My Secrets and Horrors
Chapter 19 – My Girls
Previously
Sat in the corner of a dark room Jason was trying his hardest to stop the blood flow, "Ah I'm going to get her whether she likes it or not" He glanced over to the desk in the room and stared at the picture that was stood there. With an effort he forced himself to get up and head over clutching his bloody chest. He picked the frame up leaving finger prints of the glass. "Don't worry Flora I will get you, you were always meant to be mine, one way or another you will be mine."
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Hours had passed and Flora had yet to wake up the wound was no longer bleeding and though it hadn't been long since it happened there was signs that it was starting to heal already. Layla was now sat in Nabu's arms watching Riller as she sat on the edge of the bed stroking Flora's hair from her face. Staring at her closed eyes as she did, now and again letting out a little sigh.
Layla was not stupid she recognized the look that Riller gave Flora, all the girls gave it to their boys, it was a look of adoration, compassion and love. A look that clearly said that she would give her life to ensure that she would be fine.
Layla looked over at Nabu and noticed that Nabu saw the same in the girl, "you see it too?"
"What do we do?"
"We do nothing"
"What do you mean we do nothing… it's a love triangle..."
"Yes and let's hope that Stella doesn't find out. She would have a field day."
The two looked at each other and smiled before worry overcame their fear and the smiles disappeared.
The rest of the girls and guys were sat on the beds around the room trying not to think about their friend at the other end of the room, they tried not to stare but their eyes kept moving towards the bed she was led on.
She looked bad, her natural tanned skin was now pale and looked terrible, but colour was slowly returning to her face, as the blood continued to flow through the body. A low moan escaped through her lips, low enough that only Riller heard it, with pity she gently gave Flora's hand a squeeze to let her know that she was there for her, through good and bad.
Riller was shocked when she felt pressure on her own hand, Flora had squeezed back, she continued to stroke her hair and whispered softly as she stared at her face. "Hey honey, you have got to relax, let yourself heal, you are safe we will watch over you, I will look after you." She felt another squeeze on her hand and smiled, knowing that Flora had heard her. "I know I shouldn't say it, but I love you Flora"
The day slowly turned to night, not like any of them knew, since the room has no windows. The tension was still in the air but not as thick making the air breathable. Most of the room had fallen asleep, Bloom was led on one of the beds with Sky behind her holding her close. Brandon was sat leaning against one of the walls with Stella fast asleep in-between his legs in front of him, leaning back into his chest. Musa and Riven was fast asleep in each other's arms, her head resting on his chest, while Tecna and Timmy was asleep on one of the beds Timmy holding Tecna close.
Nabu was led on top of one of the beds snoring softly while Layla sat on the floor leaning against the edge of the bed, staring at Flora and Riller. Riller had fallen asleep leaning on the edge of the bed her hand still holding Flora's.
A small movement on the bed caught Layla's gaze and she saw Flora's eyes open before closing again, she swiftly but quietly made her way over to the girl and took her other hand being careful not to startle Flora or wake Riller. Sensing the feeling in her other hand Flora looked towards the cause and saw Layla a small smile grew on her face at the site. "Hey Flora, are you feeling a little better?" Layla whispered as not to wake anyone else.
"Like shit to be honest and my side stings like hell…" Flora replied as quiet as possible her voice a little raspy.
"I can understand that Hun, you will be fine. Are you thirsty?" Layla asked as she tucked a strand of Flora's hair behind her ear out of the way of her face.
"Yer a little"
It was at this time Riller began to stir and awoke to find both Layla and Flora staring at her, "Flora! Are you okay? What's the matter?" Riller asked in slight panic,
"I'm okay Rill, really I am, I'm just a little thirsty that's all." Flora replied in a weak voice. Upon hearing Flora's request Riller looked at Layla and nodded, both seeming to know what to do. The pair of them helped to sit Flora up and prop her up against pillows before handing her a glass of water.
Flora took slow small sips knowing how it could hurt to drink to fast, once she had demolished half of the glass and the throat was no longer dry she gave the glass back to Riller before relaxing into the pillows. "Now that you are awake Flora, is it okay if I check your wound?" Riller asked softly as she held on to the girl's hand.
