Chapter 7: escape

The Zodiac.

Wow…what a lame name.

I wonder if they could tell me my horoscope…

Hahaha.

"What the hell kind of name is the Zodiac?" I smirked.

Hailey smiled too, "Actually, the main base is called the Zodiac. Its called that because it has different gang groups that are known by each zodiac name."

"So you mean that there is a group called Leo, and another group called Taurus, etc?" I said.

She nodded.

"So what gang did our good friend Kevin belong to?"

"Kevin and his friend were both a part of the Scorpio gang," she said, adjusting her pillows, "They ruled the east side of Chicago. The Zodiac have gangs situated in a few major cities."

"Do they have any in Seattle?" I asked, "that could be a chance for us to learn some stuff."

Hailey tucked a stray strand of curled hair behind her ear, "Yeah actually they do now that I think about it. The Gemini are actually situated here. I think that one of them actually goes to our school. Or at least when he wants to show up. I think you know him, his name is Chris Parker."

I choked.

"Chris Parker? As in my friend Chris Parker?" I gasped, "are you serious? He is a park of the Zodiac?"

Hailey blinked, "I forgot you were friends with him. Yeah, he's one of them, I'm sure of it. I've seen the tattoo on his chest."

Wow, Chris Parker. I never would have guess…

Wait just a second…

"When the hell did you see Chris's chest Hailey?" I arched an eyebrow, "is there something you want to tell me?"

She glared at me and punched me in the shoulder.

Ouch…she hits hard man…

"You sick jerk!" she fumed, "I have some self respect you know! If you must know, at the beginning of the year there was a pool party at some seniors house and I went and saw him there!"

I smirked… pool party… Hailey would look good in a bathing suit….all wet and…

"Hello! Paul! Are you listening? What are you thinking about?" Hailey shook me.

I looked at her, "Just some thoughts that I will keep to myself, unless you really wanna know."

She raised a delicate eyebrow, "Um, no thanks. I would rather not know what goes on in that sick mind of yours."

I grabbed my chest in mock pain ,"Ouch, my heart! You have cut me deep Hailey! Real deep!"

She rolled her eyes, " wow, normally I would try to act like I care but… I am in way too much pain!"

Smart ass…

"Should I call your mom to tell her where you are?" I asked after a while.

When Hailey looked at her hands and didn't answer, I rested my hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry Hailey, I didn't mean to upset you."

Hailey frowned and looked out the window, "My mom died when I was born and my dad left right after that. I guess he figured that I wasn't exactly worth sticking around for. I'd give you the number for my foster mother, but she is out of town with her husband anyway."

Wow, she had no one…

And here I was, taking my own family for granted.

"I'm sorry Hailey."

She shook her head and smiled, "Don't be Paul. I never knew either of my parents so I guess it's easier. Besides, with my foster parents, they don't give a shit where I am or what I'm doing so that making shifting a lot easier. I don't have to sneak out like I did with my foster parents in Chicago. Just promise me something…"

"What?" I asked.

"Your brother, Jack. He is a really great kid you know," she smiled up at me, "don't stop being a big brother to him Paul, not ever. He may be annoying as most little brothers are, but believe it or not, you being his big brother is a big deal to him."

I arched my eyebrow, "and what is so unbelievable about that?"

She smirked, "come on! You are Paul Slater. I pity the kid."

Before I could attack her, a nurse knocked on the door and entered with a tray of food.

"Excuse me sir," she smiled sweetly at me, "but visiting hours are over now, you will have to go."

I started to get up when Hailey grabbed my wrist. I turned and looked down at her, "what is it?"

Her eyes were big, "what if he comes," she whispered.

She was right. I couldn't leave her alone and defenseless in a hospital bed. Kevin could show up during the night. And seeing as the entire staff probably couldn't see him, I doubt they could protect her.

"Actually," Hailey cut through my thoughts as she talked to the nurse, "I am feeling much better. So I think that I'll just go home now."

The nurse shook her head, "I'm sorry but that is just not possible. The doctor wishes to keep you here for the night just to make sure that you are healing properly."

Hailey sighed in defeat.

I was about to protest when she cleared her throat.

"Well goodnight then sweetheart," she said to me sweetly as she opened up her arms for a hug.

Sweetheart?…

Oh! I get it!

I leaned in for a hug but instead I kissed her quickly on the lips.

"Ass," she said in my ear as she embraced me, "stand out of the way, I'll take care of the nurse."

I straightened up, "You are tired honey."

"I'm fine."

Hailey looked at the nurse and I could sense her energy building slowly inside of her.

I heard the nurse shiver beside me, "it feels kind of funny in here."

She started to move toward the window when she hit an invisible wall.

"What the," she mumbled as she backed up into another invisible wall.

She moved her hands frantically, but each time she found herself boxed in.

