ROGUE
CHAPTER TWO: Run
I exploded into a run, frantically searching for safety. My heart was racing, pounding against my ribs so hard I was afraid they would snap. Fear and panic were causing me to hyperventilate; the lack of oxygen having detrimental effects on my ability to think. As I heard the storm of footsteps approaching rapidly from behind, I sprinted around the corner and hid behind a large doorframe at the entrance of an apartment block. I shut my eyes and focused all my energy on flashing out. The animal like snarls and growls the swarm of demons generated broke my concentration, forcing me into another twisted round of Cat and Mouse. I raced across the street, dodging cars, dodging demons, dodging death.
[---]
I was gasping for air, trying to catch my breath after leaping from behind a burning tree to one that was yet to be set alight by the demons' fireballs. I was enraged and struggling to create an energy ball strong enough to send the demons down into the depths of oblivion. However, as the law of conservation stood strong I instead tried to convert my emotions into energy, failing miserably once again. Fireballs now incessantly igniting and propelling towards me, I ran. Helplessly sprinting across the dew soaked grass, I could see my surroundings quickly being destroyed, the landscape becoming littered with scorch marks. A burst of heat shot into my arm, spreading rapidly throughout the rest of my body, forcing me to the ground. I yelled in agony as my arm began to sting and burn, my body temperature reaching excruciating levels I felt as if I was mere moments from combustion. Although the demons were fast approaching, I refused to surrender. I ripped the black cotton sleeve off my top and quickly bandaged my arm. Ensuring a tight knot, I pulled the DIY bandage with my teeth and left hand before slowly rising to my feet. It was too late. By the time I had stood up and stabled myself, I was surrounded. Death seemed inevitable.
"Any last words, Witch?" snarled one of the demons.
The demons prepared their attack, unaware that behind them a cluster of lights appeared. The dim lights faded quickly. Seconds later a demon exploded into pieces. Potion bottles sped through the air towards the demons as I dropped to the floor, taking cover. Roars, combustions, kicks and groans were all I could hear, my eyes were shut, fingers locked above my head, trying to shield myself as much as possible.
"Andrea, what the hell are you doing?!" a familiar voice called out.
The park was silent. The battle was over. I unlocked my fingers, brushed down my hair and rose to my feet. Standing before me were two women, two sisters. They were both dressed conservatively, one had her hair pulled up in a bun, the other let hers hang a few inches down her back. They both stood, arms crossed, eyebrows raised, faces scowling; Piper and Phoebe Halliwell, more alike than they would care to admit.
"It's called taking cover..." I responded.
"Not that, this," yelled Phoebe as she pointed to the piles of dust and scorch marks surrounding us.
"They came after me! I didn't go looking for them. I did not want to be found."
"What is wrong with you? You've been leaving a trail of destruction behind you all day."
Phoebe stared at me waiting for a response, Piper stood silent, arms still crossed.
"You think I like this?"
Phoebe and Piper glanced at each other briefly before Piper replied,
"Eh, yeah!"
I hated them. Always so righteous, so patronising, so god damn charmed. I was raging, frustrated by the day before, dreading the one now beginning and this conversation was only adding fuel to the fire.
"I'm leaving." I stated.
"Drop the rebel act, Phoebe's done enough of that for one lifetime."
"Amen to that," joked Phoebe smiling at Piper, but her smile quickly faded as she approached me,
"Sweetie, you have got to stop. You're just going to end up hurting yourself."
Phoebe took a few steps towards me, noticing my wound, she reached out to me, but I refused to let her touch me. I knew their game well. First she would be concerned, then sympathetic, while Piper still played bad cop, condemning my actions. Slowly they would try and convince me to go home, back to the manor where they would magically make everything better, quite literally. Play time was over. I did not want to play games anymore. I was going Rogue. I was on a mission. As Phoebe reached out once again, I grabbed her wrist and threw her arm into the air, throwing her off balance. I kicked her in the back of her knee causing it to bend, and as planned, she fell to the ground, giving me time to run.
"Ha, I told you not to teach her that..." Piper snorted in the distance.
[---]
"Come on, Andie. You can do this. She is your best friend. Your best friend!" I said to myself.
I took a deep breath and shook my hands vigorously before pressing them to my face. Taking another deep breath, I started down the hall, the all too familiar hall. My sneakers screeched as they moved along the clean vinyl floor, my body began shaking as I became fully aware of how truly cold these halls were. I examined the faces I passed by, worried, grief-stricken and painful faces. I never understood how a place of healing could hold so much pain.
"Room E27."
I took another deep breath before slowly reaching for the steel handle and opening the door. The room was empty. Empty of life, empty of emotion, empty of any signs that the vibrant girl I know was even lying here in the bed before me. My mind was flooded with memories, pictures of Julie laughing and smiling. I shut the open window and drew the curtains before I walked towards her bed and examined the bouquet of flowers upon the table. I removed the sunflowers that stood prominently in the middle, throwing them in the trash. I took the flowers to the bathroom in Julie's private room and changed the water. After I placed the flowers back, I admired their beauty, how their pastel colours complimented each other so beautifully. I reached for one of the flowers and placed it behind Julie's ear. I sat down in the chair beside her bed and slowly brushed the hair from her face.
"I'm so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. I just couldn't control it, I didn't know what was happening. I would never hurt you. You're my family Jules. I am so sorry."
I don't know if she could hear me, I don't know if I believe she could, but all I could seem to do is talk. I occasionally noticed the minutes that ticked by on the clock across the room, but I kept talking, pouring my heart out to the one person I always could. A few more minutes passed before there was a knock on the door.
"Hi, sorry to interrupt, I'm Ms. Stanton's Doctor, Doctor Barnes."
"Andie."
He smiled, reached for the chart at the foot of the bed and began filling it in. He was young and cute. Julie would have loved him.
"You should keep talking to her. It may not be proven, but I always believed it helps. Coma patients have often woken before me after heartfelt confessions."
I glared at him. Although his intentions were good, he was wrong.
"You really shouldn't do that," I replied.
"Do what?"
"Give people false hope."
"I wasn't—"
"You're a doctor. Stick to science. Don't try comforting me with optimistic opinions or hope. She may or may not wake up, no matter what you believe helps. Sometimes people just don't wake up."
"I see. I can tell you've lost someone close to you before. It's understandable to--"
"Who are you, ? Get out of here!" I screamed.
He quickly placed the chart back and exited the room. I could hear him shuffle down the hall, his white coat rustling as it grazed his legs. Suddenly his footsteps stopped and began to move back towards the room. I got up and moved to the door. As the footsteps got closer, I could hear him talking to someone.
"Julie Stanton, you are her second visitor today, Mrs. Halliwell. Right this way."
I panicked. I tried to flash out, but couldn't act under pressure. I ran to the closet in the corner of the room and squeezed in beside Julie's clothes. I wrapped my fingers around the edge of the door and pulled it closed, however, my foot stopped it from shutting all the way.
"Here we are. Oh, our visitor is gone. Well, you just missed—"
"Andie," I saw Piper slowly move towards Julie. She fixed the blanket, pulling it over her arms before kissing her forehead. She was a born mother.
"Yes, Andie. How did you know?" enquired the Doctor.
"Whenever Andie was sick her Mother would pick daisies for her, and place one behind her ear. They're her favourite flower. Andie put one behind Julie's ear."
"I see. Well, I'll leave you with Ms. Stanton."
"No, it's alright. I have to get back to work now, I just wanted to check in during lunch. Thank you, Doctor."
I emerged from the closet. I quickly wiped the black tears from cheek. I looked at Julie one more time and smiled.
"Goodbye."