Unchained

Chapter 7: Scarlett

"Are you feeling any better?"

Scarlett had woken up the day before; three days after the attack. Justine set down a tray full of food and a steaming cup of tea. "You need to drink and eat," she pushed the tray towards Scarlett, not even giving her a chance to respond.

"I'm... f-fine." Scarlett managed to vocalize her thoughts, coughing as she pushed the tray back towards Justine. With a huff from Justine, it became a back and forth between the two, that is, until Scarlett finally gave in. Her throat burned from her congested cough, lungs itchy. She desperately needed the tea, seeing it was the only thing she could keep down and not cause seepage out of her wound. Four large and one small gash left deep, angry scabs. She had them wrapped so she wouldn't scratch, but even that got harder as time passed.

Small fragments of her collarbone and sternum were removed, as pieces broke off from the chest laceration. Once the scabs healed properly, they would leave only scars behind, and, a deviation in her left breast. Another thing for her to be self-conscious about.

More scars for her collection.

Justine handed the tea to Scarlett. With shaky hands, she took the still-steaming beverage, sipping it slowly. "Just w-what I-I.. needed. T-thank you..." The cup clattered against the tray as she set it down. "H-How is.. everyone e-else?" Scarlett's stutter was worsening as she continued to feel cold, even if she was inside. Justine tucked the blanket in more, sitting on Scarlett's bedside.

"Healing. Slowly. Everyone hopes in a few weeks we'll be able to travel, but some have their doubts. You weren't the worse one out there."
"Y-You mean..?"
"Yeah. We lost a few overnight." Justine smiled sadly, resting a hand on Scarlett's. "But you protected the children," she whispered, her lips barely turning into a smile once more, "that's the most important thing. I don't.." Justine's voice trailed off. She sniffled, wiping tears from her cheeks. "Gabby and Sam are safe because of you. Every child is healthy." Without saying another word, Justine took the tray, rather absentmindedly, forgetting Scarlett hadn't even touched the food.

Silently, Scarlett continued to sip her tea in peace. Her eyes trailed to the window, which was open wide to the let the fresh air come in. She shivered. As much as the wind was welcoming, she was freezing. Slowly, Scarlett set the teacup down on the nightstand beside her bed, carefully walking to the window, closing it. Just getting up took a large portion of energy out of her. Scarlett had trouble breathing, having to use her diaphragm to breath instead.

A pale hand touched the bandage, frowning. Somewhere, she knew Jax was experiencing her pain. While there wouldn't be a physical mark, he would feel it internally. She grimaced at the thought of ever causing Jax harm, knowing it was never her intention.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. "Scarlett? Hey, I'm sorry, I just.." It was Justine. "D-Don't worry. I'm not h-hungry anyways." She turned to face the door, Justine having poked her head through. "You should eat. If not now... I'll come back in another hour. Does that sound like a plan?" Scarlett nodded, sitting herself down on the mattress. "You'll be okay for a little bit?" Again, another nod.

However, Justine noticed uneasiness in Scarlett's face. She sighed gently, slipping the rest of her body inside the room. "What's wrong?"

At first, Scarlett said nothing, unsure if she wanted to open up to Justine. She scratched at her chest, peeling some of the bandages, nervously. "I.. I'm just w-worried." She licked her lips, trying to relax a little. Justine was patient, nodding slowly.
"About your chest?"
"N-No.."
"About.. everyone else?"
"Y-Yes.. but.."
"But what?"
Scarlett bit her lip. She said too much. Her eyes cast downward and she dug her nails into her palm. Justine set a hand on her shoulder, rubbing her upper back slowly. "It's okay. You can tell me anything. You're safe here."

"I-I'm.. not worried about.. me. I.. before I came h-here.. the vampire that freed m-me.." She gulped, reluctantly continuing, "I.. developed a r-relationship.. with him. B-before I, um.. left.. I i-imprinted on him." She gestured towards her chest. "He's g-going to.. feel it and.. not k-know why. I left o-on bad terms." Scarlett was growing nervous as she talked, as Jax was a touchy subject. Justine then took a moment to process everything, but once she did, she nodded in understanding.

