"You died that day Rose," a voice spoke to me. A voice I would recognise anywhere. My world was black and muggy and I couldn't think but I could hear him. It was like I wasn't awake but I could hear him in the darkness of my dream. Blake.

"For ten agonising seconds you were dead, but they brought you back to life," he continued. His tone was empty, emotionless like he was speaking but there was no life in his voice.

"Now you have been in a coma for two months and I'm starting to worry that I won't ever see you again, that you won't wake up ever again." I heard a choking, a sob and then silence.

"The doctors are worried about this too; they are advising your mum to start considering turning off your life support." There was heavy quick breathing, a chair scraping across the floor and then a crash.

"I'm afraid I won't have much time left with you Rose," he agonised, his painful words spoken from further away but it didn't stop me from hearing the agony in his voice.

"I don't know how to live without you, I don't know if I can fight through that pain too." The voice was closer again so I heard it hitching with a cry. I felt my heart pump heavily in my chest.

"You have to fight, just like how I asked you to fight before. You need to fight harder than ever. I need you to come back to me." His voice was stronger than before, pleading like his life depended on it.

"I don't know if I can keep going without you." I knew instantly what he meant; he was going to kill himself if I didn't wake up. I needed to wake up. I tried to wake up but it was like fighting against a non-moving wall of black clouds. But I pushed, imagining him, his eyes, remembering the pain I felt when he was gone. I can't lose him again, I can't. I fought against the numbness and fought against my pitch-black reality. For days, for hours, for the never-ending amount of time I fought.

At some point the fog began to clear and I felt something, a warmth in my fingers. I latched onto that and fought holding onto that feeling, I knew that feeling, it was the embrace of Blakes skin in my own. Latching onto his touch it became easier to fight against the shadowed obsidian and I held onto his hand with all my strength left. At some point during my struggles I felt him squeeze back.

"Rose?" I heard Blake's voice, filled with hope, with love.

It was easy after that to fight against it, knowing that he was there and eventually the blackness gave way and my eyes opened into a fluorescent light blaring down from the ceiling, blinding me. I squinted against the light, fluttering my eyelids closed.

"Come back to me please," Blake begged and I felt a droplet of water drip onto my hand. "Please wake up." His words were all I needed to fight against the weight holding down my head. I opened my eyes fully against the painful light and Blake's beautiful face came into view. I saw his black scruffy hair first; it was longer than the last time I saw it and much more untamed.

His blue eyes became wide as saucers as he saw me open my eyes and just the sight of his beautiful eyes knocked the breath out of me. They were ringed with red and he had dark bruises underneath his eyes, like he was sleep deprived and had been crying.

"Rose?" Blake questioned, his voice croaking with the tears he had spilt but increasing in volume with elation.

"Hey," I spoke, but it was so quiet I could barely hear it, it seemed that my voice didn't remember how to work. Tears welled in Blake's eyes and they spilt over in disbelief as he threw his body at me, hugging me tightly.

"Rose, my Rose," he cried as he clutched my face between both of his hands. He just stared into my eyes for a very long period of time. My eyebrows pinched together when I noticed how tired he looked, but not just tired, he looked unwell.

"What is going on? Where am I?" I asked, looking around the room, shaking my head in confusion. But that just made my head spin and I rested it back against the pillows behind my head.

"You are in the hospital," Blake explained and then hesitated before deciding to ask. "Do you remember what happened at the fundraiser?"

Images started replaying through my mind. Blake's fake suicide, Lisa's betrayal, her reveal about my sister and ultimately Billy shooting me in the chest. Suddenly I was hit in the stomach like I was just ploughed into my torso, breaking my heart into two. I remembered Lisa's explanation about my sister. Tears dripped down my face and I tried to prop myself up higher on my elbows but a shooting pain stabbed through my shoulder.

