I opened my eyes to a green blur. It took me a while to realize that I was lying face down in the grass and my eyes were watery. I didn't want to move...Well, actually, I couldn't move. Every muscle in my body seemed to ache; my head was throbbing. I racked my brain, trying hard to remember how I got here; how long I've been here. Nothing came to mind.
I sighed loudly, and forced myself onto my knees. I blinked a few times, adjusting my eyes to the bright pink and orange skies that were beyond the horizon; a statement that the sun had just set. That explained why the park I saw I was in was so deserted. I looked around as I rose up onto my feet, seeing that the only inhabitants here were a few homeless people occupying the benches as they slept, and a couple rushing out of the park's gates and into the main streets, shivering. It must be winter. A cool breeze swept by as I walked across the park to the gates, tingling on my skin. I froze where I stood, thinking. Normally, I wouldn't feel this...Normally, temperature didn't apply to me. What was this strange sensation the wind brought to my cold, hard skin? It felt familiar, I realized, but not pleasantly. I slowly swept my fingers across my cheek, the tingling coming back, and I winced. I felt my hands get cold, and as I held my hand out to the dim light of the post lamp in front of me, I saw a black liquid dripping slowly from it. Blood.
I started to walk again, but much slower, and not really paying attention to the world around me. My first instinct was to go straight home so I could clean up, but then realization hit me. I understood what happened earlier this night, as I should have known before. I felt tears streaming down my face, but I only felt it due to the cut, the salt streaming from my eyes making it sting. I gasped a bit at the pain, the feeling of it getting stronger by the second. After stopping to take a deep breath and wiping away the tears, I started to run, determined to get where I needed to go as soon as I could. Butterflies ate at my stomach, and I clenched it in high hopes to stop the fluttering, though I didn't succeed. People passing me on the sidewalks stepped aside to let me through. I realized my appearance must have frightened them, so I ran faster. I didn't want to be seen.
I stumbled up the stairs leading to his apartment, grasping the hand rails and panting. I felt worse than before. I'm sure I looked ten times worse than before. As I went to put my hand on the door knob, the door swung open.
"Jayden!" I yelled as I fell back.
He grabbed onto my wrist, pulling me up and I fell against him. A look of disgust swept his face.
"Get off of me!"
He pushed me away, and I stepped back as I shook my wrist, seeing a newly formed bruise on it. After a while, I noticed that I had bruises all up my arms. The light leaking out of his apartment onto the porch showed me this. I shied away from him. I know he must have been the cause of all those bruises. Suddenly, I didn't feel like storming at him. I didn't feel like I made the right decision. I wish I just went straight home...
We stood there in silence for a while. I could tell he was trying hard not to look at me, so I kept my eyes to the ground. I could tell he took quick glances at me every so often, perhaps observing the cut on my face that still pierced me. I had my long, light brown hair swung over my face, so a breeze wouldn't get through to the cut.
"I-I think I'll g-go now" I said nervously, biting my lip soon afterwards. But I didn't move.
"Why did you come here?" Jayden asked, taking this opportunity to look at the cut and the bruises he left me.
I bit at my lip harder. I didn't want to answer. I just wanted out of here. I really regretted coming here in the first place. What good would it have brought me? Not like I could change tonight's events just by, well...I don't even know what I was planning to do or say when I got here. I was acting on nerves.
He sighed, irritated, and pulled me into the apartment. I stood there awkwardly, this being the first time since I've known him that he ever allowed me in here. I was quite surprised he even allowed me at his doorstep. He motioned for me to move into the other room, rather than just standing in the hallway, so I did. I sat on the only couch in the room, as close to the armrest as possible in case Jayden decided to sit down. I didn't want him near me.
He sat on the coffee table exactly across from me. I leaned back; he was staring at me. He reached his arm toward me, grabbing my chin and pulling me up so I was forced to look at him. A kiss? He was going to kiss me..? Why else would he....
"Why did you come here?" He asked again, his voice hard. His hand was hot against my skin, and I felt my cheeks flush as well. I closed my eyes so I wouldn't have to look at him, but he stayed there, not willing to let go. His hand gripped harder with each restraining move I took. Why was he so desperate for an answer?
After what felt like ten minutes, I opened my eyes, meeting his. The only thing I could let out of my throat was "Why did you hurt me again?" My voice was dry, so it sounded more like a whisper, but I made it as loud as I could. It seemed he wasn't expecting this answer. He moved his hand from my face, allowing me to cowardly lean back from him again. He stood up, and walked away, not answering. I got up quickly, and grabbed his hand, pulling him around to face me. "Why?" I repeated.
"Don't fucken touch me.." he mumbled, shaking his hand from mine. He walked out of the room, and I let him. I stood there, my skin still hot from his touch.
His room mate walked in soon afterwards, surprised to see me. I've only met Jayden's room mate once, and I didn't know his name.
He stared long and hard at the cuts and bruises I had. I could tell by the expression on his face that they must have been really bad. I haven't seen them properly yet.
"Uhm..W-what...Are you.." he stammered. I knew what he was trying to say.
"I'm fine."
He continued staring, eyes widened.
