Chapter 2
Haunted
Not long ago Serena woke up from her coma, she's sleeping, along with Darien and Rini, a few hours later the sun starts to raise, Darien is the first one to wake up, he leaves the bed and Serena wakes up when he moves, Darien looks down at her with a smile.
Darien: Morning, did you sleep well?
Serena nods quietly, then she just stares at him.
Darien: Uhm… I'm going to tell the others that you're awake, they'll be so happy to know you're ok.
Serena again nods without saying a word. Darien changes his smile to a concern look.
Darien: Serena… is something wrong?
She tries to sit, Darien helps her to get comfortable arranging her pillows, once she's sit she looks down as if avoiding Darien's eyes, he sits next to her and asks again what's wrong, she opens her mouth but no words come out, she looks at him and shakes her head forcing a small smile.
Darien doesn't buy that denial, he knows something's up, but doesn't want to push her, he thinks that maybe she's disoriented by her previous status.
Darien: Ok… I'll be right back, rest some more.
He kisses her on the cheek and leaves the room; she leans her head back and stares at the ceiling with a worried look on her face.
A few minutes later Darien comes back carrying a tray with food, Rini wakes up when he closes the door, Serena looks at him and smiles weakly.
Darien: Who wants some breakfast…
He puts the tray over a small table and puts it over the bed, Rini sits on the bed staring at the food.
Darien: What did you expect, it's hospital's food.
Rini: that's fine, I'm hungry enough to eat whatever thing eatable I see.
Darien: I called the girls, and your family, they'll be here as soon as possible Serena.
Serena: … fine…
Darien: But first you need to eat.
Serena: when… when can I leave?
Darien: Probably tomorrow, or even today, you're stable but you need to get your strength back.
A few after they finish eating, Serena's parents arrive, they cheerfully greet her, they were very worried the whole time, finally they feel more relaxed knowing that their daughter is awake, and recovering remarkably. They tell her that even Sammy was very worried about her, but probably he won't admit it, knowing him.
They wish they could stay longer, but Serena's father has to go to work, and her mother says she'll go home and prepare her room, and make her something tasty for when she goes back home.
In the afternoon the girls arrive to the hospital. Darien is already doing his shift, but the head medic told him that he can leave earlier due to the fact that this medic knows that Serena's Darien fiancée and knows the situation.
Darien meets with the girls before they arrive to the room.
Darien: Hey, listen, I talked to the doctor who was attending Serena, he told me that she can already go home, can you tell her that while I go and sign her check out?
Raye: Sure no problem.
Darien walks away and the girls enter the room.
Mina: Hiya Serena! how are you feeling.
Raye: you must be happy, you love sleeping and I think you had enough sleeping for a while don't you?
Lita: oh come on Raye, you can at least say hi before piss her.
Amy: Serena we're all happy to have you back.
Serena: I'm happy to see you all, I just want to go back to routine.
Mina: Darien just told us that you can leave but I thought you hated routine anyway.
Serena: Is better than being in a room for… how long was I out?
Rini: 2 weeks and 3 days… counting today.
Serena: Ah… It felt shorter.
Mina: Was it like sleeping?
Serena: Yeah… kinda… even with nightmares.
Raye: you had nightmares?
Rini: What about?
Serena: It doesn't matter now I don't wanna talk about it.
Darien: hello, ah it's too crowded in here.
Serena: Darien I'm glad you're back.
Darien: I see you're better than as you were this morning, I'm glad to see you more like your normal self, so, are you ready to go?
Serena: Yes!
Serena pulls the blanket off of her and sees her robe.
Serena: I think I need some clothes first. Where're my clothes?
Darien: I just picked this up for you, the girls can help you while I go get you a wheelchair.
Serena: What for?
She tries to stand up but she loses balance. Darien catches her and helps her to seat on the bed.
Darien: this for.
Serena: Now sounds reasonable.
Darien: Your body needs to readjust after being motionless.
