The Guardian's Return by Old Pumpkin

Stephen had been having nightmares. In his sleep, he found himself back in the room where Jeremy was executed. However, the person lying in the bed kept changing. Sometimes it was Snow or George, and other times he was Julius.

All Stephen could do was watch as each one of them died in front of him, and the one giving the execution order was him.

He saw their faces clearly in the last moments-full of regret, disappointment, and despair. He wanted to look away, but he could not. Once the drugs wore off, he woke up with his forehead glistening with sweat.

The ward was quiet. Slowly, he sat himself up. That was when he noticed someone beside him. He turned to look and was shocked by what he saw. It was Jeremy, dead and covered in blood and mud, crawling towards him.

Panicked, Stephen fell off the bed and crashed onto the floor. The sound startled Rachel awake, and she looked up to see Stephen on the floor.

"What happened?" She quickly went up to him, trying to help him.

"Don't come near me! Don't touch me!" Stephen screamed in horror.

Rachel froze, hurt and disappointed by his outburst. She had stayed here all night caring for him, and that was how he treated her? Still, they were married, and she was his wife.

first." Rachel

sudden, Stephen slapped

stunned. She could not believe what just happened. Tears filled her eyes. Why did she stay back

duty quickly came over to check on them. Seeing Stephen

had slapped Rachel. However, how could it have

"I'm sorry," he apologized.

falling apart, and after the slap,

cheek and muttered, "It's fine. I'll go wash my

of

"Ethan..."

failure. Moreover, he was abusive and had sent her father to jail, yet his apology did not sound sincere. He would

for her cheek and then returned to the ward, but she kept her distance from him. Stephen noticed the distance

morning, Nolan and

room, they saw Stephen on the bed and Rachel sleeping on the other with her

"What happened?" Simon asked.