Chapter Text
On August 2nd 2020, Rosemary Winters was born to Mia and Ethan Winters. After everything that gone down in Louisiana, the simple family are living in Romania though things didn't go as planned... On Rose's first day of school when she was 5, things seemed alright until in the first week went by. When the teacher informed Ethan and Mia that white told was growing near Rose's assigned seat, it gotten to the point where Rose was isolated. And even if she was involved in games, she'd be given the roles as a monster, which made Rose just feel more terrible. With this, Ethan contacts Chris about this occurrence knowing it was connected to the Mold, forcing the Winters family to be taken back to America under BSAA supervision. After some physical exams, they finally confirm that Rose was born with some unique abilities. One's that could make her a powerful Bioweapon, so they keep her powers confidential to the public. Ethan took this news with shock, but still loved his daughter no matter what, but Mia has a harder time accepting it... Mostly due to her closer and more traumatic experience with the Baker Family and The Connections. But despite those terms, she still loved Rose as her daughter and with Ethans support managed her feelings to prioritise the family and Rose's well being. But this foundation crumbled when Ethan was critically ill and looked like he wasn't getting back up...
October 16th 2029:
Mia is crying in the hospital hall way, talking to Chris who was still shocked upon being told the truth about Ethan. How he survived so long in the Baker's house. Meanwhile, young Rosemary Winters at just 9 years old is on her tablet sitting next to her stuffed monkey plushy in the waiting room. The beeping sounds of monitors with the sterile cleaning smell that makes her nose twitch slightly. Rosemary could only see her mothers distraught expression and Chris's sorrow, though not understanding it fully herself. All she knows is that her dad is sick and he might not get better. While the adults argue and discuss, Rose slips into Ethans rooms. Seeing his body almost drained out, it startled the young girl. But she pushes past her fears and holds her dads hand. It's grip weaker then it used to be, Rose looks to Ethan with an innocent yet also worried look. "Daddy? I want to go home..." She said still scared but clinging to Ethans weak hand. Ethan however seemed more calm as if accepting his fate, his body connected to life support. Ethan held his daughters small hand as he smiled weakly and spoke "Me too honey... Just promise me, when you get home? You stay strong, and know that I'll always love you..." The monitor stops beating, as it goes flat. Ethan's hand went limp as Rose, horrified and upset began to shake her dad's hand.
"Daddy...? I'm scared, please wake up." Mia came in upon hearing the flatline, upon seeing her husband dead. Feelings of sorrow wash over her, Chris stands in the doorway with a stoic expression looking down at the floor. Mia approaches the bed, ignoring Rose who stepped aside confused and scared "Mommy? Are you okay?" Mia ignores her daughter's words of innocent concern, she falls to her knees her face buried in her hands with broken sobs. That structure that kept her together broke as she looks to Rose, that resentment coming back tenfold as she hissed "Get out..." "Mommy?" Rose places a hand on her mothers sleeve as Mia blinded by grief and resentment pushes little Rose away. "I said get out! Why can't you act like a normal kid for once instead of this?!" Chris intervenes before things could escalate. "Mia! That's enough, she's just a kid!" Mia meanwhile is still mourning her husband as she yells "I can't handle this Chris... I just can't!" She storms out of the hospital room, leaving Chris alone with a crying Rose. He gently lifts her up into his arms as she sniffles "Uncle Chris? Does mommy hate me?" Chris felt his heart break for this kid who lost her father and mothers love in a single night. Taking a deep breath he rocks the young girl in his arms carrying her out as the doctors confirm Ethan's death. Chris carries Rose out, picking up her stuffed monkey plush before responding. "She doesn't hate you... She's just going through a lot and doesn't know how to handle it." That night changed everything for Rose...