Moments later Darien brings the wheelchair, Serena's already dressed, the 7 walk together to the exit and head to Darien's car, and seeing that there's no space for them all, the girls decide to go by bus, and then meet back at Serena's house. When they all arrive Serena's mom invites them all to stay and eat, they stay at the house for the rest of the afternoon even Luna, Artemis and Diana are there, at night the girls leave, saying they'll visit tomorrow again. Darien stays a little longer, he helps Serena to get to her room, Luna follows them when they're climbing the stairs Serena's looks worried again.
Serena: Darien, there's something I want to tell you.
Darien: About what.
Serena: About when you brought me back, something was with me, wherever I was, I wasn't alone.
Darien: What was it.
They enter Serena's room and both sit on the bed. Luna jumps to Serena's lap.
Serena: I'm not so sure, it claimed to be death but I can't tell if it was true.
Luna: Death? You mean black robe and a scythe?
Serena: No, nothing like that, more like a mature pale man with black shiny hair and black suit.
Darien: and he said he was death?
Serena: Yes and he was the one pulling me back to the lake in the dream.
Luna: Dream? What dream.
Darien: What if it wasn't a dream, what if we were indeed somewhere else.
Serena: Maybe, but the thing is, that he said that he'd follow me if you released me.
Darien: Is that why you wanted me to leave without you?
Serena: Yes… what if he really followed me, what if he takes me back.
Darien: We'll deal with it, we'll face it and we'll remain. If he shows, he'll deal with me after he gets a chance to reach you, you don't have to worry, ok?
Serena: Ok… Thank you.
Darien: Now rest. I'll see you tomorrow.
They say goodbye with a kiss and Darien leaves, a while before he leaves Rini enters the room, Serena is already changed and prepared to go to bed, she's on her balcony watching around.
Rini: Are you looking for someone?
Serena: You scared me, no I'm just… looking, what are you doing here?
Rini: Checking on you, in case there's something you need.
Serena: I'm fine.
Rini: Also, Darien asked me to stay with you tonight, he seemed worried, is something wrong?
Serena: Hmm… no… just prevention I guess, you know him.
Serena goes inside and turns off the light, she and Rini go to bed. Soon Serena starts having a dream, in her dreams she sees the man who claims to be Death, they're near a highway, cars are passing by, the man walks closer to Serena.
Man: I told you, I'd follow you, you escaped, now attempt to the consequences.
Serena: What are you going to do.
Man: Take this as a warn, come with me, or else…
The man walks away from her, getting closer to the highway, there's a curve, in the distance a yellow convertible is visible, it's approaching to the curve, it's coming fast, when it reaches the curve it overturns, it spins without control and finally crashes with another car. Serena watches shocked the image, she runs to see what happened to the driver, when she gets a closer look to the car she recognizes it, she worriedly runs faster, and with horror she realizes that the driver was Haruka, she kneels to help her, and when she's about to grab Haruka she wakes up, shaky and scared, it's already sunny, what seems a short bad dream was an all night dream. She hurriedly gets up and takes the phone to call Haruka.
Serena: come on… answer… Haruka!!
Haruka: Hey we were going to visit you today! Darien told us you woke up, we were so worried.
Serena: Haruka, where are you are you far?
Haruka: Me and Michiru just come back to Japan, but we're going to Tokyo later today, I have an important race to attend.
Serena: Don't compete today, Haruka I have a bad feeling.
Haruka: Nothing bad will happen, I promise, but listen I have to go, the race will be in a couple of hours and I need to get ready, we'll see you tonight.
Serena: Haruka wait…
Haruka: Everything's ok, there's no need to worry now that you're awake, that's all that matters, well, wish me luck, and see you soon.
Serena: Haruka… good luck….
Haruka: Bye…
Serena: See you.
She hangs up worried.
Rini: What was that about.
Serena: I hope it was nothing.
A couple of hours later Serena is in front of the TV, she's changing channels quickly, then she stops when she sees a race being broadcasted.
Rini: Hey look, that's Haruka's car! She's on second place.
Serena: how long will this last?
Rini: I don't know…
They watch the race, everything looks fine, Haruka fights for the first place, but on the last lap she crashes with the competitor who was in first place when she tried to get ahead, the other car closed her path and they both collision. Serena and Rini watch shocked the scene, an ambulance rushes close to the accident, the paramedics check on the two pilots…
To Be Continued…