ANGEL'S FIRE
C H A P T E R * T W O
By Stargirl
Oh my goodness, it's out in only a few days!! *jumps* Hope you guys are happy! LOL
Was a bit frustrating though @.@ Ugh. Couldn't decide what to do. Have a SPEC of an idea, but PLEASE, any ideas would be wonderful. I'm striving to make it NOT boring, and original. Heh... okay, this chapter will be a bit funny, and should lift some of the sad and serious first chapter. Just enough for balance, mind you. I will try to remain consistent with the mood for it all throughout. Two of my friends said it was hilarious when I had them read the first part ^o^ Oh and Heero will be in the next chapter, and if any of you have any good or brilliant ideas for their meeting, please tell me!!! I won't post the next chapter if what I come up with is to boring XD So inspiration from you guys is vital ^o^ Heh, keep the reviews coming and maybe the next chapter will be done in a few days??? Hugs star
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"God," she whispered hoarsely. Why was she here, again? She almost groaned, but winced instead.
"You okay, Miss?" The bartender looked at her dubiously, eyeing her disheveled appearance, scratches, bruises, soaked red shoulder and forehead alike. Of course this would be a problem... people had been staring all throughout the night. "You look terrible," the man said dryly.
"Thanks for the info," Serena threw back, not looking at him. People, just leave me alone! She sighed. She was in dire need to figure some things up. Damn her head hurt though... She bowed her face to her hands, elbows on the table. Blood smeared under her right hand, her fingers finding her hair terribly matted and sticky.
"Computer," she muttered under her breath, thinking aloud. Needed to get access to a computer.... Needed to get access to a BED. Okay, bed or computer...
"Excuse me?"
She lifted her head. The guy was still there? "What?"
The tall blond shook his head, still staring at her oddly. "Have you had a drink? You look like you could use one."
Finally she gazed at his stubbled face, black tank, and tattoo that graced one tanned arm. Her throat still burned and her mouth still tasted bitter. Slowly, she nodded.
"Will you kill someone for me?" She wasn't in a state to think before she talked. God, she'd just tell the whole world she was still alive while she's at it. Hey everyone! I just faked my death! I'm probably gonna die soon anyway though so does anyone mind looking after my kitty?
The guy stopped before walking over to her. "Why do I have a feeling that you meant that more serious than an old boyfriend?"
"Because I've got blood on my face?" Serena's head swayed and her eyes blinked at a dizzy spell.
"Damn girl, what the hell happened? Did some-"
"Car attack," Serena slurred.
"Car accident?"
"No," she insisted. "Car attacked." She was still shaking her head a minute later even though she couldn't even remember why.
"You're drunk," the guy murmured with a nod.
"So are they," Serena stumbled out indignantly, jerking her head at surrounding people.
He nodded his agreement. "Yeah, but THEY aren't bloodying up my counter either."
Serena watched him as with a firm nod at some self imposed decision, he came around the counter and brought her onto her feet. "Come on."
Feeling horribly weak, she let him pull her through the blare and into a dimly lit hallway and up a closed wooden staircase. The wallpaper was peeled and soiled. She scrunched her nose at an odor and swung her head to the guy who helped guide her up the warped stairs. "If you try anything I'll kill you..." She said calmly if not a bit disorientedly.
"Fine words from someone who just asked me to kill someone for THEM," he laughed.
She shook her head widely as she followed up the stairs, hand reaching to the wall to keep her steady. "No one can kill 'im... They couldn't you couldn't. The moon couldn't." She nodded with a serious and thoughtful expression. "But... I could kill you, yeah. I could kill you."
The guy's hand tightened around her arm as she stumbled on a step. "The moon, eh?"
"Hmmm... what should my name be do you think?" Serena swaggered on the hallway. "Oooh.... How bout Fred?" She laughed. Fred... Her new identity Fred. It felt good to laugh... Everything was clouded, happy.
