I was grateful when Wesley, or Doctor O'Conner as my Mother addressed him, informed me that I was free to go. I automatically jumped up from my bed, resulting in slight dizziness and had to sit down for another five minutes. Mother drove me back home with lots of fuss on how much of a horrible mother she thought she was. I reassured her that my accident was my fault, though nothing ever changed a mothers mind when her children were involved. I hated seeing Mother look so guilty, drowning in the blame that she didn't deserve, and I wished that I could make her understand that I would never blame her for anything that happened to me.
When we arrived home, which was empty as Giles was still at work, I told Mother that I was slightly tired and that I was going to have a few hours sleep. She raised her eyebrow as she watched me shuffle up the stairs, though she didn't stop me. I remembered how eager I had been as I rushed out of the hospital; I showed no signs of being tired until now. I shrugged my shoulders and entered my room, shutting the door behind me.
Instead of heading to my bed, I walked over to the window and tugged it open. I casted a glance over my shoulder before stepping through my window and climbing down the drain pipes. I chuckled to myself as I exited the back garden, proud for not being clumsy and resulting in another accident.
I didn't know the motive behind my journey, in fact my mind was giving my feet directions and it was like I had no choice in the matter. I knew that I was being irrational and I should return home, especially before Mother found out that I was gone. I couldn't imagine the pain behind her blue eyes when she entered my empty room – I knew she would blame herself like always. I bit down on my lip and tried to ignore the guilt surging throughout my body as Mother swarmed my thoughts.
Finally, after minutes of drowning within my own guilt, I had arrived to my destination.
I stood on the edge of the curb and stepped down slowly onto the edge of the deserted road. When I blinked I saw my body falling off the curb and smashing onto the road. Though I knew that I was alone now, there was no one here. For now. I wondered if he would come.
I looked behind my shoulder, almost expecting to see four staggering shadows advancing upon me but I was always alone. I tightened my jacket around my thin frame and cuddled into the warmth it brought.
I heard tires squeal down the street as a car zoomed towards me. A shiny black Land Rover screeched at a halt in front of me, the passenger door was thrown open. I stepped back up onto the pavement, even though I recognized the car, as an instinct. I knew who that car belonged to, still remembering the day when it zoomed off after the owner's eyes clashed with mine.
'Get in,' growled a voice.
I shook my head, taking another step backwards from the car.
'Please,' he whispered, softer this time.
I smirked and bounced towards the car, dropping myself into the passenger seat. I closed the door behind me and sat in silence as the car sped off down the road once more. I stayed quiet, waiting for him to form the words that were racing through his mind. I cringed slightly as I noticed how fast we were going – did he always drive like a lunatic?
'What were you thinking?' questioned Angel, taking a deep breath.
I shrugged my shoulders, not knowing the words that would answer his question. I didn't even know myself what I was thinking or why I ended up at the scene of the accident. I knew that he would come rushing for me, I didn't know why but I just knew it.
'It isn't safe in the dark,' he muttered, shaking his head. 'I thought I told you this already.'
I nodded, looking down at my hands since looking out of the window made me feel sick. I felt the concern in his voice, yet the anger was trying to boom over it. Angel sighed loudly and looked at me from the corner of his eyes, scanning me for any fresh wounds.
'I'm fine,' I said, motioning over my body.
His eyes lingered on the butterfly stitches on my head then at the cuts on palms.
'They'll heal,' I reassured, answering the question he left unspoken.
Angel nodded and ran his free hand through his glossy hair, sighing again. I wondered whether I was stressing him out with my 'I'm-just-looking-for-danger' attitude, and instantly felt guilty. After all, he was still a stranger to me and yet he wanted to protect me like I was his responsibility. A small smile spread across my lips as he ran his free hand over his pale white face.
His skin tone reminded me why I was here. I knew that I hadn't come just to stare at this beautiful boy.
'The Hell Mouth, huh?' I said, gulping as I saw his face stiffen at my words. 'I'm surprised how unsurprised I am.'
I paused for a moment, replaying my words in my head and wondering if they made sense. My eyes scrunched up in confusion, though I shook my head and turned back to Angel.
His hands were clamped onto the steering wheel like he was never letting go, his eyes looked like slits as he peered through the window and his lips were pressed together tightly to form a straight line. Even in this state, which I guessed was anger more than anything, he still looked more beautiful than any other person I had met.
'Witches, werewolves, demons,' I mumbled, ticking off each word on one of my fingers. 'And Vampires.'
I noticed Angel wince like I had punched him in the face. His face remained hardened as we drove through the darkened streets, not muttering a word whilst I watched him with my curious eyes.
'Pale skin, never goes out into the sunlight, ice cold, knows everything that's going to happen a minute before it does,' I whispered, my eyes now fixed on my clutched hands. 'Not to mention that you're inhumanly beautiful.'
Angel pulled up at the side of the road, yet his hands were still clutched onto the steering wheel. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, rubbing his cold skin over his pale face. He finally opened his eyes and looked at me with pained eyes, almost as if he were terribly sad.
'You can run now,' Angel sighed, turning his eyes back to the front of the car.
'Excuse me?' I said.
'If you are afraid, you can run – I won't stop you,' he replied.
He expected me to run? Even worse, he thought I was afraid? I had never been so unafraid in my whole life, his presence seemed like a shield to me – a shield that was indestructible. The way he said I felt like his responsibility to protect meant something to me, like he was promising to protect me from the despair this cruel world could bring.
'I'm not afraid,' I said firmly.
'You should be,' Angel growled, his hands clenching into fists.
'You could never make me afraid,' I mumbled, a blush spreading to my cheeks.
A smile tugged at Angel's lips when he noticed my blush, although it quickly vanished when my words had sunk in. He frowned and watched me through his dark orbs, unable to hide the confusion that I brought to them.
'But you know what I am,' Angel frowned.
'And yet, for some totally irrational and complicated reason, I trust you,' I smiled softly.
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Authors Note: YAYNESS! At least twelve more reviews till 100! I am so excited. Sad, aren't I ? Anyway, was that alright? I don't know if it should have been more tense or if they should of handled it differently. Argh well, let me know in your reviews! x
