Collateral Damage

- THIRTY THREE -

Rose's POV

I sat on the toilet seat, contemplating opening the letter as the water filled the bath tub. I knew I had to at least read the letter. I cautiously peeled it out of the envelope, I crossed my legs beneath me. "This better be good Scott," I muttered as I unfolded the handwritten paper.

Dear Rose,

I never thought I would say goodbye in the form of a letter. For all I know I could be writing this for no reason but something tells me that we will be faced with a hard choice, and if it means saving you then I must be mad because I would take a bullet for you in a heartbeat.

I love you Rosie. More than anything in the entire world and thinking about spending a minute without you in it breaks my heart. You are so lucky, you have friends and a family. I have you and without you I have no one. I don't care if that sounds selfish, because it's the truth.

Do you remember that time in Amsterdam, when I asked you to marry me? You told me to ask you in a few years, that you were too young to be a married woman. You said it's not a no, just a not right now. You said that in your mind you had a plan and that's how you wanted to live your life. Well, I'm happy I got to be a part of your plan.

One day you will meet someone who will make you as happy as I once hoped I could. I'm sorry that things couldn't have ended differently but I just wanted you to know that I will always be thinking and loving you.

I know deep down... very deep down you understand what I am saying.

Love Always Scott.

Ps check our box of photos, you'll find it soon enough anyway.

Pps I love you. Always.

I turned the taps off once I realised that the bath was filled. Still I felt nothing. It felt like this hadn't happened. Like I would wake up from a dream and realise that I had fallen asleep in a calculus class. That I was a normal teenage girl with a normal teenage life. But I knew I wouldn't. I'm a grown woman.

I easily found the box, I opened the lid to be met with a small velvet blue box. I opened it and found the ring he had proposed to me with all those years ago. I took it out of its casing and slid it onto my ring finger. I examined the piece of art. It fit on my finger, almost like a jigsaw, as if my finger would be bare without the silver circle.

I walked back up the staircase, running my fingers over every textured surface hoping that it would somehow trigger me to start crying or laughing or at least strike some sort of emotion, but it didn't.

When I got back to the bathroom, I rummaged through the cupboard. I found a bunch of prescription medications. I looked at myself in the mirror. I didn't even recognise what I was looking at. The bags under my eyes were disgusting, my skin had lost its glow, my eyes looked sad. I am losing everything. Bit-by-bit.

I got into the bath, still in my clothes.

I swallowed two handfuls of the prescription pills and laid my head back. This is it.

Dimitri's POV

I smiled to myself as I walked through the market place. So many people were here selling things they had made, things that they grew or things that they didn't want. Some were selling food, offering pony rides. Everyone had a smile on their face and I understood why Rose chose this place. New York may be busy but everyone seems cheery.

I walked past a stall occupied by a small lady. She smiled at me and I glanced at what she we selling. Roses. I smelt the petals of a red rose and remembered the smell of Roza's hair. "You have lady?" the small woman said, her accent was Italian.

"No," I said sadly.

She furrowed her brow, "You have the look of love in eyes." She muttered.

"She doesn't care for me the way I care for her," I replied.

"Give it time, you have kind face, she will love you." I smiled at her statement. She didn't understand.

"I hope so," I smiled, putting the rose back and walking away.

After walking around the market for a few hours I decided to make my way back. Rose should be home by now.

I shut the front door behind me and glance down to find Rose's shoes kick off. "Rose!" I called out to her.

I walked up the stairs after noticing that the letter was gone from the table. I opened her bedroom door and it was empty aside from the shoe box on her bed. The light from underneath the bathroom door was bright. I knocked three times, "Rose?" I asked.

Silence.