"You're one seriously drunk girl, Fred," the guy drawled.
"I'm not drunk." She felt her nose scrunch. "I don't drink, I'm not drunk.
"Oh---I know... I can be Angel!" Serena perked, changing the subject back in a split second.
"An Angel named Fred," the guy murmured, his eyes laughing.
"Not Fred, Baka! Serenity!" she shot angrily. "No... Serenity's my real name, though... That won't work," she groaned.
Green eyes peered at her. "Well, Angel, Serenity, Fred, whoever you are, why don't you go sit on the couch?" He gestured through the open door.
Straightening as much as she could, she stomped through the doorway. He--that guy was annoying. Baka. Baka with a soft couch though.... She sunk into the cushion, instantly curling up. Bed, couch, same thing... same marvelous thing. Her eyes dragged close, her breaths already slowing. All that would be nice now would be a teddy... The scruffy bear that her kitty always played with... Oh no! She shot up groggily, wincing at her head and shoulder. "Kitty!"
"Kitty?" the guy looked over at her. "Your new name?" he mused.
"No, my kitty's at home!" Serena forced herself on her feet... The poor thing, did she even feed her? Ugh, what was its name? She knew it! "Oooh, she's probably starving. I know, I'll call her-" She reached for a phone across the room.
"Hold it, hold it!" The guy called, arms wrapping around her stumbling form as she headed towards a phone on the wall. "Call your cat tomorrow, Fred. Sit down, I'll get you some aspirin, trust me, you'll need it."
Being bobbed down onto the couch, she forgot whatever it was she had got up for. Not even a minute later, curled up, hand tucked beneath her chin, sleep was a blessing.
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She awoke to a monstrous headache, the thick steady aching hanging around her temples. She winced at the blare of sunlight that slipped through her cracked eyelids. Moaning, she laid her head back down, wishing away every pounding beat. It didn't take long to realize the burning in her shoulder and every other sore part of her body, but that didn't even phase her much compared the emptiness drifting within. Why did she feel so lost... so cold all of a sudden?
She gasped, shooting to a siting position. Her heart stopped as her friends surfaced in her mind, only echoing the hurt. All the smiles and laughter. Void. Her eyes stung, washed with tears. She took in a strained breath, forcing herself to the present. Last night... What did she do last night? God, I'll never drink again in my life! She moaned, eyes wide as she leapt to her feet. Blanket being tossed to the floor, she turned around to see the room, wishing away her swelling head.
The guy behind the counter... All that she TOLD him! The car exploding and her identity... well, she didn't EXACTLY tell him the car was bombed. And she was DRUNK, none of it had to be true.
"Morning Fred!" The guy from last night came through the doorway, grinning, hair mussed, with only pants on.
Jumping to helpless nerves, she pulled out her gun, easily training it on him. "Stay away from me," she rushed.
The guy's face drained of color as he jumped back, arms in the air. "Holy Cow," he uttered.
"Who are you?" she demanded shakily, brow creasing in pain.
"Andrew," he rushed in compliance, "Andrew Falcet..."
Serena swallowed, calming down slightly. "Okay," she breathed, shutting her eyes. What to do, what to do... She was pointing a gun at someone who was seemingly trying to help. Cripe, she thought she was going to be sick.
"Eh .... Um, Fred?" Andrew ventured, seeming to settle a bit. "You okay?"
"No," Serena groaned. No, she was NOT okay. Hell would freeze over before she told HIM all the reasons why though. Stopping, she squinted her eyes open. "Fred?" she inquired.
Andrews eyes lightened behind nervousness, his lips quirking. "Yeah, Fred. You were.. uh, trying to think of your name or something. You said Fred. Whew!" He shot out a long breath with a laugh. "You weren't kiddin' when you said you could kill me, were you?"
Alright, killing him was completely out of the question. "Um... I'm really sorry about this," she laughed awkwardly. The loss of her friends and threat of danger were still too fresh in her mind.
