Another chapter, then.
Thanks to the wonderful ems32 for being a constant support. I can't thank her enough, really.
It's Tori again. It'll probably be Tori for most of the story but that is variable.
If you like this, do review, if you don't, still review. I would love to hear from you guys.
Alright, onto Chapter Two then.
Tori
Why am I not scared in the morning,
I don't hear those voices calling,
I must have kicked them out, I must have kicked them out,
I swear I heard demons yelling,
Those crazy words they were spelling,
They told me I was gone, they told me I was gone.
- Ode to Sleep,
Twenty One Pilots.
17 September, 2004.
I hit the ground in a senseless haze, robbed of all my energy; powerless. A host of faces surround me, which on better scrutinization turn out to be those of Cam, Blake and Hunter.
Blake and Hunter.
And in that moment, I know that something is wrong.
Before I can think further, I am being helped up by Blake. Our eyes meet for the briefest of moments and he makes an attempt to smile at me, which I return in kind too. It should be awkward but it is not, clearly there are bigger messier problems to be solved.
"How did we get here?" I question immediately. "The last thing I remember-"
"Lothor," Blake explains.
The story continues and I listen in a daze as my ex-teammates explain the situation, every word revealing just how dire a situation we are in.
It seems too much, the news refuses to sink in and I find myself staggering forward, weighed down by all that has transpired around me.
"Careful there," Hunter is there at my side at once, his arms wrapped around my waist protectively.
Damn.
I frown at him: this uncanny nature of his to protect me driving me to do so. I don't know how he does it but every time I am in trouble, Hunter is there by me.
Even after a year, that has not changed.
I try to wriggle out of his grasp triggering a typically-Hunter-response, "I don't bite."
With that, he tightens his grip around me.
Sighing, I let my body relax, allowing it to lean against his.
Meanwhile, a fierce discussion has ensued between my team and the three newcomers who have introduced themselves as the Dino Rangers. Blake seems to already know them and although it should not matter, I find the stirring of a little something within me as he quirks a smile at their yellow.
Kira.
"Hey guys," Shane's voice rings loud amidst all the chaos, shutting everyone up; true leader mode. "Standing here and debating about what should be done and what could be done isn't going to take us anywhere."
"Exactly," Cam echoes him.
"Alright then," it is Kira who speaks. "Let's show you where we keep our toys then."
Shane nods and we march forward in silence, following the Dino Rangers.
Hunter does not let me go, not even for a split second.
"By the way, you kicked some serious ass being evil, princess."
"It's too late to drive home and I insist," Tommy tells Sensei for the umpteenth time.
"Alright, alright," Sensei smiles. "Since you insist."
"I have to go back to my team though," Blake says. "I have to stay with them."
"Not a problem," Tommy says. "But I am hoping that you can join us for breakfast tomorrow."
"Yeah, sure," Blake smiles.
I watch from the corner of the room as Blake goes around bidding farewell to everyone. Finally, he stops in front of me.
"Tori," he sighs, a small smile on his lips.
"Blake."
"I wish we had more time to talk," he says.
"Yeah, me too," I say. "For old times' sake."
"For old times' sake," he nods.
Awkward silence spans in between us and I feel a few pair of eyes fixated on us.
"Do you want me to walk you out?" I ask him, desperate to walk away from these stares.
"Sure," he agrees.
We walk out, underneath the night sky, the stars burning bright above us.
"How has Factory Blue treated you so far?" I ask, nothing else coming to my mind.
"Splendidly," Blake grins. "It's been so good, Tor. I'm getting to do exactly what I have always wanted to do. I am living my dream, you know."
I smile, genuine happiness for him flooding over me.
"Not everyone can say that," I say.
"I know," he says. "And I consider myself very lucky for whatever I have got."
The Factory Blue chauffeured car looms up in view as we take a turn.
"That's my ride," Blake says.
"Yeah," I say, a sinking feeling forming in my stomach. "I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast?"
"You will," he smiles and after a moment's hesitation leans in to kiss me on the cheek. "Don't stay out for too long."
"I won't," I whisper as his car disappears, winding into the darkness.
I end up staying outside for a little too long. I need some time to collect my thoughts. Seeing Blake, talking to him and realizing just how settled his life was, had brought in a tidal wave of emotions.
Not that I was dissatisfied with my life but it could definitely be better: I could perhaps do something more on the surfing front.
