Authors note: Well, I hope this was worth the wait, and I think the twist at the end ought to be interesting. Sorry for the cliff hanger;) Enjoy!
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Behind the wall of sleep
Chapter 14: All screwed up
I was lying on my back, my breath coming in rough gasps. My hair was dense with sweat, and I found myself surprisingly tired, sleepy. Frankie was lying next to me, an euphoric expression having settled on her countenance. We had been at it for at least two hours, and I found myself somewhat relieved that I had remembered locking the door. Tyson had tried to enter two times, but after shouting at him he had given up. Of course, the mere fact that he thought he could just come and go as he liked, in my room, annoyed me. But, at the moment the most important thing was that he could not disturb us, I could deal with the rest later. Frankie sighted contently next to me, her hair a mess. She looked sort of sexy, in a very absurd way, and I watched her from the corner of my eyes, somewhat fascinated. With that I sat up, absentmindedly wandering into the shower. She joined me moments later, and I stared at her, surprised. Not that it bothered me, of course it didn't, it was more the fact that she seemed so shy, and thus I hadn't expected her to act so…..bold. She smiled at me, and I watched, somewhat enthralled, as she reached for the shampoo. Why hadn't I thought of this before?
Breakfast the next morning was very strange. I went out running, and when I returned Frankie was just leaving, unsurprisingly having startled my teammates. "I'll call you", she said, smiling at me as she left. "Hn", I responded, briefly nodding at her, before entering my room. The entire apartment was consumed by a stunned silence, and when I returned to the kitchen I was met by four sets of accusing eyes. Being the one I was I promptly ignored them, proceeding to make myself hot chocolate and French toast. It struck me that Rey had not made me breakfast like he would normally do, and I glanced briefly in his direction, noticing his swollen eyes and tight lips. And, furthermore the empty plates in front of the others. He had made breakfast for everyone but me? What was this? I tried to think, to remember if I had said or done something to offend him. Quite honestly I couldn't think of anything, and although I was not really hurt, I saw the difference, and it frustrated me that I could not find a proper reason. Perhaps this was connected to his strange behavior lately, connected to whatever it was he wanted to tell me. Then again one could never know, not with Rey at least. In a way he reminded me about a girl, he was so complicated.
I sat down, picking up the newspaper as I sipped hot chocolate. Every once in a while I would glance in his direction, trying to read his face. He was sitting kind of uptight, biting his lip, blackish bangs covering his eyes. Tyson occupied the chair next to him, eying my toast and apple with hungry eyes. We locked gazes and he smiled sheepishly at me, jovially patting his stomach. "Hn", I said, but it was not the regular hn, it was one of displeasure, and Tyson shifted uncomfortably, swallowing loudly. "So, who is the girl?" He asked, still eying the toast. I got the impression that he was trying to distract me, and strategically moved my plate out of his reach, glaring. "That is none of your concern Tyson", I said, hiding behind the newspaper. And then, as an afterthought, I added a grumpy; "Fuck off". Perhaps that would make him understand that I was not interested in a conversation? As if. "But…who IS she?" He repeated, leaning forward, stretching in order to look over the paper. Had I not been clear enough the first time? I put down the paper, staring icily at him. It was that quality he had, one of the many that made me dislike him to such an extent. No matter how many times one told him, he couldn't, wouldn't, take no for an answer.
I was debating wheatear or not to punch him square in the face, like that first time I had met him, when Rey suddenly looked up, staring right at me. His eyes startled me a little, and I tensed, almost forgetting to keep an eye on Tyson and the threat he represented for my breakfast. Rey looked crushed, as if a family member had died, heartbroken, that was what he looked like. Even his eyes had a glint of desperation to them, and I tilted my head to the side, intrigued and uneasy by this development. He opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, before he abruptly got up, silently closing the door to his and Max's shared room. Should I go after him? Comfort him? Was that was I was supposed to do? Quite frankly I had no idea, and it struck me that Rey's breakdown could become a serious problem. He was the emotional one, the one who comforted and supported everyone. With him gone there was no one there to look after that task, and I sure as hell knew I was not capable. I would just have to hope that he pulled himself together in time. Or…. I could try and talk to him? Couldn't I?
"You can have the rest", I graciously told Tyson, gesturing at the remains of the toast. Besides I had discovered that the butter had gone bad, and it was not my problem if he ate it. I was not really hungry anyway, and it was not like I would manage to enjoy my breakfast as long as Rey was acting strange. For some reason I just couldn't let it go, it remained in the back of my mind, haunting me, and with a frustrated sight I got to my feet, headed for Rey's room. Tyson did not even seem to notice, having attacked the toast. Max and Kenny where doing something on the computer, which suggested that I wouldn't have to worry about them either. I approached Rey's door hesitantly, still not completely certain I was doing the right thing. Due to obvious reasons I had never been very good at such talks, and it was by no means something I was looking forward to do. With that I knocked two times, silently hoping he would not hear. Of course he did, and opened the door after a mere ten seconds. "Kai", he said, an unmistakable edge of fear and surprise to his voice. Fear…was he afraid of me? This possibility made me somewhat perplexed, and I actually considered aborting the whole mission. But, it was too late, Rey already having opened the door, and I strolled inside, hoping I was not making a mistake.