December 10th 2038:
Rose is currently 18 year's old, studying advanced Biology in New York City, wearing gloves to at least hide her powers. Of course, not without a lot of supervision from the BSAA with Chris acting as her guardian. Her lecture ends as Winter Break begins! Everyone is making plans to spend the holidays with their parents and go on holidays. Rose spots a few people getting picked up by their parents, as envy fills Rose's heart. She heads to her locker, opening it there are barbie doll heads with a picture of her scribbled out in pen saying "Zombie girl." Rose looks around and sees a group of frat boys and sorority girls giggling and staring before walking off. Before she could sink into that feeling a bit more, her friend: Penelope Wilson approach. They've been friends since orientation, a more social and popular girl compared to the quiet and more sarcastic Rose. Penelope has plans to go travelling Europe to wind down after their first semester, she has plans to go to Poland, Hungary, and Romania for the next two weeks. Rose's eyes widened at the plans as she spoke "And your parents are chill with just travelling across Europe? Chris freaks out if I even leave the city..." She sighed, knowing Chris and the BSAA with their very tight supervision won't let her travel unless watched 24/7. Penelope chuckled as she spoke "My parents are paying for the trip even, besides your uncle doesn't need to know everything." Rose thinks for a moment, a part of her wants to go out and have fun with friends... Be a regular 18 year old instead of this mold freak, besides after everything related to Bioweapons? A lot of people are on edge towards things they won't fully understand.
"Look... Pen, I'd love to go but Chris would just lecture my ass off on safety." Rose sighs, she does want to go and have fun with friends. But knowing Chris, he would drag Rose back before she could even leave the state. Penelope pouts slightly at her friends rejection as she spoke "Alright then, me, Tristan, Brenda and Cameron are going so-" "Wait... Cameron? From architecture?" Rose said her eyes widened. As Penelope smirks and chuckles "Yeah, that Cameron who you were eyeing in the library for the first few months." This Cameron guy is just someone Rose has a little crush on and one of Penelope's close friends from clubbing. Penelope knows how much Rose likes him, which is why she made sure he was invited but she sighs and continues speaking with a tease in her tone. "I did invite him to maybe get you two talking but since you're not coming? Sheesh, I can totally invite someone else." Seeing this as a chance to taste freedom, and also be with the guy she likes for the next 2 weeks. Rose clears her throat as she spoke "Alright then, I'm coming. When are we leaving?" Penelope chuckles as she pats Roses shoulder and spoke "We leave in two days, pack a bag and try get a good excuse for your uncle Chris."
Later in the evening, Rose is in her dorm getting a duffle bag and searching her closet for the best outfits. Her room is a collage of pictures taken from orientation, classic band posters on her wall. As well as study books on her desk, mostly for biology but also with a few about fungi. In the midst of packing, she gets a text from Chris asking to have a discussion over coffee. Rose sighs as she text's back a single 'K' in response before putting her duffel bag under her bed and heading out. Chris is sitting at the table having a Hazelnut latte even if he's barely 60, he's still leading operations and is working more on the tactical side. Just not as active as he was years ago though he's still handsome and aged like fine wine, he gestures Rose to sit down once she orders herself a Peppermint latte. After a few awkward seconds of silence with the only sounds filling the cafe are the festive music and people chatting mixed with the coffee machine behind the counters stirring. Chris takes a sip of his coffee as he makes small talk "So... Rose, any plans for the Winter break?" She takes a deep breath, knowing she'll need to make a good excuse as she sighs. "Not really... I might go to the museum for a while or just stay in the dorms all Winter." Chris mid sip nods his head as he spoke "That doesn't sound too bad... We might need to run some more tests, I know they can be a bit much but I won't let anything bad happen." Rose's eyes narrow at this news as she scoffs. "Tests? Like I'm still some lab rat the BSAA wants to exploit?" She leans back on her chair as Chris sighs, rubbing the bridge between his brows.
