Rosaline Wood (A Violet Eden Follow-on Reboot)

Chapter Ten: Dancing with Death

So there's a swear word later in this chapter. Just thought I'd warn you. It's necessary to show the decline and modernisation of a particular character. All will be revealed later in the story so hold onto your seats.

...

Seconds seemed to drag on like hours. Minutes like an entire eternity. And all I did was sit there, crying desperately into Dad's lifeless shoulder. He was barely breathing. Sporadically, he would cough weakly and a dribble of blood would seep its way out of my father's mouth. Each time it did I would cry harder. The rest of the world had faded away from me; it was just the two of us. Just Dad and I alone with no-one to save us. The two of us, fighting against time. This was it. Finally the message from my dreams became clear. This was my purpose. I had to save my father. But ... I was stuck to his side like he was a black hole. I don't remember help arriving or going to the warehouse or Mum's feeble attempts to comfort me. I don't remember anything except the heartache like a dull knife twisting deep in my soul.

Alec POV

    "Spence!" exclaimed her friend, "Thank God you got here!" Cameron, that was her name, she led them to Rosaline and her father. As if they needed leading! Griffin, 'Spence' and some of the other Grigori attempted to bundle Lincoln into the car while Violet tried to sooth her child.

    "Baby," the older woman sighed, clearly fighting tears herself, "We need to be strong. I can't heal Dad here. We'll get to the warehouse and everything will be fine."

'Yeah right' I thought as I snorted. Cameron's head shot up to look in my direction. Her eyes flew wide and for a moment I doubted my shadow ability. Slowly I raised a finger to my lips and she gave a small stiff nod before once again focussing her attention on Rosaline. This was irregular. It was normal that no-one could see me. Then why, I asked myself, could she?

I realised with a start that everyone else had left.

    "Baby," Violet explained gently, "We need to go now. Then I can heal Dad." Rosaline allowed herself to be led to another car.

'And now' I thought 'For the interesting part of this predicament.' The choice was upon her. But could she survive the choosing?

. . .

They arrived at the warehouse minutes after the rest but Violet made no further delays. She marched up the stairs to the room where they had put Lincoln. Rosaline followed slowly in her wake drawn by a magnetic force. Her father lay upon a bed, his face every bit as white as the sheets beneath him. Everyone held their breath as Violet began the task of healing her partner, and I include myself. Suddenly Violet's brow furrowed in frustration and she pulled back.

    "Griff," she gasped, "It's not working." Griffin shook his head, eyes wild. I could almost taste the fear radiating off them all.

    "Try again, Violet," he persisted quietly. And she did, a few minutes later yielding the very same result. A pulse of panic ran through the room.

    "Maybe a kiss?" suggested Spence trying to offer advice and defuse the tension at the same time. Once again Violet tried and failed.

    "I'll call Dr Phillip," someone stated.

Out the corner of my eye I saw Rosaline slip out of the room followed closely by the now ever-present Cameron. Perhaps I would soon regret healing her. Rosaline stood facing the painting her mother had done twenty-two years before.

    "Rose," whispered Cameron giving Rosaline a small squeeze, "You've got something you need to do, don't you? You think you'll be able to heal him." Rosaline shuddered and nodded wordlessly.