Stealing Roses

Chapter 2

Now

I sprinted down the sands of the beach, hoping that if I ran far enough, I could chase away my own thoughts. The abrasive scent of seaweed was scratching at my throat and tiny grains of sand were filling up my shoes. The beach was the only thing I truly loved, besides my notebook. The spiral bound journal was filled to the brim with half finished poetry and words fraught with meaning but no place to fit in. Behind me, the morning sky turned the colour of honey and I held my breath in anticipation. Yet, there was nothing. Usually, coming to see the sunrises would fill my mind with ideas, allowing me to fill another page of my notebook. But recently, every time I grasped at the words, it was like trying to hold water in my hands. They were slipping through my fingers faster than I could catch them. This is all Kyle’s fault.

Back at home after my morning run, I pulled my sneakers off, emptying them of sand. Lowering myself onto my bed, I noticed an odd splash of colour amongst the pale sheets. I moved closer. It was a rose. If this was Kyle’s way of apologising, he’d have to do better than this. When we were together, he would always give me roses. Shower me with them. I grabbed the flower, flinching when the sharp thorns pierced my skin. Blood bubbled slowly to the surface, marring my pale fingertip. I threw it against the wall, watching it tear petals off as it fell slowly to the ground. When it reached the floor, petals had pooled around it, seeming to leach towards me. Looking almost like a puddle of blood.

Alex crouched in the shrubbery outside Rose’s big bay window, watching her find his gift. Her copper curls swept in front of her face, hiding the slanted doe eyes he knew were glowing viridian green. Her elfin smile would surely make an appearance when she realised he had sent the rose. She picked up the flower, examining it. She likes it, he thought. She loves me. But Rose had thrown the blossom against her bedroom wall, her face contorting in anger. He took a step back, stumbling over his own feet. He fell with a thud into the garishly manicured lawn. How could she not like it?  

“It was just a test. She’s just testing my love and devotion.” Alex pulled himself out of the grass and strolled home, a spring in his step. She made him feel so calm and so happy. She was always somewhere in his mind, helping him get rid of Them. Her name was like a leaky faucet in the back of his mind. Rose…Rose…Rose…Always dripping her name.

Alex stepped through the doorway to the basement, pulling his sleeve up to cover his nose and mouth. The mould problem had gotten extremely bad since Mother was not around to look after the old house anymore. The air was cold and wet in the crawlspace, not exactly ideal conditions. The stairs creaked and spat dust with every step, about to snap. Old and broken, just like Mummy. Laughter bubbled up in his throat, but stopped himself just in time. If he woke Them up, reminded Them of Mother, things would…happen again. But this time, it would be Rose who would be caught in the crossfire. He would kill them if They hurt Rose. He reached the bottom of the stairs, avoiding looking at the dark stains on the cobblestone. It was Mother’s fault. She would push him down all the time, so one day, he pushed back. The results were much more…unshackling than what he expected. Alex could feel Them mumbling, waking up.

“Shut up! Go away.” He screamed. It managed to silence Them for a few more moments and he revelled in the few seconds of peace he had left. He couldn’t wait for Rose to stay with him. She made Them go away, she protected him. When her admirer had broken her heart, caused her pain, Alex could’ve killed him. Put his hand around his neck and-“No! Stop.” Alex stopped Them from putting those feelings back in his head. He didn’t want to hurt anyone again. They started to get louder, cussing him, blaspheming. So Alex did the only thing he could, he sat in the corner and rocked himself, cooing. Rose can help me. She loves me.