Chapter Four

When I finally slipped into my room, I had to blink a few times while my eyes adjusted. The walls of my home were made of a strange, unnamed material that always gave off a soft glow. It had seriously gotten on my nerves, so when I got old enough to voice my own opinions I demanded a change. So my parents and Loz helped me paint the walks a red so dark it was almost black and install thick carpeting that was as black as black could get. After the change I found sleep a lot easier than before. Yippee.

Once I could see again, I glanced around my room. I spotted Vincent's still form next to the heavy curtains that sometimes covered the large opening leading to my balcony. He was gazing into the night sky and seemed not to have noticed me, though I was sure he had. I walked towards him, moving off a bee-line path to avoid the foot of my large, four-poster bed. When I came up beside him, I stopped and poked his side with my finger. He turned his head slowly to blink down at me. He seemed kind of…out of it.

"You alright?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. He blinked slowly at me and then nodded before glancing back outside. For some reason I didn't believe him, call it a hunch. But I didn't press him. Instead, I tugged on his cloak and pointed behind and to my left when he looked at me again. "You can sleep on the couch. I'll get you some blankets after I change." He nodded again. Hm. Odd.

I shrugged his odd behavior off and walked towards my bed, beside which was a large wardrobe. Yes, I have a wardrobe. I like weird stuff like that. I would love to have an old gothic mansion. I opened it up and snagged a black tank-top and shorts that matched. When I turned to walk to my bathroom, Vincent hadn't moved from where I'd left him. I frowned and shook my head before making my way to clean up.

Once in the bathroom, I closed and locked the door. I set my clothes on the closed lid of the, yes, black toilet beside the slim, modern black marble sink. I turned on the warm water and let it heat up while I rifled through the medicine cabinet that hangs above the sink. I grabbed the soap bar of facial wash I use every night. I set it on the little space next to the faucet and washed off my mascara, eyeliner, and grime from the day. After that I lathered up with the facial wash and covered my face, letting it sit for a while before thoroughly washing it off.

With a sigh, I put the bar back into the cabinet and snatched up my clothes. I sat down, facing the sink, on the thick edge of the black marble tub that's more like a miniature pool. Hurray for me. I kicked off my shoes and socks, pausing for a moment to wriggle my toes in the cool air. Then I tugged off my shirt and threw it to the ground, rolling my shoulders. I stared at the floor, getting distracted as usual. I shook my head after awhile slipped on the tank, leaving my bra on. I stood up and took off my pants and donned the shorts, frowning down at my pale legs. I feel so ugly sometimes. Oh well. I picked up my discarded clothes and turned off the light before going back into the bedroom.

I walked back towards my bed, wondering where Vincent had gone when I reached the end of the couch. I stopped and looked to my right. He was laid out on my couch on his back, right arm thrown over his arms and, to all appearances, fast asleep. I shook my head and walked past the front of the couch and around the chair catty-corner to it and went to a small door on the same wall as the door that led to the hallway. I dropped my clothes on the floor and opened the narrow door, revealing several shelves containing board games, towels, blankets, and a shelf all for electronics, mostly my lap top and cds. I grabbed a large down blanket and quietly shut the door, making my way back over to Vincent's still form. Gently, I placed the blanket on top of him and tucked it in a bit on his sides, feeling more like a mother than ever in my life. After that I retrieved my clothes and threw them into the laundry basket beside my wardrobe and climbed into bed, pulling the ties that held back the think, black drapes, plunging myself into complete and comforting darkness.

-x-x-x-x-

I was wrong. I did get in trouble, for the first time in pretty much forever. My parents came down the next afternoon, Friday, and they and Aunt Tifa decided for the next two school weeks I would have after-school detention for two hours. So much fun. Every day I got to clean up the school and, if I had time, the parking garage. It was a massive pain in the ass, but instead of deterring me from fighting in the future, it made me want to do it more, just to rub the fact that punishment didn't affect me in their faces. But for a week I was a good little girl.

It was the second Thursday after I was issued detention, the second to last day of hell, that everything went wrong. Up till then, life was pretty great, sans detention. I was getting good tips at work, nobody was threatening me, the loser gang leader hadn't bugged me, classes were easy, and Vincent and I had been bonding. I was the happiest I'd been in a long while. But then lunch rolled around on that fated day.

Loz and I were in the gym, sitting near the top, watching some guys attempt to play basketball. Jean, the closest thing I had to a best friend, sat with us, chatting away. I tuned her out when Youda, a particularly nasty member of the local gang, who was sitting several benches below us, began to talk loudly.

