I'd never felt such pain like this. An overwhelming almost unbearable sense of shame and humiliation was the only feeling I could feel. I hated myself for crying over him, but his words cut deeper than a knife.

At first I felt he was lashing out at me in grief, but my anxiety was making me believe that it was truly how he felt. I was a burden to him and he should have just carried on driving instead of helping me.

Truthfully, I thought he was different. After all, he had saved me. The way he looked at me, the way he protected me and spoke to me, all lies. He was doing it for his own self gain.

I snuggled myself up on the sofa in my small flat and rubbed at my eyes profusely with my jumper sleeve making them red and sore. My heart ached as his words replayed over and over again in my head like a broken record. They stuck with me through the day and through the night.

I was a burden to everyone. I thought he cared, but I was a fool for thinking that.

Knock knock

My head whipped over to the door as a loud bang suddenly pulled me out of the repetitive thoughts and brought me back into reality.

Who would be knocking on my door this late at night?

Dragging my tired legs across the carpet, I nervously crept up to the door and peered through the little spy hole unsure as to whether to open the door or not. But no-one could be seen.

Swiftly unlocking the door, I pulled it open cautiously and scanned around the surroundings looking for the person who knocked on my door. But the street was empty minus a few parked cars.

Stepping back inside my apartment utterly confused at the situation, I went to close the door but a small piece of paper on my doorstep caught my attention.

What an earth. That ain't creepy at all.

Hesitantly picking up the piece of paper, I scanned the surrounding once more before hurrying inside, locking the door and checking it was locked 3 or 4 more times just for precaution.

Switching off the hall light, I climbed up the stairs and ran back into the lounge curious to open up the piece of paper, but nervous as well. Sitting back in my favourite spot on the sofa I shakily opened up the note and began to read the words on the piece of paper.

My my little dove,

Did you really think you could hide from me? Foolish little girl. I've always got my eye on you and will always follow you until I get what I want. If you cannot give it to me, then you of course know the consequences. I know this is an unfortunate situation that was not your fault, but now they've gone, you are responsible. So my little dove, you can keep up this little cat and mouse chase, but know this my dear Rosie, I will always find you.

My heart sank further than I thought possible. I hadn't heard from him in over a year, yet all this time he knew where I lived. He won't stop. After all these years, he's still hunting me down. I have to leave. I have to run away again.

"Well?".

Fuck, I've never been more nervous in my life. What is she going to think after I tell her what I've done and said to Rosie. Nobody scares me as much as my little sister. She's tiny, but she's fierce. Gulping down my nerves, I stared into her green eyes and began to fidget on my chair as the room became tense.

"I, um I sort of shouted at her and told her she meant nothing to us or anyone".

Lucy's innocent eyes suddenly darkened and swarmed with anger. Her fists clenched tightly together and the heart rate monitor began to speed up as Lucy stared intensely at me.

"Do you wanna die?" she muttered out whilst giving me her most terrifying glare. She scares me more than any of my enemies.

"Lulu, I was angry, angry at the thought of you in this situation. I failed as a brother and my anger got the better of me. Rosie came to visit you and see how you were, but I was too angry. I was angry at myself because I was there in the rose garden asking Rosie out to dinner when you got hurt. I let another girl swarm my mind and look where you ended up".

Lucy shook her head suddenly thumped her hand against the bed in frustration.

Lucy's eyes suddenly started watering. Fucking hell, not only have I hurt Rosie, but I've hurt my baby sister.

"If I wasn't strapped up to all these machines I would've beat your butt already. How could you Dean! She was sad when you found her and now she's probably heartbroken. You don't treat people like that. I don't care if you're angry, you don't make people feel that way".

"I, I'm sorry Lucy. I was so scared and angry and hated myself because all my focus was off you. I let my guard down and you got hurt".

"No, you lashed out at the one person who was the most innocent in this situation. You hurt her and you've hurt me. Dean, I don't think you understand. All your life you've been surrounded by women who are rude and mean. When Rosie came into our lives, I saw something different. YOU were different. You barely knew her yet I could tell you were instantly happier with her. Gosh, and you didn't hold back. You were so protective over her even after a day of meeting her. Let's not forget that you saved her. Since when do you care for anyone except me? You don't. But you cared for Rosie. I may be young, but it was obvious that you liked her. She's sweet, kind and genuine. I'm so disappointed in you. I was rooting for you two. You saved her and she saved you".

"She saved me?"

"Yes. She saves you from the dark you throw yourself into. When you were with Rosie, you were the happiest I've seen you in years. Your eyes lit up like mine do at Christmas. Gosh, how blind can you be?".

Lucy wiped away at her falling tears and turned away from me on the bed.

"You're stupid for hurting her and letting her go. Mum and dad would be so disappointed in you right now".

Tears welled up in my eyes at Lucy's last statement. I am a horrible human being. I tried to be good for so long, just like mum and dad had raised me to be and now I let my emotions hurt someone who made us happy. After all she's been through and to say some of the things I said to her, disgusted me. I have to make things right.

Jumping off the chair, I grabbed my coat and flung it on my body with haste capturing Lucy's attention.

"Where are you going?" She grumbled lowly.

"To make things right. Oh, these are for you".

I placed the vase of blue flowers down on the bedside table that I had tended to and preserved until my sister had awoken.

"You brought me flowers?".

"No, they were from Rosie".

Before Lucy had time to speak or utter a word, I had raced out of the room eager to race off to the little cafe nearby.

—————————-

"That'll be £26 Sir". Swiping my card on the card machine, I slipped my wallet back into my trouser pocket and picked up the bouquet of red roses.

"They for someone special?" The shopkeeper asked softly as handed me over my receipt.

"Something like that".

Bidding the shop keeper farewell, I rushed out of the shop and sprinted down the road ready to make the wrongs right. My heart was beating so fast I felt as though it was about to burst out of my chest.

Reaching the adorable cafe I stopped in my tracks and took 3 very deep breaths before opening the door and walked in with my head held up high ready to apologise to Rosie.

"Hello Sir, how can I help you?"

"Hi. Just wondering if Rosie is in today?"

The waitress smiled at me sheepishly before shaking her head.

"I'm sorry Sir, but she's quit".