Chapter Four– The Rhetorical Question Is Answered

It seems like the world has not yet given up on torturing me. I don't see why it has to…I've been a fair contributor to this universe, haven't I? What did I seemingly do that is utterly unforgiving that made everything turn against me?

Could it be any worse?

And ladies and gentlemen, the answer is….yes.

Perhaps the world felt the need to react, and apparently to mock, my non-expecting, overly dismal, and rhetorical question. Because, by some unknown demand, time abruptly flew faster and almost as if it skipped weeks later. To that exact point in time where my dilemma stands. And now, I'm in a situation where a few hours from now, Jared and Bell will be having their rehearsal dinner with a theme of all black. Not entirely a cheerful choice of color for outfits but that is after all what Bell wanted and what Bell says, Jared does. After the dinner, tomorrow will eventually roll in and the most anticipated event of their fantastic yet heartbreaking wedding would unfold. An event to be indisputably remembered.

A total destruction. Yes, this is worse.

A week after their total commitment to each other, they would be leaving and further on continuing their 'oh so happy and pleased' life in Los Angeles. Where Jared Howe, a top chef in his own restaurant, successful and clearly blissful, would build another proof of that success with one more branch of his restaurant. And Isobel Dylan, the soon-to-be Mrs. Howe, a top Doctor in her department here in Scripps Mercy Hospital, would move and replace one of the doctors in a hospital in L.A., and many are just itching to have her in their hospital.

But that merely leaves me. Melanie Stryder, left alone here in San Diego, whose heart has been ripped apart especially now since there's no going back and the love of her life would not only be leaving, but would be someone else's forever. Who seems to have no essential hope left in her being, but would still have to face the cause of her own heart breaks and heart aches and attend her best friend's—slash, the man whom she can't evermore have—rehearsal dinner for his wedding.

Bell was given the day off to prepare for the dinner, and I was given an early shift to end at late afternoon to be able to attend that dinner. How I wish I couldn't make it and dream that this would go away…But no, that couldn't happen. So here I am, walking back to my condo to arrange my appearance to at least look presentable tonight, stomping along the streets while sighing to myself every once in a while, with people staring at me like I have a mental problem, and still me, not caring what other's think.

I lazily dragged my feet towards my closet, kicking the mess that was lying around the floor. Wanda had been kind enough to lend me one of her short dresses since I technically didn't own much. She didn't know everything about Jared and I and what I've been going through, but she still seemed to tolerate it and lend me a hand whenever she can. I should thank her for that.

I yanked the dress that hung by the closet door and grabbed the shoes I thought would fit with the outfit. I wasn't exactly very fond of heels, mostly I owned flats. Occasionally; and ever so opportune that tonight was the occasion, I would wear my only, yet honestly adorable, black peep toe pumps.

I stood in front of my bathroom mirror, and I was candidly overwhelmed by the way I looked. It was surprising to see that the curves on my body which lay evident, and my cleavage indifferently showing. The pumps were perfect with the black, strapless, silky dress; it went casual with the bow that was tied around my waist that was as one with the garment.

With the few purses I have essentially bought and now hold, I picked out the miniature, rectangular, velvet, and also black purse. I placed my cell phone, wallet, and my mother's pendant inside.

Jamie and I didn't exactly meet our parents. Actually, we did; we both just weakly remember. They passed away when Jamie barely even reached a year old, and we were left no choice but to live with Jeb, our father's brother. Now that I'm an older and with a stable job, only Jamie is left with our Uncle Jeb. Although Jamie and I could barely make time for each other with the hospital being a busy place and all and Jamie handling his high school activities, I was still glad that I would be able to see him tonight. Jared and Jamie had been close when we were young so surely he would invite him. And, it has been a while since I've seen Jamie.

The pendant's simply the remaining proof that my parents even existed. Jeb never specifically informed us to how or why our parents died, and I was six then, yet I couldn't hold unto any details.

I stole one more glance at the mirror, grabbed my car keys and stalked out of the front door. From the corner of my eye, I noticed the wall clock. Huh, well at least I wasn't late at the dinner. Jared's restaurant was only a few minutes away, but farther than the hospital. I quickly entered the elevator and pressed the ground floor button and crossed my arms across my chest. I found myself tapping my foot on the floor and drumming my fingers on my arm.

So little time I would have with Jared, and that only made me anxious. My stomach started fluttering, making me uncomfortable. The doors finally opened, and I quickly strode towards my car. The underground parking lot looked darker than ever, probably because it was night now. The dim lights were hardly useful for the lot; I could narrowly see the other cars parked near me.

I opened the door and climbed in, placing the key into the ignition and turning it. The vehicle whirred beneath me, causing me to tremble with it and finally started. My foot gently pressed down the gas pedal and I lurched towards the exit. Everything turned wide and I could visibly see the buildings and shops, mostly by the moonlight. I twisted the wheel, headed left at the next turn—

I was rapidly trampled, an enormous bulky point was crushing me, strong enough to send me across the dashboard and pinning me to the passenger seat. Why is everything turning?

My hands had let go of the wheel, the only objective now is to protect my face to whatever is hurting me. All I could make out through the windshield were incoherent blurs. I was still whirling around. My head was spinning, and the weight that I was carrying immediately diverted right into my upper body, as if I was upside down.

Then it all stopped, the turning skidded to a halt. Yet I still couldn't fathom what was happening, there were too much pressure on my head to be able to concentrate.

My body was now starting to get numb; I couldn't even lift a finger. I wonder if I was beginning to become paralyzed. A cool-like liquid was grazing down the side of my face, my mouth slowly being filled with a sensation that did not taste like something pleasant.

Red.

Why is there Red all around? Why did the sidewalk look different? How come a nearby car seemed inverted? Or was I the one in the wrong direction? Why do I feel my eyes dropping? Everything seems to be falling…

Not a single sound I could hear, not a single figure I could see. Why is there black everywhere? Why is it so dark? Why won't my eyelids lift open? Why do I hear muffled screaming?!

Only a face that flashed before me, surely from my memory, was keeping me even a second late conscious.

That face…

It was Jared's.

Jared?

I love you. I love you, Jared!

I am absolutely in love with you and I wish there was a way that you could know that...no matter how impossible that we would be together. I don't care, I'm in love with you! I always have been.

This is the end…I know it…I could feel it…

I couldn't talk, I couldn't move. Everything's dark and I can't see a thing! My breathing's ragged; I taste rust…rust and saltwater.

Why…

Save me Jared. Anyone.

Jared.

Why darkness…?

No…