I was still hiding near the bushes, recognizing Nick's and Iggy's shouts every day, every hour. I almost thought about going out there, but then I realized. They both were looking for me. This was but a competition to them. Like betting on a sports game.
So I remained near that mossy, jagged rock. I had actually grown quite fond of it. But only in some positions was sleeping on it comfortable. I had to keep shifting just to maintain my sleep status and not be woken up by a rock stabbing my ribs.
"Max! Hellooooooooo! Max! Maxie! I have...cookies! Chocolate chip!" Darn that Iggy. His convincing skills had gotten my attention, though. Especially the cookies. I peered through a small crack in the bushes, glancing at Iggy's tall silhouette. Nick was nowhere to be seen.
Sighing, I pulled the rough branches of the plant out of my way and stalked over to a wandering Iggy. Unfortunately, he saw me before I could scare him.
"Max! Oh, Max! I was soooooo worried! So much!" He ran to me, holding out his lengthy arms, and capturing me in a warm hug. I could feel him smiling against my hair, raking his fingers through the knots, inhaling and exhaling soothingly.
I grinned at him, feeling the sunshine on my now-blinded eyes. Iggy noticed, pulling me towards a shady area underneath a tree. Only a tiny space was available in the shade, so Iggy took a seat in the sunshine. Smelling the scent of pine trees and sap, I dug my nails in the ground below, relishing the soft grass swaying beneath me.
"Hey Max?" I looked up to Iggy, seeing his hands placed on his forehead, blocking out the sun. His smile formed into a straight line, his hand's sweat gleaming under the rays of light. He was nervous. About...something. I moved my hands quickly, ushering him to move on with his question. He gazed up at the blue sky, his eyes matching the distinct color of the sea above us.
"Ummmm...I-I've seen the...scars. On your arms." He was twiddling with his thumb frantically, flicking his eyesight to mine.
"H-How did you get them?" I felt my heart pound loudly through my chest. The decision to trust Iggy or the decision to tell him to back off. Well, that was a no-brainer.
He grabbed a crumpled paper out of his pocket and an infamous blue-inked pen. "Been saving them for you..."
"I mean you don't have to tell me! Not..you know...today! I can-" I placed my hand over his mouth, chuckling. His cheeks grew a shade of crimson, blushing. I nodded my head and he exhaled loudly, seeming relieved.
'It all started when I was little...well...little-er...' Iggy kept fixed his sight on the paper, making sure that he read every word. But soon, he'd probably wish he hadn't.
Line Break! 3 hours Later!
"But...wha-...Abuse?!" His voice grew loud, shouting. I placed my finger to my lips, shushing him, trying not to attract attention.
'The cops are looking for the murderer. And they say I've gone missing. Soon, they'll find out It was me who killed them.' Iggy's eyes grew wide, running his hand continuously through his hair.
"But In self-defense! It was for self-defense, Max!" He shrieked, piercing my ear drums. I lifted my hands from the grass and placed them over my ears, blocking out the noise. Iggy noticed and reached for my hands slowly. His eyes were raw with emotion, regret filling them up like a flood.
"I'm sorry. Didn't mean to yell that loud." He grabbed my right hand and intertwined it with mine, keeping hold on my palms. I felt my face flush, my cheeks heating up. Iggy noticed and chuckled lowly.
"Max. You're blushing." I glared at him, unamused. His laughter grew more and more, soon turning into a fit. I stood there, arms crossed, watching the whole thing. He breathed a sigh and turned up to the sky.
"The night is beautiful, y'know?" It was indeed. The sky was clear, exhibiting all various stars of different kinds. The clouds pushed themselves aside, letting me get a clear view of the shining moon above. It was placed high up, craters visible. I saw the face. The man on the moon. I smiled to myself, reserved.
When I was little, I made small talks with the moon. I used my imagination and pretended he was talking back to me. My mom encouraged me to show my creativity in life, expose my true self. She showed me the face. The face placed on the moon. It was a beautiful sight when I was younger. But now, It just showed me how much I longed for her warm smile.
"You can stay here. In my room. I'll take the sofa in the living room." He smiled happily at me, still staring up at the stars. This was what you could describe as perfect. The stars. The moon. It was all so...right.
In Iggy's bedroom! (Not like that! Gosh...)
"G'night, Max." Iggy stood at the room entrance, a playful smirk gracing his lips. I grabbed the paper, the one used all today.
'Goodnight, Iggy.' He nodded his head, understanding my graciousness. His foot turned away, starting to take his absence into the living room. I got up quickly, running to his side. He cocked his head, confused. I leaned in closer, Iggy's eyes growing wide. Placing a kiss on his cheek (A/N: Sorry Fax fans...) I walked back to the soft bed in the middle of the room.
Iggy stood there, face flushing, mouth agape, hand hovering over the spot I placed my kiss on. He grinned widely, ear to ear. Skipping away to his resting spot, I sighed quietly to myself.
My eyes closed, extremely heavy from the day's activities. I yawned and reached for the light to the bedroom. The yellow stream of bright faded away to a pitch black color. Sleep overcame me, finally...resting peacefully.
1 hour later!
Knock Knock Knock!
My eyes fluttered open, heart pounding. Now, the first thing I expected was a robber. But looking out to the window, It was something worse. Rather...someone. With a familiar shade of obsidian eyes.