"As.. in a romantic relationship?" Scarlett sighed slightly, shaking her head, then, taking it back. "Yes.. and no. I-it was.. starting to be and.." Her voice stopped, pursing her lips together, trying to decide whether or not she wanted to go on. Scarlett hadn't opened up to anyone before, beyond Jax. The group had originally asked her questions, but they received little response from Scarlett. Eventually, they decided it was best to let her tell them—even if it was just one person.

"You don't have to tell me more. It's okay, really. I'm happy you.. started to talk to me." A smile formed on Justine's lips. The woman was always smiling; always bright and cheery like nothing ever bothered her. Maybe it was true, maybe it wasn't. Justine wasn't the one to talk when it came to her personal life.

"N-no.. this.. this is important. You.. you're my friend." Scarlett smiled back to Justine. Not once had Scarlett ever had a friend. Well, that is, not before Jax but he was more than a friend to her. And her mother didn't count, as, she didn't remember her as well as she liked.
"I'm honored to be your friend." The two shared a smile, but, then Scarlett continued her story.

"I.. never have actually.. b-been out in the real world. It.. it was something.. I felt I n-needed to do on m-my own. Without.. him. B-but.. he didn't want me to l-leave.. or.. if anything he wanted to come with m-me." Her words were slow, trying to combat her stutter. Eventually, she wanted to get over the speech impediment but knew it would be a long process. She glanced over at Justine.

She was silent for a few moments, listening and letting Scarlett's words sink in. "You wanted to be independent. Right?" Scarlett's nose wrinkled before she nodded. Justine set a hand on her leg. "I think we all want that," she whispered, patting the other female's knee gently, in a friendly way. Justine removed her hand, going back to her usual smile. "Do you plan on going back to him?"

"I.. do. I d-don't know w-when but.. I m-miss him. The more time passes.." She paused, gulping, "the m-more I regret m-my.. decision to leave in the f-first place." Scarlett licked her dry lips. She touched the glass on her nightstand, one that was still full to almost the rim of water. She hasn't touched it since it was set there, early on in the night. Slowly, with shaky hands, she clasped the glass into her fingers, taking a swig.

"You'll find your way back to him. I'm sure of it. That imprint won't go away, whether or not he likes it."
"Unless I-I die."
"Right. Won't go away unless you die. But we'll make sure that doesn't happen, yeah?" Justine nudged Scarlett in the ribs lightly, laughing. Scarlett joined in on the laughter a second later. It was a rare occasion to hear Scarlett laugh, but whenever it did happen, it was bright and contagious. The two smiled, sharing another laugh.
"Y-Yeah. That can't happen."
"It better not. You're really my only friend here."
"Really?"
It was Justine's turn to nod. She sighed, scratching at the back of her neck. "I don't make friends easily, unlike my children. They make new friends every week." She erupted into nervous laughter, but this time, Scarlett didn't join in. She frowned, a concerned expression filling her eyes and lips. "I'm sorry, Justine." Justine stopped laughing in that moment, furrowing her eyebrows together. "Why apologize?" Scarlett didn't answer her, however, as instead, she just leaned over and hugged the older female, tightly.

"I'm sorry you.. d-don't have more.. p-people to confide i-in. Y-you're the nicest.. person I've m-met." Scarlett pulled away, a small smile appearing on her lips. It wasn't a 'today is amazing' smile, but rather an 'I understand what it's like' smile. A solemn one, rather.

Again, the two found themselves in silence, just sitting in each other's company. Sometimes, it was the best thing there was. There was no tension, no uneasiness between them as they just relaxed. They knew they could be themselves. While they've only known each other for a year or so, they grew close fast. Scarlett knew she'd miss Justine if she left, but, something told her it wasn't the right time yet. Something was holding her back. Whether it was good or bad, she didn't quite know yet.
However, she wasn't going to spend time worrying about it. Now, Scarlett needed to be there for her friend, just like Justine was there for her.

The two smiled at each other once again. Today was going to be better  than yesterday.
They both felt it.