A.N. I am so excited that I have 30 reviews! You guys are the best! Here is chapter 11. Let me know what you think. A for-warning, tissues may be required for this chapter. Also, I'm posting this at 1 in the morning and I am dead tired. If you spot any horrendous mistakes please let me know so I can fix it. Thanks! Don't forget to RnR.
-Muse
Chapter 11
Alone in the Dark
Vincent had climbed to the tower and was in the process of throwing anything in his hands into the travel bag open on his bed in agitation. Arrie came in less than five minutes later her own bag slung over her shoulder.
"Calm down, I've got it. Go ahead and get to the car." She told him as he threw a pair of shoes in agitated panic. Vincent didn't need to be told twice. He did his best at what could be a limping run and had settled into the back seat of the car by the time she came running down the stairs.
"We have to hurry." He stated. Arrie didn't answer him, just nodded and slammed the door of the car as she crawled into the back seat with him. By the time the clock had reached ten minutes after the initial phone call, the Mercedes was nosing down the driveway, gravel flying under the spinning tires, Percy at the wheel. The sun had set an hour before, and the dark twisty roads to the highway with their hairpin turns, was enough to make Vincent feel car sick alongside the nerves that already had his stomach feeling like a thousand snakes were writhing inside it. His legs were practically trembling with adrenalin that he had no outlet for. At one point Arrie reached across to him and took his ringing hands in her own. she grasped his hand in hers and intertwined their fingers. He didn't look at her but he felt when she squeezed it reassuringly. It helped to barely quell the fear that was boiling in him, that threatened to escape at any second. Fear that it would all end like this. Words spoken that couldn't be taken back, that weren't meant.
The car ride that should have lasted an hour and a half, only took forty five minutes. Percy turned on the flashers of the Mercedes as they picked up speed and flew down the highway. No one spoke the entire time, and Arrie didn't release her hold on Vincent's hand at all, for which he was thankful.
The car edged up to the curve of the ER among the other vehicles and ambulances littering the drive of the hospital. Vincent climbed out of the back seat before Percy had even come to a full stop and had limped through the double sliding glass doors of the ER. A doctor greeted him at the door and the two disappeared before Arrie had even reached the front desk. The sterile, dry air nearly made Vincent gag as he followed the doctor to a private room.
"I'm going to be honest. He doesn't have a lot of time left. We've stopped the bleeding on his brain as much as possible, but I don't think he has more than an hour left. His skull is irreparable. We've removed part of the bone so that the swelling won't make it worse. You need to go ahead and say your final goodbyes. I'm sorry. There is nothing more that we can do. We've tried to make him comfortable." Vincent nodded, his inside's turning to ice at the news. It was too much too fast. The doctor spotted Percy and headed over to shake his hand.
"How's Natalie?" he heard him ask.
"We think she will be alright. She had a broken collar and arm. She is in recovery now."
Cane clunking, Vincent entered the private room as if heading towards the gallows. He couldn't face this. He wanted to fix everything from before, to take back what he had said, but he didn't know how to now, and he no longer had the time. He tried to take in a ragged breath, but the air seemed to become trapped in his lungs. His father lay in the bed, head wrapped in blood soaked bandages, eyes closed. He was hooked to what appeared to be every machine in the building. Tubes protruded from his nose and arms. Cuts and bruises littered his skin.
"Dad, I'm so sorry. I wish none of this had happened," he heard himself say. He sat down on the edge of the bed, no longer able to stand, and gripped his father's hand. His eyes burned. His father opened one eye, the one that wasn't swollen shut.
"Is your mother alright?" His father asked him. The effort it took for Carson to speak, his words slurred, eyes unfocused was heart breaking. Vincent was used to a man who stood strong, proud, and took whatever he wanted, not this broken child before him.
"She is fine Dad, just some minor injuries. You gotta stick this out though. You can't quit on me now." Vincent said, agony lacing his tones. The burning in his eyes spilled and slid silently down his cheeks.
"Listen to me, son. I know I haven't got long. No use pretending. I wanan say I'm sorry. I was wrong earlier today. You were right, I've been a coward." Vincent tried to protest, because he knew better. His father needed to know.
