Broken

• Chapter 46 •

- CLEMENTINE -

"Is she dead?"

"Yep, for sure. She's been like this forever now!"

"Do you think she'll go to heaven?"

"Definitely. She has the cleanest toes I've ever seen!"

Everything is blurry. For a second, I don't know who or where I am. I don't know how I got in this bed, or how I got in these clothes. Then, everything processes. Everything but the two doe-eyed children staring down at me.

"Zach, she's alive!"

The little boy runs up to my side and flutters his impossibly long eyelashes that encompass his large brown eyes down at me, blinking rapidly.

I sit up, disoriented. What the hell is going on? Where am I? I'm in a strange bed, in a strange room, with strange kids. Am I dreaming?

"Um, who are you?" my voice inaudible.

I frown, clear my throat, and try again.

Nothing.

The little girl looks up at me and smiles sweetly, "I'm Vanessa."

I study the children and realize they're twins. Identical blonde hair, identical brown eyes and impossibly long lashes. They're adorable, but I still don't know who they are. Suddenly, a familiar person walks in through the door, and my heart falls.

Ashton.

He looks surprised to see me up. He nods his head at me and looks down at the children, "Guys. Go do your homework, let her rest."

What the fuck is going on? My heart beats violently against my ribcage when memories resurface. Oh, God. Oh, my God. It wasn't a dream. I look around frantically, hyperventilating at this point. Ashton rushes towards me and frowns, a look of concern plays on his features. Ashton is concerned?

What am I even doing here with Ashton?

"Clementine, breathe. I'll explain," he places his hands on my knees and I freeze up.

He notices and awkwardly retracts his hands, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. I try to speak, but nothing comes out. I swallow, trying my hardest to force anything from my throat.

What am I doing here? I say.

All that emerges, however, is a high-pitched squeak. Ashton glowers.

"It's okay, don't speak. Does it hurt when you talk?" worry is etched across his face, he looks years older.

I nod, swallowing the painful lump in my throat and trying hard to make sense of this entire situation.

As though he's telepathic, he licks his lips and bows his head. "I saw you. I saw it happening, right across the street," he says and points a finger out the window. My heart sinks as I follow his gaze.

The building looks so much different in the daylight. Almost innocent, even. My stomach plummets, tears well in my eyes. I wonder how much more fucked up bullshit has happened to people on that wall. I wish I hadn't told Adrien I wanted to walk home. I wish I hadn't been so stubborn and stupid. I wish I could take back the entire night. Did he—

My eyes drop to my clothes. I look up at Ashton in fear, my face asking the words I can't vocalize. His eyes are deep blue, like the ocean.

"I don't know," his voice is a cracked whisper, as though fighting to get the words out. His fingers clamp around mine.

I release a breath, trying to get something out. But I can't.

He clenches his jaw and goes to his drawer, pulling out a notebook and a pen. He walks back to me and squats down in front of me, handing them to me.

How long have I been out? I write.

"Five hours."

His eyes meet mine, and I realize they aren't just blue. They have a few flecks of gold around the iris.

He clears his throat. "Is there a family doctor, nurse, or anyone with medical experience you know? I didn't want to take you to the hospital because of your name," his voice trembles, and it makes my heart ache.

I nod and gesture to my phone. He hands it to me and I dial Dona's number. When she picks up, I realize that my voice is gone, I hand the phone over to Ashton. He takes it from me hesitantly and speaks to her, debriefing the situation and giving her his address.

He looks back at me with crestfallen eyes.

Who were those kids?

"My siblings."