Even before I had time to realize, the past year had flown past. It was such a different responsibility: teaching students, moulding lives, shaping characters. There was always so much to do: to teach, to learn, to guide, to instruct, to do paperwork, to solve problems of students, in some way or the other, I always had my hands full.
I was glad that through it all, I had Shane and Dustin to assist me.
Hunter and I had managed to stay in contact. Monthly emails, phone calls on birthdays, odd meetings due to the demands of our academies, we had grown to be closer than we were a year ago. It was oddly funny, really but I was glad it had happened.
The story with Blake however had just gone downhill. He had lost himself in his world of motocross and fame, and we had failed to keep alive our friendship, let alone anything else that we had.
I know we had talked about it that forgettable drunken night a year ago and he had told me quite clearly that all he wanted to do was focus on his career but subconsciously, I had planted a seed of hope in my mind and had allowed it to grow and lead me to believe otherwise.
Till tonight.
When I return to Tommy's house, it is eerily quiet, the lights all turned off except the one in the living room.
I figure that they have all gone to bed.
I enter the house, making the least bit of noise possible, wondering which room I am supposed to sleep in. Peering into the living room, I find no one there and just as I am about to turn around, the light inside goes off.
Heart thudding in my chest, I look around uncomfortably when in his blazing glory of crimson, Hunter Bradley comes to a halt in front of me.
I find myself unable to speak and gulping hard, I manage to hiss, "Do you want me to die of a heart attack?"
In the waning light of the moon that has filtered through the half open window, he smirks at me.
"Nope, I have fancier ways to kill you."
I resist the urge to roll my eyes and ask instead, "Where am I supposed to sleep?"
A pillow comes whizzing in my direction and I catch it with practiced accuracy.
"With me, princess."
The room looks unused, dust having collected in the corners. The bed however has been made and I collapse onto it at once, tiredness overpowering me.
"What devious means did you have to employ to do this?" I ask Hunter, who too has collapsed on the bed beside me.
"Do what?" he asks, stifling a yawn.
"This," I say. "Us in the same room."
"Nothing much," he replies, chuckling. He adds then, voice dulling with every word. "We were the last ones left roomless. You see, Tommy has four spare rooms. The guys are in one, Marah and Kapri in one and Sensei in one and us, here."
I turn my head to look at him, finding him half asleep.
"Hey," I say, gently shaking him by the arm. "Remove your shoes and sleep. Don't expect me to do that."
He groans.
"Get up," I say, shoving him slightly.
"Let me sleep," he groans, turning away from me.
"Open your shoes and sleep," I say, shoving him again.
After a few more minutes of coaxing him, he finally gets up, cursing under his breath.
I sigh, getting up too.
Turning my back to him, I unbutton my ninja shirt and remove it, leaving me in my black tank top.
"Do you want me to sleep somewhere else?" Hunter asks sheepishly, the slightest of red colouring his cheeks, as I turn around to face him, twisting my hair into a messy bun.
"Where will you sleep?" I ask, thoroughly enjoying the sight of him turning red.
"I don't know," he mumbles.
I let out a laugh, something endearing about his embarrassment.
"It's okay, Hunter," I smile, removing my shoes. "I think I can bring myself to sleep beside you for one night."
He turns redder at that.
Laughing hysterically, I slide beneath the covers, as he stares at me in wonderment, truly crimson.
I wake up in a cold sweat, my breathing heavy, the nightmare feeling too real. Guilt lurches inside me and I have to hold on tightly to the bedstead to keep myself steady.
It is still dark outside and when I have regained my breath, I realize that Hunter is not in bed.
Sighing, I remove the covers off me and leave the room. Navigating my way through the massive house in pitch black darkness, I finally find the way to the terrace.
I badly need some fresh air.
My eyes take some time to adjust to the darkness but when they do, I am met by the unmistakable silhouette of Hunter.
I am surprised to find him here but it is not entirely unwelcome either to have him right now. I could perhaps do with some company.
"Hunter?"
There is no expression of surprise from him however and he continues to stare out into the night sky, unmoved by my presence. The only acknowledgment that I get from him is an almost imperceptible nodding of his head.
I make my way beside him wordlessly.
"Why are you up?" he asks.
"I couldn't sleep," I concede.
He takes a quick glance at me before asking, "Why?"
I feel my breath choking me, as the images of the nightmare come back to me.
"Bad dream." I whisper.
He does not ask anymore and we fall into a very uncharacteristic silence, given how we always trade obscenities whenever we are together.
