I think you guys can guess which apartment Collins is renting (since nobody seemed to venture one last time I brought it into the story.)
Sorry it took so long to finish this, but I've been really busy with graduation and seeing all my family and all that jazz. And right after graduation (literally, the next day), I went to start my new summer job, which is still not set in stone for the summer. But even though it's hard labor (grounds crew), it's outside, so I think it'll be satisfactory until the end of the summer. Plus, I'm working evenings at concessions and such, so… Yeah, I've been super busy, basically only working. I haven't even seen any of my high school friends or done anything besides work for almost a month now. It's kind of sad, actually, but I try not to think about it too much.
Anyway, thanks so much for being patient with waiting for updates. Here's chapter 10. I realize it's been a long time since chapter 9 was originally posted. I know this chapter is longer than usual, but hopefully, that will make up for the time it took me to update. It's pretty intense, but enjoy.
Chapter 10
Four days later…
On May 31st, the night before the wedding, Melanie lay awake next to Roger in her room. She was feeling slightly sick, and she was so nervous, her mind wouldn't stop racing. It was also pouring rain outside. Normally, Melanie loved storms like this, but tonight, the thunder was keeping her awake.
Melanie rolled over and looked at the clock on the nightstand: 11:30. In less than twelve hours, she would be Roger's wife. Everyone was hoping it would stop raining before the ceremony in the morning.
She pushed the covers away and slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb Roger. Once out of bed, she paused for a moment and listened for any signs that he had awoken. But he slept on.
Melanie padded softly down the stairs and put a coat on over her nightgown. As she pulled open the front door, she flinched; she'd forgotten it squeaked. She opened it just wide enough to squeeze through and stepped outside.
Melanie shivered, but not from the cold. She wasn't truly ready to marry Roger and she knew it. They'd waited a long time for the opportunity, yes, but in the end, they both had to admit they had done things backwards by accidentally getting Melanie pregnant with Brianna before they got married.
She wanted to tell Roger this, but she couldn't find the courage. She didn't want to break his heart again.
So I won't do it, Melanie thought to herself. I just won't show up today.
Your mother will kill you, her subconscience said to her.
What can she do? I'm eighteen; to do it or not do it is my decision, not hers. And for a long time, she was hesitant about giving Roger consent anyway. Neither of them can force me to do or not do this.
You're right about that. But what about Roger and everybody who will be at the ceremony and all the money they've spent on the wedding?
We've barely spent any money; we're only hiring a pastor and having witnesses. And I'll leave a note with… someone.
Then you're just going to walk out of Roger's life, just like that?
Yes.
Where will you go?
That one was easy. Collins' place for a while, Melanie thought, at least until I can find a job and get a place of my own.
It is not gonna be that easy, you know that. Are you still going to go to NYU?
Yes, but I have to make Collins swear not to tell them where I am. Since I'm leaving, I don't want to see Roger until I absolutely have to.
Then just don't leave. This isn't a good idea.
I'm not asking you.
At that point, the battle with her subconscience ended and she sat down on the porch steps. She was in too deep now. She had to do it before she regretted it forever.
She went back inside, went upstairs, and entered her room. Roger stirred and awoke.
"Hey, baby, haven't you slept yet?" he asked.
Melanie shook her head. "No."
"Nervous?" he asked, as she went over and sat on the bed.
Melanie looked at him, surprised. Roger read her so well. She hoped her face wasn't betraying her secret. "Yeah," she said, looking at his chest rather than his face.
"Well, don't be, OK? It'll be great," Roger said. "We've been waiting for this for a long time."
Melanie nodded. "Go back to sleep," she whispered, gently pushing his hair back away from his face.
Roger nodded silently and closed his eyes. Within thirty seconds, she heard him snoring, once again asleep. She slowly opened her dresser drawer, pulled out a change of clothes, and dressed in complete silence. Then she went to the bathroom across the hall and gathered a toiletry bag full of necessities.
