Chapter 2

I opened my eyes reluctantly, feeling a soft mattress beneath my aching body, and blankets over me. I sat up quickly, and immediatly fell back again as I felt a horrible throbbing pulsating through my torso and head. I moaned slightly, and shifted my weight in the bed. Where was I? All I could remember was a person finding me after the man left…..

I heard footsteps, and looked up to see the same teen that had found me in the alley. He was tall and slim, with a muscular figure. His face was angelic, with those beautiful blue eyes, that were full of emotion, which were framed and slightly covered by gorgeous silver tresses that fell into them. His graceful movements, and calm demeanor made this stranger seem like a mysterious angel, and I felt my breath catch in my throat as his eyes found mine.

"Oh good, you're awake." His voice was deep and steady. He strode over quickly and I flinched uncertainly as he reached out to touch the bandage on my head. "Who are you?" I asked mistrusting. He smiled slightly, and held out his hand, proclaiming, "I'm Riku." I narrowed my eyes suspiciously, and did not tell him my name. I wasn't sure if he would turn me in. "I'm guessing you're Namine," he said unexpectedly.

"How did you know?" I asked, slightly in awe. He chuckled slightly, and said gently, "It said so on your coat." I felt my face grow hot, how could I be so stupid? Riku gently reached out to see my stomach, which was covered in bandages. "Did-did you do al of this?" I asked, indicating the bandages. Riku shook his head, before saying nonchalantly, "My mom did it. She wanted to take you to the hospital when I brought you in." So he wasn't living alone here. I didn't know why I suspected that, he was only my age, I assumed.

"Speak of the devil…." Riku muttered as the door burst open. "Oh honey! She's awake! We were worried sick about you. When I saw you all beat up, oh I suspected the worst!" There stood a tall woman with a pleasant voice and long, silver hair. She hurried over, ushering Riku out of the way, before bending over to inspect me. I flinched again, I still wasn't used to people touching me.

"You must be Ansem's daughter!" She said suddenly. I looked at her with some surprise. "How did you know?" I asked, curiously. "Oh, I work with him, pleasant man really, a little rough around the edges…anyway, you look just like him, excluding the hair and eyes. And besides, his last name was on the inside of your jacket." I sighed. Once again, my jacket had given me away. I didn't know why I had written my name on it. I was used to people thinking my dad was all nice and perfect; he acted way different at work than at home. At our old house, nobody had believed my claims of him abusing me. Now I would probably have to go back to him. My stomach churned at the thought.

"I'll go call him right now! He's probably worried sick about you!" With that, Riku's mom bustled out, leaving us alone once again. Riku sat down n the bed next to me, looking at e intently. I was a bit unnerved by his gaze, and cleared my throat uncertainly.

"So, what happened?" I asked. Riku jerked from his reverie, and began the tale. "Well, I saw that bastard leaving the alley you were in on my way home from a friend's house, so I checked to see if anything was there. And found you, all beat up and on the ground. So I brought you back to my house." I muttered,"Thanks. That was really nice of you…" "Not like I would leave you out there," He stated quickly before continuing, "So, are you new around here? I've never seen you before." "Yeah, me and my dad just moved here. I'm starting junior year at the high school soon," I said deflated. So my runaway plan ad not worked. Might as well make friends for my new school. "Oh cool, me too. I guess I'll see you there."

I gave a half hearted smile, and looked up to see Riku's mother enter the room. "Your dad is on the way to pick you up. He was worried sick." "Yeah sure he was," I muttered under my breath; Riku gave me a questioning look, but his mom didn't hear.

About 10 minutes later, my dad showed up at the house, looking pleasant and gloomy, not at all mad. He even seemed worried. I felt anger burning in my chest as I watched him talk with Riku's mom. He always made it seem like he was such a great dad, and it pissed me off. With a jerk of his head and a thanks, he led me out the door. I felt fear rising in me as I thought of what would happen when we got home. I glanced back at the friendly Victorian, where Riku was standing on the porch. He looked slightly concerned for me, and waved goodbye. I felt a rising feeling; I had just made a friend for the first time in many years.