"I heard he was bisexual!" He told his companions and glanced up with us. Oh no he didn't. He smirked at me and continued to talk, never taking his eyes off my face, "I heard he's gay with men and fucks his sister." I stared at him blankly, willing him to come up here. I knew he was talking about Loz and me. For some reason we've been targets of rumors and humiliation at our school. I stood up and brushed off my heavy black skirt. I walked down the few steps between myself and Youda. When I reached him I just stared coldly at him. He was still taller than me, even though I was a step above him. Bleached blond hair stood up in spikes on his small head and surprisingly intelligent blue eyes glared at me.

"What'dya want?" He asked in his oh-so annoying voice. One of his teeth was gone.

"For you to shut up." I said quietly before punching him in the gut. When he doubled over I caught him in the jaw with a left upper-cut. Little did I know that doing that was just about the biggest mistake of my life. Youda fell backwards in almost a flip and began to tumble down the stairs. The worst part was how limp and Raggedy-Anne he looked as his body rolled down the long flight of concrete stairs. I heard gasps around me and I stared in horror as his body hit the gym floor with a sickening –thud-. For a few silent seconds nobody in the entire gym moved. And then suddenly I was moving without even realizing it. I sprinted down the stairs with solid determination, and it seemed that I broke the spell that held everyone, because seconds later bodies swarmed down the bleachers and stairs towards Youda's lifeless body.

By the time I reached the bottom a small crowd had formed around him, forcing me to shove my way through. Seconds later I broke through the center of the crowd to find Youda's girlfriend knelt beside him, sobbing and touching his cheek. His eyes fluttered, but didn't open. She turned to me in a flair of fake blond hair and dark brown eyes. She basically screeched at me, "You monster!"

I ignored her and walked over to kneel on his other side, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. I couldn't believe I was about to do this. Tentatively, I reached out and placed my hand on his chest. I had…acquired some of my mother's powers when I was born. Not really her offensive or defensive power, but healing. I'm a terrific healer, though mother says I could be better if I practiced. I shook away my thoughts when blondie kept screeching at me and placed my hand on his chest. The girlfriend gripped my wrist and began to pull it away. My head was bowed a bit so I had to roll my eyes up slightly to look at her. Something in my eyes must have warned her because she immediately released me as if I burned her and scooted back. I closed my eyes again and let the warmth deep in my chest spread out and into Youda. It quickly spread through his body and my heart sank when I found the problem. I opened my eyes and gazed down on him. His eyes were open now and were filled with a mix of fear and wonder.

"Your neck is broken." I whispered. A small noise of distress escaped his throat and his eyes widened. He began to move his head back and forth while his breath came in and out faster and faster. I pressed harder on his chest and gave him a level look, "Stop it, or you're going to hyperventilate."

"But…" his voice came out high and frightened, "I can't move!" Everyone heard that. Gasps rang out all around me. Fantastic.

"I know." I said softly, "Now hold still so I can fix this." Confusion mixed with the panic in his eyes, but he stopped moving his head around. In the distant I could hear people talking and I felt someone grab my shoulder. People were really starting to piss me off. Then I heard Loz.

"Don't touch her. Everyone back up." His voice was soft and calm, and somehow he calmed the kids down. The hand on my shoulder vanished and a hush fell over the crowd. Thank you, brother. I said a silent prayer for help and guidance, and shifted a bit so I could place a hand on either side of Youda's neck. I closed my eyes and let out my breath, releasing more of my power as I did so.

It's difficult to explain how this works. The warmth of my power washed through his veins and over his bones before coming to a broiling rest at his neck. I could feel, sort of with my mind, the shattered bone of his spine and the torn nerves. The damage was bad, but I could manage. Using my power, I sort of visualized the bones, ligaments and nerves re-knitting themselves, and they did. I made sure it happened slowly and painlessly, and when I finished, I had no clue how much time had passed.

I sat back on my heels and let out a breath I hadn't known I was holding. I opened my eyes and blinked into the suddenly harsh light. Everyone was staring at Youda who was slowly sitting up. His girlfriend rushed forward in a flurry of sobs and wrapped her arms around him. When she met my gaze I was thoroughly shocked; I had expected to see gratitude, not hatred and anger. I frowned as she dragged Youda off to the side. The crowd had backed up and all eyes were now on my, most filled with horror. I found Loz's eyes and he nodded in approval before stepping towards me with an extended hand. I reached up when he grew near so he could help me up, but just before he took my hand Jean stormed forward and grabbed his arm.

