Devils Roses 01 - Cursed

agony.
    His hard face was tragically beautiful, but like all great works of art, he had a flaw. I could read his face like a book. He was leaving me or was I leaving him, I just didn’t know which one it was. It didn’t matter.
    “ When?” I whispered, so my dad wouldn’t hear.
    Aleks closed his eyes for a second. “I don’t know. I should already be at my next place, but I can’t leave you. I can fight the urge to leave a while longer, I think.”
    “ Will you ever come back?” my whisper cracked under the emotional strain.
    He bit his upper lip. He was hesitating and finally sighed. “I don’t know. I shouldn’t.”
    I felt a tear slip from my tired eyes and I whispered, “Then just leave now and let me die in peace.”
    He gripped my hand harder. “Don’t say that. I love you more than anything. I can't bear the thought that I will have to leave you, let alone live in a world where you don’t exist."
    "Just leave. I want to die in peace." He took a step away from me and was across the room in an instant.
    My dad came to my bedside, his eyes were puffy and distressed. “Aimes. Hey kiddo, you’re awake. You’re leaving for Portland here in a minute, how are you feeling?”
    I nodded licking my lips. “Pretty good Dad, just tired.” I looked behind my dad to see the older police officer. “Corporal Williams,” I whispered.
    He nodded at me and walked into the room. “I just want you to know that we have him, it's air tight. His house was full of the stuff to make the drugs. We have everything being sent to labs to ensure it’s the same, but I know it is. We found a shrine to your friend Giselle, pictures of your sister and Jaime. His handwriting appears to match the love letters too. So I want you to be able to go to the city at peace with this.” His eyes glistened and he put a hand on my dad's shoulder and squeezed.
    “ Thanks.” I nodded.
    Aleks stood in the corner of the room, watching me intently. I had a hard time looking at anyone but him. I wanted him to be mine. I wondered if I died, if we could be sort of angels together. I could live with that option.
    I looked at my dad’s sad face and felt guilty for even feeling okay with dying to be with a boy.
    “ Take care and I hope you have a speedy recovery. See you around, Don.” The corporal left.
    “ Thanks.” My dad smiled at him and turned back to me. “Well, at least that part is over.”
    I nodded, not sure whether to throw up or go back to sleep.
    The stretcher came as Shane did. He looked sexy. He was changed into jeans and a t-shirt that stretched across his chest.
    He smiled as he ran his hands through his hair. “Aimee, you are by far, the worst prom date— ever.” He knelt at my bedside and kissed my hand. I looked to the corner to see Aleks' jaw clench. His eyes looked savage as he watched Shane kiss my hand and my cheek. Shane's face was a mess.
    “ Yeah, well it was my pleasure.” I smiled back at him.
    His face was full of tension, he was working hard to contain.
    “ They’re taking her now Shane, are you coming with me to Portland?”
    I was stunned my dad asked him that.
    Shane nodded. “Yeah. I'll drive Mr. James, you look beat.”
    He never took his eyes off of me as he spoke. It was comforting, knowing I was going to have him there for my dad.
    The quiet of the hospital broke with the shrill screams of my sister. “Aimee, Aimee!” She was searching for me. No doubt running through the halls of the hospital in full gown. I could swear I heard her heels clicking.
    Her face was panic stricken as she jumped on me, crushing me a little.
    “ Aimes, oh my God. Are you okay?”
    I nodded, as her skinny arms choked me. “Yeah, just need to go to the city and get checked out.”
    She nodded, taking a huge gulp. “They took Jaime too, this afternoon. I think that fucker should get a life sentence. Or a death sentence.”
    “ Alise!” my dad whispered harshly.
    Alise frowned at him. “Well, I do. His drug's a poison that’s nearly killed everyone I love. I can say whatever I want.” Alise started to cry. I wanted to comfort her, but she just did the drama so well, I could barely watch. She sat still on my bed looking at me with tears running down her perfect face onto her full lips. Her eyes looked like molten silver, they were so shiny.
    Blake walked in looking worried but also confused. He was in shock still. He obviously couldn't believe that the man he loved so dearly, could have been the rapist. I