"I know it's not fun, but it won't be bad. It's just like going to the doctors." Chris said trying to make it more appealing to Rose who's stubborn. "Did you hear anything from mom yet?" Rose said changing the subject, asking about Mia. Chris' eyes widened before looking away for a moment and responding. "Not really... She doesn't talk about you much and she's talking to someone." Rose's felt her heart drop upon hearing those words "Seeing someone?" Chris nods as he spoke and shows Rose a picture "Yeah, some single dad from her work." Chris shows Rose a picture of Mia slightly older but happier with another man in the photo, showing how she moved on after Ethan and Rose. With even a ring on her ring finger along with some kids, Rose clenched her cup as she sniffles holding back tears. "She really did move on..." Chris began to bounce his knee slightly in nervousness for Rose's feelings as he sighed. "She did Rose, and she's doing way better." Rose feeling frustration rise in her scoffs and looks away from Chris "So she can be a good mother, just not to me..." Rose finishes her latte before storming out, with Chris following behind with worry.
"Rosemary! I know it's hard for you..." "Oh you think it's just hard Chris?! I'm a freak, everyone in campus thinks I'm some stupid virus... Not even my own mother wanted me!" Rose yelled out, blinded by her own anger to consider her next words. As Chris has a pitiful yet sort of understanding, he may not know Rose's pain but he understands the feeling of feeling alone. Like the world fucked you over and all you could do is watch. He takes a deep breath and hugs her, cradling Rose's head as she leans in slightly against his shoulder. A part of her yearning for that parental bond she lost when she was too young, but after a few moments she pushed away "I can't right now Chris... I just can't." Chris' eyes softens as he nods "I understand, just call me if you need something okay kiddo?" Rose turned away, still wrapped up in her emotions to respond.
3 days later...
Rose went ahead with the trip and secretly travels to Eastern Europe with her friends who gave her an extra phone. It's a good break from everything, and more time to spend with her crush Cameron. The group decide to visit Romania for some of the landscapes but Rose felt a sense of unease. As if someone was watching her. The way the crows linger their gaze on her doesn't help at all, first they all went down a path to see a waterfall wearing their winter clothes for warmth. Penelope walks on ahead with the others, leaving Rose alone with Cameron. After hyping herself up for a bit, Rose took a deep breath and spoke "So Cameron, what are you into besides staring at buildings?" She said in a light tease to keep things good, as Cameron chuckled slightly and responds. "Not much, I enjoy the myths and beliefs of Eastern Europe. Some say a witch roams these woods." Rose chuckled slightly, putting her blonde hair behind her ear as she grins "Do you believe in witches and all that jazz?" Cameron shrugs and spoke "Anythings possible at this point, we'll see what we can find on this trip together." Rose felt her heart flutters with internal joy as they continue on the hike.
Back at the motel they're all planning to just stay in and plan the rest. Rose went out to get some ice for their soda's as Penelope appears and takes Rose's hand, grinning. "Change of plans! We're driving out girl!" Rose felt her eyes widen a bit as she spoke. "It's gonna get dark soon... Are you sure?" Penelope laughs at Rose's concern as she spoke. "Rose stop being a stick in the mud! Chris isn't here, I'll let you sit with Cameron." Rose could see the others get in the car, and with reluctance she comes with them. The group drives back through the forest, playing music. Everything was going fine with gossip, as one of the girls: Brenda, pulls out a vodka bottle wanting to have a drink while Penelope drives. Rose was tense, but was alright since Penelope would be sober. "Hell yeah Brenda! Give me a shot!" Penelope whooped from the front seat, Rose felt her blood pressure spike up as she spoke. "U-Uh Pen? I don't think that's safe." Penelope turns to Rose with a chuckle as she downs the shot "Everything will be fine Rose! We're in Europe!" All the others, including Cameron take a shot. That strange feeling came back, as Rose felt like the trees were watching her... Before the group could relax? A loud crash fills the car, it was chaos...
What felt like hours later the evening arrived, Rose was the first to get up luckily uninjured. She is terrified to see everyone had disappeared? Leaving only Rose in the car, with no other choices stumbles out into the snowy path. Clutching her coat as she looks forward into the dark path. With no other options left, grabbing a spare torch and thick gloves? She pushes forward, hoping to find any form of civilisation.