Seth, Punk, and Finn arrived at the hospital in record time—so quickly, in fact, that the trio was sure they had broken some speed record or run a few red lights. Neither of them cared, though. Instead, panic had clouded their minds; nothing else mattered to them other than finding out what had happened. The moment they passed through the main entrance, Becky collared all three of them, her arm in a cast and a scrap donning her cheek and chin. Her eyes and body language told the trio all they needed to know: something serious and terrible had happened.
"The car came out of nowhere," spoke Becky, her voice quiet and shakey, all she could muster after what she'd witnessed and been involved in. After all, the culprit pink car hadn't stopped after running Echo's SUV off the road but tried to do the same with the remaining three afterward. Although each had ended up in the drainage ditch at the side of the road, they got off lightly compared to those in Echo's car. "It all happened so quickly; one minute, Echo's car was in front. The next, the pink car had rammed into it," she added with unushered tears shimmering, her expression blank as she tried to understand what happened and make sense of it all.
"Where are the others?" asked Punk, not understanding why he was there. Instead, believing Becky had been so shocked that she'd not realized what she'd written. "Is everyone okay?" he asked, concern echoing in his voice; the girls were his family, his life, and his future in the case of AJ. He didn't want to think of the pain awaiting if something went wrong now, especially when everything was getting back on track and returning to a sense of normality.
"Punk," called Finn as he pulled Becky into his arms, wrapping her tightly in an effort to offer her the much-needed comfort and reassurance. "How bad?" he asked, once again feeling the sense of dread wash over him, the same dread that had been plaguing him since receiving the original message. He was afraid but didn't want to give it more power by wording it.
"Summer, AJ, and Echo are in the ICU," replied Becky, tears staining her cheeks. She didn't know who called for the emergency service or who drove the pink car to cause the accident purposely; all she knew was it all happened so quickly that it almost blurred together, her friends were hurt, and she was afraid. She was so scared she found it difficult to speak and didn't want to be alone for fear something else terrible would happen. "Their parents know ... I ... just ... wanted to let ... you ... you know."
With Becky's words, the dread and fear only grew once again. Punk rushed off to the front desk in seconds, with a sense of urgency about his actions and movements. He had to do something, anything. His world felt as if it was going to crumble around him. On the other hand, Seth moved to the nearest wall, hoping to steady himself and his knees to regain their strength. Despite his best efforts, no words formed or escaped his lips. Instead, his racing thoughts blurred together and remained unspoken.
On the other hand, Finn held Becky, humming soothing tunes and rocking her side to side as if to comfort them both. His mind had gone blank; the only word that seemed to repeat was why. Although he was glad the others were okay despite the traumatic experience, he feared for Echo, AJ, and Summer. He feared what else would happen now, too.
"Serenity," Roman called upon rushing through the hospital doors. So determined, he'd almost knocked Finn and Becky over. The remaining boys followed along behind, although they were far more vigilant. Corey moved to Seth's side, as did Dean, attempting to will him back to his feet. Miz and Jey quickly found Punk, pulling the other teen into a much-needed hug, whereas the others seemed to have gathered around Finn.
"Third floor, room 316," called Punk, all but throwing his words over to Seth—at least before he continued the battle to find out where Summer and AJ were. Armed with the new information, Rhea hurried over to where Seth sat, crumpled on the floor. With Dean and Corey's help, she pulled him to his feet and all but dragged him over to the elevators. She whispered encouraging words, hoping to bring a sense of stability despite the devastating events around them.
"Was Serenity with you?" asked Corey, breaking the fallen silence over them. Corey refused to allow the fear to grow even when they all felt the same terror. Rhea could only shake her head in response. She hadn't seen Serenity since the group had split up after the first dress shop, although she'd heard her constant complaints—the entire mall had.
"To save time, we split up. Serenity went with the Bellas to Glam'r'us. They said she met up with some friends from her previous school," replied Rhea, recalling how everything had seemed so normal. After finding their dresses and other prom-related things, the girls rendezvoused at The Court cafeteria, stopping at their usual coffee stop before heading back to the parking lot. They'd made plans for the weekend, a study session one day and the cinemas the next. "I don't know what happened. One minute, Echo's car was in front; the next, it rolled down into the ditch. The stupid Barbie car hit me," she explained, suspecting the same car had hit Carmella and Maryse's vehicles after that, considering all of them suffered injuries related to the accident, no matter how minor it was.
