Shattered Heart & Broken Mind
TW - mention of abuse, guns, stab wounds
Callie POV
I cried until I couldn’t. I cried so hard to the point I could barely breathe and I was inhaling harshly trying to get air in my lungs. I’m so fucking terrified right now for Rhea. We haven’t been apart for that long and I find out she’s been shot and now stabbed right in her gunshot wound. Honestly what the fuck is going on with Ateez. Chan told me that they would protect her at all costs, that I didn’t need to worry. And I know from what she said in the car on the way here. I know her heart is completely broken. I’ve seen her heartbroken twice. From two piece of shit guys who claimed they loved her, then proceeded to manipulate and gaslight her. Mentally physically and verbally abusing her. As if she hadn’t already been traumatized enough growing up. I need to ask Chan if Rhea will be with us now instead but my mind won’t form words my mouth won’t move, I can feel my eyes are swollen from crying so hard, my throat aches.
Felix and Jeongin are doing their best to try and console me but nothing works. Nothing will make me feel better until I see Rhea awake and talking. She’s been in surgery for almost two hours now and we haven’t had an update yet. Sitting here with all sixteen guys. Hongjoong and Yeosang left for about twenty minutes and I could honestly care less about where they went. Seonghwa, Yunho and Jongho sat in the seats and I can see tears streaming down their faces. Mingi, Wooyoung and San sat with their heads in the hands and not moving.
Chan and Hyunjin left for ten minutes too. I knew they wouldn’t tell me whats going on considering the situation with Rhea right now. She’s the only family I have left. I grew up bouncing from foster house to foster house until I aged out. She was abused by every single member of her family until she was eighteen and moved out. I’ve seen her covered in bruises and cuts, occasionally she would have broken bones too. It pissed me off so much but there was nothing I could do but be here for her. The second we both turned eighteen we found a place together and lived together for a couple years until we got studio apartments, but still working at the same place and seeing each other everyday. Every person that’s come through her life has tried so hard to beat her down and now she suffers from bad panic attacks and ptsd. They made her think she’s unlovable and worthless
She’s strong but so fragile at the same time. She’s kind and polite to everyone she meets and wouldn’t hesitate to help someone in need. Her heart has stayed the same, pure gold. I’ll do whatever I have to, I will always protect her however I can
I was too absorbed in my thoughts thinking about everything Rhea and I have been through, trembling in my seat and on the verge of hyperventilating when a nurse finally came over, two and a half hours later.
*Who here is a family member to, Rhea* I immediately stood up
*That would be me, she’s my sister* not biologically but it’s true. I didn’t care. I just needed to see her
*She’s done with surgery now and in the ICU, I can take you to see her but she’s still heavily sedated right now and will most likely be unconscious for the next several hours, I’ll get the doctor to come talk to you as well. Two visitors at a time*
I immediately jumped forward eager for her to take me to see Rhea when I looked over and saw Yeosang and Mingi trying to step forward too. They stopped when they saw me giving them a death glare, and I saw Chan motion for them to sit down.
The nurse took me up to the ICU, into her private room. And I had to force myself to not collapse at the sight. An IV in her arm, a breathing tube down her throat and a bunch of other machines I couldn’t tell what they were. Tears started pouring from my eyes
*I’ll get the doctor to come speak with you asap* I nodded and blubbered out a thank you and went and sat in the chair beside her bed and taking her hand in mine. My vision blurred from the tears coming from my eyes and sobs coming from my chest. The doctor came in a couple minutes after the nurse left
*Hello, I’m Rhea’s doctor and Im here to tell you about her condition* he was waiting for me to respond and the best I could do was a tiny head nod and tried to stop crying so I can hear him speak
*She was stabbed very deeply on the right side of her body, she has thirty stitches from under her right breast and down into her abdomen, she will need to be in the ICU for a minimum of three days before moving to a different ward. We saved all of her organs, but while she was under the anesthesia her breathing became very shallow so we had to insert a breathing tube. Her recovery will take around three months and she will need to be in for a check up every two weeks until fully recovered. Your sister is a very strong woman and a fighter. Shes going to be okay*
*Thank you so much doctor for saving my sister. I’m forever grateful to you* he gave me a smile and walked out of the room to return her chart to the nurses station.
A big wave of relief washed over me. Rhea is going to be okay. She really is strong and a fighter. Now to patiently wait for her to wake up. I guess I’ll go down and give Chan an update. Leaving her room and walking to the nearest elevator, forcing my tired legs inside and pushing the button for the lobby. The doors opened and I can see all sixteen of them sitting there waiting. Chan was the first to notice me and he came rushing over immediately and I told him everything the doctor told me, getting out the last word, all I remember is collapsing on the ground, Chan yelling my name. And everything went black
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Opening my eyes I began to panic. I need to get back to Rhea and I start to try to move myself even though I wasn’t full aware yet. Felix had me curled up on his lap with a blanket. I tried to push myself up so I can go back to the ICU but he held me down
*Whoa Callie, slow down for a minute okay. You passed out, for a while I might add. I need you to just take a moment and breathe okay, tell me what you need* - Felix
It was hard not to melt hearing him speaking with his deep voice. I did as he said, I tried to control my breathing and he rubbed my back while I did. And eventually I was okay. I was fully awake and aware of my surroundings.
*Felix I need to go back to Rhea’s room, I need to be there when she wakes up*
*Okay no problem love just settle down. The nurse said there were two visitors allowed at a time so I’ll take you up to see her* - Felix
Keeping me in his arms and starting to walk towards the elevator when I caught a look between Chan and Hongjoong making me a little suspicious about what they were planning. Whatever. I need to see Rhea. We stepped into the elevator and made our way back into the ICU with me guiding Felix where to go, stepping into Rhea’s room
Rhea POV
My eyes shot open as my body started to tremble and I began to panic. There’s a tube in my throat and I can’t breathe. I looked over wide eyed and saw Callie and Felix standing beside me bed and hearing her yelling for the nurse. I heard the nurse telling them to step out as he stepped forward with another nurse, one holding me in place and the other standing beside my head and counting to three removing the tube from my throat
I gasped harshly and tried to choke out a thank you and they said no worries let us know if you need anything else before walking away
I laid here having a coughing fit with pain stabbing all over my body. The sedation wearing off. And when I finally calmed down I started to cry, it didn’t hurt so much anymore, they must have me on pain medication through my IV. Callie and Felix rounded the corner coming back into my room and I began to sob. I was so happy to see her, I missed her so much. I held out my arm for her to come to me and hugged her as tight as I could, feeling her crying as well. I briefly noticed through my blurry vision Felix leaving the room and not long after Hongjoong came walking in