"No. Do me this one last favor. Go easy on your mother. This is all my fault. I want you to know that I know it's all my fault. Don't blame her or yourself." Carson said in ragged tones. Vincent shook his head.
"Dad," Vincent's eyes burned at the injustice and cruelty of it all. Pain, emotionally and physically seemed to permeate the air, thick as smoke, making breathing agonizing. This was really it. This was the end and he didn't think he could face it.
"I was going to try to make it all right, to fix this. But it seems I no longer have the time." Vincent stopped trying to say anything by this point and his shoulders shook with silent tears. He felt so weak. Alone.
"Dad, you can't leave me yet," he whispered as fear settled over him.
"You're a good man, Vincent. I'm sorry I didn't see it sooner. You've made me proud. I'm glad I was able to tell you." Vincent felt his father's hand go lax in his grip.
"Dad?" The simple word barely came out in a whisper. The once, strong and proud face of Carson Thorn went completely blank. The look of pain had disappeared from his eye. Vincent felt the panic that had been so close to the surface finally erupt.
"Dad!" Vincent now shouted.
A loud flat beep filled the room and the doctor left his conversation with Percy and rushed past Arrie, who had been standing outside, into the room. Ginny sat down opposite of Arrie outside and pulled out a tissue to dab at her flowing eyes and nose as she blinked furiously. Vincent stood in shock as the doctor all but forced him from the bedside. More tears flowed. That was it. He was gone.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Thorn. He's gone," the doctor seemed to echo Vincent's thoughts as he covered Carson Thorn's prone body with a sheet. Vincent backed away slowly towards the door. He needed to get out. To be alone. The air, thick as death itself, weighed down on his chest. He turned to leave. He saw Arrie sitting next to Ginny, her own eyes red. He didn't stop. He didn't speak. His hand, slick with sweat, nearly lost its grip on the cane.
"Come on, you two. We must see to Natalie." He heard Percy say in a thick voice as he headed over to them.
"What about Vincent?" Arrie asked.
"He will be along shortly. I think he needs to be alone." Percy said. Arrie nodded as she and Ginny got to their feet and headed down to Mrs. Thorn's room.
Vincent pushed his way past people and headed back out the double doors and into the frost bitten night. There he stayed for hours, walking around aimlessly. No one dared approach him. He knew he should probably go see his mother. She was no doubt awake by now and knew what had happened. His breath puffed out in front of him into the clear night. The stars shown, winking periodically at him. Here in the darkness he could be alone and think. Come to terms with what had just taken place. He figured he should probably be thankful to have been awarded the last couple of moments he had gotten with his father. However, he only felt bitterness. Dark as the night around him, it settled within him, consuming him whole.
By three a.m. he had finally gotten himself under control. There were things that needed doing. He now had a responsibility to see to his mother and make arrangements for his father. Going back inside, he set out for his mother's room. Sadness and guilt weighed down on him like a heavy cloak. There he found Ginny and Percy, dosing in chairs. His mother was sleeping soundly, due, he figured the heavy drugs she was on. Arrie was nowhere to be found. He woke the older pair.
"Oh, Vincent we've been so worried," Whispered Ginny. He turned his back and headed out the door.
"Where's Arrianna?" he asked sharply. He didn't need anyone's sympathy right now or he would never get out of the room. Keeping himself distant and hollow was the plan. He didn't plan on feeling anything until he was ready too.
"I don't know. She disappeared a couple of hours ago." Percy said following him.
"Find the coroner and get things set up for the local funeral home. I want to meet in the morning. When is Mom supposed to be released?" He asked, trying to not be brisk, and failing.
"She should be able to leave by ten in the morning. Would you like to return home tonight, or would you prefer to stay here in town?" said Percy. Vincent checked his watch and saw that it was going on three thirty.
"Just get a hotel." He said retreating.
"Where are you going?" asked Ginny.
"To find Arrianna so we can leave. I'll meet you at the car in fifteen minutes." He called over his shoulder before exiting through the double doors. He walked for ten minutes before he found her sitting on a stone bench alone, staring off into space. Her cheeks were pale from the cold, and he wondered how long she had been sitting there. As he approached a young man wearing hospital scrubs walked up to her. Vincent gritted his teeth in anger.