"Help!" she yelled, "I can't get out!"

Quickly scooping up Hailey in my arms I headed for the door.

"Stay here cookie," Hailey called after her, "we'll go and get help!"

We laughed all the way into the elevator where I put Hailey down so she could lean up against the wall. She breathed deeply and grabbed her side.

"It hurts way to much to laugh," she groaned.

Suddenly her feet gave way and she started to crumble to the ground. Reaching out I caught her around the waist before she hit the ground.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I shouldn't have used my power to put up that barrier," she said softly, "I was already weak and that took up more energy then I thought it would."

I smirked, "that's ok. I don't mind having to carry you everywhere."

She blushed slightly, "thank you Paul."

"For what?"

"For everything. For saving my life in the park. For protecting me. For staying with me just now."

"No problem," I said.

The elevator dinged and we got out, me carrying Hailey to my car that was still parked out front.

Setting her in the backseat I let her lay down so that she wouldn't have to strain her ribs. Then I got in the front, and we were off.

We arrived back at my house about twenty minutes later, and the sun had already begun to rise. No doubt that my parents would be getting ready for work in a little while.

Picking Hailey up I shifted to my room and lay her down on my bed…again. Wow, this girl sure does have bad luck…

"do you have a t-shirt or something that I could wear?" Hailey asked, looking down at her bandaged chest.

Damn…

Sighing, I went into my dresser and pulled out a old blue shirt. I threw it at her and she put it on, gritting her teeth from the pain in her ribs.

"Do you want an Advil or something?" I asked.

She shook her head, "the hospital drugged me up pretty good. I just need sleep. By morning I'll be good as new, shifters seem to heal fast."

I smirked.

Taking off my shirt I climbed over Hailey and crawled under the covers beside her.

"What the fuck do you think you are doing?" she hissed at me.

"Trying to sleep," I said.

She flicked my forehead, "Not here you're not. Get on the floor."

I shook my head, "can't the housekeeper took the sleeping bags to the dry cleaners this afternoon. They won't be back until tomorrow. You can't expect me to sleep on the floor with no blankets can you?"

She sighed heavily, "fine. You win this time Slater, but no funny business."

"Wouldn't dream of it," I replied smugly.

Ok…maybe I would dream of it… a little.

…………………………..THE NEXT DAY……………………………

I opened my eyes slowly and check my watch, 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Wow why had I slept so…

I almost jumped when I heard someone sigh beside me. When I looked, I noticed Hailey nestled into my bare chest.

Noticing our position, I found my arms had found their way around her waist.

…lecherous hands…shame on them….

Ahem.

Hailey's weren't exactly keeping to themselves either. One of her delicate hands was resting on my chest while the other was around my neck and curled into my hair.

I watched her sleep. Her breathing was finally even and calm again, and I noticed that she was sleeping on her side. She really did heal fast.

Wait…if she wakes up and sees me this close…she is so gonna kick my ass…

Unless…

Unless she wakes up first…

Muhahahaha.

Closing my eyes and pulling her a little bit closer, I pretended to be asleep.

Sure enough, a few minutes later I heard a sharp intake of breath when she realized who's chest she was up close and personal with. I felt her shift uncomfortably as she slowly tried to remove her hands from my hair without 'waking' me.

I opened my eyes slowly and was met with deep brown orbs.

"I see you couldn't keep your hands off hey Hailey?" I whispered smugly.

She glared at me, "this coming from the guy who has his arms permanently wrapped around my waist!"

I smirked, "general male reaction. I thought girls would have more self control."

She used both of her hands to push at my chest to try to get me away from her. Instead of letting go I brought her closer.

"You know what?" I kissed her hair, "I think I like it right here thank you very much."

She groaned in annoyance.

"We should get up Paul," she said into my chest, "what day is it anyway?"

It was my turn to groan, "Tuesday. I suspect that the school has already called looking for us."

Hailey rolled out of bed and I followed. She stretched and then cautiously looked out into the hallway.

"Is anyone home?" she asked me.

"Just me," a small voice said.

We both jumped about a foot when Jack appeared from the shadows.

"Why aren't you at school Jack?" Hailey asked.

He shrugged, "I don't feel good. Where were you last night Paul? I went to check on you but you were gone. Then I heard you shift back into your room this morning. What did you do to Hailey? She looked pretty beat up last night. If you hit her I am so gonna kick your ass Paul."

Hailey laughed softly as Jack balled his hands into fists.

"I didn't do anything!" I exclaimed, "she had a run in with a ghost who doesn't like her much. Last night I took her to the hospital just to make sure she was ok."

Jack took a deep breath and relaxed. Hailey went and took his hand in hers. Jack blushed.

"Can you show me where your mom keeps her clothes?" she asked, "I'll need to borrow some, the hospital still has mine."

Jack nodded and led her down the hall to the master bedroom.