Instantly Blake scooted closer to me and rested his hand onto my shoulder, gently holding me still. He gazed at me intently for a long moment, and only when my features had calmed and the pain had eased did relax his tense posture. I couldn't face the pain of asking Blake if Lisa's story about my sister was true just yet, not when I am already in so much pain physically.

"Be careful," Blake worried, holding my shoulders with both my hands like he could hold me together. The fear on his face reminded me of the agony I saw when he was looking at me like I was about to die.

"Yes, I remember what happened." I looked down to find that I was in a hospital gown and there were bandages over my chest. "I was shot." I reached up my hand to inspect the damage to my chest but Blake grabbed my hand and lowered it before I could touch the wound.

"You were in a coma for two months," Blake explained and his voice was strained like that fact was horrific to remember. But then his eyes lifted up and the pain lines between his eyebrows softened. "But you are alive, you are okay, thank the gods." Blake rose my hand that he had grasped easier and intertwined our fingers, he brought up my hand to his cheek and leaned his hand into my touch.

"Rose, fuck I thought you were going to die," Blake agonised. He lowered our hands so I could see his red eyes and the bones of his jaw line that wasn't there before.

"Codswallops," I gasped, two months of my life I have missed. I pressed my lips together in worry, that must be why Blake looked so broken. I couldn't imagine what he went through, what my mother went through. It was bad enough when I thought Blake might die and that was only for a few hours, he went through two months of that agony. "I'm sorry," I breathed. I knew the pain he must have gone through because I felt it myself when he was in the same position in hospital. My eyes ranked over the rest of Blake's body, I could see that his cheek bones were more prominent and he had lost weight.

"Don't apologise for being shot," Blake objected and his eyes blazed with emotion. He reached his other hand up and cupped both of my cheeks and smiled happily. A memory flashed in my mind of him doing the same thing as I was losing conciseness, it was a shock to remember that because in that moment I thought I was dying. Yet here I am alive.

"What happened after? What happened to Billy and Lisa?" I asked, leaning my head into his hand, trying to forget the vision of the pain on his face as he thought I was dying. Blake's features hardened and he leaned back to sit in the chair next to my hospital bed, his hand leaving my face.

"They were all arrested. Lisa, Billy and Cameron," Blake answered with a frown, he was looking down to the floor and I noticed his hands were in fists. I knew why he was angry, everything that those people had done to both of us.

"The police asked me to give a statement about them all." Blake looked up to me and his eyes were burning with hatred.

"I went down to the police station a week after your operation. I refused to leave your side before that, you were in a coma and I wanted to be here when you woke up. I told the police everything about Lisa's stealing, about the kids and how she kidnapped me," Blake recalled. I dropped my head back onto the pillow still unbelieving what my life had turned into. I couldn't believe that my best friend was hiding so many secrets.

"A government facility is looking after the kids at the moment until it reopens," Blake added. I jolted my head up again in shock and my eyebrows pinched together.

"It's reopening? How?" I asked, confused.

"The fundraiser made a lot of money, actually legally. And there was an anonymous donator that paid enough to give them the money they needed." An anonymous donator? Who the hell would have enough money to give the orphanage that donation and who would want to? Who cared enough about the children? In my opinion they are better off living with foster families and having actual parents.

"The donator had one wish and that was for the children at the orphanage to be sent to the school and are able to board there. But the kids too young to board will be sent into the foster system," Blake explained. My mouth fell open in shock at this news. It seemed too good to be true, it was just exactly what Lisa was fighting for, what she gave her life up for.

"Wow that's amazing, a miracle." I ran my hand over my eyes in disbelief, to find it connected to a cannula that was needled into my arm. I cringed at the sight. Blake touched my hand softly, trying to stop me from flicking my hand around. I noticed with a gasp that Blake had scars along his wrists. I realised they were still healing scars from being tied down to the chair in the orphanage basement.

"That reminds me, how did you know to go to the orphanage?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow. I never knew how he ended up tied to the chair in the orphanage basement.

