"Hey, come back here you brat!" the shopkeeper yelled as I took off running down the street that cold, dark, rainy night. I held the items close to my chest as I turned a corner. I heard footsteps behind me. I panicked and looked for another street to run down. I turned right, then left but the footsteps got louder. I was exhausted but kept running through the streets. Panting heavily I neared another alley way.
"I'm saved!" I whispered to myself as I turned down the alley and ran as fast as I could. But just as the light came into view I tripped and hit the ground. I got back up, dizzy and distorted and tried to keep running but a fence blocked my path. I was trapped. I tried screaming for help but all that came out of my mouth was a raspy cough. I cried in fear as the person walked closer. Sweat dripped down my face as I pressed my tiny body against the fence. The figure edged closer and grabbed my arm and I screamed loudly.
I awoke panting in my bed. My cheeks were puffy from crying and I knew I really had screamed because I heard Kid running up the stairs to my room. I wiped the tears and sweat, then tried to slow my breathing. Kid ran into the room, his eyes showed fear and shock. "Liz, what happened, are you alright?!" he bombarded me with questions that made my headache worse than it already was.
"I'm fine...really..." I said as I held my arms to stop the shaking. He approached me and kneeled beside the bed, grabbing my shoulders and looking into my fearful eyes.
"no...you aren't..." he muttered as he brushed a stray piece of hair away from my face gently. "please, tell me what happened." he said.
"I had a nightmare." I said softly as I looked down at my hands. Tears came to my eyes but I bit them back. "it was horrible. he was c-chasing me and-" my eyes widened as the dream entered my memory again, bringing the fear and pain back to me.
Kid noticed and stroked my hair softly, combing it slightly as he calmed me down. His expression was pained. I glanced up but looked back down again. He pulled my head around to look at him with his finger and his thumb, caressing my chin slightly.
"Liz, it's okay...everything is fine. it was only a dream." he looked into my eyes again, his full of tenderness. I looked back as a tear escaped my eye and fell down my cheek, reddening them more.
"that's where you're wrong Kid..." I said, my voice wavering and shaking. He looked a bit confused.
"Liz...what do you mean?" he asked, looking a little scared to find out the meaning behind my words.
"It was real..." I murdered as more tears fell down my face, stinging it slightly. Kid's eyes widened. "all of what happened in my dream happened in real life..." Kid looked like he was going to cry as well.
He had known for a long time that my past was terrifying and terrible. Living on the streets wasn't easy. Even though we were the most known and feared of all the others, it took us forever to get to the top and even then our safety was never guaranteed.
Most people feared us, and those who didn't fear us hated us or looked down on us. Being two teenage girls, most men took advantage of us at first. I shudder thinking about it.
Kid let one tear slip down his cheek before pulling me in for a hug. Holding me close in his strong arms. I wrap my shaking arms around him and hugged him tight. I broke down and cried as he rubbed my back softly. "Shh...it's okay. that's the past and no matter what, I will protect you. If I have to, I would risk my life for you Liz"
"I'm not the one you need to risk your life for...I'm not worth it. If you had to, save Patty and yourself" I whisper. He frowns and pulls away from me. He looks at me, hurt by my careless words.
"Liz..." more tears fall and my heart was heavy. I felt guilty for hurting him. "You are worth everything. I don't ever want to hear you say you aren't!" he holds my hand "you are worth more than life to me." My eyes widen. He really felt this way...about me?
I reach for him and hug him tight "Kid...I don't think you understand..." I said. His arms remained limp and I put a hand behind his head "You saved ME. I owe everything to you...I'm nothing more than a debt."
He pushed me away "that is where you are wrong. You owe me nothing! I saved you because I wanted to and for no other reason!" My hands flew to my mouth and covered it. "You are more than a debt and you are more than a friend."
"M-more than a friend?" I asked as my heart beat faster. he looked down blushing slightly. "Liz...I like you, a lot." He reached for my hand and locked fingers with me.
I blushed and looked into his eyes. Was this all just a prank? I stated into his yellow eyes, looking for the tiniest proof of a lie. I found nothing. His thoughts, were pure and true. "Kid..." I cried "I love you!" I smiled and wrapped my arms around him.
He blushed and smiled as well as he hugged back. After a while I let go and he wiped away my tears. "Thank you" I said.
He looked at me "You don't have to thank me for speaking the truth." He laid me back down gently and pulled the blanket over me, bringing the blanket completely to the dead center out of habit.
He kissed my forehead gently and I blushed once more. "try to sleep Liz." he said softly as he turned the light off in my room. He had just turned around and started to walk off.
"Wait!" I said. He turned around and looked over at me.
"Yes Liz?" he asked, a faint smile still on his face.
"I'm scared...can you maybe sleep here with me tonight?" I blushed. He looked a little shocked but then started to walk over to me.
"of course Liz." he smiled and I slid over to the right side of the bed. He slid in beside me and settled in. I smiled as well. "goodnight Liz." he said softly.
I closed my eyes "goodnight Kid. I love you." I said as I drifted off to sleep. I caught him blushing. He closed his eyes as well then draped and arm around me as he fell asleep.