A/N: So I know that there were some plot holes in the story, as a reviewer pointed out. No worries. That's what outtakes are for. This outtake is from the day after Baltor was killed. It will definitely explain all the legal proceedings. It was too short to be a chapter for me, which is why it didn't make it in the story.
Outtake: Aftermath
I woke up to beeping machines and a TV commercial blaring through the speakers. At least, it sounded like it was extremely loud. I think even the slightest sound would make my head pound right now. I glance down at myself and around the room to realize I'm in the hospital. But why? What happened? I try to remember the start of yesterday and then… Oh! Baltor, ropes, Musa, kidnapping, guns, knife, Brandon…Brandon!
I sit up abruptly and gasp. I am slightly startled by the movement of someone in the chair next to my bed. My Dad looks ruffled, but amazed as he sees me. He pulls me into a hug. "Oh, Stella! You scared the hell out of me! Don't ever, ever do that again." I feel a tear slip down my cheek as I listen to how scared my Dad actually was. I could hear the grief in his voice.
"I'm so sorry." I didn't recognize my own voice. It was very scratchy from no use. My Dad pulled back with a smile and offered me some water. I nodded and happily drunk it down.
"Not to fast," Dad scolded gently. "Take sips." I follow his directions reluctantly. When I'm finished, I sit back and look at my father.
"Where's Brandon? Is he alright?" Dad chuckles slightly.
"I was pretty sure that would be your first question. Yes, he'll be fine. Just a little leg injury." I nodded, not very satisfied with his answer. I still needed to see him for myself.
"The police are going to come in and ask you a few questions," he informed me. "I think Brandon already told them what happened, but they will still want to hear it from you."
"Did I kill him?" I ask in a whisper.
Dad scrunched his eyebrows together. "You don't remember?"
"Well," I looked down at the hospital bed sheets, "I remember shooting the g-gun, but I must have passed out after. So…did I?"
He looked at me a little sadly. "Yes, sweetheart. It was just self-defense though. You were protecting yourself and Brandon. Don't worry, you'll be fine." He kissed the top of my head as there was a knock on the door. Two uniformed police officers stepped through the door.
"Hello, Miss Solaria. How are you feeling?" The taller of the two police officers asked me.
"Fine, I guess."
"We would like to ask you a few questions." He paused, looking at Dad. "Alone, please." My Dad tensed all over, so I put a hand on his arm.
"Its alright. I'll be fine." He hesitantly nods and walks out of the room.
The tall officer walks to my bedside. "I am Officer Bradley and that is Officer Brown. We just want your account on what happened last night. Do you remember?"
"Yes."
"Well, good then," Officer Brown says. "Let's get down to it."
They grilled me for information for about an hour. I felt like I was saying the same thing over and over again. When they were finally finished, I was practically asleep. As I was dozing off, the door opened again. What now?
"Stella," a voice whispered. I know that voice. I'd know it from anywhere. "Stella," the voice whispered a lot closer to me. I opened my eyes. Brandon stood with a crutch under his arm and a wide grin on his face. "Hey, gorgeous."
"Brandon!" I bolted upright too fast and got a little dizzy. Brandon put a hand on my shoulder.
"Whoa, calm down, princess. It's just me." He smirked and winced as he sat down on the bed, facing me.
"Don't get full of yourself." I smile, happy that he was the okay and acting normal.
"You know Flora is about to burst if she doesn't see you soon. So is your extended family."
I frowned. "I didn't mean to worry everyone." My head snapped back up to him. "Brandon, I'm so sor-"
He covered my mouth with his hand. "Don't, Stella. Don't do that. Lets not do this right now. I just want to know you're safe. We can handle all the regrets later."
I twisted my hands in my bed sheets, but didn't voice my inner thoughts about me killing Baltor. Instead, I said, "Are you okay?"
"I should be asking if you are okay. You don't understand what it's like holding someone you love in your arms when they've passed out. I didn't know you just passed out, though. I thought you…I thought you were…" He shuddered and looked away. He didn't have to finish the sentence. I know what he must have been thinking.
I reached out and rested my hand on his cheek. "Hey, hey, hey. I'm here now. Let's just make the most of that, alright?"
He sighed deeply but nodded. "Yeah, let's do that." He kissed my palm as I yawned rather viciously.
I covered my mouth and giggled. "Sorry. I'm just so tired. The police's constant questions wore me out."
"Well, lay down. You looked tired when I came through the door. Go ahead and get some rest."
"Not unless you lay down with me." I scoot over to make room beside me. He pretends to think it over before grinning and scooting up beside me. He went slowly, so he wouldn't jostle his leg too much, but he still flinched. Once he was settled in, he stretched his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer to him. I snuggled myself against his side. We were both silent for a while. It felt nice, not the fact that we were in a hospital, but the fact that we were together. It always feels nice like this.
I decide to break the silence before I drift off. "Brandon?"
"Yeah?"
"I didn't want to kill him. I just wanted him to leave you alone." I pressed my face into his chest further. "I didn't want to be a killer."
"You did what you had to, Stella. You were strong and brave. He was going to kill us, so you had to stop him. At the moment, that was the only way." I nodded, but this didn't make me feel much better. No matter what way he put it, I killed someone. I am a murderer.
"I love you, Brandon," I say, on the brink of slipping back to sleep. He kissed my forehead softly and let his lips linger there.
"Go to sleep, princess. I love you, too."
A/N: I believe that this will officially be the end. Well, the last chapter was the end, this outtake was optional….But if you read it, thanks for reading!
Oh, and the votes are in about the new story. It looks like I will be doing option….#2! Can't wait to get started. Thanks for your opinions.
So….Review!