Death's Exception

Chapter Twenty-Nine

The air in this room has become so familiar to me. It is cold, damp, and entirely unwanted. I just need to get out of here. I just need to escape these four walls, because if I don't, Dr. Finley will come and take me back to the lab, which decreases the chances of my seeing Titus again. And I cannot afford that. I have been reduced to sitting on the frigid stone floor, gnawing on the inside of my cheek. Wrestling with the conversation Dr. Finley and I had constantly. Replaying it in my head over and over.

I used to be able to draw a line between the side of the angels and the demons. These people are good, and these bad. But that is not how life works. Life is not full of angels, neither is it full of demons. It is full of humans trying to make it. And sometimes this world makes us out to be one or the other, but it isn't true. I do not want to condemn someone who is made out to be a demon, because way too often are we the ones who made them that way. This world makes the demons, and the angels are just the ones lucky enough to bare life with a smile.

"Rory!" I look up slowly, recognizing the voice. My hair falls in to my face. There is Titus. He looks like he hasn't slept in days, and his grey T-shirt is tattered and worn. He shifts from one foot to the other, and I notice him wince. I stand, slowly. Suddenly a lot more concious about my appearance. His leg is wrapped up at the thigh, and it is almost completely red with the blood that is seeping through his blue jeans. I rush to him, and he wraps his arms around me tightly. I bury my face in his chest, crying.

"What happened, Titus?"

"I was coming to rescue you fantastically, and one of the gaurds decided to stab me." He laughs, but it is cut short by a groan. I lead him to the bench, and notice Dr. Thorn and Molly standing at the door. I take the dirty bandage from his thigh, and rip a replacement from his T-Shirt. "Come on, Rory. I am fine. I-" His voice drifts off as Molly comes and hugs me and starts to cry.

"I don't want to go back to my daddy. Please don't give me back to him." She begs. I stroke her hair, barely able to hold back my own tears.  Titus looks down at me with tight lips, and wide sad eyes. I pull Molly into my lap, and lift her chin to meet eye contact with her. Tears are surrounding her eyes, but I can tell that she is trying to be brave.

"Molly, your daddy loves you very much. He really wants you to come back to him." She shakes her head, and pouts out her lip.

"No. He hates me. He hurts me." Titus rests his hand on my knee.

"Molly, Dr. Thorn is going to take care of you. Okay?" He says, his words full of pain. Dr. Thorn kneels beside us, and opens his arms to Molly. She looks at him unsure.

"Molly, my dear girl. Did you know, that your name means Beloved? That is what you shall be to me. I will protect you, and make sure you live happily." Molly smiles a little, and looks up at Titus. He nods a little, and she walks over to Dr. Thorn. He smiles down at her, and grabs her little hand in his wrinkled one.

"I will give you two a moment. Then you both will need to leave." Dr. Thorn says urgently. I nod. He walks out of the room with Molly, as she talks his head off about a book she is loving. I sigh heavily, and lay my head on Titus' bony shoulder. He lays his head on mine.

"Having a stab wound in your leg kinda sucks." I stand, and put my face in my hands.

"This is all my fault. Titus, I am becoming Dr. Finley, and I am hurting you in the process. I just-"

"Aurora Destiel!" I shake my head, not baring to look him in the face, "Oh, come here and let me hold you, for goodness sakes!" I keep my hands on my face, but I sit beside him, and let him wrap his arms around me and pull me into his chest tightly. "Rory, listen to me. You are not becoming Dr. Finley. He is just making you think that, so you unwravel. It is all a part of his plan. You are Rory. The smart, sweet, beautiful phenomenon that I have fallen in love with." He wipes a tear from my eye, and kisses me on the forhead.

"We need to find a hospital for your leg." He shifts uncomfortably, causing me to reposition.

"I suppose we do. But we need to keep you-" I sit up abruptly. "OW!" I look at him apologetically, but set my jaw.

"Enough about me, Titus. You need help. The stab wound in your leg is very hurt, and I will not risk you getting even more hurt than you already are. Do you hear me?" He smiles a little.

"Yes ma'am." I roll my eyes.

"What happened while I was gone, Titus?" He sneers, and closes his eyes.

"Don't make me relive it. I thought you were dead, and I gave Carter a black eye." I laugh.

"I promise I am not dead."

"Good. Because you are not allowed to die." He says, jokingly, but I feel like I have been stabbed in the gut. I had almost completely forgotten about the fact that I am dying. Not only am I dying, but I have increased the pain I will leave behind. At the thought, I clench up, and Titus recognizes it. "Is everything okay, Rory?" Before I can answer, the door swings open. It is Kate. She is holding a medical kit. 

"I hear someone needs some doctoring. Oh, Titus," Kate looks lovingly at Titus, and he laughs.

"Oh, looks like I am not the only one who needs doctoring! Look at my beautiful pregnant foster-sister!" She giggles, and hugs Titus. 

"I will fix you up, and then you two have to get on your way. Dr. Finley will be here to retrieve you in an hour." I coral my hair onto one shoulder, anxiety filling my stomach. Where will we go? What will we do?