ཀ ཀ ཀ

Bryce's bony fingers grip the side of tub, bubbles making their way to the top as she presses her body against the bottom. Since she's been showing 'progress' she no longer had to be monitored while she bathed, but she did have to have an attendant stand outside of the bathroom and knock to check on her every three to five minutes so she couldn't stay under too long. She enjoyed the peace she felt while she was under. Everything else melted away as she wished she could give into the pressure on her lungs and stay under there forever til everything went dark...

They say drowning really isn't that bad once a person fully let's go, it's actually peaceful, your mind finally letting yourself be free.

Bryce emerges back to the top, breaking through the water as cold air rushes back into her lungs.

If only.

A knock echo's throughout the bathroom. "Bryce Forbes."

"Yes." Bryce answers, slowly sinking back into the scorching water. She's being discharged today. To go straight to the hospital for-

"You have two more minutes." The attendant warns.

A sigh escapes Bryce's cracked lips before she leans forward and plucks the drain plug up, hugging her knees as the water swirls down.

Today she would return home... and her sister might not even make it. The crunching sound of metal from the car crash replays over and over again in Bryce's mind as she mindlessly pulls herself out of the tub and begins drying off.

Her sister may not make it.

Caroline may not make it...

What would Bryce do with herself if she didn't?

ཀ ཀ ཀ

Bryce manages to pack her all things quickly even with disassociating as she does- not being allowed to have much making the process much easier. Her body went on autopilot, moving in slow motion as her brain froze in time, hallow but also pounding.

Dread lands in the pit of her stomach thinking of the meeting her therapist has to have with her mom, though better her mom than her father.

One of the nurses escorts her with her things to her therapist's office and her heart starts beating again for the first time since she was admitted into this place.

"Bryce." Liz looks at her daughter teary-eyed.

"Hi, mom." Bryce swallows the large air-bubble that lodged itself in her throat.

Liz stares at her daughter in awe before scooping her in tightly, not ever wanting to let one of her babies go again. Bryce hugs her mom back weakly, an overwhelming sense of safety washing over her being in her moms arms. She use to be so close to her, telling her mom every single minute of her day down to the very minute detail. But things changed, Bryce changed.

The ticking sound of the clock echo's in Bryce's mind, uneasiness settling in the pit of her stomach. Ever minute that passes by Caroline could be in surgery, or dying. And Bryce hasn't seen her in months. She didn't get to say goodbye... she didn't get to say anything.

Bryce drowned in her thoughts as her therapist spoke to her mother, only towards the end did she catch a bit of the conversation.

"I've already contacted her school counselor, to set up meetings she'll have with her when she returns to school." Linley, Bryce's therapist, informs Liz. "And you will have to monitor and make sure she takes the correct amount of her antidepressants each day. You must be present while she takes them..."

Bryce stares at the tiles, tracing the cracks until her mom finishes signing papers and stands.

"Thank you so much, Dr. Linley." Liz holds out her hand. "For everything you've done for my daughter."

Dr. Linley smiles. "Of course." She returns the gesture. "I'm proud of the progress she's made." Linley turns to Bryce causing her to snap her attention up. "We'll call or Skype once a week for the next couple months, and push it back to a monthly check up, sound good?"

Bryce nods tentatively, gnawing on the skin inside her cheek. She knew getting discharged wouldn't come without repercussions.

"Good." Dr. Linley smiles warmly. "Well, Bryce, I look forward to hearing from you, and I hope that your sister, your daughter." She nods towards Liz. "Is ok."

"Thank you." Liz breathes out. "You ready?" She looks to Bryce.

"Mhmm."

"We'll be in touch." Dr. Linley opens the door for them and Liz and Bryce are escorted out.

Liz hurriedly places Bryce's things in the trunk and Bryce heaves a sigh as she folds herself into the passenger seat, digging her nails into the sides of her legs.

ཀ ཀ ཀ

Gwendolyn and Bonnie arrive at the hospital, finding Matt in the waiting room.

Gwendolyn was still upset that Bonnie decided to not deactivate the Gilbert device without consoling her, as she probably would have agreed with her decision not to, but still wanted to be informed and included in the process. She understands she hasn't been very present since they returned home after Grams funeral, and before Grams passed away she had been out of the country studying abroad as a foreign exchanged student, so she's been disconnected from everything lately...

After Grams' death, she came home immediately, and after the funeral and time with family, Bonnie broke down and filled Gwendolyn in on everything, how could she not? Gwendolyn and Bonnie were as close as close could be. Beyond being cousins, they were best friends and have always been like sisters. Which is why when they talked daily while Gwendolyn was gone Bonnie felt immense guilt for not telling Gwendolyn about vampires, but what could Gwendolyn have done that many miles away?

What she did already know about though was witches. Being raised by Grams, she grew up hearing about magic all the time. Granted, she did think Grams was a bit kooky at first, but when she got older and started showing more signs, Grams sat her down and told her of their family lineage. Since Gwendolyn started showing signs earlier than Bonnie she was told first, thankfully before she was accepted into the foreign exchange program. Grams got to teach a few easy spells before she left and she continued to practice them while she was away.

Bonnie told Gwendolyn everything about vampires, Stefan and Damon Salvatore, the tomb... it was a lot for Gwendolyn to take in as she was also grieving. Because of this, once they returned home she took more time to herself, and to sort through Grams things at home... home. Where she was now alone.

"How's Caroline?" Bonnie asks Matt breathlessly, pulling Gwendolyn out of her messy string of thoughts. Neither of the Bennett girls still know the full story of what happened the night before.

Matt sighs. "She's not good, Bon."

Gwendolyn sucks in a sharp breath, suddenly nervous she would see her breakfast once again on the hospital tile very soon. She'd barely had time, no time actually, to catch up with anybody since being back, and now thinking she may never get to listen to her over-the-top blonde best friend made her feel all sorts of guilt for locking herself away from everyone and everything.

"What happened?" Bonnie takes a seat beside him, holding onto Gwendolyn's hand as she does.

"We were driving and, and Tyler heard this noise and, he got, he got this migraine or something." Matt explains, rubbing his temple for show while Gwendolyn and Bonnie exchange a glance of horror at the realization. "And... he lost control of the car and I...I thought that Caroline was fine and then.. and then she wasn't, so.." He stutters, trailing off as Bonnie squeezes Gwendolyn's hand.

Gwendolyn's brows pull together at Matt's words.

Why did device affect Tyler?

ཀ ཀ ཀ

𝟶ʙᴜᴛᴛᴇʀʙɪsᴄᴜɪᴛ𝟽 sᴘᴇᴀᴋs!

Hello, hello!! Welcome back to Cardiac Craving!!

Wanna start off by saying thank y'all so much for 200+ reads on this book so far!! And thank y'all for the sweet & fun comments, they're so motivating so def keep 'em coming <3333

Bryce is finally freeee & Liz is hereeee!! Also... Y'ALL GOT TO MEET GWENDOLYN!!! Oh I am SO excited for her & loved writing her pov!! Y'all also got some Gwendolyn loreeee!!

I hope y'all enjoyed this chapterrrr!! We're now getting the ball rolling & kicking off S2, I'm SOOOO excited!! I can't wait for all the things I have in store for this bookkkk hehe, so stick around & I'll y'all next time, mwah!! <3333

And happy 1 month to this bookkkk!!! 💋