"Don't touch her!" she scolded and jerked him back to the edge of the crowd. I felt a tightness form in my throat, but I ignored it. I am not going to cry. No way. I closed my eyes and stood up, slowly. I heard footsteps quickly approaching us. Seconds later a hand grabbed my upper arm and jerked me away. I kept my eyes closed the entire time I was dragged, through the crowd I'm guessing, and out of the gym. Based on the sound of the high-heels, how she was walking and where we were headed, I figured it was Aunt Tifa and we were going to the office. Goody.

I opened my eyes just as we were going through the office doors and I was right. Aunt Tifa didn't look back at me the whole time we trudged down to her little office, and still didn't spare a glance my way until after she'd shoved me in the general direction of one of the chairs across from her desk. She sagged down in her leather chair and covered her face with her hand, shaking her head. I didn't say anything, I was too afraid I would start crying, so I just sat down and clasped my hands in my lap, waiting. Several silent minutes went by. It was unnerving.

"Say something." I whispered, still afraid the tears caught in my throat would push their way out.

"What do you want me to say, Jayden?" Aunt Tifa asked softly and dropped her hands. Her eyes were cold and shut off. Some how everyone in my family, blood relatives or not, could do that; shut off their emotions so there was no possible way for you to read them. I fought the urge to shift under that intense gaze.

"I don't know…anything." I sighed.

"Well, let's see." She said somewhat sarcastically, "I'm sitting in my office on the phone with your mother, telling her how greatly your behavior has improved in the past week when a freshman comes running in here, freaking out might I add, and sobbing that you had punched a student who then fell down the gym steps and BROKE HIS NECK." She glared at me and I could see the anger seeping into her eyes. This time I did shift a bit.

"It was a mistake." I blurted out, then quickly added, "Besides, I fixed him. Good as new." She watched me for a moment.

"I noticed he was up and moving, so I thought maybe the student had been mistaken. That's what I hoped, at least." She sighed and the anger began to leak out of her eyes, leaving her looking exhausted. "Jayden, don't you remember your mother saying not to use your powers?"

I rolled my eyes, "That's such a stupid rule! I can do so much good! Every day people are injured and I'm a great healer."

"Yes, I know." Aunt Tifa said kindly, "But people don't understand that. Normal people…well, they may be a bit bothered by it. They aren't used to young girls being able to touch someone and heal them with a few thoughts. I pray that your peers won't shun you for your little show in there."

My eyes grew wide and frightened as I realized that she could be right, but I quickly shook it away. I had friends. Like Jean, surely she wouldn't stop being my friend because I –helped- someone. But then I remembered the look on her face and the way she jerked Loz away from me. This was not good. I looked up at Aunt Tifa, my eyes brimming with tears, "Can I go home?"

"I…think that may be best, for now." She stood. "Stay here and call your mother or father. Let them know what happened and that I said it's alright for you to go home." And with that she left me in her office, staring at the empty chair. I'm in deep shit, I thought as I pulled out my cell phone and dialed The Angel's Wings number. After a few rings none other than Haru picked up.

"Hey Jaydy-Wady, what's up?" I could hear the grin in his voice. I didn't reprimand him for the nickname.

"I need to talk to Mom." I said softly.

"What's wrong?" he asked immediately, his tone changing from joking to concerned.

"Just give me Mom." I sighed. He complied and put me on hold. A few minutes later my Mom picked up the phone, sounding worried and asking what had happened. Way to go, Haru. I told her what happened and what Aunt Tifa said. Mom was silent for a long time.

"Mom?" I asked tentatively, wondering if the phone had disconnected.

"I'm here." She said softly. "Go home Jayden, and don't worry about coming to work tonight. I'm sure you will be tired and need to rest, as well as think about what you have done and what the consequences are and will be."

I nodded and said, "Okay. I love you."

She sighed, "I love you too, baby. Be safe driving home." And then she hung up. I shut my cell phone and cursed myself and temper, before getting up and leaving.

-x-x-x-x-

When I got home, nobody was there. I trudged up to my room and took a forty minute, hot shower, then changed into a black cotton halter top and matching pants. I shoved my school clothes in the laundry basket at the bottom of my closet. I looked around my room and felt lost. It was too early to go to bed; twenty to three, and I wasn't hungry. In fact, Mom was right. I was exhausted. I wasn't sure about a nap because I didn't want to be up and hyper all night, but after a while I said screw it and I crawled under my covers and closed my eyes. Surprisingly, I drifted off to a dreamless sleep almost right away.