I looked around, feeling a little out of place. The room seemed to be divided in two parts, where one was clean and tidy, and the other resembled a war zone, socks and clothes scattered all over the place. I awkwardly stepped over Max's dirty underwear, leaning against a wall in what I presumed to be Rey's part of the room. He did after all seem like the more organized of the two. Rey sat down at the edge of the bed, undoubtedly surprised by my presence. "What is wrong with you?" I asked, knowing that it was probably not the best way to ask, but not really caring either way. This was not something I was comfortable doing, and I saw no point whatsoever in trying to be someone I was not. No, Kai Hiwatari was Kai Hiwatari. Surely Rey had discovered by now that this was not really my strongest side. And if not, well then he would learn. "Erm…..I…I can't tell you", he said, not meeting my gaze. Frustration flowed through me at this, and I could feel my darker side awakening. "You will tell me, and you will do it now", I said, my voice somewhat harsh, then again that would be his problem, not mine. Rey did not answer, he merely slumped, his hand tightly gripping the edge of a pillow. What was wrong with him? Surely there had to be something? "Kai", he then said, suddenly lifting his gaze from the floor. "I love you", he blurted.
Despite myself I left the room, having no idea on how to respond. Pausing only to get Dranzer I more or less ran from the hotel, knowing that I was escaping, and hating myself for it. I should have stayed. Fleeing was not something to be proud of, no matter the reason. I went to Frankie's hotel, and although it was probably not a vice decision I did not regret it. Spending the night with her made it possible to forget, to suppress everything for at least a short period of time. I love you, that was what he had said, and I did not really know what or how I was supposed to feel. All I knew was that although I held Rey in high regard, I did not by any means care for him in such a way. Despite myself I did consider him somewhat of a friend, but there was nothing more. With a sight I rolled over on my side, inhaling the scent of Frankie's hair. It smelled of shampoo and perfume, nice….arousing even. I could hear the rest of her team some other place in the hotel apartment. Although I had not met them they seemed nice…..quiet, which for me was equal with nice. Just like Rey, quiet and thoughtful…insightful. I stretched, burying my face in the pillow. Frankie shifted next to me, and I could feel waves of frustration and confusion flow through me. Fuck! Fuck everything! It was just all screwed up.
With that I abruptly got to my feet, dressing and grabbing Dranzer. This had to stop, I was not one for fleeing problems, no matter how uncomfortable they made me. No, I had to go back. So, I snuck outside with my characteristic predatory like movements, effortlessly gliding unnoticed through the dark. It was a clear night, stars shining on sky of black velvet, and a cool wind ruffling my hair. In a way the silent beauty of the darkness made it easier to think, to concentrate, it calmed me down, and suddenly things did not seem so complicated anymore. Strange how such simple things could affect me, of all people. But then again I suppose nature has that effect on most creatures, at least it should. I stopped just outside the entrance of my hotel, briefly closing my eyes as I inhaled one last mouthful of cool nightair. It was crisp and fresh, better than the air conditioned environment inside my room. A wave of uneasiness flowed through me moments later, my entire body tensing in anticipation. Something was not right, I just knew it, the finality of this realization making the hairs on my back stand on end. I was being watched, and I did not like it, not at all.
I stood unmoving, my eyes scanning the vast blackness surrounding the hotel. The lights where on and I retreated to the shadows, awfully aware of the fact that my frame was easily recognized against the neon sign of the hotel. I crouched down, pressing myself flat against a brick wall, melting together with the shadows, just as I had been taught. Apart from the constant whining of tires and car engines, and distant voices, of shoes clapping rhythmically against the sidewalk, it was silent. It was too silent, and I could literally feel the other person nearby, hear his breath, smell him. And furthermore I instantly knew that he could not hear, nor see me, and that he had no idea where I had gone. I waited in the dark for about twenty minutes, watching the stalker closely at a distance. My eyes having adjusted quickly to the darkness, I could easily make out most of the details on his clothes, but his face was turned away from me. He was wearing a black suit, pinstriped and with a tailored look too it. Judging by the fact that the wall he was leaning against was quite high he seemed to be relatively tall and well built, and he had dark hair. And then of course, the unmistakable bulk on his side, a gun.
He left shortly after, strolled along the streets with measured strides, hands in his pockets and shoulders slumped. Disappointment? Was that what he was projecting? Then again I was not too good at reading other people, which suggested that my perception might be wrong. I watched, insecure and curious, as he left, understanding deep down that somehow he was important. And then, after a brief moment of hesitation, I followed…