Oh my my...
Yeah, I'm really sorry for not updating so long, but my computer broke (such a lame excuse...) and before it was fixed I was already in summer camp (something new...). And so I spent almost a month without this box and now I feel relaxed, relieved actually; thinking about repeating it some day again. But it was also a bit sad cause I was planning to post this chap before the camp starts... uh, well I'm just glad it's here after all^^

14. Dante?

"Oh my…" she immediately sat up, all blinking and shining. "Sexy…"
The tall guest remained silent, only his eyebrow slightly jumped at the comment. Nothing more, as if he was unable to speak. And all in all, he was acting like a statue – not talking, not moving, possibly not breathing… Zhalia childishly pouted while getting up and warily approaching this statue-guy, analyzing suspicious object like a wild animal.
"Do I know you?"
Again, he only lifted his brow with some spark of scoff behind this motion. Tense silence simply kept on continuing, causing a grain of scepticism to sink into her mind. She narrowed her eyes.
"Not so sexy anymore… What do you want?"
And once more – silence. If he was trying to get her annoyed then this plan was working damn well.
"Pff, idiot… Mind telling me your name?"
Sardonic smirk crowned his lips as he finally spoke.
"Why would you need it?"
This timbre… It sounded familiar. Of course, the same voice she heard when pink witch showed up. But now, looking at its owner, the only feelings that rose up in her were disappointment and annoyance.
"Jerk," muttered. "That's your new name so get used to it," woman spun round, not really knowing what's wrong with her. Or him.
To her great surprise, statue's body actually was able to move, and it moved pretty swiftly – his firm grip wrapped around her wrist with a tug, rudely turning her back to face him again. Not hiding her temper, Zhalia glared straight into his eyes which had some uncertain colour because of the traces of slowly rising dusk. Why on Earth this person evokes so much negative feelings within her? It's not normal! Or perhaps it's just one more change of mood? But those never were that strong… Something's wrong… She plunged her nails into his hand trying to free herself, surprisingly, his face showed no emotions.
"You're not allowed to touch me, Jerk," hissed. She could hardly control the rage, rushing through her veins, but a little piece of her mind kept convincing that she can't lose herself for some unimportant and disgusting thing like the one in front of her. Heck, it was impossible even to stand near him… "Try that again and you'll regret being born with hands," spat out through her gritted teeth.
"Acting cool? Che, in your current condition you don't stand a chance against me," notes of wavering disdain clear in his deep voice.
Zhalia tore her hand out of his iron-like grip.
"Well thank you. You're no better than the one that washed my brains, idiot," she pronounced it and felt victorious triumph warming her from inside as she caught sight of his eyes briefly widening. Snorted.
Just who was this man? He looked invulnerable, but not quite, something in his looks was gentle. A cold shiver of aversion ran down her skin. He had that fishy smell of being false everywhere around him, and she couldn't stand it. Again – why? His voice roughly brought her back from her musings, reminding about his revolting presence.
"Idiot or not," the visitor nonchalantly leaned against the wall. "You're still having a dinner with me."
"Dream on."
Realizing that she'll definitely go mad if she keeps talking, blue-haired female forced herself to ignore his irritating gaze and kicked him a mattress.
"And stay there," she tried to sound friendly. Well, it seems she failed…
They exchanged stares – mockery on one's face, spite on other's. Not averting his sight, he smiled somehow craftily, moving his foot to draw up the given mattress. And Zhalia just watched him with enmity while sensing millions sweeps of the tides of never felt emotions pulsing back and forth in her whole body. In her head, heart, stomach, blood… Everywhere. Even in her toes… Something inside this stranger was scaring her, something – attracting, something – irritating and making her sick. Oh great… Damn… Her head was spinning, again. This time a bit faster. Why… damn it… why now..? At the moment like this she can't show her weaknesses. But it was just so hard…
Placing uncertain, shaky steps backwards, woman prayed for not to crash on the ground – that would be the biggest humiliation ever, she could easily imagine him laughing at her. She glanced at her slightly tingling wrist. Whatever was happening, it was wicked. Vile. Some strange shimmering grey spots leaped into her eyes, causing a surge of nausea. And his blur face was distant and thoughtless… BADUMPT!... Her heartbeat increased and was now drumming in her ears, suddenly she started suffocating. The other minute – everything came back to 'normal', apart from dizziness. Zhalia realized she was staring at the door, but… BADUMPT!... There was absolutely nothing she could do, her limbs felt so heavy and her head seemed to belong to someone else, like a separate head-shaped planet flying in the orbit around her body. What the hell… Did he… It has to be his… fault?.. fuzzy thoughts were racing amongst each other, making it complicated to understand them even for their own creator. My… dream?...Shit, what's with that… dang it dang it dang it! … BADUMPT!... The view, images – as if some kind of dream: cloudy, confusing, shadowy… Blue-headed woman involuntarily stepped back. And just in time. Something, that was spreading inside her like wildfire, reached its goal – she dived into nothingness.
Flinching, she regained consciousness and met his look in a distant, something white… She collapsed on her bed with her eyes wide open. Whoa… why is this happening? The world was non-stop turning round and round and round… Good thing – there was no headache, no pain at all. Oh shit… he saw you… Idiot, now he's gonna… why… why are you so stupid?... crap…
"Get lost, Jerk," but it was only her lips that formed those words, no sound escaped them.
Weird… uhhh… I'm exhausted… Yes, she was terribly exhausted. From all this communication thing and from being alone. From thinking and talking, sleeping and starvation… She was tired of life. I guess… I'll just close my eyes. For a minute… well, maybe two… or five… So tired. Her eyelids slowly shut, heartbeat playing odd lullaby… It was so calm. Finally peaceful…

