Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Tila

I ran as hard as I could. Adrenaline pumping through my system. We had made it out of the alleyway and the guy who saved me turned right. and we headed to the end of the street. I saw the bookstore.

“This way, into that bookstore!” I yell, yanking on his hand. We rush inside. I searched the store. “Ms. Jane! Ms. Annie!” I called hoping we weren’t interrupting tea time and that they were here. Ms. Jane's head popped out around one of the book shelf isles.

“Oh Tila! You are here!!” She says jumping up and down. She may look like a thin, frail little old lady, but on the inside she is a nine year old hopped up on sugar. She gets up closer though and notices our disheveled appearances. Then she grabbed my face to inspect my forehead. Her expression turning serious for once. “And you are all cut up and dirty. What on earth happened to you, little missy?” She fussed over my clothes for a bit like I was still the small little girl she met years ago.

“I’m alright Ms. Jane. It’s just a few scrapes.” I gently push her hands away. I was still getting over the fact that today I almost died. I felt someone tugging my hand and I realised that I was still holding the alley guy’s hand. I released it and slowly went to sit by the window. I checked to make sure nobody was coming after us.  I turned to look back at Ms. Jane and the guy. He then looked at Ms. Jane.

“Excuse me, ma’am? But do you do you have a first aid kit? That girl there isn’t being honest and her scrapes are more than that.” He gestured to me with a sad expression. Why are you looking at me like that? He did however speak so polite and formal. Unlike before. Who is he?

“Oh right! Yes, of course. Just wait here I will be back.” She turned and headed into the back where the office is. The guy turned toward me and gestured to one of the seats.

“Sit here!” I give him a defiant look. I don't like to be demanded to do something. He took one look at my expression and changed his tone, but only slightly. “Please sit here and let me look at your wounds.” I sighed and did as I was told. He then looked at the rip my jeans. He also ripped the rest of my pant leg to get a better view. He then lifted my head and examined my neck. Then he checked my forehead. I looked at his face while he did that. At a closer view he really was handsome. His eyes were a violet tone, I felt like I was swirling almost getting lost in their dark color. Then he backed away and My mind came back to reality. Hmm, weird. whatever they are just eyes. Nothing special. “Your neck is going to need a bandage for a few days. your leg is ok and almost stopped bleeding. It will still need a bandage. The forehead thankfully doesn't need stitches.  But I would be worried about a concussion.” He pulled out his phone and shined it i n my eyes. It hurt  and I tried to move away from it. “ You will probably just need to rest. If it gets worse see a doctor. But let's get you some aspirin for now. Does anything else really hurt?”I roll my wrists and move my legs.

“No, I think I'm good. Just...” I trail off as I reach for my throat. my gaze slowly going dark. He grabs my hand. And slowly takes it in his own a begins to stroke it slowly ina way to soothe my worrying expression.

“I wouldn't touch it. Just sit quietly till it's bandage  and the bleeding has stopped.” He’s being so kind. Why? I don’t even know him. We held each others gaze for a bit, before the silence was interrupted by Ms. Jane.

“Ok here you go, sweetheart.” She says as she hands over the first aid kit. He took it and then opened it up and looked inside, gathering materials he needed. He than looked up at smiled at Ms. Jane.

“Thankyou.” He said and began to clean my leg.

“You are welcome dear. Oh Ti, since you are here, let me grab those books you ordered.” and before I say thank you, she flew off to grab my books. Skipping and humming as she went.  I stared out the window, till I felt a sharp pain. I turned ready to kill the thing causing me pain.

“Ow, that stings.” I glare at him and he just continues to administer the medicine and finishes wrapping my leg.

“Well I wasn’t the one who jumped into a silly fight and almost got myself killed.” His expression was hard and he looked almost furious.  Whoa major personality flip. Silly Fight? Like I asked to drug into that alleyway. He took my silence as conferment and continued to work. He then took a cloth and dabbed the antiseptic on my neck wound. It burned so much I grabbed his wrist and squeezed to keep from crying out. I closed my eyes and tried to block out the pain. I felt him slide his fingers on my hand as he slowly began bandaging my neck. They were so gentle. They would lightly brush my neck every once in awhile and it sent tingles down my spine.  He moved my hand to his arm.Then I felt a coolness on my forehead followed by a burning. My hand squeezed harder as the pain increased and then faded. Soon the pain was gone. I heard him clear his throat.

“It’s done you can open your eyes.” I opened my eyes. and removed my hand and felt the bandage around my neck and forehead. They felt secure and the pain was gone. I guess I owe him. I watched as he put the supplies back into the kit.  He also handed me a bottle of water and some asprin. He mumbled something under his breath and sighed.

“What’s up?” I ask wondering what he’s worried about now. He looks at me just a little tired and angry.

“Tell me, Why you thought it was a good idea to pick a fight with that girl in the alleyway in the dark?” Wait, what? I tried to see if he was kidding. He wasn’t. “ You know you could have died in there!”

“Why are you scolding me? You don’t know me and you don’t even know what happened?!” I screamed bewildered that he could blame me. “ Joe’s goon grabbed my arm and drug me in there! She hates me. I was heading to this store when I was attacked.” I was furious. I couldn’t stand him anymore. This jerk, he’s so stupid and rude. “Why did you even show up in the first place?” I didn't care what he said. I just wanted to yell and scream.

“I heard voices and it didn’t sound good. So I came to investigate and when she tried to slit your throat I couldn’t stand by and watch you die. I couldn’t watch another person die..” That last part was a bit mumbled but his sad expression made me feel bad. I wanted to reach out and hug him. It was how sad he looked. My heart felt like it was breaking.  I need to leave. Being around him is so confusing. Soon Ms. Jane showed up with the books and I grabbed them and mumbled a quick thankyou as I left. I heard him come after me.

“Wait!” He called.

“No,” I said over my back. “ Thanks for your help. But I need to get home. Goodbye”

“Let me walk you home. I don’t think it’s safe.” I don’t want his concern. I don't understand him, one minute he's angry about the fight and then he's worried about my safety. He doesn't even know me. I turned around and glared at him.

“I will be fine. Just let me go.” I say and then I take off at a sprint, heading to the forest.

Hei

I watched as she took off. I need to follow her. As soon as that thought appeared, I stopped. Why? She doesn’t need me. I watched her hair blowing in the breeze. Then without continuing that thought, I sprinted after her. I followed till she reached a building nestled in a tiny clearing.  Knowing she was safe, I turned and walked away. Why did I follow her? Why did I jump in to save her?  But I remembered when she told me to let her go. Her icy stare. Joe was right about one thing, It had a wildness to it.  Even I was scared a bit. Shaking off the memories, I decided to head back. I can’t be late…

I knock on the heavy oak door.

“Come in.” I hear a strong voice replied. I open the door and was greeted by a plain empty room with only one window. “Ah my sweet pet. It is so good to see you. I do enjoy your visits to me.”  you summoned me you creep. I turned and faced him. He was sitting by the window, barely glancing my way. His slender hand holding a flower. He took and crushed it. He then turned his black gaze to me. A wicked grin crossed his lips. He gestured to a chair next him. “Come here and sit. There’s no need to be shy. We have been friends for quite sometime.” I was never your friend. I glared and sat. “I have something of great importance to tell you…..”