"Don't," whispered Seth, trying to focus his mind. "Don't retraumatize yourself, don't blame yourself for this. You're okay; that's what matters," he added, choosing to focus on the positives. Despite what appeared to be a purposeful act in running the four cars off the road, the majority had only sustained minor injuries. Most were okay and would be allowed home that night; Rhea and Becky had displayed they could wander the hospital as both had appeared.
"Corey," said Dean, noticing the anger clearly written across the other teenager's face—the same anger Finn so often displayed whenever Roman appeared. Mixed with the anger were frustration and suspicion. "Corey," called Dean again, although not moving from his spot next to Seth, who was willing the elevator to go faster.
"Sorry," answered the Savior of Misbehavior, the message from Carmella stuck in his head. Miz was likely the same as Maryse, who had shared the same information with him, even if neither had told anyone else except the police investigating the accident. "Just something Mella said got me thinking. Not important at the moment, though," he added, refusing to shed light on it. How could he bring up what both girls seemed so sure they had seen when three of their own were in the ICU, fighting to get back to them and those they loved?
The moment the elevator stopped, Seth ran from it, heading down the hall Dean had directed him down. Rhea limped behind with Corey's assistance at a steady pace. As soon as Seth entered the hospital room, his heart sank. Aside from the constant beeps of the heart monitor and the sound of therespirator helping Echo to breathe, the room was so quiet. Nothing about it reminded him of Echo nor the happiness he tried to focus on. Instead, tears glistened in his eyes as everything hit him again as if the seriousness had finally struck him.
"Who," worded Seth, sounding more like a heartbroken sob than a question anyone could understand. "Who would do this?" he asked, willing himself to move toward where Echo lay motionless. If it weren't for the equipment surrounding her, he would have said she was sleeping, even if the room coloring was anything but her usual choice. Seth reached for her hand without thinking, finding relief in feeling the typical coldness. As he did so, he looked over her properly. Seeing the bruise forming on her head, the cuts and scratches scattering her face and arms. The scars of the past were on display, scars few others had noticed before.
"I'll stay with him. You two go check on Ney Ney and Mella," ordered Rhea, wishing only to support those who needed it. She knew the two would panic until they saw Renee and Carmella for themselves. Upon turning to shoo the pair out of the room, she noticed Punk rush past so quickly he was almost a blur; Jey followed, likely to ensure he had someone with him or keep him from causing further chaos around the hospital. Finn wondered by shortly after, entering the room across the hall as if he were in some trance. JD followed him, likely to ensure he wasn't alone.
"Wake up, Demon," whispered Seth, his voice so quiet that Rhea almost missed his gently spoken words. Carefully, she limped over to Seth, wrapping her arms around his shoulders when she reached him. He needed her, even if he wouldn't admit it out loud. "I can't lose her, not again," he added with the same calm tone, almost as if he struggled to form the words in the first place.
"You're not going to lose her; none of us are," Rhea determinedly replied. "Echo's a fighter; she always has been and always will be. There's not a single force in the world that will stop her from doing what she wants. We both know she won't give up; she won't abandon us."
In return, Seth could only offer a small smile tainted with sadness and worry. Despite his best efforts to focus on the good memories, the times of pain seem to be breaking through the barriers, reminding him of the pain he'd once caused her and the pain he silently suffered when Echo all but disappeared. He never told her how much he missed her during that time, and he'd still yet to tell her how much she truly meant to him. In a way, Dean was right; she was a savior, Seth's savior. She'd been the one his heart had chosen when he'd turned blind to the idea of love after Lacey. She'd been the one he so willingly ripped apart the old for. The one who brightened up his day and inspired him to be the best version of himself, the one to offer encouragement and advice when he needed it most. She was his demon, one he didn't want to let go of.
"Thank you," whispered Seth, his attention briefly turning to Rhea, ensuring she knew his gratitude was meant for her. "When I broke her heart, you were there to help her heal. You helped her when she avoided almost everyone else. If it weren't for you and the other Darklings, she would still be avoiding and likely hating me," he explained in the same whispered tone. However, he soon realized he missed something when Rhea grinned like a mad woman, her smile bright and almost mischievous.
"She didn't hate you, never did," simply replied Rhea, recalling how most of Echo's anger was aimed at Roman, Serenity, and all the other airheads that followed them. "Sure, she avoided you and Becky, but that was because she didn't know how to face either of you without first dealing with her past demons. Most if not all her hate and anger was directed toward those who were playing games in the first place," she spoke, recalling when Echo had told the story of her past involving Serenity back in England before Serenity's mother had taken her across the world in the hopes of sparking some change. A change that had yet to occur. "Do me a favor; when she wakes up, ask her to prom and tell her the truth."