"Are you alright? Do you need me to call someone?" Vincent saw her look up in confusion at the young man in scrubs, who approached her nursing a cigarette and what appeared to be a warm cup of coffee.
"No, thanks. I'm fine." He heard her say to him, a blank look on her face.
"Are you sure? You look a little lost. You've been out here for hours." Arrie seemed to raise her eyebrows in confusion.
"What? What time is it?" she asked.
"Almost three thirty in the morning."
Surprise flickered across her face. She stood stiffly.
"You want I can take you to get some breakfast or something. I'm on break," he said edging closer. Anger propelled Vincent forward as Arrie took a step back from the guy.
"No, thanks. I've got people waiting for me." She said, trying to go around him and back towards the entrance of the ER.
"You sure?"
"She is definitely sure. She is with me. Take someone else to breakfast." Vincent said in a sharp voice as he limped towards her.
Within seconds he was next to her, a livid expression on his mottled face.
"Ha, no way is she with someone like you. She could totally score better than a freak show like you." The guy said scathingly to Vincent.
Before any of them realized what had happened a resounding crunch left the orderly with a bleeding and very crooked nose, coffee covering him, the result of Arries fierce right hook.
"What the hell, bitch!" he shouted at her, cradling his nose. She advanced on him with a livid expression.
"That is assault! I'll call the cops!" he continued, stepping back from her.
"Really? And tell them what? That a girl broke your nose after you harassed her and her friends after a loss to their family?" she asked in a dangerously low and even tone. Vincent watched her warily, worried he was going to have to restrain her from pouncing on the guy.
"I could have you fired on ethical mal practice. I suggest you leave now, before that becomes necessary." Vincent interjected, stepping forward. The man stepped back and removed a hand from his bleeding nose, palm towards them in defeat.
"Sorry, bro. No harm, no foul. Forget I was here," said the man before disappearing back through the ER doors.
"I don't need you taking up for me," Vincent told her coldly, once the man was gone. Arrie's mouth fell open in shock.
"But he-" she tried to protest.
"I don't care what you think. I can fight my own battles, so next time, just butt out." He said turning away. Vincent saw her eyes, already red, well up with more tears.
"Come on. We are going to the hotel." Vincent said, already heading towards the parking garage.
"Hotel?" Arrie asked in confusion, behind him.
"Yeah, they are holding mom until ten in the morning. Once she is released we will go to the funeral home and make arrangements. Might as well try to get some sleep. No point in driving all the way back to Thornwall." He said, bitterness lacing his voice. Arrie nodded and followed him to where Percy and Ginny waited next to the car silently. Sliding into the back seat, Vincent noticed that Arrie made sure to sit as far away from him as possible. Guilt settled heavily in his chest as they drove to the nearest hotel.
"Arrie, dear, we only booked two rooms. I hope you don't mind sharing with Vincent. It's only for a couple of hours." Said Ginny, from the front seat. Vincent glanced over at her. Neither had spoken since he had been so harsh to her outside the ER.
"Yeah, that's fine." She said in a thick voice before returning to staring back out the window and pretending she hadn't been looking at him. Within moments they pulled into the parking lot and headed through the dimly lit lobby. Kitchen staff had already begun setting up the complimentary continental breakfast.
It was a silent party indeed that ascended the elevators to their rooms. Once there, Arrie changed and washed her face before going back into the bedroom. Vincent was stretched across the bed staring at the dimly lit ceiling. Flicking off the lamp and making sure the curtain was pulled closed, she slipped into her own bed, back to him and pulled the covers up to her chin.
"Vincent?" he heard her whisper.
"What?" He snapped. He was in no mood to discuss anything with her right now.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled. His only response was a grunt of acceptance.
Both were soon asleep utterly exhausted.
Arrie woke by eight the next morning to the sound of the shower running. She rolled over in confusion, blinking at the strange room, before the previous day's horror came back to her. Today would be a long day. A miserable cloud of gray rain fell on the town. The coroner had picked up the body of Carson Thorn the night before so it was to be straight to the funeral home after they stopped at the hospital to pick up Natalie. Arrie had to take an extra pair of clothing for the woman because her previous clothes were ripped and stained in blood. She cut a very somber figure in the borrowed clothes, with no makeup, baggy, bloodshot eyes and messy hair, a stark contrast to the runway model she had been the day before.
