𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐒

XVI

Rosé studied her feet peeking out of the clear, cool water of the tub, trying to make the ringing pain in her head go away.

Why-

I don't understand.

I don't understand a thing-

She straightened her back and slipped her feet below the surface of the water, watching the ripples pool in concentric circles. Ever contracting. Ever expanding.

She felt something sharp and painful in her chest. Working its way up to her throat.

Of all the people in this household-

-Jihun-Lisa-Jungkook-Jin-Hoseok-Taehyung-countless others-

-only I am the one who has had to suffer in this way-

-me and my family-

Her body felt tight and achy as she curled her knees in towards her chest, tapping her fingers restlessly along her exposed kneecaps. Watching the drops roll back into the water and disappear. Become nothing.

Free and not free.

-what did Jin mean when he-

She refused to let herself think of it. Of that.

Of him. Him before her. Him looking at her.

Looking at him looking at me-

-him-

She rolled her head gently on her neck, feeling a slight cramp at the base of her skull.

Usually a bath had the power to make her feel better. Soothe her muscles. Calm her nerves. Slow the wild, sickening beating of her heart.

I used to dream at night, too-

Steely resolve heated and cooled within her bones. Settling. Hard. Inflexible. A shell. Around and inside. Within and without.

Coiling around her heart.

-I wish I wasn't here I wish I wasn't here god I wish I wasn't here-

Suppressing a sob.

Still clinging onto her mantra with shaking, wet fingers.

I will kill him.

I will.

She could smell blood in the air.

Inhaling deeply, she slid beneath the surface of the water, thick strands of hair slithering around her face like Medusa's snakes.
_

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What the hell is going on…?

Rosé pouted crossly, still keeping her eyes closed at Jimin's request.

What can the bastard possibly be so excited about-