"I think I should leave now" I said suddenly, this moment getting much to awkward for me. There was no use in staying. Jayden would have ordered me to get out anyways.
As I passed by the room mate, he grabbed my arm gently, obviously being careful not to effect the bruises. I turned quickly, shocked. I bet he wanted to know what happened, but I wasn't in the mood to tell a story. Hell, I hardly knew the story myself. It would be useless.
"Let me walk you home". His words were soft, and careful, like he was too afraid to say anything that would hurt me. I raised my eyebrows.
"I think I can manage" I responded, trying to pull away from his strong hand. He didn't let go, but he didn't hurt me either.
"I don't want you to get hurt anymore. It seems like you've had a rough night, and you need some sleep. I'd offer for you to stay but..." he looked towards the room he knew Jayden was in, and I understood what he meant immediately. But still, if I could handle this much, why doubt me being able to handle anything else? Really, what could get worse?
"Please" was all he said. Something about him saying this persuaded me. I knew he meant me no harm. Well, I don't live too far. This will be over quickly. I nodded my head lightly, giving him approval. He guided me out the door and down the stairs, still holding onto my arm. I shook his hand away. Vegas' city lights surrounded us. Despite the late time, it wasn't dark, so I no longer needed his guidance. He didn't seem to mind. He walked beside me quietly. I never really looked his way. If it weren't for his feet tapping against the sidewalk besides me, I would have forgotten he was there.
We were only a block away from my home now. It's funny how he was leading me more than I was leading him, like he knew where to go; where I lived. I lived in a house with my best friend. It used to belong to my parents. They inherited it to me after they split. They both lived out of state now. I knew my friend wasn't home at the moment. She had work and wouldn't be back until one o'clock tonight. I still had the house to myself for four more hours, which would be plenty of time to shower and dispose of my blood stained clothes, and find a way to cover the bruises and the scar on my face.
"You never told me your name, you know.." the silence was starting to get to me, and I was truly curious of what his name could be.
"Oh! I'm sorry. I'm Eli." he held out a hand, offering me to shake it. "What's your name?"
"I'm Ava." I answered tonelessly, shaking his hand quickly, then replacing it back at my side. I was a bit disappointed Jayden never mentioned me.
"Nice meeting you...Even though we did meet before."
"Yea.."
I continued walking. I noticed that he had stopped, so I stopped, too.
"What is it?" I asked, confused." Are you allowing me to walk home the rest of the way? You can go back, I don't mind.."
"No, that's not it. Ava..." there was a hint of discomfort on his face. I didn't know what caused it,but I wanted to. He was straining for words, and looked quite confused. "Just...just be careful, okay?"
"Uhm, yea...okay." Didn't I already say I would be? Oh well. I continued walking, and he followed behind.
We finally arrived to my house. Of course, he walked me up to the porch, and didn't leave until he was sure I was safely inside. I closed the door and headed straight to the bathroom, grabbing a rag and rubbing it against my face, wiping the dead skin and dry blood away. The cut was pretty deep, so fresh blood spilled as soon as the dried skin was out of it's way. It took me a long time, but finally, all that was left was the scar revealing the large chunk of skin missing from my right cheek. There was nothing I could do about the bruises, so I ignored them. I stripped off my clothes and went into the shower, then changed into a long sleeve shirt afterwards, hiding all of the bruises except the one on my wrist. I tried to pull the sleeve over it, but it gave no cooperation.
I went to my room and laid on the bed, flipping on the small TV. Of course nothing was on except for TV commercials. I turned it to the TV guide, not even watching it. Instead, my mind wandered to the words Eli had spoken before leaving. 'Be careful'...? What did he mean? Surely Jayden didn't tell him my secret. Eli didn't even know my name before. Maybe the scars and bruises scared him, I decided after a while of thinking. I closed my eyes, TV still on, and fell asleep.
"Damn it, that hurts!" I woke up yelling, jumping at the touch of a needle against my skin. The needle broke and my hand smacked against the scar on my cheek to shield the pain that just passed.
"How did that hurt? C'mon! Seriously? I mean, you broke the freakin' needle!" Patty started to giggle. She sat on the chair beside my bed.
"Yes. Take pleasure in my pain." I grumbled a bit incoherently, still sleepy.
"What happened this time?" she asked more seriously. I knew she was upset, and probably already knew what happened. I picked up the three pieces of needle from off the side of my bed before they could be stepped on, avoiding answering her question.
"He did this again, didn't he? Ava, why the hell are you with him?!" her volume raised and her tone became stern. "All he ever does is hurt you. I don't see how you can love a monster like him. He's such a pig! I mean, you could do so much better than that, but you're not even trying, are you?"
I let her talk. I knew exactly what she was going to say. The same tthing as usual...I mocked her in my head. Not to be mean. Just, well...I guess I have a small tendency to be arrogant at time. Patty was my best friend. She knew all about my secret. She's the only person I told. Jayden only knew because he was there when the incident happened...If I had it my way, I wouldn't let him know. I think he takes advantage of the fact that I can't actually die.The scars and bruises on my skin proved that. I still love him nonetheless. Patty stopped talking, so I looked up at her quickly, coming out of my trance. She was staring at me, but I didn't know why.
