I got such positive reviews for the last chapter that I decided to just go right into Chapter 4 and subdue your suspense. I'm glad everyone is liking the story (because, well, what's the point of writing if you guys don't like my stories?). Anyway, enjoy the next chapter; I think you'll like it (cough fluff cough) –Jason
Crimson Shadows
Chapter 4: Pieces of the Puzzle
From Chapter 3: "What the hell were you thinking!" she screamed, sobbing. "Why!" With the only strength he had left, the strength that came purely from the heart, he whispered one word: "Help." Raven forced herself to focus as she omitted a black circle, which covered the both of them. She only hoped it wasn't too late…"
"Why would he do this to himself!" screamed Raven inside her own mind. She was so so scared and alone; the both of them really no one to watch their backs. The midnight orb flew across the city horizon like something out of child's dream. Soon, the hospital loomed in the distance, and the frightened girl sighed in relief…
Raven set the broken boy onto the ground and looked sadly into Garfield's twisted face, starting to cry fresh tears. His face showed so many scars, emotional and physical. His mouth was contorted into a line of sadness. It made her ill not knowing exactly what had made him try to end his life, but she would find out.
Raven pulled down her hood and ran into the building, praying that it wasn't too late; he couldn't die, after all that…
"Somebody please help…"
"This doesn't look good…"
"Immediate surgery…"
"Please don't leave me…"
Garfield shot up in a sudden impulse, his heart almost pounding through his chest. The confused and scared changeling looked around and found himself surrounding by gleaming white walls. "So this is Heaven," he thought. "Doesn't look like much."
"Raven!"
He yelled her name out loud, suddenly remembering. He had been hearing voices, and crying. Kind, strong words begging him to stay alive.
The changeling looked over the left of his bed and found the sweet girl, moaning in a light, uncomfortable sleep. Garfield looked down at his body and found he was wrapped up in bandages like some mummy at a museum. His right leg was plastered into a tight cast. Carefully, Garfield grabbed his legs with his hands and positioned them to the side of the bed.
Raven opened her eyes, startled by a ruffling noise. She looked up, and saw Garfield smiling a forced grin. A noise of surprise came up from the girl's throat as she walked over to him, embracing him in a warm hug.
Garfield returned the affectionate gesture, feeling a sense of caring that suddenly became overwhelming; he had never felt something so powerful besides hate or sadness. Raven broke the hug and looked into his shining, emerald eyes. "Well, you seem to be OK now. But why, Garfield?" Raven said, her eyes swimming in tears. "You scared me."
"I can't explain it; you would never want to see me again," he said, looking away. Raven placed a hand on his shoulder, and looked at him again. "Trust me; there's a lot of things I'm not ready to tell ANYONE, but I have to say them some time or another. Please, tell me what happened."
The changeling cleared his throat. "I…I…I killed F-fr-Frank," he stuttered, his body shivering with fear. She registered what he had said in her brain and nodded. "Was it in self-defense?" "Yes," he said, a little bit calmer. "How did you know?" She raised an eyebrow and shook her head, as if to shrug a burden off her shoulders. "Yesterday night, you were so comfortable talking about them. It was pretty obvious."
"What am I going to do?" Garfield sighed, worried. "Absolutely nothing," Raven said in a monotone voice, and he looked up at her in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that we're going to leave, together. No one will ever know it ever happened, nor will they probably care." "But the police…" Garfield began. She held out a hand to stop him. "Trust me. Everything's going to fine." Garfield gave her a puzzled look and shook it off. "OK, I trust you Raven. I trust you with my life."
Those words burned into Raven's mind; no one had ever depended on her like that before.
Her thoughts were interrupted as she felt warm lips tickle her cheek, and she saw through the corner of her eyes that Garfield was kissing her. He pulled away from and smiled. "I'm sorry." The young woman blushed with embarrassment, and yet with happiness. "No, it's OK." There was an awkward silence for a couple of moments until Raven stood up. "Do you think you can move alright?" The changeling morphed into a small bird then morphed back. "I think I'll be fine," he smiled. Raven opened to small hospital window and grabbed his arm. "What the? Wait!" he screamed, as they jumped out into the night sky.
Geez, what cheap asses; don't even pay the hospital bill! XD
Hope this chapter was to your liking; Chapter 5 coming to a browser window near you!
-Jason