"You got it, Mami," replied Seth, affection appearing through his smile now as it became more genuine. "Distract me," he simply requested, wanting to focus on the positives even when the negatives dampened everything. Plus, he hoped Echo would hear, despite her critical state, and continue her fight to get back to them.
"Okay, you suck at keeping secrets," spoke Rhea in response, a small chuckle escaping her lips mere seconds after, more so see his surprise offense to her comment. "She knows you're campaigning for Prom and that Aleister is helping you," she added, illuminating the truth Seth seemed oblivious to. Despite Aleister denying everything, Echo had figured it out. The many whispers had given it away. "We have a tournament to win. We both know she'd never forgive us if we lost the finals," added Rhea, changing the subject again before Seth could respond.
"What do you think of Roman?" asked Seth, looking up when Aleister entered the room, carrying a black bag with Enchantment written across it in pointed bold lettering.
"I don't know what belongs to who, but yours and Echo's prom things are in the bag," spoke Aleister, holding up the black bag before handing it to Rhea and pulling her into a much-needed friendly embrace. At least before he stepped over to Echo and gently kissed her right temple. Once again, the sibling affection is on full display. "You doing okay?" asked Aleister, his question directed toward Seth. He knew Finn was struggling, but trying to stay strong, Punk was a mess, taking his anger out on everyone even for the slightest offense.
"No, I feel helpless," replied Seth, admitting the truth he was sure the others knew and likely felt. "The guy I thought was my brother is a total jerk. My family is going through a difficult time; I just found out I suck at keeping secrets, my stepbrother is a nervous wreck, and the love of my life is fighting for her life. I can't do anything to help anyone," he added, he knew Punk was next door, he heard him shouting several times in the last few minutes, at least when he wasn't begging for AJ to wake up.
"Roman will get his comeuppance sooner or later, probably around the time he opens his eyes and sees the red hot air balloon-sized flags Serenity's been waving in his face. He made his choice; it was dumb, and he'll regret it, but he made it nonetheless. He's the one who has to live with the consequences. The one who has to accept that he's the only one who can get himself out of the mess he has been making. He has to live with what he destroyed and the one who has to work to earn what he's lost back. No one is to blame for what he did but him," spoke Aleister, his voice calm and smooth, even in the face of devastation. "Bracelet," he added seconds later, holding a hand expectantly. Seth seemed confused at first but hesitantly did as instructed.
Upon giving the bracelet he wore to the Devil, Aleister carefully removed the one Echo wore from her wrist, replacing it with Seth's before giving hers to Seth. The intention was clear; she'd know Seth was there when she finally awoke. She'd know he was coming back. At the same time, Seth would always have Echo with him when he was at school and away from her.
"And you say you're not a romantic," commented Rhea, a sweet grin painted on her lips.
"The devil, I maybe, but I know love when I see it. I'm not gonna stand in the way of happiness," replied Aleister, looking around the room like Seth had done upon entering what felt like ages prior. "Remind me when I visit next to bring some of her comfort things. She'd freak if she woke up to this," he added, motioning around the room. "Get some of the others to do the same for AJ and Summer, too."
"What's going on with the others?" asked Rhea, knowing the remaining girls involved in the collision had likely received medical attention by now and spoken to the police. She'd heard Corey's words and knew instantly it had something to do with Maryse and Carmella's trance-like mumbles. Although she'd not worked out what they were saying, she knew it had something to do with what had happened. She knew they were aware of something the rest were currently in the dark about.
"Girls are fine. They've been attended to and released. Corey and Miz are working together to understand Mella and Maryse. The rest of us lads are in a state of panic, to the point Ney Ney almost punched some of them and Cross his in her normal sugar rush mode in an attempt to bring some normality to everything," listed Aleister, suspecting someone would have asked eventually. "Roman's with Serenity, suddenly worried about her and the baby," he added, remembering Roman being hysterical in the reception area.
"Serenity wasn't with us," commented Rhea, repeating her earlier words. "She left the Bella's when some old friends showed up. To my knowledge, she never rejoined us; she wasn't in any of the cars," she added, finding it suspicious Serenity would end up in the hospital. There was no reason for her to be there unless something had happened regarding her pregnancy, at least not outside of gaining attention and sympathy from her social media followers or another pathetic attempt to start drama to further her high school journey to being queen.