Light blinds my sight. Everything comes into focus. Everything is... white. The beeping of the monitor and the crappy tv are the only things making sound. That and the sound of soft snoring. Feeling returns to my limbs and they ache painfully. My leg is numb from pain. I try and focus on the warmth at my hand.
Seth.
He laid his head on the bed, against my waist. His eyes were closed, his snores were peaceful. But his face was still, even asleep, squished in a worried expression. I giggled, smiling at his hand grasping mine. I pull my hand away and run it slowly through his dark, messy hair.
A chubby nurse waddled in. Her dark hair was in a little poney tail. Her purple scrubs contrasted with her dark skin. She smiled at me.
"Well, hello there, darlin'. Your finally awake." She whispered. Her gaze followed my hand to Seth. Shaking her head, she said. "That boy just doesn't wanna leave. He keeps on makin' excuses to stay by your side." She shrugs. "Wish mah husband was more like him. Well he is, when I make 'em sloppy joe or buy an airplane for his silly hobby. More like a child than husband." She laughs. Her eyes skim over my chart. Then she tiptoes to my iv bag and checks it. "Well, darlin'. It all looks good. Lemme fetch Dr. Cullen, he'll give you a look over." Dr. Cullen? As she waddled away, she turned back, "Oh and if you need anythin' just press dat button over yer bed, ask fer Lena." She left the room.
What a nice lady, Lena. I relaxed. My eyes began to feel heavy as Doctor Cullen entered.
More like Dr. McDreamy. Dr. Cullen can give even Patrick Dempsey a run for his money.
With his brilliant blond hair and super pale skin...and topaz eyes...wait...
He smiled warmly at me. When he saw Seth, he shook his head. Seth stirred, his nose scrunching up.
His head shot up, "Hey there, Carlisle."
"Seth." He smiled. Dr. Cullen's foot steps were quick and swift when he went over to pat Seth's back.
Quick, swift steps... Oh godess no. I hid my sudden panic, keeping my pulse even.
"So, Miss Rivera, how are you feeling?" I look at him through tired eyes, keeping my poker face strong. "Well, I guess how you should feel." He laughed. Seth's hand found mine again, squeezing it lightly. "Now, you suffered from oxygen deprivation, a severe burn to your right leg." His wise, topaz eyes scanned over my chart. "Other then that you've seemed to made it unscathed. Your friend-"
"Lacey! Is she okay?" I croaked, coughing my lungs out.
"Yes, she's perfectly fine. A little shaken up but in good health." I let out the breath I didn't no I was holding. "She was discharged an hour or so ago."
"Good." I looked over to Seth and back to Dr. Cullen. "My parents, do they-"
"They are in the hospital cafeteria. Your brother was getting a bit restless." He smiled.
"That's my lil' bro."
"So Soleil," At that moment the police chief saunters in.
"Chief Swan." Dr. McDreamy greets. Swan?
"Dr. Cullen." His familiar brown eyes look at me, who has those eyes? Seriously how common are these names. "Miss Rivera, " His eyes show that wonder he'd had before. "Well, I just have some questions to ask you and I'll be out of your hair." I only nod.
"So just tell us the events that you encountered." He said.
I take a breath, here we go. "Seth and I were walking to the car when we smelled the smoke. We saw the smoke and followed it. Seth went to talk to you. Then Paige-"
"Paige who?"
"Paige Johnson." He nodded. "She ran up to me crying and yelling. Saying Lacey was still inside. So I ran towards the door. I went inside. Everything was on fire, the lockers, classrooms. I yelled her name, she yelled for help. I found her in the janitor's closet."
"Are you sure it was Paige Johnson who ran up to you?" He questioned.
"I think so, I mean, she was covered in ashes. But I'm positive it was her." I said confused.
He nodded, "Well, if I have anymore questions I'll find you." I looked back into his eyes...it hit me.
"Hey, Chief Swan." He looked at me. "Do you have a daughter?" His eyes flitted to Dr. Cullen then back to me.
"Yes, her name is Isabella- Bella."
"Oh.. Do you have a daughter named Mina, I mean, Melinda." He quickly looked down.
"Yes.. She-uhm-" He scratched at his beard. "She passed away a long time ago."