She went downstairs to the kitchen and opened a jar on the counter. Inside was about 300 her mother had saved over the past few months. She took all of it and put it in her money clip, which she then put in her purse.
She was only going to Collins' place. She couldn't think of anything else she needed to take. If she needed something, she could always come back when Roger wasn't around. Roger was only around today because it was their wedding day. Otherwise, Roger and Melanie hardly spent a night together, by their parents' rules. They had to get a place of their own first.
Melanie double-checked that everything she felt she needed was in the bag and she put her coat on. Then she stepped out into the darkness with no intention of ever returning.
About half an hour later, the cab arrived at East Village, where Collins' flat was. The alley was dark, but cars were parked along the curb that ran the length of the street, so Melanie guessed she was OK.
"It doesn't look like anyone's home," the cab driver said, looking from the loft to Melanie.
"They're probably out looking for me," Melanie said.
"Are you in trouble or something?" the driver asked.
"Not yet," Melanie said quietly. She looked at the driver. "Thank you for the ride."
She got out of the car and handed him money through the passenger-side window.
"You got a key, honey?" the driver asked, taking the money from her.
"Um, no, but I'll figure something out," Melanie said, shrugging.
"OK, well, I'll stay here until you get in, OK?" the driver asked her.
"OK, thank you. I'll be fine," Melanie said.
She walked away from the cab toward the loft. Reaching up, with some difficulty, she pulled down the fire escape stairs and climbed them. She went up to the window and pulled down on the latch. It opened. She turned around and waved the cab driver off. Then she went inside.
It didn't truly sink into her, what she'd just done, until she sat down on a lump, uncomfortable couch in the living room area. But as she looked around at the cold, empty, open room— in the middle of which a wood-burning stove rested— the tears ensued and she cried herself to sleep.
"What the hell?"
Melanie woke up to a calm, deep voice. She opened her eyes and saw Collins standing over her.
"Hi," she said, her voice hoarse from crying.
"Well, if it isn't the runaway bride," Collins said, sitting next to her on the couch. "Mind telling me what's going on? You just left Roger cold-footed on the altar."
"I know," Melanie said. Of course, only Collins wouldn't just immediately start assuming things and chewing her out. Only Collins was calm and collected about these things. Only he would just want to know what's going on and then probably try and help.
"Why, Baby girl?" Collins asked. "I thought you loved him? Everyone's wondering what happened to you. Your mom fears the worst."
"I know I love him," Melanie said. "But I can't marry him. I'm not mature enough for something like that. I realized last minute that I wasn't ready for such a commitment."
"But you didn't tell anyone anything?" Collins asked.
"I left a note at my house," Melanie said. "I dunno if she's discovered it yet."
Collins shook his head and looked down at her. He was surprised how cold she was being. "I dunno about you, Baby girl," he said.
"Look, it's my decision, OK?" Melanie said, sitting up quickly. Her head spun and she put a hand to it to steady herself as she stood up. Collins helped her sit up. "I know I could have told him, but I don't want to. I wanted to… go quietly… but I fell asleep here."
"Baby girl, we gotta tell everybody you're OK," Collins argued.
"No, Collins," Melanie said stubbornly. "I don't want to be found."
"So why did you come here?" Collins demanded. "The only reason everybody else didn't come here looking for you— because they had a hunch you would come here— is because I told them not to; that I'd talk to you for them. Their guess was right, obviously."
Melanie shrugged. "Then talk to me. I was hoping you'd give me a place to stay, until I can figure out what to do."
Collins was silent, still stunned.
"I'm not going back to Scarsdale," Melanie said firmly, walking away from him.
Collins didn't know what to say. The great philosopher- and teacher-in-training had been silenced by a girl almost five years his junior. Melanie had good reasoning behind her decision, so he essentially was powerless to stop her.
