Rose:

One Week Later:

I asked Kev to help with Sven. I’ve barely seen or talked to him since the kiss. That kiss made me… I can’t even think about it. I’ve never felt anything like that. But he’s in the goddamn mafia! It’s easy to see the show he puts on here and forget his life of violence, crime and pain. Plus, he’s a patient. It’s not even a hard limit. It’s a solid brick wall of a limit, and he still looks at me like he’s going to win. I hate him.

“Rose! Can we speak to you for a moment? I would get you and Kev, but Kev needs to watch them. I’ll have you tell Kevin,” Mr. Rollins says.

“Sure. What’s up?”

“My office.”

He extends his arm and I walk into his office where Dr. Bradford is already seated. My heart starts pounding. It’s been a week, but did they find out about the kiss? No, they can’t have. Oh my gosh. I’ll die if that’s the reason I get fired.

“Ye…. yes?” I ask, hands shaking. Totally ready to cry.

Dr. Bradford laughs. “Rose, you look so nervous. It’s nothing bad.”

“Oh,” I exhale heavily. Mr. Rollins looks at me curiously but doesn’t say anything. I don’t either. It’s best they forget that little mini panic attack.

“No, the reason we brought you in here is because a client is graduating.”

I sit up straighter. A huge smile spreads across my face. Maybe it’s Ben. He deserves it. He’s been so good with his meds and hasn’t had an episode in a while.

“Yes! Sven Xander. He’s done everything we’ve asked. He’s opened up about his past, which is the strongest indication he’s not messing with us. He’s been very open in the group, well behaved despite what’s typical of him. We think he’s ready.”

My heart explodes in my chest. “No! He’s not ready.”

Both of them look at me curiously. “Is there something we don’t know about Rose?”

YES! I'm really scared what he’s gonna do when he gets released. Why do I feel like I’m in danger? Is this why he’s been looking at me so smug all week? He knew! He’s been planning this.

Shit.

And I insulted him. Really shit.

“Um no. I just really don’t think he is ready.”

“Rose, you know we respect your opinion. You’re a very smart girl,” but… “but it is our professional opinion that we have no further reason to hold him here.”

“So, he commits a crime and spends just one month in treatment!”

“It’s not our place to say. Our job is to say when he is ready to be released back into society. To report whether or not he’s participated in treatment.”

“This is bullshit!”

Both of them look at me shocked. I never act this way at work.

“Jeff, do you mind if I have a moment alone with Rose here?”

“Of course,” Mr. Rollins says. He pats my back on the way out.

Shit. Dr. Bradford knows my background. I'm so stupid. Once the door clicks shut Dr. Bradford turns to me in full on psychiatrist mode.

“Rose. I am aware of what he is. Has he threatened you in any way? Is there anything I don’t know? This behavior is unlike you.”

“No… he hasn’t threatened me.” Maybe it’s all in my head. I don’t know.

“Please sit Rose.”

Uh, I’d rather not. I take a seat anyway though. Dr. Bradford is very kind. He almost reminds me of Santa in a weird way. A full white beard, beer belly, rosy cheeks and kind eyes. Kind, penetrating eyes that see right into your soul!

“I’ve been worried about you. Kristy has too.” The two people who know my past. Just great. “You look thin. You seem agitated. How are you doing?”

“Fine.”

“Come on Rose. I’ve known you for years. You know I'm not going to buy that. Be honest with me.”

“I don’t know if it is all in my head,” I confess.

“What do you mean?”

“I feel like… I don’t know. He hasn’t threatened me, but I feel like he’s gonna do something to me when he leaves. I feel threatened. Even though he hasn’t threatened me. Oh my God, I'm going crazy. You’re going to commit me.”

I drop my face into my hands. “Rose, Rose listen to me. It makes sense.”

My head snaps up. “It does? I'm not crazy.”

“No Rose. You’re not crazy.” Just hearing those words from him makes me feel so much better. “It makes sense. You were caught off guard as a child. Although this is a much different scenario, you don’t want to be caught off guard again. You just have to realize that just because somebody is criminal doesn’t mean they have a connection to you. Does that makes sense?”

