I tried to lie still while Dr. Cullen unwrapped my blood-stained bandages and inspected each gash. As he opened the rags on my leg the scabs cracked and more blood poured out.

I heard Dr. Cullen wince and look away.

"A doctor afraid of blood?" I murmured very quietly.

"No, I wouldn't say afraid..." he answered to my great surprise. How could he have heard me? "Rosalie…tell me. How did this happen to you. It doesn't say on your paper." He gestured his graceful pale hand to the clip board he was holding.

I shrugged and turned my head the other direction, feeling the pain throb through my head and lance down my neck. That was the subject that I least wanted to talk about. I felt thoroughly relived when he didn't ask me again. I turned back to him when I heard his footsteps walking away.

"Get some rest. It is the best thing for you right now." he called back, kindness filling his voice.

The next few days passed by in a blur. I would drift into an unsteady sleep just to wake up again in a layer of cold sweat and my heart pounding. The nurses would come every hour or so to change the bandages.

They should be healing by now. I thought to myself on the fourth day. Yes, the sharp pains had been replaced with a dull constant throbbing. But that was only when I lay absolutely still. Whenever I tried to move, exhaustion took hold of me and my breath came in short gasps.

Dr. Cullen approached me with his clipboard and smile.

"How are you feeling today Rosalie?" he asked carefully, gazing at me with his affectionate honey-colored eyes.

"Same as yesterday and the day before I suppose." I answered blandly, looking away.

He reached down and continued his daily routine- checking wounds, and scribbling notes on the paper attached to the clipboard. When I looked back up at him, I noticed his brow was furrowed in concern. I finally snapped. I asked the question.

"How long, exactly?" I asked determinedly suddenly, forcing myself to stare into the doctor's eyes.

"Excuse me?" he asked, obviously startled by the sudden change in my voice.

"I asked how long. How long until I die?"

I expected him to try to avoid answering my question. But instead he stared back at me and responded.

"About five days I would say. Perhaps longer, but you would be in a great deal of pain. I am so sorry Rosalie."

I quickly turned away and stared off into the distance, letting the tears fill my eyes and drip down my cheeks. I didn't understand. If I had been so positive I was going to die, how come I was crying now? Maybe it was the fact that hearing it from a doctor seemed to confirm it once and for all. Or perhaps it was because the Dr. Cullen's voice was so sincere and filled with sorrow. I quickly wiped my cheeks on my shoulders and turned to look at him.

"Why?" I asked, honestly. I was curious that's all.

"Most of your wounds are infected, especially the one on your leg. The infections are causing the rest of your body to be very weak, and you have a horrible fever which will only progress to get worse. It is very unlikely you are strong enough to recover from that."

I nodded trying my hardest to keep from tearing up. "Thanks." My voice quivered. "That's what I wanted to know."

True to Dr. Cullen's word, as the days passed I was feeling more and more horrible. I found myself resting in my bed, six days later, my eyes squinted at the ceiling. I could no longer mover and every inch of my body ached. Not only that, but the horrid smell that was coming from my infected leg was impossible to live with.

"Hello Rosalie." Dr. Cullen greeted as he walked over to me.

"How long did you say until I die?" My voice came out in no more then a whisper.

"Six days ago I said a five days." he answered.

"You were wrong." I murmured. "But I wish you had been right."

He frowned at me.

I felt ashamed of myself that I felt like this. But I had reason enough. No one wants to live in such pain that I was in.

"It will soon be over." Dr. Cullen sighed and wrapped up a bandage on my arm. "You have two more days at the most."

I leaned back onto my pillow and tried to maintain steady breathing.

Only two more days of this hell. I thought.