It Continued At The Dorms

"He's got deep lacerations in both his left and right wrists. He also has severe lesions cutting through his right pectoral. Most likely going to leave a scar. He also has mottled bruising along his ribs." The doctor finishes Ethan Nestor's injury report, looking at the young woman with a grim smile.

"He's going to be up and walking in a few days, though it'll take weeks before he's able to leave. But I can guarantee he's going to be okay miss."

The doctor puts his hand on the woman's shoulder as he walks away to another patient and the sounds of the hospital rush in like a storm surge.

He'll be okay. That's what's important. I have to remember that. And that bitch is behind bars. Rose King clearly remembers the day she got the bloody picture of Ethan.

"Yes we have responders going now."

"I see blood pooled below his hands."

"I think with a knife."

A phone rang. Her favorite song as the ringtone. Is it them? she wonders. It is! The woman swiftly picked up her phone, anxious to hear the update on the man she loves. "Hello?"

"Is this Rose King?" a male voice asked.

"Yes! A-are you calling about Ethan? Is he okay?"

"The girl has been apprehended and the boy is being taken to the hospital as we speak."

The longest plane ride of Rose's life happened the next day. The taxi ride to the hospital was even longer. LA traffic at a stand-still.

It took Rose two hours to make it to the hospital, anxiety and worry nearly eating her alive.

"You gonna be okay miss?" the driver asked.

"Yeah sure." she replied absentmindedly.

"M'am?" A nurse's voice breaks Rose out of her memories.

"I-I was just leaving. He's not awake." Mark said I could stay with Katherine until I go back home.

"Miss. He's awake right now." Rose's eyes widen in shock.

"Wait, really?" she asks, disbelieving. I just saw him ten minutes ago. He was completely unconscious.

The nurse sighed, bored. "Yes. You can go see him."

Turning swiftly on her heel, she runs into Ethan's room, finding him with his eyes open, a frown on his face.

"Ethan?" Rose says hesitantly. Are you okay? She wanted to ask.

Ethan turns his head towards her and she glimpses dark bruises along his high cheekbones. But a radiant smile lights up the shadow that had crowded his hazel eyes.

"Rose," he says quietly, his voice raspy, "I'm so sorry. I was all wrong. You were right. I know you hate me, but please let me-..." Rose cuts him off with a hand and walks over to him, tears brimming in her blue-green eyes.

"It's okay, Ethan, it's okay." She hugs him lightly, taking care to avoid his chest.

"Rose, I...I was so scared. But all I could think about was you. All the things I never got to do with you. Or say to you. Rose, I want to be with you. I was using MIka as a dis-" Ethan gets cut off again as Rose presses her lips firmly against his.