"After you told me about the murder you witnessed, I knew this wasn't over. I started investigating that blood sample in more detail. After I finished my treatment at the hospital, I broke into the police station and stole the records of the baby girl we found from the blood sample to find out that she wasn't dead and she was sent to that orphanage. I thought I'd go there and see if there was any more information on her there and that was when I found Lisa and at the kids scheming to steal money at the fundraiser. They found me listening into their conversation and captured me," Blake revealed.

He leaned back in his chair, running his hands down his face. I noticed the black bruises under his eyes again, he was tired. I bit my lip and my forehead plucked in worry when I realised just how much Blake had been through in the last few months.

"I can't believe Lisa tried to make everyone think you were dead." I shook my head in disbelief and reached for his hand. He was sitting too far away from me. I smiled as I intertwined our hands and pulled him closer to me. His lips pulled up at one corner but it was a fatigued smile.

"She thought what she was doing was the right thing you know, she still cared for you as a best friend." Blake's eyes were sad and he was watching me intently, his blue eyes searching my features. I knew why but I wasn't acknowledging that just yet, I wanted to live in oblivion a little longer.

"I know, that is what makes this so hard." I signed and squeezed my eyes shut. I opened them again when I felt a warm finger touched my eyelids. My breath hitched when I saw Blake's face was so close to mine. He didn't say anything as he ran his fingers along my eyebrows, down my temple and along my lips. My eyelids fluttered against his touch. He knew I needed a distraction.

"I had my hearing when you were under," Blake revealed after a few silent minutes of him running his fingers over my face and neck. I frowned, I didn't like his choice of distraction, I didn't want to hear about anything that had the potential to tear us apart again.

"The hospital gave a statement that there were no drugs missing from their stocks. But I was guilty for drug possession." My heart leapt into overdrive as panic streamed through me, I bolted upright in the bed.

"What does that mean?" I fretted. Blake jumped back from my spontaneous reaction and then worry lines indented his forehead.

"Nothing it's all okay, sorry I shouldn't have scared you like that. I was lucky because it was my first time, I only got community service. It won't even be on my record," he relayed and I could see the relief on his features.

"That's good?" I asked tentatively.

"That's good," he confirmed with a smile. And only then I relaxed, allowing my stiff back to droop and to breathe in deeply. But that small bit of peace I felt was only temporary as I remembered that my mother was nowhere to be seen and nor had Blake mentioned her.

"Where is my mum? Is she okay?" I questioned, craning my neck to look out the hospital room's windows.

"She has just gone home to have a shower and bring us both some lunch. She hasn't left your side and I haven't either. Except at night when I am kicked out of here for not being family. I have been staying at your house during the nights with my mum and dad and brother. I finally told my family everything about why I pushed them away and they forgave me, no questions asked and I just feel like we are a family again," Blake babbled on and Blake never babbled on. I realised that he was avoiding answering my second question.

"That's great to hear that you reconnected with them Blake." I smiled and rubbed my hand down his cheek and neck, feeling the scruff of his stubble scrape my palms, I found the feeling calming.

"Is my mum okay?" I asked again, twirling my hands in his hair, I was worried about her. Blake's eyes fell from mine.

"Your mum is coping, she doesn't really leave your side at all and stays the nights here too, she will be better now you are awake," Blake reassured. My stomach dropped when I replayed his words, she will be better now you are awake. That meant she wasn't doing so well. And I knew why. Tears welled in my eyes as I thought about what my mother must be going through right now, if she knew about what Lisa did. I didn't want to know what had been revealed while I was in a coma, if they confirmed if what Lisa said was true.

I tore at my hospital gown anxiously and squeezed my eyes shut. But it was time to face the truth, the one thing I didn't want the answer to. But I couldn't live in oblivion any longer, I needed to face the truth.