“Yes Dr. Bradford. Thank you so much. I feel… a lot better.”

“Rose. My door is always open to you. Anytime.”

“Thank you,” I stand up. “Honestly, that helped a lot. It’s just good to know I'm not crazy.”

He chuckles. “You’re not crazy Rose, but please, eat a little more okay?”

“Yes sir.” I blush.

“Good. Now go grab Sven for me so I can let him know.” Just like that, my heart rate picks up again. “Rose. Our talk. Remember okay?”

“Yes sir. Grabbing him now.”

I scatter out of the room. Kev is with Ben and Will. Sam, Carson and Mike are doing a puzzle, and Sven is writing. A lot. He’s so focused. I stare at him for a moment. He’s usually annoyed, bored or playful, but right now his eyebrows are furrowed in dark concentration. I want to know what he’s writing. As quietly as I can I walk over there. I look over this shoulder. I have my eyebrows furrowed, trying to make out his small, perfectly capped handwriting when he catches me. Without even looking up or stopping what he’s doing.

“You can keep reading, but be prepared for the consequences of having this knowledge.”

I leap back. He laughs and sets his pen down, folding the paper and placing it in his pocket. “Oh, she speaks to me again.”

“I wasn’t avoiding you.”

He side stares at me. “Don’t lie little Rose.”

“Fine, I was. Anyway,” I quickly change the subject before he brings up the kiss, “Dr. Bradford wants to speak with you.”

An evil smile spreads across his lips. “Now does he?”

“Yes.”

Sven stands up. All six feet three of him, towering over me. He gets right in my space and gently pushes my hair back, making sure no one is looking.

“This is where it gets fun little Rose.”

He taps under my chin and walks off. I stop breathing. My heart stops beating.

You just have to realize that just because somebody is criminal doesn’t mean they have a connection to you.

You just have to realize that just because somebody is criminal doesn’t mean they have a connection to you.

… But what he said had to mean something, right?

Am I losing it for real?

I run to the restroom and stare at myself in the mirror for several long minutes before walking back out. I run straight into Kev.

“Hey Kev,” I say shakily.

“Hey Rose. I wanted to ask you something before we start our paperwork.”

“O… kay.”

“Um, I was wondering if you wanted to… well, um, if you wanted to go out with me. Tonight. Um, yeah. I think you’re really great Rose.”

My head rears back in shock. What? Kev? Likes me. Really? I'm tempted to say no, because I don’t really like him that way, but Kev is super nice, hard-working, he respects me. I’d be an idiot to say no. I mean he’s good looking too, with his abs and dirty blonde surfer hair. We have similar interests.

“Uh sure. Yeah, I’ll go out tonight… with you.”

“Really?” His eyes light up. “Great. Um, seven? So we both have time to get off work, relax a sec and get ready.”

“Sounds great Kev.”

His whole face is so lit up, it actually makes me feel really good. “Thanks Rose.”

He scatters off. I shake my head and smile. I don’t like him that way, but maybe I could learn to.

“Really? That guy?”

I spin around to see Sven standing leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. The top buttons of his shirt are undone and the gold rings he always wears glisten in the light. I’ve always known this, but he just ingrains it further in my head. Evil sure is beautiful.

“Congratulations on your discharge Mr. Xander.”

Distance. Put. Distance. Between. Us. He ignores what I say and stalks towards me with dark eyes. He runs his hand along my chin. His touch is soft compared to the rough feel of his skin, but I know. I know it’s a threat.

“Call me what you want little Rose, but you’re mine.”

“No.”

“You’ll see.”

He tears his hand away and stalks off, angry. I can feel it emanating off him, even though he manages to stay in control.

“Sven! Sven!” I scream.

No.

I drop my face into my hands. I'm in real trouble. I know it, and no one will ever believe me. Because it’s me. Because I have PTSD. Because of who my father is.