Chapter Thirty-One.

Dawson

I've never been so angry before in my fucking life, that motherfucker had it coming in the worst way possible. I can't stop walking back and forth outside the room, suddenly her parents burst through the room in sync with one another. "Is she okay?" Her mother cries, immediately the question sends me over and I can't be here. I leave them all standing and go upstairs.

Kyla begins to explain everything and I don't even have it in me to explain how weird it is. The motherfucker put his hands on her, beat her and her ripped shirt made me think he was going to rape her. I can't get the image out of my head, her looking like she's on the brink of death. To know someone hurt her like that was just too fucking much. I didn't have the patience right now with Scarlet's parents, I can't even look at their faces because if I didn't say the shit I said, she would've stayed.

I pace around the room, I feel like screaming. I've never fucking felt pain like that not even the fucking transfer was as bad as knowing a man hurt her. I wasn't there and I should've been. Suddenly, the door opens and Scarlet's mother comes into the room. She's studying me nervously as she cries, she looks identical to Scarlet just older.

"Honey, it's not your fault." She waves me towards her, I almost can't believe this. She nods, I stand and walk towards her and as soon as her arms wrap around me I lose my shit.

"I'm so sorry, I should've been out there with her. I would've ripped his heart out, I would've-" I wish she was Scarlet right now, so I could tell her how sorry I was.

"I know, it's a lot to take in. We knew something was going on just not this." She motions around her. "She's a good girl, she was just trying to help but it seems some fucking poor bastard wants to send grown men to kill an eighteen-year-old girl." The fury in her eyes goes noticed, she seems to be extremely pissed off.

"Who could it be?" I ask her. If Van Doren's have been through hell, then maybe if they have an idea of who it could be.

She wipes her tears. "Son, we're fucking Van Doren's, everyone wants a piece. Come on," She waves me downstairs and I follow her. I like her mom, she's cool and full of fire, just like Scarlet.

I stand in awe as pots and pans busts around the kitchen while worrying about her daughter she's cooking with her powers. Her father eyes me, he's been crying. "Have you spoken to her?" Scarlet's mother, Veronica I believe her name is, asks Vincent. Everyone knows Vincent Van Doren, he's a large role model for a lot of the males here.

He nods. "She's on her way." I'm not for sure who they're talking about. I realize that if Kyla didn't go outside to get Scarlet that Scarlet would probably be dead or worse. I walk towards her and Augustus, he gives me a sad smile and Kyla turns her head and studies me.

"Thank you-" I can't even finish because she starts crying.

Once again, this girl doesn't cry a lot. "It was horrible, in any other sense, I would've run through a pervert like him but it just shocked me. He was on top of her and-" She pauses, Augustus brings her into him and I see red I get so angry. The details never fail to piss me the fuck off.

Vincent and Veronica come towards us, interested. "Can you please tell us exactly what you saw?" Veronica takes a seat in front of them. I decide to inform them of what happened with the first encounter.

"I guess before I came out he was hitting her because the side of her face was blue and swollen," Kyla's words send anger through Vincent and I can tell because he stiffens. Veronica continues to cry, this time she seems helpless. "He was on top of her and when I screamed he took off but-" She shakes her head and I hear a car door shut.

I notice Zeke approaching the door. In any other circumstance, I would've told him to fuck off. That Scarlet was mine and if he wanted her then he'd have to fight me for her. It's just inappropriate to make a scene over something like jealousy right now.

I open the door for him, and when he enters he notices everyone sitting around. "What happened to Scarlet?" He asks he focuses on Kyla and Veronica both crying and he scratches his head nervously.

I close and lock the door, he realizes I'm there and I stroll towards the door that Lennox and Scarlet are behind. I press my forehead to the door and from outside the room, I can feel the depression and trauma radiating from her. I wanted to so desperately hold her and heal her, I wanted to be in there with her but I trusted Lennox and he said that it was best if she was alone.

★

Scarlet

I knew my parents were there. I wanted them more than anything but Lennox told me that it's best to wait. He was more focused on doctoring my face and getting the man's blood out of me. "His blood is horrible blood for your health, it'll stunt your healing for a few days but everything seems okay. You're very lucky." He informs me, I numbly lay in the bed.

Remembering him ripping open my shirt runs all over me, I close my eyes and I keep seeing him hovering over me. "Who would you like to see? If anyone." He's finished cleaning me up and I close my eyes, remembering the man's fist colliding against my face.

"My mom and dad." My voice is weak and raspy, he pushes the cart away from the bed and stands.

When he opens the door, I hear Zeke. I hear everyone and I'm not ready to face them, it's too much. I turn on my side and I hear my mother's cry as she enters the room. They lock the door and I slowly turn to them.

"Oh my poor baby," My mom runs to the bed in her heels, she lays next to me and cries. "I'm so glad you're okay." She sniffs, my father comes to my other side.

"I don't know what to do," I tell them. "I didn't expect this." I feel tears brim my eyes, the small facial movements caused the throb to return, lingering for a few seconds.

