Violet

Chapter 13 - Rescued (P2.)

- They say blood is thicker than water.. -

"She's not the psychotic one here," said a voice I instantly recognised.
My body froze. My sobs quietened, the tears streamed. I felt a wave of relief and hope.
For about 5 seconds.
A shriek of rage came from Ethan. It was too dark to see anything. I could just hear things.
Yelling.
Screaming.
Wincing.
Banging.
...
Silence.
The lights flickered on and I saw his face.
The face I'd been longing to see since I woke up.
"Vee" Max managed to breathe out. He bled from a wound on the left side of his forehead. His breaths came out in small, shuddered gasps. He looked... exhausted. But as I glanced at Ethan, passed out on the ground, I sensed immediately how Max was feeling.
Victorious.
He rushed over to me, worry and fear plastered on his face.

He quickly untied me and pulled me into a warm, tight hug. I felt his tears soak through my blood stained shirt.

I hugged him back but I felt weak. Too weak to move. Too weak to speak. He sensed it.

"The police are almost here... I'll get you to the hospital as soon as they take care of... him," he glared over at Ethan, who wasn't speaking or moving. Unconscious.

~ Time Skip ~

I lay awake in the hospital bed, staring up at the ceiling. The nurses had said I was going to be fine. I would be free to leave in the morning. I wanted to leave right then but I said nothing. I tried to process what had happened just a few hours ago. What would happen in the future. I had just met my brother who I hadn't seen in years, found out he's a psychotic murderer, and then been informed that he was pronounced dead an hour after i was rushed to the hospital. I wanted to see Max... I wanted him to hold me... kiss me... reassure me that everything will be ok... but he'd been taken for questioning by the police.

I was completely and utterly alone.

...until.

A soft knock on the door. A slow turn of the door knob. A silent creak as the door opened...

Zoe.

I cracked a smile as she walked towards me. Her eyes were identical to his. He was who I wanted here... but I guess Zoe was the next best thing.

"How are you feeling?" she asked softly as she sat down on the side of the bed.

I nodded slightly in response. The nurses had also said that due to the injuries and trauma, I would have trouble finding my voice for a few days.

I wasn't even sure if I had a voice anymore.

"Max is really worried about you," she sighed suddenly. I stared at her. She continued.

"The police have let him go now... he's being taken back to the orphanage but he wanted me to tell you that he'll be here to take you back in the morning..." she looked away before saying, "that's actually the only reason I'm here... so uh... get well soon... I guess..."

She walked out the room.

I exhaled and closed my eyes, letting myself drift off to sleep...

________________________

The next morning, Max and I arrived back at the orphanage at 6pm. Seeing the building I was described as a "hell hole" sent a wave of relief over me. I finally felt... safe.

Max led me inside where i was greeted by a collage of faces I had entirely ignored or forgotten about from the past. It almost felt strange seeing so many people happy to have me around.

After talking to just about everyone there, Max brought me upstairs to the attic. We climbed up a spiral staircase until we reached the entrance to it. We climbed up onto the roof of the building and watched as the sun slowly set, a vibrant set of warm colours colliding together.

He wrapped his arms around me as I leaned my head against his chest, breathing in the fresh air, taking in the colours, the scenery, the relaxing, precious moment. I closed my eyes as I let out a soft sigh in relaxation.

And in that moment I hoped... that the danger was at last no more...

- ..So I'll bleed out my heart to you... -

To be continued...