When Red Roses Die

Chapter 13

Scarlett

Of course. Even dying is too much to ask for.

The annoying sound of my heartbeat pulled me from my peaceful sleep. The all to familiar smell of a hospital filled my nose as I took a deep breath. Panic started to race through me as memories of what happened last time I was at a hospital rushed through me.

"Dove?" The familiar male voice sounded from right next to me. Kjell?

"What's happening?" Another male voice asked as the beeping from my heart got faster. Erik?

"She's panicking." A male voice said. Anger laced his words. Aspen? Or Oakley?

What the fuck is he angry about?

"I'm not angry. I'm mad." Definitely Aspen.

I slowly peeled my eyes open. The bright white light temporarily blinding me.

Five familiar faces finally came into view. The beeping calmed, signaling that I too was calm.

Kjell sat to my right. His hand on my thigh. Erik stood to my left, close to all the machines. Oakley and Lincoln sat relative to the end of the bed. While Aspen stood against the wall, as far away from me as possible.

I looked at all their faces. They all held the same emotions. Guilt, Worry, Hurt and anger.

I went to speak but my throat croaked as it was way too dry.

Erik reached behind him and grabbed a glass of water. One that I immediately reached for but pain suddenly burst out from my arm.

"Here, I'll help," Erik said as I winced. He lifted the cup to my lips and I greedily drank. The cool water soothed my rough throat. Erik set the empty cup down and went back to standing in the exact same spot.

"I'm... Sorry." I lowered my gaze to my blanket-covered lap.

"Don't apologize. Explain what happened?" Lincoln grounded the words through clenched teeth.

I looked at the wraps around my forearms. They would need to be changed soon as blood darkened a line down the middle of each white wrap.

"Why didn't you ask for help?" Erik asked.

I finally raised my gaze and met all their stares.

One emotion shone brightly in all their faces. Worry. Well besides Aspen. His mask was firmly in place.

"I know. But there was no other option. I just keep-"

Aspen suddenly cut me off as he pushed off the wall and stormed to the bed. The sudden movement making me flinch.

"No other option?" Aspen sneered. "You just cut your fucking forearms. Why? Because daddy suddenly wants you back? Because you were the indirect reason for your mother's death. Or because your best friend died while you stood and watched?" His words were spat with so much hate but an underline of hurt caught my attention.

A tear rolled down my face. There's so much more that he doesn't know about.

"Oh, really Grimm? I can see in your mind." Aspen sneered even more. His mask falling slightly as he started speaking again. "You refuse to see past your crooked view. Every single reason you have for what you just did is fucking void. You just assumed that that was the best option and you fucking did it."

"Aspen." Oakley quietly warned.

"No. She just tried to fucking kill herself. That's unacceptable. I just watched all of you go through hell when she made that first cut. She needs to see." Aspen glared at me, but my vision of the bright room suddenly faded as black enveloped me.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *
The darkness opened up to a house. My house I realized as a metallic smell filled my senses. Four voices panicked as they rounded my kitchen counter. But Aspen, who I seemed to be stuck in, just watched them. Kjell shook my body as Erik looked at my cuts. Oakley called 911 and Lincoln just stared at the kitchen knife as if it had cut me on its own.

"She did this to herself." I- No, Aspen-said.

Kjell gaped at Aspen. "Why?"

"Her mind is still alive. Barely but it seems her memories and PTSD got the better of her when we left to see her father. Someone.." Aspen paused in thought. "Important left her and it was one of the last straws. She blames herself for her mother's death." Aspen looked at Oakley, who was still on the phone. Oakley nodded though at his twin as if in confirmation. "She believes that she messes everything up and she wanted to spare us any trouble."

"This is how she saw fit?" Erik asked in utter horror.

Oakley pulled the phone away from his mouth and covered the microphone. "If you saw half the stuff that happened to her, you would understand completely." Oakley defended me as he glared at his twin. "I'm not justifying this, but you're making it out like she was just being dramatic. Whoever this person was that left her-they must have been a crutch. Someone who helped her through the memories and pain. So please Aspen try to show some sympathy when you're talking about Scarlett."

I watched from Aspen's perspective as the ambulance arrived. I watched the shuttered looks and hunched backs on all the guys.

Suddenly the scene faded. And I was pulled back into the hospital room.

* * * * * * *

"I'm so sorry." Tears ran freely down my face. "I'm sorry for hurting you guys. I wanted to make sure I couldn't hurt you, but it seems I did exactly that in the process." Kjell's hand tightened on my thigh in a reassuring squeeze.

"Don't apologize Little Dove. We are here for you and care for you. Please just allow us to help you." Kjell's golden eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

"I can't promise that I'll be okay." I sighed, trying to center myself, while looking around the room at all their gorgeous faces... "My mind is beyond fucked. I've been through shit, and it just all added up I guess. And for whatever reason you guys seem to help with the nightmares. Last night was the first time in years that I slept without any night terrors." My arms slowly lifted and sat in my lap. my fingers nervously played together. "I can promise that I won't try to end my life again. I was weak and I'm going to try my hardest not to let it happen again. I can't promise that I'll be okay though. My body is scarred. I flinch at loud male voices and from males. I have a morning ritual that has to be completed or my whole world literally falls apart. And I'll go days without eating because the memories make me vomit any and all food." I looked around the room.

"I made a stupid decision and I'm sorry. But I don't expect you all to stick around and care for me. I'm used to being on my own." Someone sucked in a sharp breath but I kept my head down.

"Oh good she's gone stupid." Aspen scoffed. I gaped at the twin. He explained. "Your stupid to think that we are going anywhere. We had to pull some strings to get you out of going to the Asylum. And we've pulled even more strings to get them to allow you to go home tonight."

"You didn't have to do that."

"We kinda did. After all, you were doing fine until we showed up and drug up old memories." Oakley said. "Plus whoever left you, left because of us. The least we could do is help you back to health."

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.

"But-"

Lincoln cut me off. "No buts. We are going to help you to the best of our ability. We are the fucking originals for goodness sake. Maybe we can help supernaturally in some way." he shrugged.

I was still unsure but Erik confirmed what they all were saying. "Scarlett. We are staying. We are going to help you. And you going to like it. In fact we'll be so helpful that you'll want us to leave."

Everyone chuckled. Another tear ran down my face. Not from sadness. No happiness. I had people who wanted to help me.

~~~~~~
Thank you for reading Chapter 13. I told you all will be well. Just relax and keep reading. And I know right now Aspen seems like a major dick, but just trust me- I know what I'm doing. I hope you liked this chapter. Tell me who your favorite guy is so far in the comments. I love to hear what you have to say.
~Until Next Chapter