11. Paranoia (part 1)

Third POV:

Light. 

All that was visible was light, an overwhelming brilliance that seared through the eyelids of Rose. Despite the effort to squint and shield against the assault, the intensity persisted, refusing to relent.

All because her supposedly "dead" uncle hadn't quite grasped the concept of "I'm perfectly fine."

So, there she was, reluctantly escorted to the doctor in the dead of night, fresh from the harrowing events near the forest.

Naturally, she omitted the part about her ill-fated attempt to escape the town. Instead, she found herself recounting the encounter with the peculiarly beautiful yet infuriatingly condescending stranger she had stumbled upon in the wilderness.

No, she made sure to keep that particular detail to herself. The thought of divulging her encounter with the enigmatic stranger didn't even cross her mind, knowing all too well that her uncle's reaction would likely be far from pleasant.

So instead, she opted for a more mundane explanation. "Had a little fender bender," she told him with a shrug. "But I'm fine, got just a scratch. Can't say the same about your car, though. Sorry."

And apparently, that explanation didn't quite cut it, judging by Rose's current situation-- perched on a stool in front of a doctor who's currently flashing a light in her eyes, presumably to check for signs of a concussion.

But felt more like he was trying to melt her retinas.

At least Jake didn't express anger over his beloved Ferrari. Though, whether it's out of genuine concern for Rose's well-being or an attempt to dissuade her from leaving, she can't discern.

Her previous understanding of her uncle seems irrelevant now, as everything has shifted, everything feels different.

Rose felt like a changed person now.

"Now look up, Rose," the doctor's voice jolted her back from the train of thoughts that had consumed her for the past couple of minutes.

She closed her eyes and attempted to recalibrate them to the normal surrounding light, relieved now that he had taken mercy upon her burning pupils.

"The trauma to the head isn't severe, and there don't appear to be any concussion. It should heal on its own, but you need to keep it clean," the doctor addressed both Rose and Jake, standing beside her.

Upon hearing the doctor confirm Rose's good health, Jake visibly relaxed from his tense posture, a hint of concern evident in his demeanor.

Maybe he did care for her as much as he claimed.

"I've put the bandage on for now, but you'll need to keep changing it until it's healed. If you experience any headaches or feel dizzy in the coming weeks, you must come see me, okay?" The doctor instructed professionally.

"Yes I know the drill, doctor. If I puke I'm good as fu- doomed." She caught herself before the use of profanity in front of her uncle, she first need to affirm his level of cool to feel at ease.

"Well then I have nothing to worry about, you're a pro at this." The doctor jested causing to further relax the worried man.

Rose nodded in acknowledgment and began to rise from her seat. Meanwhile, Jake shook Dr. Allen's hand firmly, his tone carrying a hint of determination.

"Yes, of course, Dr. Allen. I'll make sure she's okay and doesn't get herself into trouble again," he said, his gaze shifting to Rose as he emphasized the last part of his statement.

Perhaps she was in a little bit of trouble if not a heap. She did total his sports car in all honesty. She should be more worried if he didn't care at all, after all he was her guardian from now on.

With a seemingly innocent smile, she nodded to both the doctor and Jake before turning to leave the hospital.

The late hour had quieted the bustling facility, leaving only a nurse at the reception desk and a handful of others scattered throughout the lobby.

As Rose stepped out of the building, the night air greeted her with an unexpected chill. She found herself wishing she had brought her jacket along. 

With each breath, a puff of condensation escaped her lips, an unusual occurrence considering it hadn't happened when she was out in the forest with that cocky stranger. 

The temperature seemed way colder now somehow than it had been earlier.

Was this drastic shift a common occurrence in this area, or was it just a one-time event?

Lost in her contemplation of the weather, Rose failed to notice the figure observing her from a distance.

A silhouette against the night, tall and broad-shouldered, it stood among the trees near the car parking lot.

But that didn't remain the case for long.

In the darkness of the night, Rose couldn't discern where the man's gaze was fixed, but his presence alone raised questions. 

As the only one outside the hospital at this late hour, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. 

But who was he, and what did he want? Was he even here for her or the poor man is just waiting for someone and Rose was only over thinking the whole thing.

Paranoia has never been one of her traits before but is it being brought on by the sudden changes and revelations in her life, all in one day.

In a moment of staring at the dark silhouette Rose blinked her eyes naturally quick and he was gone. 

A frown appeared as Rose looked side to side to catch the glimpse of the shadowy figure because it was hard to believe how someone could disappear in a literal blink of an eye.

Startled, Rose's heart leaped into her throat as a hand gripped her shoulder from behind, sending a jolt of fear coursing through her veins. 

The first thought; it was that shadowed figure behind her.