Unfinished (Chapter-17)

When the boys return they are covered in sweat and I watch them both slump down on the couch. I admire the fact that they both look so at home here, and I have to remind myself that this is a familiar place for them. Charlie did use to live here and Arden was probably here every chance he got to see Cassy.

Speaking of Cassy, I turn to run up the stairs, heading to her room. Knocking gently, I move into the room, not waiting for her to say I could come in. I find her sitting at her desk, holding the picture of her and Arden. Stepping in, I close the door behind me. “Cassy? How are you doing?”

When she turns to face me, I step back from the rage swimming in her eyes. “You think you are just the best thing since sliced bread, don’t you? For being able to laugh and talk with them both so freely? Who the hell do you even think you are?”

I hold up my hands, furrowing my eyebrows at her. “Cassy, what are you talking about? I’m doing what I can to help you move on. Why are you being like this?” I begin to sweat, noticing that the room was heating up fast.

“Why am I being like this?” She stands up and moves closer to me, flailing her arms around in aggravation. “You are trying to take my place in their lives! That should be me, Abby! Not you! You have no right to come here and be with Arden! He is my boyfriend, not yours!” She steps closer, leaving less than a foot between us. “He loves me, always has and always will! You hear me? You need to learn your place here!”

I was panting from the heat that she was radiating. “Cassy, please. Have an open mind about all of this. You are dead. You killed yourself. You’re not here to be the little sister to Charlie, or the girlfriend to Arden. YOU chose that when you decided to take your life. I’m not trying to replace you, I would never want to do that, and I wouldn’t be able to even if I did. Okay? I don’t want to hurt you, Cassy. Please, you are my friend, but I need you to calm down. I’ll give you some time alone to cool off.”

Opening the door quickly, I step out of the room, before moving to the stairs. I hear Cassy scream out an irritated scream before I turn to her just in time to feel her hot hands make contact with my chest. The hit was hard, making me stumble back, and tumble down the stairs. I was rolling, and hitting every step on the way down.

I could hear Charlie and Arden scrambling into the hall, calling out my name as I land with a loud thud at the bottom of the stairs. Everything hurts. My head was thumping, my body was aching and my eyes were blurry. I could hear myself moan out in pain but it was like I wasn’t in control of it. Not necessarily an out of body experience, but more of I was trapped inside and couldn’t control the sounds that were escaping.

Arden bend down, cradling my head in his lap and Charlie was yelling down his phone for an ambulance. Arden, with clear horror in his eyes, bends down to stroke my hair out of my face. “Hang in there, Abby. Damn it. Please stay with me, okay? You’re going to be okay. Please be okay.” I could hear the pain laced in his words and the cracking of his voice but I couldn’t do anything to help him.

Forcing some sort of control, I beg my arm to move. I want to comfort Arden, I need too. I could feel my fingers twitch and I press harder for them to move. My arm was heavy, but I was able to place my hand on Arden’s face, my thumb wiping away a tear that had escaped.

Closing my eyes, I felt my arm fall. Man, I just want to rest for a moment. It feels good to rest my eyes. “Abby! Abby, please open your eyes sweetheart! Please. God damn it!” Arden shook me, causing my eyes to open. my head lulls to the side and I look up the stairs.

Cassy was standing at the top. A glare on her face and her hands by her side in tight fists. If there was a way, I’m sure there would be fire coming out of her nostrils and smoke out of her ears. She looks pissed, and I just wish she would take a moment to realize what the simple truths were. She is dead, but she also just harmed the only person that gave her a chance and was willing to help her.

My eyes close on their own accord, before I was drifting off into darkness.

ARDEN’S POV

This can’t be happening. This can not be fucking happening! Is this fucking house cursed? Everyone I care about that has lived in this fucking house has died. I can’t let Abby die. I just can’t!

The paramedics rush into the house and Charlie tries to pull me up and out of the way. With one hell of a fight, I finally realize that I needed to let them take her so they can help her. I stare after them as they carry her out. I was frozen.

“Come on, man. I’ll drive us to the hospital.” Charlie, with his hand still on my shoulder, guides me out of the house. I look back, glaring up at the stairs until I see a figure that looked an awful lot like Cassy standing at the top. When I blink, she is no longer there. I shake my head before grabbing Abby’s purse with her keys in it, before locking the door and hurrying to Charlie’s car.

He speeds us to the hospital before we both run through the door, heading to the counter. “Abby Wilson. Where is she? Is she okay?” I question. I barely register what the lady at the desk is saying but I do hear what floor to go to before I’m running to the elevator with Charlie on my tail.

I just fucking pray that Abby is alright. I don’t think I can handle another death. Not right now. Damn it, not ever. I know Abby and I were still getting to know each other, and we haven’t known each other long, but I fuckin’ like the girl. I like her a lot. So, I can’t lose her. It just is not a fucking option.

We reach the floor the lady told us and rush to another desk with another woman sitting behind it. Charlie is the one who spoke this time. “Abby Wilson? Is there any news on Abby Wilson?”

The lady types something into the computer and pushes her glasses up her face as she leans forward. “Are either of you family? I can’t disclose any information about a patient unless you are.” She raises an eyebrow while she waits. It was so fucking annoying but I say the first thing that pops into my head.

“She’s my fiancée. She doesn’t have any other family. Please.” I beg, desperately. I know it isn’t manly to beg, but damn it, I need to know. The lady, stares at me a moment more before letting out a little sigh.

“She is in surgery now. You will have to wait for a doctor to come out and update you. Please have a seat.” I was just about to argue when Charlie tugs on my arm, pulling me to sit in a chair. I huff out an angry breath, but oblige.

Man, I fuckin’ hate hospitals. I was in waiting rooms enough when my mother was in here. It fucking sucks. All I know is, Abby better be fine. She has to be.