The Healer's Guardian

A Chapter by Phoenix

A Voice Without Words - Chapter 3

A week later, we woke up and I felt so weak... I couldn’t get up. He shook me thinking I was still asleep but I spoke up in a very weak voice, "I’m awake Rafael... I’m... I don’t think I’ll be getting p today..."
"L-Lee-lee..." He said learning my name, somewhat.
"It’s ok Rafael, it’s probably just a virus or something."
He got back into the bed and held me tightly. He ran his fingers through my hair like he somehow knew it would soothe me. I only felt him leave me when my parents came in and found that I was sick.

My mother felt my forehead, "You don’t have a fever but you’re so pale... John, call the doctor, I want this checked out."
"Now, Don sweetie, I don’t know if it’s that serious. What if it’s one of those 24-hour things or something like that."
"John, this is my daughter, I know when my daughter is sick and I want to call a doctor."
"Very well Donna."
I looked at her, "Mom, I’m fine, really."
I was mostly afraid for Rafael. He was in my closet right now, probably worried out of his mind. If there was anymore of a commotion, he would probably have a heart attack then show up at the hospital to hold me.

My mother still insisted on a doctor and that afternoon, they took me to the doctor’s office for an emergency appointment. The nurse took some blood and the doctor checked me out.

About an hour later, they told my parents and I that was severely anemic. It only happens when a large amount of blood is taken. ‘S**t’ I thought. My parents looked at me, "How could this have happened? Who may have taken blood from her? There has to be another explanation."

Soon, I was home and my parents went downstairs. The door closed and he was around me. I could hear him crying, "R-Rafael, stop it. I’m ok, see? I’m fine."
A text came up on my phone a second later. (I had given him my old phone and he learned how to text. He is now, like all teens, obsessed) It said, "I was so scared they had taken my fairy away. I was ready to go after you and destroy anyone in my way. Where were you?!"
"Rafael, I was at the doctor’s office. They were figuring out what was wrong with me."
"And?"
"Well..."
"Tell me."
"It’s nothing."
"Tehll meh!" He said forcefully.
"You've been taking too much blood from me... It's making me too weak..."

I felt his hand tighten into fists and he began to shake. He then left me and stood by the window with a look of pain on his face and tears streaking from his eyes. I waited a few minutes until I heard, "I ahm so-soory."
"It's alright, you didn't know. Rafael, you've done nothing wrong."
He held out a note for me, "I hurt you. You are very sick because of me. I was so selfish as to take your blood every night. I'll find another source of food."
"No! You won't take blood from anyone else!" I attempted to stand, "I only want you to feed from me!"

While I attempted to stand; I fell, he caught me.
"I won't do anything of the sort!" He wrote, "Don't worry, I'll probably just visit a blood bank or something. I'll only bite you, it's too special for me to drink from everyone."
He held me for a while and at one point he actually lifted and carried me around the room. I could tell he felt horribly and I wished I could make it up to him.

He lay me back on the couch with immense care and gentleness. He ran his fingers over my face, hair, and arms. Every now and then he'd kiss me and we would share a moment. I knew by now I was falling for him, hard. We've known each other for roughly 2 weeks and we've gone this far. He was my boyfriend; I have a boyfriend... I've never thought of it that way though, but yea; he's officially my boyfriend.

Days later, I was feeling so much better. I had missed a week of school and it was Friday again. I had this weekend to make everything up. Great.

While Rafael and I were kissing on my bed, I heard my doorbell. My parents weren't home so I got up to get it. Rafael didn't want to let me go but he knew he had to. At the door were my best friends.

"Guys! Oh my gosh! Why are you here?" I asked as my friend Donna hugged me tightly.
"You have been out all week so we decided to make sure you were okay!" She said.

Jenny stepped forward, "We're also here to drag you to a party that Jake, the hockey team captain is having! He asked us to see if you were well enough to go! He's so totally into you!"

"W-well... I'm not really well enough to go..."

Mark and Pedro looked at one another and rolled their eyes. Each took a side of me and they carried me out. I struggled against him and they laughed. Mark was suddenly yanked back and Pedro lost his grip on me. Rafael's arms appeared and wrapped protectively around me and he gave everyone a blood thirsty look.

"Rafael, don't!"
He stood there and looked down at me tenderly.
Pedro yelled, "What the hell man?!"
Mark stood in front of Donna (girlfriend).
"Uh, guys," I began, "This is my boyfriend, Rafael."
They all stared, "Boyfriend?! Since when?!" Pedro said angrily, "I'm your best friend and you didn't tell me?!!!"
Rafael growled at him.
"Did he just growl?"
"No."
"I'm pretty sure he did. Wanna start something bro?!" He walked up to Rafael challengingly. He dared Rafael to make a move but he stayed holding me.
Pedro snorted and Jenny pulled him away.

Once he believed I was in no danger, Rafael bent his head down and rested his forehead at the base of my neck. I ran my fingers through his hair to soothe him. Donna approached with Mark practically on top of her.
"Hi, Rafael right?"
He looked up and acknowledged her.
"I’m sorry about Pedro. He and Lilly have been best friends all their lives. He is just protective..."
Rafael nodded.

I looked at them all, "He can't speak... He was only raised to read and write so he probably won't answer you..."
"They all gave me the strangest looks, "But he can understand us right?"
I nodded.
Rafael's arms tightened around me. I could tell he was nervous, "It's ok," I whispered.
"So, does he want to come with us? We'll make sure he's alright."
I looked up at him and my phone buzzed, "I'll follow you to the end of the Earth. If you go, I'm coming."
I looked at everyone, "Ok, as long as you promise one of us will be with him at all times."
"Of course," Pedro said, "Look, Rafe, can I call you Rafe? I'm sorry for getting all up in your face, truce?" He held out his hand.
Rafael smiled and took his hand.
"So, what are we waiting for?" Donna said happily...

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