"You in some kind of trouble?" he questioned, eyes shrouding in concern.
Realizing she was still pointing her gun at him at him, she began lowering it. Would he even believe me if I said no? Feeling lost, she shrugged a shoulder and looked away from him.
"Hey, maybe I can help," he began to offer with a encouraging smile.
She almost wanted to take him up on that. So bad that when she murmured "No," it sounded remorseful even to her.
Andrew looked at her for a moment, before abruptly saying, "Maybe you should clean up a bit."
He wasn't questioning about the blood. For once, she could be thankful for something. Gratefully, she stumbled towards the bedroom he came out of to the bathroom he gestured to. She was greeted by a cluttered counter. Tooth brush, tooth paste, cups, lotions... a bag of chips. Digging a rag out, she wetted it, and then biting her lip, looked into the mirror. She sighed. The whole side of her face was smeared with blood around a caking cut. Pulling her hair away, she carefully started to wipe away the red. She had to leave. But then what? No money, no transportation, no protection.
Ugh... She couldn't find ONE comb in the mess on the counter. Pulling out the scrunchy that was barely holding up half of her hair, she settled for wetting it down. Now... what to do with the shoulder? A shiver ran through her, gazing at all the blood that was drying on her shirt. She brought a shaky hand to pull the shirt away to inspect the damage. Cripe, the shirt STUCK! She tugged at the material once more, feeling a tear at her skin, and quickly left it. Giving up, she went back into the bedroom and glanced around. She had to leave... now. He hadn't asked her any questions, but how long would he contain them? Her eye caught a large jacket thrown across a chair and quickly pulled it over. Unless looked at closely, nothing in her appearance should be cause for questioning.
Checking, she glimpsed Andrew in the kitchen, and without another word, tiptoed out of the apartment. How long would it take him to realize she wasn't there? Swiftly she went down the stairs and out a side door in the hallway.
Outside, the wind caught her and someone stared. Unconsciously she drew the oversized jacket further around her. With one more swipe at her damp hair to assure it covered the gash, she walked out onto the bustling street. Her nerves still bundled, her knees shaky, and insides numb. What in the world was she supposed to do now? Could she risk calling Luna without being traced? The woman was probably the only one left who could help her. How ironic that she's the one who got her into the mess in the first place, Serena thought wryly.
Maybe-
Serena stopped short, eyes shooting open. The barrel of a gun jammed into her back, a body in behind her. All of a sudden her stomach felt queasy and all ability of thought abandoned her.
/~/*...AnGElS Fire.../*~/
*big breath* Okay, how was it??? Want more? Any helpful ideas or inspirations for me??
Oh, like how I ended it? *sweet smile* *sigh* Cliffhangers are great when they're your own creation lol Hmm, and it may or may not be heero with the gun. I actually just considered it a moment ago. Send in your opinions or ideas ^o^ I won't have it be heero unless I can get a good idea for why he's pointing a gun at her. Ah well, we'll see. And all of you, please REVIEWW!!! Who knows? Maybe the next chapter will be out within a few days if you do!
If any of you are interested, a lot of my stories and stuff are at stories.com/authors/stargirl
Also, I'm 99 percent positive any of you would love the site stories.com -- it's AMAZING. Heh, and humongous. Over 47 thousand members! It has everything though, interactive stories, campfires, forums, groups, contests, their on MONEY (gift points). They give you your own portfolio for any items you create, stories and poems and essays are static items BTW. And the address above is my portfolio. :) Lot of my digital is there too. Hope you check it out! ^.~ Also a good few of my art got accepted at a prestigious sci-fi fantasy art site, I'm so happy! You can find it at stargirl.epilogue.net, and can leave reviews on them right there. Yeah... I should probably be turning you to my own site but oh well. ^__^ For good measure it's VioletAttitude.homestead.com.
Hugs star