: A/N: I promise in later chappies, you get to see that beautiful man again. -growls- Sorry this one's so short, I'll try to make the others more lengthy or whatever. It depends on how much food I have at the desk . . . if I have to get up or go drive to get more they may be very very short. -shrug- We'll type with the way of the Oreo. 3 :

Dead To The World
Chapter two:

The day after that exhausting night I woke in the local hospital. They'd said a nurse had walked outside and found me past out and bleeding in a stray wheelchair. I told them about the man, they said it was only me. I asked them why they took me in, they said I'd been bleeding internally. I told them I felt fine after the accident, they said I was delirious. I believed them.

I had to stay in the hospital for a few nights, then left. Managing to stare down the small doctor with eyes filled with rage if he didn't let me out of that damned place. Calling in two nurses to assist him put me back in bed, I pushed past. He finally let me, after I'd practically made bomb threats.

Finally I was at home, resting with 'Get Well Balloons' and flowers filling my kitchen with the smell of a Nursery. I didn't love flowers, but anything to destract the overly-smell of cleanliness following me from the overly-clean hospital. I cuddled in my once-in-a-lifetime purcahse of fake black fur blanket. A whole whopping one hundred and ten dollars.

I didn't and never would have the heart to buy the real thing, even if I did have the money. Don't get me wrong, I eat meat and everything. But I could never hunt an animal then eat it. In fact if I ever worked at a butcher shop I'd probably never be able to eat meat again. But as they say, ignorance is bliss. That's the way I liked to keep it.

As I was saying, curled up in a tight ball as I watched some blockbuster's with one of my few and only best friend's. Samantha and Elizabeth, they also brought my other two best friends. Ben and Jerry, whom were my bestest friends and husbands when I needed them, and I did now.

Knowing that when I'd asked my friends to bring the ice-cream, they figured something else was wrong-besides the car accident. They were right. I couldn't get the guy out of my head, it was nearly impossible to concentrate on even one of my favorite movies. "Werewolf In Paris" was at the end and I hadn't even noticed it while I stared at it.

My friends were ingrossed in some conversation about their husbands and Elizabeth's news of her pregnancy, I tried to look like I cared. How horrible right? Don't get me wrong, of course I cared. But I could barely show it, they only thought I still felt uneasy. They were right.

I remember the feel of his chest under my fingertips, the beat of his heart. I remember now that he had long hair, probably longer than mine. I've never seen a man with hair that long, not ever. And his skin color was unusual, and why in the world was he naked? In the middle of the highway at 2 a.m.. Maybe he was some man on Meth or some kind of drug? I didn't know. I wish I didn't care. My eyes wandered from the credits to my large second story window. I watched the rain with awe, the windows were cracked open, just how I liked them when it rained. It filled the room with the scent of old flowers and fresh water. My see-through white curtains danced with the small promise of breeze every other few seconds.

/Zowie./

I stared at the window in awe. My large hazel eyes burning holes through the peaceful calmness I had moments ago. My name, was I only thinking it? I didn't realize I was thinking of my own name. I rose slowly, letting the fake blanket of fur slide from my slippery black night pants. My bare feet practically floating across the bause carpet to the tiling of the window. I opened it more, letting the soft air gently blow back my long hair from my shoulders. I closed my eyes and breathed in the smell of fresh rain.

The clouds were dark, dampening and darkening the late afternoon sky. The sun couldn't see through all the different shades of grey, it was gentle to my skin. I shivered as small sprinkles fell onto my bare shoulders and arms. Lifting my face to the sky and I knelt inside the window-seat. I loved rainy days.

I let my hands flow through the many sheets of fabric I used for curtains, flowing through the silky see-through material. 'Where are you?' I thought to myself.

"Zow?" 'Who are you?'
"Zowie?" I opened my eyes to the enormous window that took up almost the whole apartment wall. Turning my head, to push my onyx hair from my shoulder.
"Yes?" I asked quietly. Lizzy and Sam came by my side, laying a hand on mine and my shoulder.
"Come away from the window, it's raining." I turned back to the window, to look out of it through the light hale of wind and rain. There was a black paved road that swooped around to the only and other large building that was our apartment complex. There were only two buildings because it was more of a house per person. A small porch and yard in front with the spikey metal fences, with ivy and everything. I loved it. Beyond the other baush complex, complete with neatly cut yards and executive cars was woods. A thick black wall of trees, with lush green tops barred what was beyond that thick underbrush of different plants and trees of the Mississippi.
"Sweety it's raining, you'll catch a cold."
"I know." I said slowly, my eyes searching the woods for nothing in particular. Or nothing I knew what I was looking for, at least. I could see at the corner of my eyes that my friends turned to look at one another.

The hot silence was cut through when Lizzy's horrible ringtone hit the heavyness of the air. I hated Michelle Branch. Her face lit up as she clicked it open, "I've got to run, James is picking out the crib today." She laid a glossed red lipped kiss against my cheek, hugging me around the waiste.

"I love you Zowie girl, call me if you need absolutely anything." I turned to her with faraway eyes, my brows burrowed as I searched her simple pretty face. I let the strain fall from my face, losing the lost look. I smiled as her face brightened at my first reaction since I accepted their ice-cream.

"I am so happy for you, and your baby Lizzy. Have fun." I said turning back to look through the window. I didn't have to look at her to know the smile faded and the worry returned full force. But Elizabeth was the type of person who waited for you to come to her, not to push and pry. It's what I liked about her the most. I didn't confide in her alot, but when I did, she always seemed to sympathize and understand. She was the mother I never had. She'd be the world's greatest Mom one day. Minny Van bumper sticker and all. Which wouldn't be too far off in the future from her large stomach which she was caressing unknowingly. She nodded, and left with a brush of her hand against my back reasuringly.

"What's up Zowie babe, something's not right." Sam was the younger of us. We'd been together since highschool, the lot of us. She was the more-party carefree friend. Lizzy wasn't the type to go out and get wild, but she'd always of been the chaffeur. She'd never admit in her entire life that she in fact 'did' party like an animal, only was the one responsible enough to drive us all home without alchol in her system. She claimed it wasn't the appearance a future Mother and current wife needed to have for her reputation. And persisted we say she never partied, which we agreed with a shrug and a smile.

"Nothing." I said, turning towards her as she plopped down on my large leather couch.

"You're acting strange, more strange than usual. You won't confide in Mommy Dearest and I'm not asking for you to confide in me. But, I don't know. You're scaring me." She said as she gave me honest-to-God baby blues. I walked towards her, plopping down beside her with a giggle and a push to her shoulder. She smiled some, but still said, "No seriously. Tell me what's wrong, no hiding." I let the smile fade around the edges as I stood up to face the wall.

"Let's go out." I said without looking down at her. I heard her sigh, which weighed down on my heart. I cared about her like she were my own. I didn't want to hurt her feelings, but this one was between me and God. I looked down at her suddenly, smiling brightly.

"Let's go out." I said again, kneeling down to look at her, giving her pouty lips and big puppy eyes. She smiled and shook her head.

"Oh c'mon, please, please, please-oh-please Sammy babe. You know you want to. Haven't been out with your friends because one's pregnant and the other's dying." She rolled her eyes and glared at me.

"Fine, got some clothes I can wear?" I squeeled and jumped in her lap, laughing as she wrestled me off of her. She stood up with a brush of her wild red hair, glaring down at me mischeviously as she gave me her hand. I smiled, grabbing it to get up.

"Oh course I do." I said with a flash of teeth to mirror her mischeviousness.