In The Dark

Chapter 5

It's been a month after the incident and I have already gained a healthy amount back. At first I had to get nutrients from the I.V then I had to eat hospital food now I'm allowed to eat cheeseburgers. Well really anything in moderation but I'm just excited to taste a cheeseburger again. Mason went to get me one as soon as they said I could eat stuff that wasn't just hospital food. I've gotten better at staying calm while he's not around but it helps that he got me a new phone. My family won't talk to us since 'I'm the reason they got kicked out of the hospital' so he decided to buy me some stuff that I needed. They've taken the I.V out since I'm set to go home in a few days so I'm in some comfy SpongeBob pajamas Mason bought me.

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I've got your cheeseburger! Want anything else before I head back?

sweet tea pls

Sure thing! See you soon ✌️
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I smile and turn my phone off. The door opens and I look up expecting a nurse or doctor but shock and fear fill me at who is there instead. Joseph walks in apprehensively. The investigation named him as a suspect but due to insufficient evidence they let him go. Recently Detective Sparks called to let me know he had a lead but wished to speak to me privately about it. I scooted away wondering who let him in.

"Did you know they think I arranged for someone to kidnap you, baby? They wouldn't let me come see you I had to sneak past," he runs his hand through his hair frustrated.

"Please don't call me baby," I whimper.

"What?" He looks at me incredulously. "I love you, baby, I'm sorry I haven't been able to be here but that bastard had me banned from seeing you. Did you know he even got your family banned?" He starts getting louder towards the end and I flinch but suddenly I'm angry. Angry at him for calling me baby, for making me feel small and pathetic, and angry at my family causing a problem again even if it's indirectly.

Glaring at him I sit up, "don't call me baby. You don't love me and my family almost killed me due to their pettiness. You know how they are and you dare call Mason the problem. He saved me. And of course you would be banned you're a suspect in MY case." As I say all this his face gets red and angry. I press the emergency button while he's advancing and all bravado leaves as fear fills me again.

"You can't think I would do that to you, Scarlett? I don't believe you would unless that asshole put it in your head." He grabs my arms and I start crying.

"Stop please, Joseph even if I didn't believe it I still don't want to be with you anymore. I am not who I used to be and you wouldn't understand." Letting go of me quickly as if I had burned him he looks at me in disgust.

"You like him don't you? That fucking bastard turned you against me!" He starts yelling as nurses and security comes in to take him away. I curl up into fetal position sniffling trying to hold back tears. I hear the door open again and curl up tighter.

"Oh sweetheart" Mason murmurs dropping everything to come and hold me.

"H-h-he was h-here," I start sobbing and wrap my arms around his neck. I feel his muscles tighten as well as his hold on me.

"It's okay love just breathe I'm right here he can't hurt you it's okay," he murmurs as he runs his fingers through my hair. When I calm down I just lay my head in the crook of his neck. Slowly I sit back and look at him seriously.

"Joseph showed up," I announce quietly.

"I think you should talk to Detective Sparks about a restraining order," he says caressing my cheek. All I can do is not and lean into his comforting touch. "Dr. Gonzales mentioned to me that you should find some family to live with. She said because of the incident living alone could negatively effect your progress and with this I think it's something you should definitely consider."

"But all I have are my parents and my sister and my sister won't even talk to me! She thinks I had something to do with mom and dad getting banned," I cry into my hands.

"What about friends sweetheart?"

"You know I lost all my 'friends' when I dropped out of college." I snort derisively, I didn't think there was a point wasting anymore money when I had no idea where I wanted to go in life. Apparently being a college dropout means having nothing in common and that I'm lazy.

"I'm sorry Scar we'll think of something." He kisses my forehead and grab the bag of fast food off the floor. I giggle completely entranced and excited to eat a hamburger finally. Mason smiles at my childish antics.

"Gimme gimme!" I stretch my arms forward and flutter my fingers. This makes Mason chuckle and playfully walk slower. I harrumph and pretend to pout folding my arms childishly.

"Aw, don't be mad, you're just too cute not to play with." He winks but concedes, giving me the deliciously long awaited burger. Watching me gobble it down must be hilarious because a deep rumble of laughter flows from his lips. I blush because of how attractive it sounds. He must think I'm embarrassed, which as I think about it I should be, because he sobers up and looks contrite.

"I'm sorry sweetheart I didn't mean to embarrass you, you're just so adorable downing that burger likes it's the last piece of chocolate you'll ever have." I burst out laughing because he's so cute with puppy dog eyes.

"I hate to burst your bubble Mason but not everyone likes chocolate." I giggle at how offended he looks. I suck in a sharp breath when I have a sudden idea. Then my toes curl and stones sink in my stomach at the thought of bringing it up. What if he thinks I'm pathetic for asking.

"What's got wrinkles between your brows?"

Pursing my lips I close my eyes and push away embarrassment for now, "I have an idea but I'm afraid to ask 'cause I don't want to make things awkward between us."

"Just say it sweetheart nothing could make me not want to be around you," he says running his thumb across my cheek.

"Okay well I admit that I don't think I can handle living alone-" I sigh wringing my hands before finally rushing out, "whataboutlivingwithyou."

"What is it with you and jumbling your words together when you're embarrassed," he says rolling his eyes playfully. "Say it again slowly please."

I take a deep breath and repeat, "what if I stayed with you for a while I mean I'm so comfortable around you it wouldn't be permanent just until I figured something else out or worst case being until my mental capacity-" my rambling stops when his finger touches my lips.

"Yes sweetheart, of course you can stay with me."