Okay, a bit of news... about one more week, then this story's gonna be done.
That doesn't mean the rest isn't gonna be amazing, but... more on that in the end Author's Note...
I still wanna thank those who have reviewed so far. it means a lot.
Alright, now, then...
Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers. If I did, this OTP of mine would've been cannon.
And now, Please enjoy!
Alyssa Enrilé
The next morning, I got up and was about to get breakfast ready when I noticed the door for Merrick's room was wide open, and I could see him trying to stand up from the bed, without the wheelchair.
"Merrick!" I yelped, rushing up to him.
"Oh come…" He gritted his teeth as he looked up at me, "I can handle myself, Alyssa."
"What are you doing?" I questioned quickly.
"What does it look like?"
"You still have a day-"
"I'm not spending one more morning in that wheelchair if I can help it." He shook his head, then let out, "I'll take it easy… I promise."
Biting my lip, I nodded, "Okay… if you're sure? I'll make breakfast."
"Thank you." He nodded, then tried to walk forward a bit, being slow.
I noticed him wincing a few times, and I got worried.
"Are you sure you don't want my help? I think I have my grandfather's walking chair…" I noted.
"I'm fine." He groaned, leaning against the doorway.
I sighed, "If you say so."
Half an hour later…
"Here you go." I gave him a plate as he sat on one of the stools.
"Thank you." He breathed out before he dug right in.
I smiled before I picked at my own food.
Before I finally couldn't take it.
Putting my fork down, I spoke bluntly, "I know I keep seeing Zen-Aku in your reflection, Merrick."
He almost choked on his food before he coughed and looked up, his eyes wide.
"What?" He questioned hoarsely before he cleared his throat, "What?!"
"Call me crazy… but I can swear I keep seeing Zen-Aku around you for some reason." I relented, "Do you have any idea why that is?"
"No." He spoke shortly.
"You're lying." I finally let out, "Please tell me."
"It's none of your business." He denied.
"Then why do I keep seeing him?" I questioned, "Because I know I don't want to… so don't say that."
He looked away, silent.
"Merrick…" I stared at him, "I can't help you if you won't tell me the truth."
"I don't want your help with this. Cause there's nothing else to help me with." He bit."
I groaned, "Then why is Zen-Aku back?"
"If I knew that, I'd tell you." He sighed, then winced.
"So he is back." I breathed out.
"You tricked me."
"You weren't gonna tell me otherwise."
"This is… different." He reasoned, "It's hard to explain… but… I… think he wants to become good, Alyssa."
I frowned, "I know Toxica and Jendrax are wanting to be good… but… how can you be so sure Zen-Aku–"
"I can just tell, alright?" He bit.
I blinked, then nodded slowly, "Okay… okay… I'm sorry I brought it up."
He sighed, "Just… please… don't try to do anything about it… please."
"Why not?"
"I don't need the others knowing either. I can feel that Zen-Aku… wants to change, and I feel like I can help him." He breathed out.
"So why didn't you tell me?" I questioned.
He bit his lip, "…I just… didn't want you worrying so much about that, Alyssa… I'm sorry."
"…I see." Was all I replied with.
15 minutes later…
"Aren't you going for a jog?" Merrick inquired as I was putting the dishes away.
I shook my head, "It's Saturday, so I'm gonna do some cleaning… I'll probably jog closer to sunset."
"…Okay." He nodded a bit, "Got it."
Merrick Baliton
I frowned at Alyssa, before I nodded a bit, slowly trying to stand up from where I was by her couch.
"Do… you want my help?" I asked as I slowly tried to make my way over to her.
"No. Thank you… I can handle it." She assured calmly.
"Well… I should do something now."
She frowned, walking over, only to stop halfway.
"Um… Merrick?"
"Yeah?"
"When's the last time you showered?"
I blinked, "Um… I think a day before we went our separate ways…? I'll go take one now…"
"Yeah…" She nodded a bit.
20 minutes later…
When I finally got out, I noticed a set of clothes on the bed and, as I hobbled over, I noticed a note with Alyssa's handwriting on it.
Slowly, I picked it up and leaned against the wall to keep myself from falling over as I read it.
I needed to get some cleaning supplies, so I'll be out for a bit… but, I set some clothes out for you after you're done in the shower.
Signed, Alyssa.
Looking at the clothes, I slowly pulled on the shirt, then the rest, gritting my teeth when I got to the jeans.
"I can't believe I let this happen…" I grumbled, "His marks should've healed by now! If they had, I wouldn't be here!"
Once I was dressed, I slowly stood up and 'walked' as best as I could out of my room and into the main room.
She still wasn't back, as the lights were off.
I flipped the one for the main room on and walked over to the balcony but didn't go out.
Instead, I sat on one of the benches next to it.
As I did, I sighed to myself.
If I hadn't fallen down that hill, those wounds probably would've stayed closed.
"Yes, but, those scars can't be healed like that." Zen-Aku's voice got my attention.
I glared at his reflection in the glass, "This is serious, Zen-Aku. Besides, I've learned to live with those."
"Merrick, she's smarter than you think. She's bound to find out the reason for the unrelated to the hill marks."
"Yeah, like she must've noticed you in my reflection, so could you leave me alone right now?" I requested.
"Better myself, than your own thoughts."
I literally contemplated throwing something hard at the reflection, not wanting to hear any more from him.
But, Zen-Aku wasn't finished.
"You need to tell her."
I scoffed, "That's not gonna happen."
"She'll find out eventually."
"And when she does, I'll explain."
"You really think she'll hear you out?"
"Didn't I tell you to leave me alone?" I bit out.
Zen-Aku wouldn't.
"You can't deny it."
I slowly turned to him.
"There's nothing to tell her. Alright? She barely trusts you considering everything."
"Yeah, that's something I understand." Zen-Aku noted, "What I don't understand is; even though you've fought together… you still don't trust her enough to tell her the truth… do you?"
I frowned, "What truth?"
"You know."
I froze, then clenched my fist a bit, "And you know, I'd rather go to the grave with that then tell anyone. Especially not her."
He groaned, and if he could rub his face, I'm sure he would before he then pointed something out.
"We both know she's doing this because she cares about you."
"She can care all she wants… there's no way she can fix these. And that's just a fact." I retorted.
We'll see how far that gets him.
And I might be making a sequel to this story, but, I haven't quite decided yet.
And the question is; Can Merrick finally tell Alyssa the truth?
Well, you're gonna have to wait to find out!
In the meantime, please review, favorite and follow!
See ya tomorrow!