New day, New wife?

The door opened with a thud and she walked in with her outfit on and her mask still on her face as she looked me in the eyes her deep blue eyes were just as deep as ever but something felt different. I found myself blushing as the memories came back to me. The memories of my half-conscious state as doctors began talking. Then I blacked out again and then awoke to her having my sister transferred somewhere and her looking at me.

"I told you if you keep your end I'll keep mine and I've done my part, and we can talk about your part later when you're mentally and physically stable."

Then I blacked out again and woke up here. As if through memory my body began hurting from every movement I made as my bones and muscles ached. She chuckled and then pulled out a phone while bringing me the plate of food.

"You probably shouldn't be moving there youngin. Here breakfast and a phone call with your sister. After that, I'll be back with some paperwork and you better keep your end of the deal. Tulip is quite the understanding girl, also it's quite cute your parents named you after flowers Rose Evergarden."

She handed me the plate and the phone and I couldn't help but cry seeing my sister on the screen looking at me, smiling. I haven't seen her smile since before she was diagnosed. The tears rained down as she waved.

"Hey sis, I saw you on the game. The way Big Sis saved you was so cool and she even moved me into a different place not too far from you. Big sis told me you were going to marry her is that true?"

The twinkle in her eyes that once had faded was now back and brighter than ever and I couldn't hold back my emotions as Jess left the room.

"Tulip, are you ok, you not hurt? Where are you at, did somebody hurt you?"

I found myself worried about her and wanted to see where she was at and talk to her doctors and shield her but I couldn't. I remember the first time she was diagnosed 5 months ago. Tulip's 9th birthday was coming up and she suddenly fell unconscious. When we found out she was diagnosed with stage 1 liver cancer we were shocked, but life only got worse from there.

Our father was in the military and he was killed on deployment due to rebel insurgents not even two days after her diagnosis. Then as if to kick us while we were down my mother died in a hit-and-run with a drunk driver. It was the most heartbreaking thing ever. But I couldn't cry, not while my sister was in the hospital.

Days continued to drone on till I lost my job and I couldn't afford the bills. I felt so broken and destroyed till I saw the ad on TV. Millions of dollars to anyone who played the games and survived. I thought it was just a game of darts or paintball but then I saw people being killed and finding gold. It was a risk I needed to take.

Now I'm here, in an unfamiliar room with my sister seeming happy and healthy for the first time in forever. After I hung up with her promising to call again Jess came back in and sat on the edge of the bed next to me, looking at me.

Maybe it was from seeing her happy or because of the feeling I no longer had to smile, I cried. I felt hands wrap around me and pull me into something soft but I couldn't think or see through the tears. I just cried.

"It's ok I know how you feel cry all you need to, I'm not going anywhere till you are ready."

Those were the words I remembered hearing as I cried mourning my mom and dad.

...

I woke up to a bowl of soup, new dry clothes, and a note on the nightstand next to the bed. I slowly sat up and reached out for the soup. I felt as if I hadn't eaten in years but I remember eating breakfast before I passed out. I decided to get changed and eat the food but the clothes were oversized on me.

"Are these her clothes? If I remember correctly she was taller than me, but then again I hadn't ever seen her standing side by side with me. Aaagh, what am I thinking this is merely just her saving me and helping me. Right?"

I turned to the TV and noticed the video from the game yesterday and I decided to turn it up.

"Latest news, the survivors of the recent Darkzone Games was none other than our number one player Jess Merriweather the shadow queen. And boy were things spicy, Jack tell the people about this clip here."

"Sure thing Mike, you see in this moment of this popular video our cold-hearted queen unfroze her heart and asked our young rookie contestant named Rose Evergarden to marry her. You heard that right folks she saved this girl's life in return for marriage. What do you think inspired this in her mike?"

"I don't know Jack but whatever it was it seems to be being kept behind closed doors, Literally. Many reporters have attempted to contact Miss Rose or even her sister who was said to have been transferred to a special hospital but Jess's security team has been keeping the public away. Jess has refused to do interviews for the time being and ever since the video of Jess carrying Rose into her home the media has been asking one question! Who is this Rose Evergarden, and why did our shadow queen pick her to marry?"