Chapter 5.

Rosa POV.

I go completely still with his words. That conniving little bitch has been wiping my memories. So this is all true! More reason to put me down. If I’m dead, then neither of them can do jack shit!

“Ok, I believe you. So what do we do?” I ask as my skin sizzles and I wince.

“Please remove the restraints. I am willing to do what is needed to protect the world.” I say I look down and think if they release me, I can run again and then I can take matters into my own hands. I can jump to my death or I could poke a bear. Or anything, really. All I know is that I can’t go back into the world. I have been away too long for that to work.

“I will remove the wrist restraints, but the collar needs to stay on.” Well, that is better than anything, really. If I go ahead with the plan to end myself, at least neither Cece nor Jadara can then stop me.

My mom comes close to me with the key and I hold my arms out and she unlocks each cuff and they fall onto the bed, taking some of my burnt skin with them, and I scream out.

“Mother fucker!” I scream. My eyes screwed shut tight when she bites her wrist.

“Rosa, open your mouth.” She says, and I open my mouth and tilt my head back as tears stream down the side of my face.

“Good, you are healing.” She says and I open my eyes and look at my wrists and they are healed and there are no scars. I breathe a breath of relief.

“What about the collar? That is burning too.” I say and they look at me like they are going to fall for it. Of course they won’t. I huff out a breath and cross my legs on the bed.

“Ok, well, this was nice. Can I go now?” I ask and my dad chuckles as he moves and sits next to me.

“I’m afraid not, sweetie. You will be staying with Charlie.” My eyes widen. You have got to be bloody kidding me?

“What? No, I am not staying with him. He caused all this, dad. There is no bond. I don’t even want to look at him or be near him, for that matter. Besides, he has responsibilities and I will not be responsible for him fucking up his family life.” I say and fold my arms over my chest and look anywhere but at Charlie.

“Rosa, I don’t have a ...”

“Save it. I don’t want to know. Whatever your deal is with my parents, then I would say it’s fulfilled. With this collar on, they are contained, right?” I ask, looking at my mom and dad, not sparing Charlie a glance, and my mom nods her head.

“Excellent, then we have nothing to worry about. Now, if you don’t mind, I would like to use the bathroom. Instead of coping a squat behind a damn bush.” I stand and move towards the door.

“Rosa, bathroom is through there.” Charlie says as I hang my head. Ok hopefully there is a window or something.

“Thank you.” I say as I turn and shoulder barge him in his arm as I move past him into the bathroom. I slam the door behind me and I lean against it. I look around ok it is nice in here. I’m not lying. I could really use the toilet, so I do. Once I’m done, I turn the tap on and oh my god, hot water. I moan as I wash my hands and rid my arms of the blood looking up at the window above the toilet. Perfect.

“Rosa, what are you doing in there?” Charlie’s voice rings out and I smirk at myself in the mirror, which is now steaming up.

“Washing the blood away let me have a few minutes, for fuck’s sake. It has been a while since I’ve had hot water.” I say and he sighs. I take my finger and write, Bye Fish Boy! With a smiley face on the mirror, and turn the taps full and creep towards the toilet.

I close the lid quietly and stand on it. I unlock the window and pull myself up and use my foot to flush the toilet as I wiggle out of the window.

I drop down on to the soft ground and scramble up to my feet. I smile and take off running. I turn as I jog and give the finger to the cabin.

“Sayonara fucker!” I run, trying to figure out where I am and find a path, so I push on faster and harder as my throat burns. When I hear a howl, my eyes go wide as I turn my head, looking for them. When I turn back around and bounce off something and land on my ass.

“Ouch!” I look up, rubbing my head and see the smirk and raised eyebrow of Charlie.

“And where do you think you are going?” well shit! He chuckles and offers me his hand and I take it and pull myself up and dust my pants down.

“I wanted fresh air. See fresh air.” I say breathing in big lung fulls as I catch my breath. Before I take my chance and run again, only to be lifted in muscular arms. His arms wrap around my waist as I’m hauled up, my back to his chest, and I scratch and wiggle to break his hold.

“Rosa, you keep doing that and it won’t make a difference or have you forgotten I am stronger and bigger than you. little ass!” I throw my head backwards, hoping to catch his face, but hit his hard chest.

“Why are you so damn hard?” I ask when he laughs out loud. My face burns with embarrassment.

“I didn’t mean what you think. I mean, your chest is so ... Never mind. Put me down Charlie.” I say, and I wriggle more to get down when he lifts me higher and my feet dangle. It sucks being short. I fold my arms over my chest as he carries me back towards the cabin.

Well, that didn’t work out as planned, did it? As we approach the cabin again, I see my mom and dad outside. Mom is standing with her arms folded and her hip popped to the side and my dad is fighting a laugh. Yeah, it looks like they knew I was going to run. Fuck!

“Nice try Rosa. But you seem to forget we know you and your tricks. So, shall we start again?” I sigh and lean my head back, only to see Charlie smirking down at me.

“Fine, I will accept your help. Just put me down, you big oaf.” I say and he chuckles before he places me on the ground. I go to run again when he grabs me by the back of my shirt.

“Not so fast. You and I Rosa are going to be spending a lot of time together. Just like we did when we were kids. So come on, roomie, how bad can it be?” He paces his enormous arm over my shoulder, pulling me to his side. Goddess, what have I agreed to?