"We know baby, it's hard. We're figuring out what's going on right now." She promises me, my father runs his fingers through my hair.

"I'm so sorry, I just wanted to help him." I feel like shit and they shake their head. I can't imagine how much they worried about me.

"You did a good thing, we all have made mistakes." My father throws in. "We're going to have to take you somewhere else, where you're safe." I look at the door.

"Vincent," My mother's voice is soft and gentle. He already knows. He kisses my temple and removes himself from the bed. He exits the room, my mom turns her hand in the air and locks the door back.

"I don't want to leave him." I cry, "It fucking sucks but I don't want to leave Dawson." She slowly smiles and looks up at the ceiling.

"Love is a scary thing, I know." I remain silent. "Your father and I was the same way, you couldn't fight one of us without the other." Her eyes water and a few tears escape to the side of her face. "If you want him to and he wants to he can but honey, this won't be easy." She hugs me and kisses my forehead she seems to like everyone so far. "Oh yeah, you'll have to show me how you whooped that girl's ass." She whispers, softly smiling.

I can't help but smile but the moment she opens the door, Dawson pushes himself inside of the room and studies me. My mom quickly leaves and he slowly strides towards my side of the bed. His eyes focused on my face, I watch as tears brim his eyes and he bites down on his knuckle.

"It's fine-" I place my hand on his back, he drops his head into his hands in misery.

"No, it's not, you were almost killed." He places both hands on my head and studies me. "Oh my god," He presses my forehead against his and I feel a lump in my throat.

"Will you come with me?" I ask him, he opens his eyes and studies me. "Mom and dad want to take me somewhere else," I tell him, his eyes widen and he looks at the door.

"Yes, of course, I'll come-"

Suddenly we're both blinded by a bright light, it comes from the closet and Dawson pulls me into him. I bury my head into his chest, "Please don't-" I'm so scared and I don't know what to do. I feel like my heart can't take any more, every time a board creeks I jump out of my skin.

"Scarlet, uhm." He nudges me and I look to find the pretty brunette from my class. "Who the fuck is this?" She stands awkwardly in front of the closet.

"I'm sorry, I accidentally imprinted on you and I felt you were in great pain." Katie looks down in shame and I wipe my tears. I can't believe she's here. This is so random and I push my hair behind my ears and study her in shock.

"What the hell does imprint mean?" Dawson growls, she begins to shake and I watch in admiration as the beautiful paper-thin wings behind her do the same.

"I'm sorry, it's just something Fairies do. When we like someone, we kind of imprint on them. It's just so we know they're okay." She runs her hand up and down her arm and studies me.

I'm a little overwhelmed by how many people are here but whatever. "Hey," I try to smile. "How are you?" I ask her.

She relaxes a little. "Shitty, I noticed how you weren't at school but I can see I was right. It felt like I was having the shit kicked out of me last night." I can't help but laugh.

"Is imprinting like sexual?" Dawson accuses, narrowing his eyes.

"No, where I'm a baby I really can't help who I imprint on." She shrugs, "It just kinda happens." Her voice is so soft and sweet, I smile.

"Well, if you'd like, my parents are making food in there." Her eyes light up and I watch as she almost skips when she walks. Her wings are a mixture of pink, blue and purple and she wears a solid white dress and flats. I notice a guarder tattoo around her thick thigh.

"You better not get any ideas." Dawson eyes me, I roll my eyes and shake my head. "Why the fuck is everyone doing weird stuff with you?" He groans, I can't help but force a smile.

"I'm a little overwhelmed," I tell him, holding myself. "I want to go." I watch as his eyes soften.

"I know. It's just not safe to leave the cabin right now. Why aren't you healing?" He brings his hand to the bruised side of my face, I wince and he shushes me.

"His blood has stunted my healing. When he covered my mouth, I bit him. It tasted horrible like a bitter thick jelly." I almost throw up thinking about it, he glances at the door.

"Let me try to give you my blood." He urges, scooting closer. "Let me try and fix it. It's my fault-" I can't believe he's blaming himself for this.

"No it isn't. You did nothing wrong, it wasn't you saying those things. You were in pain." I want to stand, I've been laying in bed for hours. I feel disgusting and I hear a knock on the door. "Zeke, " I turn to Dawson, he immediately seems to tense. "Can you run me a shower and let us talk?" He sighs but agrees.

"He better not touch you-"

"Don't do anything. Just let us have some time." I lean forward and plant a kiss on his lips, "I was going to give you something later anyways." I tease, smiling. I watch as a smile forms on his face, I try to push the thoughts away but I can't help but giggle.

He stands and goes to the bathroom, "Come in." I wait until Dawson closes the bathroom door and the door opens revealing a very stressed and confused Zeke. His deep green eyes study me, shock washes over him and I suddenly hate how many times I've seen this look on people's faces.

"Hey." I smile at him, he closes the door slowly and his eyes never leave me. His hands are hidden in his pockets and he walks toward the bed, assessing me.

"Scarlet." His voice sends chills down my spine when I think of our time with one another before I even came here. All of it seems like a distant memory.

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Edited [🔏]