"Let's just get this over with," she stated as the five of them crammed into the Mercedes. Arrie felt awkward shoved between the two. She felt like she was intruding on their personal grief, surrounded by stiff bodies and thick silence. Also her right hand hurt terribly from where she had punched the orderly the night before, but that, despite the anger of Vincent and the pain, was worth it.
At the funeral home Arrie stayed outside with Ginny, while Percy, Vincent and Mrs. Thorn discussed the arrangements. Occasionally the sound of angry voiced could be heard from behind the closed door. She and Ginny looked at pictures of flower's while they waited, each pretending not to hear the angered tones.
After an hour they emerged from the office, Vincent wearing a stony expression and Mrs. Thorn dabbing at her eyes repeatedly with a tissue. The visitation would take place the following afternoon with the service afterward. The obituary was faxed to the newspaper. Next they headed for a florist to pick out the funeral pieces. Mrs. Thorn spent most of her time on the phone texting or calling everyone on her contacts list that she hadn't gotten to before now to inform them of the families tragedy.
However, when it came time for the family to fill out cards, Mrs. Thorn fell apart completely and sobbed uncontrollably. Vincent didn't say much at all, and he didn't once shed a single tear. Arrie helped pick out most of the flowers, in an effort to make up for angering him the night before. She, Percy and Ginny ordered their own piece as well. Next they had to go to the mall and get clothes to wear for the services. None of them had anything appropriate to wear, not to mention Mrs. Thorn, was currently having to wear Arries clothes. When Arrie tried to pay for her own dress, Vincent stopped her.
"No, I'm paying for all of it. It's the least I can do." He told her, handing her the dress bag and box with her shoes. Arrie wanted to argue that she hadn't been involved hardly at all, but then thought better of it, not wishing to anger him again. They returned to the hotel and ordered Chinese takeout. Everyone was utterly drained. While Vincent was locked in the bathroom to shower, a quiet knock came on their door. Arrie answered it to find Mrs. Thorn standing in the hall.
"Oh, Sorry, I thought this was Vincent's room," She said, surprise in her voice.
"No it is. Would you like me to get him?" Arrie asked, stopping her.
"No, no. Actually I had hoped to talk to you anyway. And I needed to return your clothes." Arrie opened the door wider to allow the older woman into the room. They sat on the edge of the bed together. Mrs. Thorn sat straight backed and proud, her expression guarded.
"I don't really know what you are to my son, and I don't really care, but I do know that you are important to him and you have somehow kept him, I don't know, calm I suppose. Grounded." She said.
"What do you mean?" Arrie asked.
"I honestly expected him to be much more angry with me today than what he was. I think that somehow whenever you're around, he keeps himself more reserved." Mrs. Thorn explained.
"And for that I am very thankful. It's been very hard for me today." She went on. Arrie just nodded.
"He was right, that day. I haven't been the mother I should have been. I'm sorry for that now. I never realized what a good man he turned out to be, considering his past. It was always easier to give him whatever he wanted, rather than give him what he needed." Mrs. Thorn sighed.
"He is a good man." Arrie stated, trying to keep an accusatory tone out of her voice.
"He is. I'm proud of him. I just wish he could believe me when I say it. Honestly, I don't think I would have been able to handle today without him there. " Mrs. Thorn said.
"I'm sure he knows." Arrie told her consolingly. The woman shook her head sadly.
"He's grown up considerably from the little boy he used to be. I just hate that such a terrible thing has had to make me realize it. I've been an absolute fool. Selfish and materialistic, just like he said, but I plan to be better than that in the future. For Carson's sake." She said, dabbing at her eyes now. Arrie didn't know what to say to that. Mrs. Thorn reached out and gripped her hand tightly with her good arm.
"Mrs. Thorn, I-" Arrie tried to say, but the older woman cut her off and shook her head.
"Just keep taking care of him. You can be what I never was for him. Someone he can actually depend on now. It's too late for me to go back and change what I have said and done. We both know it."
"Mrs. Thorn, it may not be my place to say, but I don't think I can ever be to him, what you think I am. I can't take that place."
"You already have." Arrie looked up, startled.
