Mayhem || {unedited}

"Breaking News,"

You know that feeling when you wake up, have no idea where you are, and your eyes can't open? I suck in a deep breath and my eyes fly open. Sitting up on the bed I look around me. The walls are plain white. I frown.

This isn't my room.

It takes a few minutes for me to register that I'm in a hospital. I look over at the plain clock hanging on the side of the wall and it shows me that its 3. There aren't any windows so I can't tell if it's AM or PM. I pull the drip out of my hand and slowly get out of the bed. There's a bandage on my left thigh, where Nikolai stabbed me. I step on the floor and the impact sends a jolt of pain through my leg. Hissing, I slowly stagger out and start to waddle towards the door.

"Excuse me Miss Hadley, you need to back to your bed," a nurse says running up to me as she sees me emerge through the doorway. I look at her name badge, Erica.

"Uh, I'm just looking for some water," I croak out.

"I'm sorry, I've been given strict orders to not let you out of here. You need rest for a full recovery." She replies softly, giving me a warm smile and leads me back to the bed. She tucks me in again and reconnects the drip. "There's a jug of water on your bedside table, if you need anything press the black button on the remote control which is on the table as well. Please refrain from getting up," Erica explains. She starts towards the door but I stop her.

"Wait! Do you know where my mum is? Or my brother?" I ask, my voice hoarse from my throat not being in use for a while.

"They're all in the waiting room, I'll let them know you're awake." I smile at her gratefully. She leaves the room and I reach over for the water, taking slow and small sips. I see a small remote on the table and pick it up. There's a 30 inch T.V mounted on the wall in front of me and I turn it on.

"Breaking news: renowned hotel owner Nikolai Stewardokovic attacked by supposed MI5 agents. Nikolai suffers from a shatters foot, where one of the attackers shot him. 'The attackers, it was a girl. She was wearing a mask but I remember her blue eyes. She came for her partner and I stabbed her foot so she shot me.' Nikolai is perfectly fine otherwise but his daughter, Anastasia, is said to be missing." The news anchor lady with overly dark lipstick says as Lissa, my Mother and Chris pour in through the room.

"Charlotte! Thank god!" My Mum says and runs and embraces me as the news anchor lady drones on.

"... 5 injured and 1 dead. This is Becky Anderson reporting live from the attack site."

1 dead. The guy I shot.

"I killed someone..." I whisper, inaudibly. My mother lets go of me, eyes wide she puts her hand to her lips.

"Charlie, it was self-defense," Chris says softly and sits on the other side of my bed.

"Oh god, what was I thinking. Why on Earth did you guys let me do something as crazy as breaking into a hotel," I whisper. Lissa comes to my side and takes my hand.

"Charlie, it's okay. Don't eat yourself up with guilt about it, you were in a situation where it was your life or his," Lissa says soothingly. I shake my head.

"We never should have gone there. If I hadn't dragged Chris in, no one would be dead-"

"If you hadn't dragged Chris is to distract the guards, you would be dead," My mum cuts me off. "It's alright Charlie, its okay." She says quietly. "The first time you kill someone," she tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, "it stays with you for a long, long time." My mum says. "Rest now sweetie, we'll talk later. I guess we both have a lot of explaining to do." She gets up and walks through the door, Chris and Lissa following her.

I turn the T.V off and take another gulp of Adam's Ale. I lay back down and close my eyes, a vivid image of the Russian assassin flashing in front of me. I close them harder, letting tears spill.

You have to be strong, Charlie. For the people you love.