"Of course you may Riller but I thought you were going to call me Jade?"
"Well I think your friends are safe enough, they have showed me how much they care for you… and that is good enough for me. Now we better have a look at that wound."
Riller moved from her position and made herself comfortable next to the wound on Flora's side while Layla moved to where Riller was previously sat and took hold of Flora's hand in her own. Flora stared up into her eyes, "Do you forgive me?" Flora asked quietly fear laced in her voice.
"Forgive you? Forgive you for what?" Layla asked confused as she stroked Flora's hair, tucking it behind her ear.
"For lying to you, for being a hired assassin, for kidnapping you, for spying on you… for everything"
Layla sighed with a smile on her face. "Flora, we know about your past, we know that you never killed anyone, we know you were forced into it. You kidnapped us for our own protection that does not make you a bad guy that makes you our hero." Flora smiled as a tear rolled down her face. "You saved Musa, Riven's and Helia's life's putting your own at risk that is a hero Flora, you are a hero."
Riller looked up and smiled at Flora, "She is right you know, you are a hero Flora. Anyway I am just about to remove the bandages I need you to sit up, I bet Layla will help you."
"Of course I will" Layla smiled as she assisted Flora to sit up and helped her stay there by sitting behind her and allowing her to lean against her chest and shoulders. They both watched in silence as Riller undone the bandages and disposed of them in the bin, she then carefully removed the gaze she had placed on the wound, there was a few drops of blood but not many.
A smile grew on her face as she admired her handy work and checked the healing status of the wound, "it's looking good Flora, the skin is pulling together nicely, there is no sign of infection, you may even get only a faint scar."
"That's good, I don't want to have a scar ruining my beautiful body" The three girls began to giggle trying to keep it quiet as not to awake the others but failed.
"Hey what is so funny?" Bloom asked as she stretched her arms above her head, feeling her muscles pull.
The girls heads turned to face the voice and saw everyone looking at them, "nothing much Bloom?" Flora spoke her voice a little louder.
"Hey Flora, how are you feeling?" Riven asked as he stood up.
"I'm okay thanks, getting better" Flora replied as she watched Riller continuing to check out the stiches and made sure that they were holding tight.
Satisfied that the stiches were fine Riller wrapped new bandages around the wound for extra support. "Okay all done Flora, you can lay back now." Flora slowly led back down onto the cushions, making sure not to move to fast as to pull the stiches.
"Thank you Riller"
"You are most welcome Flora after all I believe we have been in a similar position to this…"
"Yes but I believe that it was you that was injured and you were shot not stabbed."
"Just tiny differences." the two girls giggled.
The gang just watched with small smiles on their face, but Brandon broke the peaceful happiness, "I'm glad you are okay Flora, but there is one thing that we need to know, who did this to you and why?" Flora sighed, knowing that she would have to tell them, they were now involved.
"I suppose I better start from the beginning…"
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The sun was setting over the trees of the magical forest, her mind was flowing freely thinking of everything that had happened under her watch, the attack of the army of Decay, the rise and fall of Darkar, the truth of Baltor, and everything else in-between. A smile grew on her face at the happy memories of succeeding and winning these wars but worry began to set in as she wondered if her girls would succeed.
A knock at the door disrupted her thoughts and she called back, "Come in" she heard the door open but continued to stare out the window.
"The girls are going to be fine Faragonda, you should stop worrying all the time." Ms Faragonda smiled as she recognized the voice.
"I know Griselda but I can't help it, they are my girls, they are like my flesh and blood."
"You are worried about Flora aren't you?"
Ms Faragonda sighed "I'm just worried about Flora's past and if she will come out of all of this okay."
"You know she will Faragonda, she has all the girls behind her and don't forget the boys. They will come back fine, and safe." Griselda replied as she put a hand on her friends shoulder.
"I know, Ii know but it doesn't stop me worrying…"
"Worry is always there, Faragonda, it is what makes us strong."
"I know. I just hope I can be strong enough, not just for me but for the girls as well…"