"And if you try and make me go back or talk to him or anything," Melanie said, going over to one of the bedroom doors, "I'll leave myself."
Before Collins could reply, she walked into the bedroom and slammed the door.
Collins stood in silence for a moment. Then he sank into a chair and put his head in his hands, lost as to what to do.
A few minutes later, he jumped when the phone rang. He scrambled up to his feet to answer it. "Hello?"
"Collins, is she there?" Roger demanded.
Collins sighed and closed his eyes.
"Collins, dammit, tell me, is she there?" Roger growled.
"Yes, Roger, she's here," Collins answered, lowering his voice.
"Well, put her on the phone," Roger yelled.
"I can't, Rog," Collins said, leaning away from the phone. He could still hear Roger yelling.
"Why the hell not?"
"She shut herself in one of the rooms here a few minutes ago and hasn't come out. And I'm not gonna make her."
"Well, fine," Roger relented angrily. "But ask her what the fuck—"
"Mind your mouth," Collins snapped.
"Oh, you're one to talk," Roger snarled.
"I'm not asking her anything," Collins argued firmly. "This is your problem; it's between the two of you. I'm not being the messenger boy and I'm not taking sides, because I care too much for both of you."
"Then I'm coming there."
"No."
"Why not; it's a half-hour drive?"
"She said if you show up, she knows you'll give her shit and she'll leave for good before you even get here."
"Not if she doesn't know when I leave. She can't know that if you don't tell her."
"And before you ask," Collins interrupted, "I don't know where she's going, so don't even go there."
"Fine; just stall her as long as you can," Roger said, and he hung up abruptly.
Collins slammed down the phone angrily. Roger just wasn't listening and Collins was tired of arguing.
When he turned around, he gasped. Melanie was standing in the doorway of her room, staring at him. Tears were glistening in her eyes.
"Collins, what are you trying to do?" she sobbed. "I thought you were trying to help me?"
"Baby girl…" Collins said nervously, looking at her. "I told him not to come if you don't want him to, but I can't make him listen… It's up to him."
Melanie nodded and walked away. She grabbed her bag, which still had everything in it; she hadn't yet unpacked.
"What're you doing?" Collins asked, looking over at her.
"I'm leaving," Melanie said.
"Don't be stupid, Baby girl," Collins said. "I'm not just gonna let you walk out like this. You know what this city is like out there for a young, pretty girl like you? There are lots of maniacs who would do all sorts of things to you without stopping and thinking."
"I can take care of myself," Melanie said.
"Melanie, you know how much I loved your brother, right?" Collins asked. Melanie nodded. "Look, it wasn't recently, but it feels like only yesterday I lost your brother. It all happened so fast, I hardly had time to grieve for him. Everyone thinks I got over it, but I really didn't. I haven't. It'll take me a long time to get over it. You lost your brother, too; why can't you think of him right now, and what he would say if he were watching you?"
"My brother's dead!" Melanie snapped. "He can't watch me anymore. And I grew tired of him always hovering over me, making sure I was OK, when he was alive. I didn't need a babysitter."
Collins' eyes widened in shock; he never would have imagined Melanie would say things like this about Brian. "Melanie, he loved you and wanted to protect you," he said. "I made him a promise, you know. After he died, I spoke to him and I made him a promise. I promised that, since I had failed to take care of him to the best of my ability, I would do so for you in his stead. And I mean to keep that promise."
"It doesn't matter. If Roger is coming for me, then I told you, I'm not staying and waiting around for him to come and try to convince me to go back," Melanie said. "I don't care what he wants and I don't want to listen to what he has to say. This is my decision and you're only making it worse."
"Baby girl, he's just worried he did something wrong. You know Roger; he always blames himself for anything that goes wrong in the slightest," Collins said. "He won't try to force you to go back. But eh cares too much for you to let you go without a fight."
Melanie shook her head. As a result, her head spun. She put a hand to her head, and after a moment, steadied herself.
