana over to his hip. Her brown hair had fallen out of her French braid and hung in waves around her face and down Gresham’s back.

He followed the doctor towards the ICU and stood outside the window to Scarlett’s room. “She’ll only be here until she wakes up. It’ll hopefully be a few days, but she has Hood blood and if she’s anything like her mother she’ll make it through.” He opened the door and let them walk in. “Talk to her.” He smiled and shut the door behind them. He set Diana down in one of the chairs and sat down next to her bed.

“It’s nice to finally know you feel the same way.” Gresham grabbed her hand and laid his head down on his arm, watching the heart monitor.

Beep, beep, beep. It was all Scarlett heard through the darkness. She tried to open her eyes and see the light but it was as if she wasn’t allowed. Taking a deep breath she went to a memory she suppressed ten years ago.

She ran towards Gresham’s house, hoping that Liam would not have let his son come home tonight. Half blind she stumbled through the woods, using her memory on how she used to sneak over to guide her.

The light from the second story of the house alerted her that Gresham was home and in his room. She made her way through the shadows towards the back door. Tapping quickly on the glass she watched as Liam jerked it open, staring at her.

“Scarlett.” She nodded and stepped inside. “What are you doing here? I thought you were dead.” Shaking her head she removed the red fabric and showed Liam the scars that stretched across her face.

“I killed him before he could do anything else.” Liam had taken several steps away and was reaching behind him.

“You need to leave. Come back as someone else. Anyone else. But you must stay away from Gresham, you can’t talk to him or he’ll be devastated that you didn’t stay and let him see you.” Scarlett felt tears well up in her eyes. “Take this with you. You’re mom and dad had it made for you in case anything like this happened.” He handed a tarnished silver chain towards her and her eyes caught on the howling wolf charm, covered in garnets. “It’ll protect you from any more wolf attacks, so keep it on you.” She nodded and walked out the door. With one last glance at Gresham’s window she fled into the woods.

She really should have listened to Liam that night, but she didn’t regret giving the necklace to Diana. She could feel a pressure on her hand and tried again to open her eyes

“It’s been six days, she needs to wake up. Please wake up Scarlett.” Gresham’s voice hit her ears and she tried harder to open her eyes.

“Give her some time Gresham. About two more hours.” Diana’s voice was light and nearby.

The werewolf stood over her, his claws digging into her stomach. "Say my name." Scarlett shut her eyes and opened her mouth.

"Aldis." His lips curved up, revealing his sharp teeth. She opened her eyes just in time to scream before he plunged his claws into her stomach again. 

"Get the hell off her." Gresham's voice echoed across the trees and she watched as Aldis fell to the ground, changing back into a man.

“It’s been almost two hours.” Gresham broke through her darkness and she opened her eyes. “Thank you!” Gresham’s face appeared in her line of vision as it adjusted to the light. “I thought you’d never wake up.” He touched her cheek and smiled.

“We’re supposed to call the doctor in to check on her.” Diana pressed a red button and looked at the door. Scarlett kept her eyes locked on Gresham, smiling at him.

“Scarlett, you’re awake. Gresham and Diana wouldn’t leave your side throughout the whole time you’ve been out.” Gresham’s smile grew and Scarlett reached up to grab his hand. “We’re going to run a few tests and see if you’re ready to be moved to a regular room. You might be a little sore. You’ll be let out in two weeks.” The doctor smiled and looked at Gresham and Diana. “Could you two leave for a minute?” Gresham looked over at Scarlett and she frowned.

“It’s fine. I’ll see you in a little while.” Gresham kissed her on the forehead before grabbing Diana and walking out of the room.

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Two more then the epilogue. Vote/read/comment/fan/add/recommend.