Chapter 25

Alex slowly opened her eyes, feeling her entire body ache. She glanced around the room, completely confused. But then it hit her. She began to remember everything. She had gotten a text from Dean, but it was really Mason setting her up. She had gone to his house and Mason had attacked her. He chained her to the bed, burned her chest with a cigarette and set the house on fire. She glanced down at her weak body. She was amazed she had survived. She thought there was no chance. And surprisingly, she had no severe burns, except from where he placed the cigarette. She glanced at the numerous machines surrounding her. Was she really alive?

She watched as the door opened and Dean entered with a bouquet of lilies- Alex's favorite. He was startled by Alex, who he was expected to be unconscious or- what he feared- dead. But it was a miracle. She was awake. "Oh my god. You're alive!" Dean stared at her, trying to figure out if this was real. He ran out of the room. "She's alive! She's awake!"

Dr. Stevens, who had just exited a room, heard Dean's news. She dashed into Alex's room, shocked by Alex's recovery. "Oh my goodness. How do you feel?"

"In…in a lot of pain." She whispered in a husky voice.

"Your body is extremely weak. And because of your eating disorder, your body was unable to handle the smoke or the pressure.

"Did…did they catch him?" Her voice was hardly audible, sending chills up Dean's spine.

"No, not yet." Dr. Stevens hated to admit it, but it was true. And she could see the fear in Alex's face. "But there are tons of people looking for him."

"I'm not going to leave your side. He won't be able to hurt you." Dean moved closer to Alex, gently intertwining his hand with hers. "I love you so much."

"I love you too." She whispered hoarsely.

"I'll be right back. I'm going to go call your family to tell them you're awake. They'll be thrilled. We didn't think you'd survive the night, but now you're awake and functioning properly. It's a miracle." Dr. Stevens smiled, opening the door. "Oh, would you like something to eat in a little while? You have to wait about a half hour."

Alex stared at Dr. Stevens, deciding whether she should say yes or no. She didn't want to eat, but she also didn't want to listen to them lecture her about the dangers. "Um…I…I don't know."

Dr. Stevens and Dean both exchanged looks. Was this a good thing or a bad thing? Did she really want to eat and was afraid to admit it? Or was she tricking them? "Okay, well when it's time I'll bring you some oatmeal and water." Dr. Stevens slipped out of the room and headed down the hall. She made her way into the office and grabbed the phone. She quickly dialed the Russo's number and listened to the other line ring. Finally a familiar voice picked up.

"Hello?" Theresa's voice was shaky, hoping she wasn't about to find out deadly news.

"Hello, this is Dr. Stevens."

"Oh god, please tell me she survived the night." Theresa grabbed the counter and she felt her knee become weak.

"Yes she did. As a matter of fact she is awake and functioning properly."

"Oh thank god." Theresa felt tears of relief run down her cheeks. She brought the phone down for a moment and called out to her family. "She survived! She's awake!"

"Dean's in the room with her. She says she's in a lot of pain so we're going to give her some pain killers in her IV."

"Thank you so much, we'll be right over to visit her." Theresa hung the phone up and grabbed her jacket. One by one everyone piled downstairs, ecstatic by the news Theresa had just called out. "Come on, let's go visit her."

A nurse slipped into Alex's room, holding a new bag for her IV. She smiled at Alex and Dean as she switched the bags. "How are you feeling?"

"Not so good."

"We're happy to see you're awake. Hopefully the painkillers will kick in soon and give you some relief. You're a very brave girl."

"Thanks." Alex forced a smile. The nurse's sweaty hands gently grabbed Alex's arm to take her pulse. She suddenly flashed back to the night when Mason raped her. She squeezed Dean's hand hard, wincing.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Tell him to stop! Tell him to stop!" Alex shrieked, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Alex, wake up." Dean gently nudged her, immediately regretting it.

"Don't touch me!"

"Just let her get through it." The nurse turned around, wishing there were some way to help Alex. Dean watched in horror as his girlfriend relived the nightmare. She finally calmed down, tears running down her face like a faucet. Dean was unsure what to do. He did not want to touch her, fearing she'd fall into another horrific flashback. "Are you alright?"

Alex slowly shook her head, tears continuously falling from her beautiful eyes. "It was like it was happening again. And I couldn't tell him no."

"It's okay. It's all over." Dean stood up and pulled Alex into a hug. Although she didn't say what event she was talking about, he knew she meant to rape. He gently rubbed her back as she sobbed against his chest.

"Would you like to speak to the psychiatrist?" The nurse sweetly asked, but Alex shook her head. She frowned at the sad scene, before slipping out of the room.

Alex scooted over, allowing Dean to sit beside her. He pulled her on his lap, holding her in his arms. This is where Alex wanted to be forever. This is where she felt safe. She leaned her head against Dean's shoulder, letting the tears fall from her eyes. He gently stroked through her soft hair, soothing her. He hated seeing her this way. She was in misery and he just wanted to take it away from her. Alex was normally bubbly and carefree. But for a while now, it had been taken away from her. All because of one person. One person who Dean wanted to kill. Who put Alex through Hell. Who made her miserable and terrified. Mason.

The door suddenly opened, startling Alex. She took in a deep breath, watching her family members pile into the room. "Oh Alex, thank god you're alright." Theresa hurried towards her daughter, gently kissing her cheek. She wanted to hold Alex in her arms like she was a baby.

"We love you so much." Jerry wiped the tear that had escaped from his eye, gently hugging his daughter. But he hardly touched her, fearing he would hurt her.

The nurse entered the room again, sweetly greeted the family. "Don't mind me, I just have to change Alex's bandage."

"Do you need me to move?" Dean asked.

"No, please don't leave me." Alex begged.

"You can stay. This will only take a minute." She came closer to Alex, slightly pulling her gown down, where a large bandage lay. She slowly and cautiously peeled it off, revealing the horrific scar. Both Harper and Juliet turned away, feeling a wave of nausea pass them at the sight. Dean cringed, wondering how much pain Alex was in. The nurse lightly patted the scar with an antibiotic, causing Alex to slightly wince. She then conscientiously placed a new bandage, hiding the scar. She then left, leaving the family alone.

Nobody knew what to say or do. Alex was hopeless and they were beginning to feel it too. She had been through so much trauma and it needed to end. They all attempted telling her soothing and comforting words, but she didn't seem to be affected. Instead she continued to sob, wondering if her life could get any worse.

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