"I want you to tell him though, from me. Make sure he knows I'm proud of him. I know he won't believe me now, when I say I am sorry." Mrs. Thorn pleaded, gripping Arrie's hand tightly.
"I will." Arrie promised the grieving woman. Mrs. Thorn nodded, more to herself than to Arrie.
"I'll see you in the morning. I'm very tired and I have to go take my medicine." She said, standing to leave.
"Goodnight," Arrie said softly as Mrs. Thorn saw herself out. Arrie didn't quite know how she felt about the woman after that. She was indeed a shallow woman, but she was still hurt and lost by all of this, just like everyone else.
A moment later Vincent emerged from the bathroom, hair damp and messy, dressed in pajamas. Arrie turned away from him and pulled back the blankets to climb between the sheets. She switched off the lamp and rolled onto her side watching him. He stood next to her bed for a moment, staring into space before sinking onto the bed next to her shoulders slumped.
"I want to apologize to you," he said quietly.
"For what? You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for." She told him fiercely, placing her hand on his shoulder before she could stop herself.
"I know I've not been myself, and I've probably not been as good to you as you have been to me," he started but Arrie cut him off.
"Not another word. This is not your fault. You have nothing to be sorry for. You have been nothing but strong today. It's a lot to bear, what you're dealing with. Don't ever think that you haven't done the right thing," she told him fiercely. She felt him take in a shaky breath as he hung his head.
"Thank you," he said softly. Arrie scooted up beside him and wrapped her arms around him. He buried his head in her shoulder. She could feel the tears, now flowing, soaking into her shirt.
"Shhh. It's okay," she whispered, stroking his hair as he sobbed.
"I just don't want to be alone," he said in a choked voice. Arrie felt her chest constrict from the pain as her eyes welled up with their own tears.
"I'm right here. You can stay right here with me." She said softly. She felt his arms wrap around her, and grip her tightly.
"You need sleep." She said softly. He nodded in agreement and after a moment he released his hold on her. Arrie scooted back to the center of the bed. Her hand gripping his, she pulled him next to her. He leaned back against the pillows as she curled up next to him, hands intertwined. She laid her head against his chest and pulled the blankets up around them. His free arm wrapped around her again. She wouldn't leave him to be alone in the darkness.
Arrie woke the next morning dread filling her stomach. Vincent was still asleep beside her, arms keeping her pulled close to him. He looked peaceful, the smooth side of his face blank in contrast to the mottled skin of his other side. She hated to wake him, especially for such an awful day that she knew they must all endure. She reached up and gently ran her fingers over the scar and through his hair. He shifted slightly and began to stir as her fingers lingered on his scar. Arrie sighed heavily.
"Vincent, I'm so sorry, but you have to get up now." She whispered. He groaned sleepily and brought his hand up to rub his eyes. After a moment he opened them blearily and looked down at her. They stared at one another a moment blue eyes meeting hazel. He brought his hand up to rest on hers, next to the scarred side of his face. His eyes shut for a moment, pressing her fingers to the skin. Then exhaling heavily he removed her hand and threw back the sheets.
"You can have first shower," he told her as he stood and stretched reaching for his cane. Arrie nodded and silently headed for the bathroom, clothes and toiletry bag in hand. She showered and then dressed in the black and grey, knee length dress, then pulled on hose and shoes. Fully dressed, she emerged from the bathroom to find Vincent sitting in a chair, hunched forward, head bowed and hair hiding his face. Arrie felt her stomach tighten at the forlorn figure he presented. Without looking at her he picked up his own clothes and headed for the bathroom. While he showered Arrie quickly brushed her teeth and scrunched her hair with mousse to keep some of the frizz out of it and applied makeup. Then she quickly repacked their bags and waited as Vincent finished getting dressed in his black suit. They left the room and knocked on Percy and Ginny and Mrs. Thorns door.
Each appeared, fully dressed and ready to go. Arrie helped load everyone but Mrs. Thorn's things in the car. She was intending to stay another night at the hotel and then her sister was planning to take her back home. She would not be returning to the manor with them.
They arrived at the funeral home thirty minutes prior to the visitation. The broken Vincent from the night before had disappeared and in his place stood, a cold and distant man Arrie vaguely recognized.