Before Melanie could protest, Collins put a gentle hand to her forehead. "Baby girl, you're sick," he said. "You need to go lie down and rest."
"No," Melanie said, turning away from him. "I just need to go for a walk and get some fresh air."
"Then I'm going with you," Collins insisted.
"No, Collins," Melanie pleaded, shaking her head. "I'll be fine. Please, just leave me alone. I just need to think."
As hard as he had tried to change her mind, Collins knew he couldn't argue with her anymore. Respecting her wishes, as he knew he had to, Collins could only watch as she turned and walked out the door.
Melanie didn't know where she was going. Her feet just took her somewhere. It quickly got dark and started to rain heavily. She soon found herself soaking wet, cold, lost, and very confused.
A man dressed in black, wearing a facemask, came out of the nearby alleyway. Before Melanie knew what was happening, he knocked her to the ground. There, he gagged her, ripped off her jeans, and raped her. Melanie was too weak and sick to fight back.
Then he stood up and left her lying there, stunned.
After several minutes, Melanie staggered to her feet. But she swooned and passed out and collapsed to the ground.
Melanie didn't know how much time lapsed. But she jerked to consciousness to a crack of thunder and strong arms holding her. She cringed for a moment, afraid the attacker had come back, but then she heard a familiar voice and relaxed.
"Oh, my God, baby, what happened to you?" Roger's voice asked. He sounded terrified.
"Roger…" Melanie croaked. Her voice was barely working. "He… he…"
"I know, baby. I…" Roger began. His voice trailed off. "Just be quiet, OK? I'm taking you back to Collins' place."
Roger gently wrapped his jacket around her, picked her up bride-style, and carried her all the way back to Collins' apartment. He climbed the stairs in the dark, with her in his arms, and managed to slide the door open with one foot.
"Collins, I found her!" he yelled.
Collins came rushing over. "Put her on the couch," he said.
Roger gently set Melanie on the couch. "What do we do?" he asked, looking up at Collins.
"She's burning up," Collins said. "I've got some aspirin in my bathroom cabinet. Maybe she'll take some to reduce the fever."
Collins quickly went into the bathroom and got two aspirin. "Melanie, please take this; it's aspirin," he said, gently stroking her hair.
Melanie opened her mouth and Collins put the two pills in her mouth. She opened her mouth again and he slowly poured a bit of water into her mouth, so she could swallow the pills. Melanie coughed for a second, but managed to swallow the pills. Then she was quiet, her eyes still closed.
"Collins," Roger said, looking up at him, terrified, "I think she was raped."
Collins nodded. "I think so, too," he said quietly.
"Collins, it wasn't her fault," Roger cried.
"Of course it wasn't," Collins said, shaking his head. "I'm just saying, she seems really messed up right now."
"You mean mentally?"
"Yes, and physically; we can't let her leave again while she's like this. She has to get better first."
"Well, what do we do?" Roger asked frantically.
"There's not much we can do until she gets better," Collins said. "We have to help her get better first." He looked at Roger. "Roger, call Maureen; if she can get here, she can help."
"OK," Roger said, and he stumbled over to the phone. He quickly dialed her number and plunged into explanation when Maureen picked up. "Maureen, we found Melanie… You gotta come over… She's in bad shape… OK, see you in half an hour."
Roger hung up and looked at Collins again. "She's on her way," he said.
"Good," Collins said. "I'm calling 911 to see if we can get an ambulance here or something."
"OK," Roger said.
But when Collins picked up the phone, he didn't even have a dial-tone. "Goddamn it," he snarled, looking at Roger, "the phone lines must be out from the storm. Man, I've never seen it rain this hard. Visibility is probably really bad. We can't reach anybody now and no one can reach us."
"Oh no," Roger said, shaking his head.
"I bet Maureen will bring Melanie's mom with her when she comes," Collins said. "Let's just do what we can until they get here and we'll see how much they can help."