XXx

"Yeah?" girl yawned answering her phone.
"Yo, Soph! Where's Dante?" as usual, Lok's voice was cheerful and energetic.
"Just call and ask him, duh."
"He's not picking up."
"Well it's obviously because he's sleeping. Do you even know what time it is?"
"Eh, 10?"
"It's almost midnight, Lok," groaned Sophie.
"Woopsy, my bad," he gave a sheepish chuckle. "Sorry, I mean his cell switches to voice mail when I call and I just want to ask him something."
"I'm sure it can wait till tomorrow."
"Yeah, but…"
"Just go sleep and let him be."

XXx

She opened her eyes only to face thick ebony darkness. Blinked. Slowly stretched herself.
"Stupid Jerk," murmured.
"Oh, so you're awake already," the voice made her start.
And I thought it was just a sick dream… Zhalia sat up, smelling something tasty. Food? Her eyes were still seeing only black colour, so when suddenly a tiny radiant orange ball shot into the air she had to look away. He was sprawled exactly at the same spot where she saw him the last time – few steps from the door. The mattress was prepared for sleeping; pillow, blanket; some backpack by his side. And two trays with food and some drink. Her mouth watered at the sight. Well, he knew how to spoil everything…
"You're staring, it's rude," man frostily lifted his brows, but then added almost friendly. "C'mon, it's yours. Take it," he gestured at one tray. "I've even poisoned it for you."
Relief she felt when she thought that he's been just acting the whole time, instantly crumbled to bits, burnt down and rose up from its ashes like a phoenix, only in the form of hatred. Her ambitions took over the control of her mind – she leaned her back against the wall.
"So you're just gonna ignore me now?"
Scowling at him, woman protectively crossed her arms on her chest and kept staring.
"We both can play this game," her arrogant guest put down his mug, folding his arms too.
In that dim hovering orange light (Zhalia didn't worry herself with questions what it could be) she was observing him. Tall, strong; his face was wreathed in shadows. Her hand instinctively went up to her hood. Happily, it was in its place. She glanced at him again, and new billow of rage pierced her – he was imitating her. Every move! Frowning, glaring, shifting his hands and legs, changing his pose… Sometimes, at the same time like she, as if he knew what she was going to do. Blue-haired female turned away, feeling angry, annoyed, uncomfortably. But his actions touched and evoked something more than fury and disdain. It was… somehow… painful…
"Jerk."
"About time," he pushed both trays away as far as he could. "Your guest is deadly bored. You better do something."
"Why you're such an ass?" harshly barked Zhalia.
"Well maybe I have to."
"What's with that attitude? From what I've heard I'm 'stupid and mean' one."
"I'm impressed! You were actually listening. Let us share it then! You be stupid, I'll be mean," came sarcastic retort before the light disappeared.
"Ass," but for some reason it hurt her.
"Whatever."
Judging from sounds, he lay down to sleep. Just like that. Fuming, Zhalia did the same.
Silence fell on them. After some time she leaned on her elbow and blurted out bitterly.
"You know, they told me that Dante Vale was incredibly great and awesome, so I think you…"
"Oh, so now I've got a new name? How kind of you."
"You shouldn't have come here in the first place! No-one asked and no-one wants you here!"
"I'm so sorry, I thought you like presents," jeered at her a deep voice from the dark.
"You? A present? Seriously?" she laughed with scorn. "You sure you don't have some severe head trauma? A present? Pff…" but her heart was bleeding. "I just wanted to meet him. And what do I get? Sheesh, I thought that Sophie-brat was impossible. Guess I'll have to apologize…"
"Again, I'm sorry for crushing your dreams," snorted the man. "Can you feel it? The disappointment. This world isn't just about you. Snap out of it already."
"You just don't get it! I…" her voice suddenly broke and she buried her face in the pillow.
Unfinished sentence froze in the awkward silence.

XXx

The phone rang.
"Soooph! Where's Dante?"
"You asked me that 30 minutes ago and I said he's sleeping. I'll tell you once more… Don't try to interrupt! He's sleeping, cause that's what all normal people do, and if you don't stop calling me in the middle of the night just to wake me up, I'll make sure you're asleep for the rest of your life!" she poured it out in like some patter.
"Yeah yeah sure, but I'm at his place right now! Door was unlocked, I came in, it's dark and it's a mess everywhere and… God!" shrieked Lok. "I've just stepped into something-one!"
"You WHAT?"

Bam bam baaaam...

Is it really Dante who visits Zhalia? Or did something bad happen to him too? Or ...

Just let me hear your thoughts. Review please :)