C H A P T E R  T W O - B R U I S E

Michael stumbles down into an alleyway and collapses onto the ground. He lays slumped up against the wall and begins to cough profusely. He winces and holds onto his aching chest.

"Brother." He calls out into the dark empty space. "Help me."

Time passes as Michael's pain worsens. His eyes become blurry and he slowly places his head down onto the ground. He sees a shadow appear and the large frame slowly makes its way over to him. Before he is able to see who it is, his eyelids shut.

•

Michael's eyes shoot open and he looks up at the familiar ceiling. He scans his bedroom and quickly looks to his arm. He carelessly pulls the drip needle from his his vein and gets up from the bed.

Making his way down the hallway, he makes his way down the staircase and heads into the direction of the kitchen. He spots the fridge and before he opens it, he feels a presence behind him.

"Mind filling me in on what happened last night?"

Daniel's glare is intense. He eyes his brother as he turns and leans his body against the fridge doors, crossing his arms over one another. Michael doesn't speak. He doesn't know how to speak on the events that had taken place last night. He knew that Daniel would be upset. Not only for what he had done, but for who he had done it to.

"Alicia."

Michael and Daniel snap their heads into the direction of their little sister who had just entered the kitchen. The blonde slowly takes a seat at the kitchen table and sighs sadly. Daniel looks at his younger sister in confusion and Michael sighs.

"Alicia. That's what you're thinking about." Jasmine looks over at Michael and he scowls at her.

"What have I told you about doing that?" Michael warns Jasmine.

"I-I'm sorry." Jasmine mumbles sadly. "It's just I could hear them so loudly." She looks over at Michael and continues. "Your thoughts. I know you brought her back to life."

Daniel laughs sarcastically and begins to frantically clap his hands together. Michael and Jasmine look at him. He bellows over as his laughter becomes louder. When his laughter finally dies down, his face becomes hard and serious as he leans up against the counter.

"You fucking hypocrite." Daniel finally says. "Years of you telling us the sky was gonna fall if anyone knew our secret, and now you resurrect someone? Alicia of all fucking people?"

"I couldn't just let her die-"

"Why the hell not?" Daniel snaps.

Daniel shakes his head and laughs in disbelief. " I cannot belief you're doing this to Jasmine."

"Everything I've ever done was to protect Jasmine!" Michael shouts. "And you-"

Daniel cuts him off." Everything you've ever done was to protect you."

Daniel shoves Michael into the fridge, hard. Jasmine gasps and the kitchen windows, glass cabinets and glass items all shatter. Michael and Daniel duck before looking over at Jasmine as she holds her hands over her ears. Her eyes are shut tightly and she begins to cry.

"T-this is all my fault." She hiccups. "If I didn't- then she wouldn't-they-"

Daniel walks over to his sister and brings her up from the chair and wraps her arms around her. Jasmine continues to cry into his chest as Daniel looks up at Michael.

"Stay away from Alicia, Michael. I know how this plays out and it won't end well. Put your feelings aside because this isn't about you. We have to think about what's best for Jasmine. Fix this, or will. You won't like what I'll do this time."

•

Alicia walks into the dining room and grabs the remote. She switches off the television and her father's eyes connects with hers. He knows what she's about to ask. He is not prepared to answer it. He sighs as he gets up from the couch and makes his way into the kitchen.

"How long has this been happening?"Alicia questions as she follows closely behind him.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Richard pours himself a cup of coffee and stares out of the kitchen window.

"I could've died." Richard turns to his daughter and eyes her sadly. He begins to feel that familiar feeling. Guilt.

"We talk over the phone almost every single day and not once have you told me." Alicia's voice cracks. "Is this how you injured your hand? Did someone hurt you?"

Richard shakes his head and turns away from his daughter. He looks out of the window and eyes the moving cars and tall trees. He tries to stop the tears that sit at his eyelids, from rolling down his cheeks.

"People have been terrorising you and you didn't tell me?" Alicia becomes angry.

She walks over towards her father and he turns to face her. "Sheriff Gomez told me everything. For the entire year! Almost the entire town has been harassing you but it worsens on this day."

"I didn't want you to worry about me."

"Well I do." Alicia shouts. Tears begin to pour down her face as she looks into her father eyes. "I worry about you all the time."

Richard remains still. Not speaking a word. He didn't need his daughter knowing about the torment and abuse that he'd been experiencing. As long as she was gone, out of harms way, he was okay. Things had died down lately, he had hoped that it would stay that way. He should've known that Alicia's return would anger the people within the community.