"OK," Roger said. He wasn't going to argue anymore.
"Roger, go get four washcloths from the bathroom, wet them down with cold water— but not too cold— and bring them to me," Collins said.
Roger ran into the bathroom, quickly wet down the washcloths, and brought them to Collins. Collins wrapped one around each of Melanie's wrists, put one across her forehead, and put one around the base of her neck.
"What'll they do?" Roger asked, looking from Melanie to Collins.
"Hopefully, bring down the fever enough to let the medication work," Collins replied. "I think the fever's too high for it to really have any effect."
Melanie moaned and shifted away from the washcloths. Collins couldn't tell the difference between water and sweat.
As she continued to move away from the washcloths, Collins grasped her hand and said, "Baby girl, now don't be difficult. This is gonna help get you better, so you'd better stop that right now."
He was being firm, but gentle. Melanie didn't open her eyes, but she stopped protesting.
Half an hour later, Maureen burst through the door, Mrs. Schwartz right behind her.
"Collins, how is she?" Mrs. Schwartz asked him.
"We've been trying to bring the fever down," Collins said, skillfully dodging the question for now, "but not much has helped yet."
Mrs. Schwartz took the washcloths and placed them back on Melanie's forehead, neck, and wrists.
"Did you call a doctor?" Mrs. Schwartz asked Collins, looking up at him.
"No, the power's dead," Collins said.
Mrs. Schwartz sighed. "They might not be able to get here through the storm, as it is," she said.
Collins nodded solemnly.
"Then there's nothing we can do but wait it out," Mrs. Schwartz said.
"Damn," Collins said.
"All we can hope for is that Brian's watching over her and begging God not to take her from us yet," Maureen said softly, looking at Collins, Roger, and Mrs. Schwartz.
Mrs. Schwartz nodded and started to cry. Then she hugged her daughter gently for all she was worth.
For three days, Melanie's fever raged on. She lingered, drifting in and out of consciousness. Many times, she cried out for Collins and Roger; even Brian, as if he were still alive. They would all hope she had come back to them, only to realize it was all in delusion.
"Melanie," said a voice. "Melanie, wake up."
Melanie opened her eyes and realized she was floating. It took her a second to realize what she was floating on: clouds.
"Where am I?" she asked. She looked around and saw someone familiar standing in front of her. "Brian?"
"Hi, sis," he said, looking down at her. She walked quickly toward him, but he slowed her down. "Hang on. Don't move so fast for a while, Mel. You'll be light-headed for a while until you get used to this."
"This? Is this…?"
"Heaven, yeah; well… not exactly, but it's pretty close," Brian said. "It's more like a… halfway point."
"You mean, like a purgatory? W-what am I doing here?" Melanie asked nervously. "Did I…?"
"No, you're not dead," Brian said, shaking his head. "But you're pretty close. Mel, we need to talk. Now, before it's too late."
"Before it's too late? What are you talking about? What do you mean?" Melanie asked feverishly.
"I mean you are dying, Mel. You did exactly what Collins warned you not to do. You went out in the rain, into the streets of New York City, in the dark… a young, pretty girl like you. You got hurt and now you're sick and dying," Brian said.
"I don't remember," Melanie said, shaking her head. Her head spun again and Brian steadied her as she staggered.
"Trust me, that's not a bad thing," Brian said. "Look, you and I need to talk. After I died, I know you gave up on who you are. You forgot who you are and you've forgotten me, too. I know you may have thought it was annoying, how much I protected you, but don't you see what good it would have done, if I could have done it longer? Look at what you got yourself into after I died. I never would have thought you'd do that. I was only looking out for you. I know you said you 'didn't need a babysitter', but it did help. Don't hold it against me."
"I didn't mean to, Brian," Melanie cried, putting her face in her hands.