The smell of roses, carnations and lilies assaulted her senses as Arrie entered the room where the body of Carson Thorn was laid out to be viewed. His naturally tanned skin was pale in death. The black suit he wore was crisp and fresh. Arrie had seen many dead bodies in funeral home before now, but she had never noticed how they seemed to only be a replica, lying there in the coffin, compared to how they had been in life. She supposed it might have had to do with the fact that she had seen him alive and well only forty-eight hours prior. Mrs. Thorn stood by silently weeping as Vincent inspected the body. He never spoke a word.
Within the next ten minutes many people began filing in. Personal friends, business associates and distant relative's stopped to express their condolences. She watched Vincent carefully from behind one of the many spray's on stands. Most people tried not to gawk at his scar as they shook his hand. Over the next hour nearly two hundred people had shown up.
Arrie felt her stomach twist when she noticed a very familiar blonde walk through the door. Afton Sterling definitely knew how to make an entrance, Arrie thought bitterly, as the woman approached Vincent and then swooped down to kiss him on the unmarred side of his cheek. She wore a short black dress, exposing her long, toned, tanned legs. They were only enhanced by the fact that she was wearing six inch stillettos. Vincent, she noticed looked utterly shocked that the woman was here.
"Um, Arrie I'd like you to meet Afton," Vincent said, a noticeable blush creeping up his neck.
"Oh how nice. Yes, Natalie has told me all about how you've been hired on as like some sort of extra help." Said Afton, looking down her nose at Arrie.
Arrie felt herself blush.
"Yes, It's nice to meet you, but if you will excuse me I have to go do something," Said Arrie pointedly. As they began talking she disappeared out of the room, down the hall and to the bathroom. Afton, it appeared had a gift for making people feel incredibly stupid, poor and out ranked.
Arrie didn't think she could handle watching this bimbo fawn all over Vincent. She felt an intense dislike for her that caused her stomach to roil. Everything from her bottle blonde hair, to her spray- on tan made Arrie want to just throw up. She sat in the bathroom on the couch until Ginny poked her head in looking for her.
"Come on, dear. The service is about to start." Arrie got up slowly from the couch, dread weighing her down. She aloud Ginny to steer her out of the bathroom and down to the chapel where they took seats directly behind Mrs. Thorn, Vincent and to Arrianna's utter disgust, Afton.
The service was short and simple. The minister read scripture and then talked about how wonderful Carson Thorn's life had been, how he donated to the church, was a loving husband and father and how he had left this world to soon and would be sorely missed. She saw Vincent bring his hand to his cheek and wipe away tears. Afton then reached over and took his hand. Arrie felt like her heart might burst out of her chest at the sight. Nausea swept through her stomach and a single tear of her own fell as she saw Vincent grip Afton's hand tightly.
Arrie spent the rest of the service staring at the carpet, shame consuming her for letting something like this bother her. She had made a deal with herself, and now here she was allowing her feelings to get hurt. She was being selfish. She was his friend. Nothing more. She was there when he needed her. Another tear fell. It wasn't right to feel this way at a funeral. Sorrow for someone else was acceptable, not for herself.
The service ended. Arrie filed out behind Ginny and Percy. She stood by the door waiting on everyone. Afton shot her a smug look as she kissed Vincent goodbye on the cheek. After everyone had left, Vincent told his mother goodbye and dropped into the backseat of the Mercedes next to Arrie. There would be no graveside service, as Mr. Thorn would be cremated. A memorial would be placed on the grounds of Thornwall Manor.
Percy pointed the car towards home. They had only been gone three days, but it felt like a life time to Arrianna. No one spoke on the ride home. Vincent appeared to be sleeping. Arrie stared out the rain streaked windows. After nearly two hours they arrived home. Vincent headed straight for his tower and Arrie for her room. The kitten greeted her in the hall. Arrie raised her eyebrows in confusion. She was sure she had shut the door securely so that Luna couldn't roam free. She made her way to her room and pushed open the cracked door to reveal an absolute mess. The bed had been stripped, all of the drawers left open. A single sheet of notebook paper was lying on her pillow next to her book. She picked it up with trembling fingers.
I'm watching you
Arrie felt her blood run cold.
Danny.