Seconds tick past, minutes tick past and I find myself going back to the events of the nightmare: my actions haunting me.
My palms begin to grow sweaty and I almost gasp for air, suddenly feeling caged; claustrophobic.
"Hey, you okay?" Hunter questions, worry lacing itself onto his words.
I manage to nod, words refusing to form.
He stares at me, clearly not convinced. I cannot bring myself to make eye contact with him and stand there, motionless, waiting for my jarring thoughts to calm down.
"We did not kill any civilians, did we?" I ask softly when I have found my voice again.
He takes a long look at me and through my fear stricken eyes, I see his gaze softening, sympathy rising in them, "No, you didn't."
I let out a breath that I was holding.
Without another word, he wraps his arms around my shoulders and I feel my insides crumbling at that gesture. For reasons inexplicable, I find tears streaming down my face.
"You did nothing wrong," he hushes me down. "It was all Lothor."
I try my best to contain my tears but they just do not stop. I free myself from Hunter's grasp and futilely wipe away the tears rolling down my face.
Gently turning me to face him, Hunter places his hands firmly on my arms.
I look down, trying to avoid making eye contact.
"Look at me, Tor," he says.
I blink back whatever stray tears were forming and force myself to look at him.
"I need you to stop being so hard on yourself, okay?"
"I dreamt that I had killed-"
"I know, I know," he cuts me off, quietening me. "I know, but it was just a dream."
I sniff.
"There was no one that you injured, let alone kill," he assures me. "I checked."
I nod, words still refusing to come through my mouth, everything a tangled mess inside.
He pulls me in close and I bury my head into his chest, something strangely protected and safe about his embrace.
His hands encircle my back, holding me close.
"I could have," I whisper, voice tremulous.
"But you did not," he says. "You have to remember that."
I do not know what to say and just stay where I am, safely nestled in Hunter's arms, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
When I am convinced that I am not going to break down again, I lift my face up, my eyes meeting his in the process.
"All you have done today is save the world," he tells me, cupping my cheeks, wiping away a stray tear. "That's a big thing, princess."
I find myself smiling at that.
"Thanks," I whisper.
He smiles at me, warm and genuine, all signs of cocky jackassery missing.
"Glad to help."
He does not let go of me then and I realize just how close we are. Our bodies are all but plastered together, not a hairsbreadth between us. His blue eyes are fixed on me and I find myself staring at him unabashedly.
But before anything can happen, Hunter pulls back, creating some space between us.
I feel my heart hammer in my chest, his touch a ghost on my skin, as he turns away from me.
My breathing is ragged and I do not trust myself to talk. I am unsure of what has just transpired between us: we were talking, I was telling him about my nightmare, he was comforting me and then, suddenly we were very close, waiting for something to happen, one blunder that would set everything wrong.
"We should catch some sleep, Tori," Hunter says.
"Yeah," I say, averting his gaze, thoughts still disoriented.
He begins to walk away.
"Hunter?"
He stops in his tracks.
"Yeah?"
"Why were you here anyway?"
"I was paying my demons a visit, Tor."
Comfortably ensconced in bed, I have an epiphany.
Rousing the man beside me from his sleep, I ask, "What date is it today?"
He groans, "I am sleeping, Tori. Can this wait?"
"No, it can't," I say firmly. "Isn't it the seventeenth of September today?"
Blinking his eyes open, subjecting me to a disdainful look, he sighs, "Yeah, maybe. Who cares?"
"Hunter, remember that night when you illegally bought me beer?"
At the mention of that, he is wide awake.
"Yeah, what about it?"
"That was the seventeenth of September. I remember because-"
"That's the day Blake left," he completes for me.
"Yeah," I say, propping myself up on my elbows, lying on my stomach.
"It is the seventeenth of September today," I tell him.
"Yeah, so?" he frowns at me.
"So," I begin. "Maybe it is the universe telling us something."
He narrows his eyes at me and then starts guffawing.
I hit him on his arm, shutting him up.
"Alright, so you are a nihilist," I tell him.
He opens his mouth but I put a finger on his lips.
"But I am not," I continue. "And I am going to go ahead and believe that the universe is indeed sending out a message."
Removing my fingers from his lips, he doubles up with laughter yet again.
Between bursts of hysterical laughter, he manages to ask me, "And what message is that?"
I sigh, "Maybe this is our date, our day: yours and mine."