"H-how did you g-get that cut?" she asked immediately, her voice hinting some fear.
"Uhm, well..I don't quite remember. I woke up laying in the grass, and it was all blurry..and there was blood.." she seemed disappointed in my response, as though either I was really supposed to know the answer, or she didn't believe that I didn't. Either way, I felt bad. If I didn't know the answer, then I must be dumb...and I couldn't even allow the thought of ditrust from her to cross my mind.
She observed the scar. I cringed at her touch, and she jerked back apologetically. I got up from the bed and walked over to the mirror. I thought it was going away. It couldn't be that bad. I was wrong. My face was...disastrous! I could hardly believe it was me. It was still a bit dark in this corner of the room, but the light from my silver eyes illuminated the spot just enough to expose the skin falling apart from my cheek, as though it was broken glass.
That must have been the purpose of the needle, to see if the cracks on my once perfect skin were real. I delicately ran my fingers across my right cheek, the texture changing from smooth at the end to rigid where the scar lay.
"This can't be normal..." I muttered to myself.
"Ava, you were never classified as 'normal'. Far from it" Patty chuckled, walking up behind me, staring at my reflection in the mirror.
"You're not one for pep talks..."
Patty laughed again, but her eyes were sad. I could tell, though I don't think she noticed I could. I knew she was worried about me. I looked back in the mirror at the broken skin.
"Do you think it will heal at the speed as the other cuts you get do?"
"I don't know..." I really didn't. I was afraid to touch it now. Afraid that it would shatter apart at any given moment. "This must be why Jayden let me in his apartment. So he could-"
"You were in his apartment?! You were alone with him? Why?"
I sighed and she went open before I could answer. I could feel another rant coming.
"He's the one who did that to you! Why would you go in a place alone with him? I really think you're the one who needs the guardian, not him. If he hurts you one more time, I swear I'll track him down-"
"Patty, chill. He won't hurt me" I assured her, getting up from the seat in front of the mirror. "I'm going for a walk."
"Just stay away from him, okay?" she pleaded. I nodded back and left the room.
The frosty wind cut against my scar. It felt like the pices would fall apart, though they didn't. I refused to discover why if it meant experimenting like Patty did with the needle.
Taking a walk probably wasn't my best idea, but I had to get away to think. Those who were passing me on the streets stopped to stare. I just looked ahead. I made a turn and went to a more abandoned street, sitting at the curb. So this was why Jayden let me in his apartment. So he could get a better look at what he's done. Surely he was just concerned about me. And Eli. This must be the reason he walked me home. Maybe he saw that the glass skin had the appearance of falling apart also.
I buried my face into my hands. Why would Jayden do this? I sat there, trying hard to remember what events led up to him hurting me. Did he use a weapon? Or his hands? All I could remember was seeing his face before he blacked out. If such a thing like this hasn't happened before, and if the expression on his face wasn't full of...I nearly choked at the word...hate then I would believe he was there to help me. Not the reason I needed someone by my side. Things were better before. Amazing how things could change so drastically over night.
I remembered that night one month ago.
"Beautiful, isn't it? The night sky surrounded by the city lights. If only we had a better view of the stars, though. They're so pretty..." I rambled on. He didn't seem to mind. He just smiled at me, his hand intertwined with mine as we walked the streets of Las Vegas. As we walked toward darker streets where the city lights were blocked by houses and trees around us, the moonlight illuminated the sidewalks. He stopped me as we stood at a corner where non one was around. The lights in the houses around us were off, people sleeping inside.
"I love you." Jayden said for the first time. The moon gave my blush away, and he smiled even more.
It took me a few moments to take this in, and he waited patiently. Finally I whispered "I love you, too".
We walked further along the streets, and passed an alley. as we passed it, I felt someone grip on my right arm, Jayden's hand still holding my left hand. As I was pulled back, I gasps, Jayden getting pulled back too. He didn't notice that I was grabbed, thinking I just stopped.
"What is it, Ava? Are you--?" he was interrupted by the shadow coming out of the alleyway. I could see a knife in his hand. The figure let me go and ran quickly towards Jay. In one swift moment he made a cut across his chest. The man pulled his arm back, about to stab, as I jumped between the two, tears rolling down my cheeks, flooding my eyes. Jay tried to get me away, but it was too late. I was stabbed. All I could remember was blood. A lot of it. Then all I could see was black.
I woke up to luminescent lights blinding my sight. I blinked several times, causing people around me to scatter towards where I lay. I tried to sit up, but I felt lightheaded and fell back down against the bed I was on immediately. Where am I? I wondered. I didn't feel the same. I felt like a completely different person. Like I lost a part of me. I felt like that part of me was being detached, and that hurt the most. I felt my veins slowly pulling through my skin, the butterflies in my stomach gnawing away layer after layer.My head was buzzing, thoughts raging through it. I felt a jolt through my spine. This all felt so strange because, even though I was slowly being torn apart, my focus remained clear ; not blurred. My eyes did not swell up in tears.
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