Chapter 10

My missing puzzle piece

The first ray of sunlight started to overcome the window. The birds from the park across the road were singing their morning blues, insisting for me to wake up. It was early and I wanted to sleep some more, but those stupid birds were making sure I stayed wide awake. The bed was warm and soft, and I could smell a good breakfast coming from outside the bedroom. Wait? Birds? I don't live near any park, nor have a soft bed. I jump out of the sheets, and felt dizzy for a second or two. I saw a photo of Elise and Wally hugging. I remember now, I remember yesterday and I sure remember Dick…Augh I just better forget it. I heard a small knock on the door.

"Artemis, are you awake?" Wally's voice came from across the door. I tried to look ok before answering him. I know that I don't have to impress him, but hey! I am a girl and do care for how I look.

"Yes, come in." I said hoping my hair wasn't that messy, or my morning breath wasn't that bad. I felt my lung inhale a little too much air causing me to cough a little. Wally came in and his face became red. I looked at him confused but soon enough my face became red as well.

"I-I'm sorry, I should had ask you first if I could borrow your shirt." I said staring really awkwardly toward the bed, not wanting to meet his eyes.

"It's ok. It- it look g-good in you." His reddish face became even redder. I felt my arms becoming warm due to the sun.

"I'll leave you, so you can take a bath. Afterwards come downstairs so you can have breakfast, ok?" His voice was soft but firm. I nodded and gave him a silent thank you. He smiled at me and walked outside. I felt a little light headed and went over to the bathroom. The hot water started to run soon enough, making the room cloudy and foggy. I gave myself a small look in the mirror so I could see better my scratches and my bruises. Damn! My knees were very close to become destroy and my back was full of huge and small bruises. I try touching one but it was too sensitive. I sigh and jumped into the hot water, chest first, making small water droplets to crash in my face. I grabbed the shampoo bottle and pour some in my hands. Feeling the cold shampoo in my scalp made me feel nice. I was no longer dirty.

After the shower I got dressed in my old cloth. They have been cleaned and smell like tulips. I slide first my shorts, thanking God that I decided to use short shorts and not some jeans; it would have hurt like a bitch. The shirt was no problem, although the bra straps press a little too hard on some of the bruises. I went downstairs just to find Wally reading the newspaper and drinking coffee.

"Reading something interesting?" I asked walking toward the plate full of food. They had two eggs, five slices of bacon, and three French toast.

"Nope, just some news about the flash." He smiled to himself. He looked so cute sitting in the chair reading his newspaper and drinking coffee, just like if he was a normal person. But he wasn't a normal person, he was The Flash. I continued to look at him, until his eyes met mine.

"What?" He asked laughing at me. I was ashamed but couldn't let him noticed.

"Why did you put so much food in my plate? Do I seem like dying of hunger, I don't think so?" I change the conversation not wanting for him to ask me for an explanation of why I was staring at him so intensely.

"Sorry." Was all he mumbled before continuing to read his newspaper. I felt a little ignored, but maybe he was very interested in the story he was reading. When I was half done with my plate I noticed he put down his newspaper.

"Do you want me to go with you to your apartment?" He asked drinking the last of his coffee.

"What for?" I asked drinking some of my orange juice. I bet he doesn't want me here anymore, I won't blame him.

"So you can grab some of you cloth for tonight. Besides you will sure want to make sure everything inside the apartment its ok. The street where you live are really dangerous…I never liked the idea of you living there by yourself." He talked as if he was by himself. He really did cared for me, but I couldn't do this to Elise and her…no, their baby. I know what will happen if I stay.

"Thank you Wally, you are really nice to me, but I think you know what will happen if I stay longer. I couldn't live with myself knowing that I destroy your family. You are indeed sweet with me, but I am a big girl now, I can handle things by myself. And don't worry; I think I have the perfect place to stay." I said too fast. He looked a little broken, but he knew this was for the best. He gave me an odd and broken smile before responding to my statement.

"Perfect place, huh?" He asked staring at the table. God it does hurt me looking at him like this.

"Yeah, believe me it's perfect for me." I try to reassure him. It didn't seem to work, he look even more broken. I wasn't completely lying, it wasn't perfect it was the whole opposite but I did have a place to stay. "You can come over whenever you want." I said trying to sooth his disappointment. He planted a smile in his face and made me feel better.

Later that day, he came with me to my apartment to pack things up and to help me move. This wasn't permanent, but I couldn't help myself to feel sad for leaving this apartment. A last look to this apartment and made my way to Wally's car to leave to this new apartment.

God, what am I doing? Why do I have to go to the place that hunts me down the most? I knew that I will eventually have to go. I had to find the missing puzzle piece. But why now?

Chapter 10! woohoo! I want to thank everyone that takes their time to review in my story. It actually means a lot to me, so thankkkk youuuu.

hope you enjoy it!

NRC199715