The Violet Rose

Chapter 30-Back Home

     I felt someone nudging my shoulder. When I opened my eyes, I saw Blaze standing above me. His hand rested on my shoulder.

I smiled, and he said, "Violet, it's time to get up. We arrived at Paeonia."

I jumped out of bed, and started stretching. Blaze grabbed my hand, and looked into my eyes. His eyes showed an emotion I've never seen him display. It almost looked like regret. He quickly covered up his emotions, and had a blank look on his face.

He softly spoke, "Violet, before you go out there, you need to prepare yourself. Paeonia is... destroyed. All but one building is in shambles."

Tears pricked at the corner of my eyes. Chester mentioned Paeonia paying the price, but to destroy everything? Is everyone okay?

I ran out of the room, and looked over the railing of the ship. The entire island layer in shambles. The town hall is the only thing that remained. Every other building had been burned to the ground. I could see where my shop previously stood. Nothing was left. Not a single trace of life. My only hope of finding anyone will probably be at the town hall.

I ran off the ship, and started going around burnt pieces of material. I jumped over obstacles, and started making my way to the town hall.

Once I got there, I gently pushed open the doors. A few people scattered about. I saw a familiar head of dark purple hair, and ran towards it.

     I stopped in front of her, and said, "Veronica! What happened to Paeonia?"

     She glared at me, and scowled, "The Blue Captain showed up because of you. When he heard you left with the Red Captain, he destroyed everything. He burned every building, killed some, and wounded others. You were the only thing keeping him from destroying our home!"

     My body was shaking, and I asked her, "Where's Flynn?"

     I was still trying to process how all this was because of me. I needed to see Flynn. I hope he's okay.

     Veronica guided me to a room in the back. She pointed to the door, and walked away. I gently knocked on the door, and heard a faint 'Come in' from the other side.

     I walked into the room, and gasped at the sight before me. Flynn was laying in a bed, and he looked like a mess. He had bandages wrapped around the upper half of his body. The bandages had hints of red on them.

     I ran to his side, and asked him, "What happened to you?"

     He turned his head to look at me, and said, "When he saw you weren't on the island, he tried asking me where you were. I didn't tell him, but Veronica did. He was furious when he heard you left with the Red Captain. He burned down almost every building. The only buildings left were the town hall, and your shop. The people of the island destroyed your shop. The Blue Captain wounded me badly. I was stabbed in multiple places, and I'm afraid I won't be able to make it much longer."

     Tears started to fall from my eyes, and I said, "You can't leave. I need you. I'm sorry for everything I said to you before I left. You are like a father to me. That's why I need you here. I've seen my parents again, and I'm happy, but you'll always be like another father. That's why I need you here. Please, don't go!"

     I hugged him as tears streamed down my face. He smiled, and hugged me back.

     He rested his hand on the top of my head, and said, "It's fine. I shouldn't have tried to control your life. You're 22. You're an adult, but in my eyes, you'll always be my daughter. I didn't want to see you go, and I didn't want you to get hurt. You're like the daughter I never had. I enjoyed raising you, and watching you grow up. But now, you're all grown up, and you don't need me anymore. I'm just happy to see you again before I go."

     We sat in the silence for a bit. The only sound in the room was me crying. My tears stained the bandages. Shouting started to echo through the halls. I ignored it, and continued to hug Flynn. I didn't want him to leave me.

     The door slammed open, and I turned my head to look at the person. Blaze stood in the doorway. He saw me, and rushed to my side. He looked at Flynn, and I could tell he understood what was happening.

     Veronica stomped into the room, pointed at us, and said, "You two need to leave! Neither of you are welcome here. If he comes back, and sees you here, he'll kill us all!"

     Flynn spoke up, "Veronica, let them stay. At least let them stay until I pass."

     Veronica growled, "She's the reason you're dying! If she didn't go with him then we would all be living our normal lives. Everything that happened is her fault, and you still want her here?"

     Flynn nodded, and replied, "I forgive her, and I believe you should too."

     I couldn't stop the tears as they flowed down my face. Blaze stood in between me, and Veronica. He glared at her.

     I could feel Veronica's hate in the air. Her hate is familiar. She's always hated me. I knew she hated me, but I still insisted on calling her my friend. I used to follow her all around the island, and pretend we were great friends. I know it's not true, but I always wished it was.

     I stood up, and walked over to Veronica. I looked into her eyes, and wiped the tears from my face. There was no trace of a smile on my face.

     I gently spoke, "Veronica, I'm truly sorry for everything. I used to follow you around all the time, and I knew you hated me. I believed we were friends. I didn't know all this would happen if I left. I thought you would be happy if I left. I'm sorry that all this happened. There's no way I'm leaving when Flynn is in this condition. I'll leave when it's over. Then you can live your life without me."

     Veronica was silent. I walked back over to Flynn's side, and sat next to him. Flynn started to cough. I hugged him, and Veronica left the room.

     Blaze sat next to me, and mumbled, "If she does that again, I'll kill her."

     I sighed, "Blaze, I don't want to deal with that right now."

     He was quiet, and Flynn said, "You two seem close. Are you two friends?"

     Blaze chuckled, and said, "Actually, we're more than friends. I love Violet."

     Flynn gave a weak laugh, "Well, I'm glad Violet has someone to protect her when I'm not there. I'm a bit concerned about her future with the 'fearsome Red Captain' but that's just my parent instincts. You did threaten her life when I first saw you."

     Blaze nervously laughed, "Now, I would never hurt her in any way. I'll protect her with my life."

     I smiled, and said, "He's not as fearsome as people describe. He's actually a big teddy bear, and he's saved me many times."

     Blaze chuckled, "Let's keep the teddy bear bit between us."

     Flynn laughed, "You two are cute. I'm happy for you Violet."

     I smiled, and so did he. Flynn started to cough violently. I frowned, and Flynn coughed up a bit of blood.

     Once his coughing fit was over, he whispered, "Violet, I think it's time for me to go."