"I know you didn't, Melanie, but those things happen," Brian said. "Look, even if you need to take a break from things once you get better, you can't give up. I won't let you. You know you're happy with Roger, even if there have been times when you've been frustrated and hurt and torn apart. But you should go back to him. He makes you happy. I've seen that proven. I won't let you give up and I most certainly won't let you die. You're too young."
"You did!" Melanie said, looking at him through watery eyes.
"I didn't have a choice," Brian said. "You remember."
Melanie closed her eyes and nodded. She did. She would never forget.
"But you haven't been in a car crash, Mel. You're just sick. You need to go back to Roger and Collins and Mom and everyone, so they can take care of you and you can get better and start over. Do that for me," Brian said. "I know everything in your life is testing you right now. That you feel overwhelmed and like you're going to go insane. But you can't let it get to you. You can't let it beat you. You have to get better, because you don't want to have to answer to me, do you?"
Melanie smiled weakly. "No, I don't," she said. "But Brian, I miss you so much. It's been so hard without you, especially Christmas. I don't know how Collins does it. He didn't even know you as well as I did…"
"I know, but that's life, Melanie," Brian said. "You miss us, but you have to move on." He put a hand to her cheek, and she was surprised it didn't go through her; instead, it was solid, warm, and glowing.
"You'll see me again, just not soon. Go back to Roger and the others. Get better and move on, no matter how long the latter takes." He looked at her with his soft, gentle brown eyes. "Do it for me."
Melanie smiled and swallowed a sob. "OK… OK. I'll do it for you. But what should I tell the others?" Melanie asked. "Isn't this only in my mind?"
"What's to tell? And who says it's only in your mind?" Brian asked her, looking down at her.
Then, before Melanie could respond, he faded away and Melanie felt herself start to drift.
As always, don't forget to review. I love feedback.
I hope you guys liked this chapter. I got a brainwave today, after work got cancelled (it rained and I'm on grounds crew, which is outside basically all day, doing all sorts of outside things— mowing lawns, weed whacking, etc.) and I just couldn't stop writing. This, combined with chapter 11, the epilogue (which is how it first was) was over 20 pages. I knew I had to split it up into two chapters or so. This chapter alone is 15 and-a-half pages long and I tried to shorten it, but that just wasn't possible.
The next chapter will definitely be the epilogue. It's already finished and just needs to be finalized. I know the whole "halfway point conversation" in this chapter might have been a little awkward, but I figured Melanie was sick and dying (and also delirious), so she needed a little nudge from her brother to recover and move on with life, don't you? I thought she was sulking too much and that was holding her back from any potential she might have had (which, of course, as the author, was my fault entirely, I know, hehe.) I think it works well in the chapter, though. I hope you guys are OK with it, too. It's what came to mind and I'm going to work with it. Depending on what rosablasifann08 has come up with (I had given her the honors of writing the "halfway point conversation", but once I got a brainwave, I couldn't help myself, so I wrote something, too, LOL), the conversation may change some. We'll see. If it does change before chapter 11 is posted, I will let you guys know in an author note before the chapter.
Today is the three-month anniversary of writing this story! I'm glad I'm getting it done, so I can start on the sequel as soon as possible. I do want to write a sequel. I do have plans on writing a sequel. Hold me to that, because I just might change my mind (and I would be willing to bet you guys wouldn't want that.) I just need to get something down on paper first. I have a main idea; I just need to get it going. I'll do my best to write it as quickly as possible, with as much help from my beta, rosablasifann08, as she can give me (we're both working full-time jobs, I believe) and I'll post something up ASAP.
Thanks for being patient with me while I wrote this story. Your patience and all your feedback is much appreciated. It really paid off. I won't be leaving FanFiction anytime soon; it's become part of my life, even if I take breaks sometimes. I don't know what I'd do without it. :)
As usual, the author's note is a good fraction of the entire chapter, LOL. What would you guys do without me? :)
Until next time, lots of love,
Renthead07