She shakes her head. "We should leave."

Richard chuckles sarcastically. "And go where Alicia? I'm not letting those racist crackers drive me away."

He bypasses Alicia and heads for the dining room. He grabs the remote and switches on the television. He takes a seat on the couch and sips his coffee. Alicia watches him in silence and shakes her head.

"I should've known that you wouldn't be safe. If they hated me that much then they'd definitely hate you too." She bites into her bottom lip and shuts her eyes as she continues to cry. "I-I shouldn't have left you alone."

"Hey." Richard places the coffee cup onto the glass table and walks over to Alicia. He takes her hands into his and kiss the back of it.

"Don't talk like that. This isn't your fault. It broke my heart when you left but I knew you had to. I couldn't leave and I wouldn't have. That was my choice. I stayed because I couldn't leave the diner. You being safe and out of harms way was all that mattered to me. Please don't beat yourself up about it." He kisses her forehead.

"I don't ever want to hear you blame yourself for my choices." He continues.

Alicia shakes her head and cries into his chest. Richard rests his chin on the top of her head as he wraps his arms around her small frame.

"It was an accident I swear." She sobs. "I-If I could take it back I would. I-I was y-young a-and stupid."

"Shhh." Richard rubs her shoulders. "Don't do this to yourself Alicia. Don't think about it."

Alicia sighs tiredly. "I can't daddy. It's all I think about every second of everyday. I just can't forget."

•

Alicia climbs out of the shower and wraps a towel around herself. She walks over to the bathroom sink and wipes the mirror with her palm. She reaches for her toothbrush and toothpaste and begins to squeeze the toothpaste onto it. As she brushes her teeth, her eyes fixate on a spot on her chest.

Stopping her movements, she takes the toothbrush out of her mouth and quickly looks down at her chest. That's strange. She thought. It was like the little bruise has appeared out of nowhere. Or at least that's what she thought. Had she not seen it whilst she was bathing herself? She couldn't recall.

She runs her hand over the bruise and winces. Her heart begins to beat rapidly. She stumbles back and takes a seat on the closed toilet. She snakes her fingers through her wet tresses and begins to sob.

So many thoughts were running amok in her head. Michael. Her father. The gunfire. Mona and Logan. Mostly the gunfire. She clearly wasn't shot, but she felt the entry of the bullet. She felt the impact of it. Am I going mad? She thought to herself.

•

The next morning, Alicia makes her way down the hallways of the local hospital. As she slowly strolls down the busy corridors, she hears a familiar voice.

"Alicia?"

She stops and turns around. Her eyes widen and a smiles makes its way onto her face.

"Nick?" Alicia walks up to him and they share a hug.

"It's so good to see you. God it's been ages."

Nick looks down at Alicia and he notices how terrified she looks despite the small smile that covered her face.

"Hey are you okay."

Alicia nods but quickly shakes her head as she breaths out heavily.

"I don't know. Last night the diner got shot up-"

"Are you okay?" Nick cuts her off and touches her shoulder.

"I'm okay." She sighs. "It's just I think I'm going insane."

She takes her fingers through her hair and looks up at Nick nervously. "I thought I got shot last night. There's this bruise on my chest and I feel like there could be a bullet in me and I-"

She turns around and takes a seat on one of the metal chairs in the hallway.

"God you must think I'm crazy right? I wasn't actually shot. But I swear to you that's what it felt like. I felt this intense pain and I could've sworn I felt my soul leave my body. But here I am. No bullet hole and perfectly fine. Do you think I'm insane?"

Nick looks down at Alicia sympathetically and takes a seat beside her. He takes her hands into his and this causes Alicia's eyes to meet his chocolate brown ones. He quickly lets go of her hands.

"Sorry." He awkwardly chuckles. "Look, how about I take some scans. Make sure that everything's alright? How does that sound?"

Alicia nods. "Yes thank you. I'm glad I ran into you. I didn't know how I'd even begin to explain this to someone."

Alicia chuckles nervously and Nick nods. This was an odd request, but he still had so much love for Alicia. He'd do absolutely anything for her. She didn't know this though. He wouldn't dare tell her. At least not yet.

"Follow me." Nick instructs and Alicia quickly follows behind him.

I really appreciate the comments. It's really what makes me excited to post.

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Thoughts on this chapter?

Alicia?

Michael?

Nick?

Jasmine?

Thank you all so much for the love on the previous chapter. I really appreciate it.🩷