Loud banging was the first thing that brought Scarlett out of her slumber.

She lazily dragged herself out of the bed while muttering profanities towards the person attacking her door so damn early in the morning.

The only person in her mind that knew where she lived was Mark — Scar felt a tinge of excitement at the prospect of seeing him again after a restless night.

By the time her hand clutched the door knob and twisted it open she had already practised what she was going to say. Scar thought that just talking to him and explaining to him how she felt would fix the mess they currently were in.

Her heart sank at the sight before her.

Ricky, Mark's father, stood before her with blood shot eyes and dishevelled hair — something in her gut didn't feel right "Did you know?"

"Know what?"

The older man's eyes began to water "Did you know he was fighting last night!"

"Yes, Mark always fights-"

Scar felt another wave of worry consume her heart "Then why are you here!"

"I left the Arena before he did."

Ricky sighed shakily "Who was the last person you saw him fighting?"

"The Ghost Rider..."

Just like that Scarlett felt the world beneath her feet crumble "Why weren't you there?"

"What happened...?"

Ricky ignored her question "Why didn't you save him?"

"Please, tell me what happened..."

Ricky continued to ignore her "Why did you leave him when he needed you?"

"I'm begging you, pleas-"

Tears were brimming the edge of her eyes as he continued "Why didn't you protect him?"

"I do-"

The man in front of her ignored her once again "Why did you let him go knowing he'd di-"

"STOP!"

Ricky shook his head "...Its too late, Scarlett...its too late..."

"...Where is he?"

He shut his eyes for a moment "Hospital." It was too far away for her to walk, her legs could barely support her frail form as the news struck her heart — so just this once she gathered her strength and asked the one question she'd never see herself asking.

"Can I come with you? Please."

For a second, surprise registered on Ricky's features but he nodded.

The both of them entered his car — Scarlett buckled in her seat belt and couldn't help but flinch as the car started its engine and drove down the narrow street.

It's been a while since she rode in a car, usually when she ever went into one her grand-parents would give her something to make her fall asleep during the ride.

She had no problem sitting in a car but sitting in a moving car was a new level for her — this time she gritted her teeth while trying to fight off the traumatic events of her past — Scar's mind needed something to fight off the dark thoughts or she was going to jump out of the moving vehicle.

So, instead she focused on Mark.

The way he'd smile, the way his eyes glowed in humour every time they'd fight over something ridiculous even the way his eyebrows creased when he'd try to focus on something.

As the car came to a stop, Scar jumped out and ran to the front desk "How may I hel-"

"Mark Coulting."

"Um, yes his currently enrolled as patient 370 - In room 476 but ma'am-"

Scar turned away before the women could say more — she started to sprint down the hall as memories of waking up after her parent's death came rushing back but she pushed it all aside as 'Room 476' came in view.

Scarlett entered the small white room slowly and timidly.

Everything seemed to be in a heavy haze as her eyes stared at his lifeless form — Scarlett's breathing hitched slightly as he laid on the Hospital bed with countless wires and bandages.

"Mark..." she whimpered as she stepped closer to his side.

The sight before her tore at the very core of her, her heart ached in agony at seeing him like this — she could only imagine the world of pain he would've gone through the night before.

Scarlett couldn't help the sob that escaped her lips as she sat on the seat beside him and grasped his hand in hers "I'm so sorry,"

"I should've been in that Arena last night to help you!" she cried as Mark remained lifeless.

She wanted to turn back time and help him, she wanted to tell her how sorry she was that she left him "I'm sorry, Mark..."

"...I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..." she whimpered once more but to no avail — his body still remained frozen as the air around her became a fraction colder.

Scarlett didn't know how long she spent in that Hospital room crying she just knew her eyes hurt with grief and her body was stiff since she hadn't moved for so long.

"Scarlett - it's getting late. Visiting hours are over..."

She shook her head slightly "I'm not leaving,"

"You have to. They'll drag you out of here if you don't"

Scarlett felt herself grip his hand in hers tighter "I'm not leaving him...he hates sleeping alone..."

"Scarlett" Ricky voiced "Just get some sleep in your room - come back tomorrow morning if you want to"

She took a shaky breath "He wouldn't leave me. If things were different and I was in this Hospital bed, he wouldn't leave."

"I know that." Ricky nodded his head slightly "But this is taking its toll on you as hard as it is on him. Security will come in and take you away from him - you won't be able to come back and see Mark. Is that what you want?"

Her head snapped up to look at him "Of course not!"

"Then leave. Get some sleep and come back tomorrow." He pleaded — the last thing Ricky wanted was for the girl in front of him to be banned from seeing his son, even if she couldn't see it herself — he could see the way she cared for Mark.

Reluctantly Scar stood up from where she sat and nodded her head slightly "Fine..."

"Do you want me to drop you off?"

Scar shook — her gaze glued itself onto Mark "No, I'm just going to take a walk"

"It's late-"

Before he could utter another word Scarlett walked out of the Hospital room — her mind whirled with dark thoughts as she made her way to her destination.

The night around her made the cold coat her body like second skin, had it been any other situation she would've shivered at the feeling but tonight was different.

Anger boiled through her veins and pumped in her blood, memories of Mark's beaten body entered her mind.

Her tear stained face held a murderous glare towards the iron doors in front of her and unlike other times, Scar didn't wear a skeleton mask, she didn't wear her fighting clothes instead she wore the same clothes she woke up in — a simple white singlet and black shorts.

Scarlett entered the Arena as the crowd stilled at her sudden entrance — each and every one of them were a little shocked at the fact Scarlett Walker had gained access to the most prominent underground fighting platform.

She ignored all the stares and walked towards the ring.

"I think you're lost, Mrs. Walker" the familiar announcer said to her, not recognising her one bit.

She returned her gaze to the man in front of her "My names Crimson Rose."

"What? that can-"

Her harsh glare stopped him in his sentence "Hurry up and start the match."

After a moment of deliberation the announcer turned back round to face the audience and introduced her — every onlooker had a face of mortification, never in their wildest dreams would they ever think for a second that the influential Scarlett Walker was the same Crimson Rose.

She entered the ring with nothing but cold malice on her features, that's when each spectator knew she meant business.

The crowd began cheering her name, but instead of cheering Crimson Rose — they started cheering Scarlett — she ignored them though, she ignored the way they admired her even more.

Her first match was easy — her opponent didn't stand a chance against her, he barely landed any punches on her but she had a reason to fight.

Soon enough Scar won the second match against another fighter.

The crowd went wild as they thought they were going to witness her third and final match which would gladly give her the title but she didn't. Much to everyone's disappointment Scarlett stepped down from the cage and exited the Arena.

She, again, ignored the way everyone was telling her to go back and fight.

Scarlett didn't want to waste her very last match on a random fighter — No — She was saving that match for someone else.

This was her objective tonight, fight  — win — then leave the last match for the fighter that put Mark in Hospital.

Scarlett was going to get revenge for Mark. It was in that moment where she swore that she would get him the retribution he deserved — it's the least she could possibly do — even if it was the last thing she would ever do.