-x-x-x-x-

I woke up to darkness and silence. I sat up in bed and blinked sleepily as I smoothed down my hair. On the little bed side table was a glass of water and a wrapped up sandwich. I picked it up and sniffed. Summer Sausage. My favorite. I set it down and looked around my dim room. Vincent was not in his usual spot on the couch. I frowned and looked around for my cell before remembering it was in the pocket of my black skirt, in the hamper. I sighed and stumbled out of bed to the closet. Thankfully the skirt was right on top of the pile, so I didn't have to dig for it. I opened my phone and squinted at the sudden bright light from the screen. Wow. 3:27. I slept over twelve hours and was still tired. Wonder why…I'd have to ask Mom if I saw her before going to school. School…ugh. Just the thought made me want to run screaming. I hated it on a regular basis, but now...I don't know. It might be worse.

I jerked my head up when I heard the bathroom door open and stood up. I couldn't see over the couch from my crouched position in front of the closet. Vincent stood in the bathroom doorway watching me. He was more undressed than I'd ever seen him. He had a tight, black long sleeved shirt on tucked into black pants. I couldn't tell from so far away, but I was willing to bet the cloth was soft and he wore it under all his leather. The headband he almost never took off was missing, leaving his shaggy hair hanging in his face. We stared at each other for a moment and for some reason the pain I had felt the day before at school came back. I didn't want the kids at school to hate me for what I'd done. I blinked away tears and lowered my eyes before turning to shut the closet door quietly. I flipped my phone closed and went to walk back to my bed. Movement in my peripheral caused me to spin around and I gasped a bit when I found myself staring at Vincent. I had no idea he could move so silently and quickly. One second he was by the bathroom and the next he was right beside me, looking at me with a blank face. Two could play that game. I automatically relaxed my face and closed it off.

"What's wrong?" he asked softly in his husky voice.

"Nothing." I replied calmly. The corners of his lips twitched, almost as if he was fighting off a smile.

"Don't lie to me, Jayd. Something happened today that has upset you." I blinked up at him. Surely I'm not that easy to read? I had my cold, blank face on. Even Loz had trouble telling my emotions and thoughts when I was like this, and we had the twin psychic thing going on. He frowned when I didn't say anything, "It may help to talk about it. Otherwise it will build up inside and hurt and hurt until it breaks loose and you either scream and take it out on someone, or have an emotional breakdown."

I sighed and knew he was right. Motioning him to follow, I went over to the couch and sat down. He placed himself carefully beside me, but not quite touching. He watched my face and waited patiently. I studied him for a while. One day I would have to ask him how and why he has metal feet and left forearm. I shook my head and looked up into his crimson eyes, which had changed. Again. When he had returned last week they had been muddy, almost brown. Now they were a deep red, almost the color of fresh blood. You'd think that would creep me out, but I liked his eyes. I realized with a start that I was stalling. Why didn't I want to talk about what happened? Oh well. I took a deep breath and told him what happened. He was silent for a long time after I was finished.

"And why does this bother you?" he asked after while.

"I dunno." I shrugged. "I guess because Aunt Tifa said something about how normal people are freaked out by the abnormal and they may shun me or something. I don't really believe that, but maybe it just buried itself in my mind and it won't leave me alone."

Something flitted across Vincent's lovely face. Fear, sadness, and then understanding. Odd. "She's right, though." He said softly and lowered his eyes, "People fear the unknown and misunderstood. If they don't know how it works or why, or if they can't do it, or have it, then they don't like it. Humans are very selfish and self-conscience creatures by nature."

I frowned, not sure why the way he phrased the last sentence bothered me. I mentally waved the feeling away and realized he had been right. I felt better now that I had talked about it with a friend, and I had a feeling he was mistaken about the last part. I smiled then, "Thanks for listening, Vincent. You're a great friend. It did help to get it off my chest, and I'm not going to worry about tomorrow. I have Loz and good friends. Nobody will treat me any different than they used to. Besides," I added with a grin, "They thought I was 'different' from the beginning."

He raised his eyes to meet mine and they looked sad, "I'm sure it will be an interesting day tomorrow. You'll be fine." I frowned, once again not liking his phrasing. Oh well, again. I squeezed his knee in appreciation and headed off to bed. As I crawled under the covers I saw him pull a blanket out from under the couch and curl up under it, his back to me. He was a strange man, but my friend none the less. I closed my eyes and felt a lot better. Tomorrow, school would be fine. Everything would be fine.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-