Fire and Ice (Book 2)

Chapter 23 - Safe, Protected, and Loved

ROSE'S POV- 

My eyes opened and I remembered. I remembered everything. Hit after hit. Scream after scream. It never seemed to end. I don't know why I couldn't remember any of it while I was unconscious. But I remember now. After Lucius started to curse me in the motel room Scorpius ran in. He tried to save me but couldn't. Lucius grabbed my arm and apparated away. We were in a dark room and he started to beat me. I don't know how long it went on. Now that I look back on it things start to really blend together. I can't remember how long he held me captive. I just remember that he kept hitting me over and over again.

Looking around the room I saw two figures standing in a corner with their backs to me. Things were blurry and I couldn't tell who they were. I glanced down at my arm and saw it was purple. I looked at the other one to see it looked the same. Arms weren't supposed to be purple, were they? I tried to sit up but the weight of my head pulled me down. It felt as if it was filled with rocks.

The more I looked around the clearer things became. I could tell that the two people were Alice and Scorpius. Scorpius. I'd left him. Why was he here? I left him. The thought played over and over again until it was just too much. I couldn't take it. You don't leave the ones you love. I wanted to tell him how sorry I was. I opened my mouth to talk but no sound came out. I looked down and moved my fingers and excruciating pain filled me and I let out a cry of agony. I'd never felt anything like it. My whole body ached in a way I'd never wish on anyone. My eyes traveled down to my legs to see that they were yellow and purple and covered in cuts.

When I had cried out Alice and Scorpius had both whipped their head in my direction. Scorp rushed to my side but I hardly noticed. Why was I in so much pain? Why was my body splattered in purples and blues? I'd known Lucius had hurt me. I felt every blow to the gut, slap across the face, breaking of a bone. But I hadn't realized it was like this. And when did I get rescued? How long did he have me captive? From when I was unconscious I heard someone say I'd been out for two weeks. If I was out cold for that long then how long had he had me? How long did he hurt me? My mind was going into overdrive. Tears were gathering in my eyes and my breaths were coming out quick and sharp. 

Scorpius put his hand over mine lightly but the pressure added to my pain. I flinched and he seemed to know that he hurt me. "You're safe now, Rose. It's ok." He said as he pushed my hair off of my forehead. I shook my head slightly. I wanted him to know that I wasn't ok. I was in the most pain I'd ever been in and I couldn't remember exactly what'd happened. I opened my mouth to speak but didn't. I had no idea what to say. How could I explain what I was feeling?

Tears streamed down my face. "I'm never going to let him hurt you again." He said as his voice broke. "I'm so sorry." He said as he put his head in his hands. His shoulders shook with sobs and I didn't know what to do. Everything in me wanted to wrap my arms around him and say it wasn't his fault. I wanted to apologize for leaving. But every time I opened my mouth to speak I couldn't think of what to say.

After what felt like hours I finally figured it out. "It isn't your fault." I said in a scratchy voice. He looked up and his eyes met mine. "I left you. That was my fault. If I hadn't of done that then I wouldn't of ever been alone with Lucius and he would never of been able to take me." I said. "I shouldn't of talked to Lily without you. That's what made you leave." He cried. "You made a mistake. It happens to all of us." I said. We sat in silence.

"Do you remember what happened?" He asked. "Kind of." I said. "What do you remember?" He asked. I took a deep breath. "I immediately regretted leaving you. I had to compose myself but I apparated back. When you weren't there I decided you'd just show up later. I feel asleep and when I woke up Lucius was there. He said he wouldn't hurt me and if he did I had his full permission to kill him. We talked for a while but the he cursed me. He took my wand so I couldn't hurt him back. He then proceeded to curse me. I vaguely remember you calling my name but then he grabbed me and apparated away. I don't know where we were or how long I was there but he started to beat me. I don't even think he used his wand. It was all physical. I don't remember being rescued. I just remembered darkness. I could hear you and some other voices talking. I couldn't really understand what any of you were saying. One thing I didn't understand was when you said I'd been asleep for two weeks. That's when I really started to wake up." I said.