"And my sister?" I finally asked, dread lacing my tone. I could barely look at Blake but when I did my heart shattered. His features were filled with pain, the lines around his eyes becoming more prominent and strained. He reached for me, wrapping both my hands into his and his warmth was the only thing that kept me sane.

"It's been all over the news, everyone knows. The police were astounded how it was all kept a secret for so long," Blake answered truthfully, his eyes were radiating sympathy and agony at having to tell me this. I squeezed my eyes shut and tears dripped down my face. My chest broke apart, like someone had punched into my body and ripped my heart out. I gasped for breath and when I opened my eyes Blake was right in front of me and sitting on the edge of my bed.

"They found her grave, Lily Berlin's. And they tested the body, it was confirmed. It is your sister's body," he declared. My mind and body crumbled then; it was true. A massive sob wracked my body as I began weeping. I pulled my knees up into my chest. I couldn't even feel the pain that radiated from the wound in my chest and wrapped my hands around my stomach that was heaving with agony.

"Ellie's gone, I'm so sorry Rose," Blake finalised, his eyes were dappled with tears as well. I glanced up to him to find his features devoured with pain and helplessness.

"No," I cried and cried, over and over again. I saw tears drip down Blake's face and he completely jumped into the bed with me. He slowly cradled my body against his as he slipped his legs underneath the blanket and rested my leg between both of his. There was a jolt of a stabbing pain that pierced through me as he moved me around but I didn't care, I needed him more than I needed anything right now.

He tucked my head into his chest and wrapped his hands completely around my torso, being wary of not touching my chest. I gripped onto him, clutching his body to me so painfully he must have a bruise. But I just held onto him as I cried and wept.

"Is your chest okay? You shouldn't be in this much pain right now, I should get the nurse," Blake worried as he cupped my face with both of his hands. I already was feeling light-headed from whatever drugs were already in my system, that is probably why I am not lying on the floor screaming about this news.

"No, not yet. I need you right now." I dug my head into his chest, he was the only painkiller I needed right now. Blake was quiet and returned to hugging me as I cried my heart out. He just let me weep it all out and clutch onto him like he was my lifeline. And he was my lifeline, I didn't know what I would do if he wasn't here.

I don't know what I would do if he had died as well. I grasped onto him tighter and my sobs calmed down as I focused on Blake, on the warmth of him in my arms. That he was here with me and not dead in the ground too. After a long period of time, so long I would not be able to remember any of it, I finally calmed down enough to realise that Blake was in the hospital with me. The last time I was in the hospital he could not go through the doors.

"You are here, in a hospital," I commented, my voice hoarse from the crying but I was stable enough to talk again. I pulled my head back from Blake's chest so I could see his face. My mouth fell open as it hit me with a shock at seeing Blake's eyes, the were red rimmed and tears had fallen down his cheeks. I didn't realise that he had been crying too. He tilted his head to the side in question.

"How come you refused to go into the hospital with me last time? Was it because it reminded you of when you attempted the first time?" I asked, wiping my face free of tears and placing my hand onto my chin so I could look into his eyes. Understanding dawned on his features and then he instantly looked away from me and towards the ceiling, like he was ashamed of the answer.

"This place just reminded me of the disappointment of waking up and realising that I was alive. It made me want to do it again remembering that. But I would do anything for you Rose, you are worth the anxiety of going through that." Blake ran his hand through his hair in agitation and closed his eyes like he couldn't look at me. I watched him with searching eyes, I saw the way his hands shook and how his lips were pressed together.

My heart sunk at seeing this broken side to him and I realised that there was still apart of Blake that struggled with his depression and shutting out the part of him that wanted to escape this life. And after I realised this my stomach swelled with butterflies, filling with love for him, he was fighting through this darkness for me. I didn't know what I would do if he wasn't here with me right now.

"I am so grateful you are here, with me," I declared as ran my hand down his cheek. Blake opened his eyes from my touch and the intensity and beauty of his bright blue eyes were a shock.