"Oh. I'm sorry." I looked away. Mina what have you done? He looked at me, suspiciously before shutting his eyes. "Chief Swan?"
"Yes?"
"Do you know what caused the fire?"
"That's still unknown." He said. I nodded. He said his goodbye, Dr Cullen followed.
Seth stared silently at our joined hands.
"You know, Lena thinks we're together."
He looked up to me, "Does she." He smirked. "I can see what would make her think that." He smiled.
"Seth, I uh-"
"Why did you go in there?" He stared down.
"I had to help her."
"Why you?" He said.
"Paige she-"
"That wasn't Paige." His nose scrunched up. I looked at him confused. I shook my head, "The flames.. they didn't touch you? The metal didn't burn you."
"Seth, it was chaos.. you were probably seeing things.." He stared at me.
Dropping his gaze, he said "Yeah, you're probably right." He spoke through clenched teeth, his body trembled.
I cupped his face. The same brilliant sensation I got from his touch spread through me. "Please don't be angry with me.." I breathed. His face drew closer to mine.. Every time I took a breath, he'd would exhale. My eyes closed, I drew my face close. I could feel his warm breath on my lips.
"Ahem!" We jumped apart. Lena stood with bandages in hand. "Well, hun, I gotta change your bandages on your leg and you'll be all ready to go home." She gave Seth a "c'mon you gotta leave" look. He stood up and his hand slipped away. He hesitated at the door. "Go on, sweetie, scoot."
I was blushing furiously. "I won't say anythin'" Lena laughed. She continued to babble to me about how her husband was or how her daughter had started acting up. All the while she changed the bandage from my burned leg. She explained to me how to do this myself and keep my burn clean. "There, darlin', all better now. Let's get you changed." My mother had brought my favorite sweat pants and a long sleeved, lavender colored shirt. Lena helped me change and once I was dressed, she helped me into a wheel chair.
My mother nearly knocked the air out of me in a bearhug. My father kissed my forehead again and again. Even my brother held me tightly.
Turns out Dr. Cullen paid for my room, why? I have no idea.. I just hope my suspicion of him is not true. Even if his eyes are gold instead of red.
At home, my parents treated me like a princess. They made me miss school (which miraculously and disappointingly did not burn down. Only the science wing was lost.) for the next week. I was became extremely bored at home and if I didn't get out soon, I would lose my mind. I can't wait til tomorrow, the weekend.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Rain padded loudly on the roof. Like always. The blanket was threaded around me. The wind whirled through the gap at my window. The tree outside my window scraped eerily against the window. Through the thin walls I could hear my father's loud snoring. My mother's slow breaths, and my brother's odd jumbled up words. I just laid there. Listening. I turned on to my side, only to toss and turn.
"Go outside..It will heal your restlessness."
I kicked the covers and walk/limp carefully downstairs. Going through the back door I walk barefoot outside. My footsteps sink into the wet grass. I threaded my way through the trees. Losing myself in them. Letting them heal me. I could feel the strength from the earth. The cool rain felt perfect against my skin. And the pain in my leg faded. I threw my head back and spun. Just to leave reality for a little bit. I spin falling into the soft grass. A river of laughter escapes my throat. I lay back into the cool, wet grass. The rain was never ending. Overhead there's a clearing in the canopy of trees. The stars shining brilliantly in the darkness, the moon shining just as bright as the sun would. I've never been able to see this. The world like this. So perfect.
This feels so...nice but so...lonely. I let my eyes close. I hear the little footsteps of nocturnal creatures. Creating it's own symphony with the rain.
So nice.
A loud thump. And another and another. The sound of running. I shoot up, eyes still closed. Not a slither. A run. Four feet padding through the night's symphony. Four becoming two.
How?
"Sunny." Am I hallucinating now too. "What are you doing outside?" What an annoying hallucination.
I open my eyes, raindrops falling from my eyelashes. Man, this hallucination just gets better and better with each second.
Seth is standing there. Water dripping from his dark hair...and he's...shirtless. Wearing nothing but shorts, not even shoes. Now I see it all, the muscles that had been hidden from those oh so perfectly fitted shirts.
Okay now he's way too good for me. Now I know this isn't a hallucination because we'd be making out by now.. Man this soulmate thing has really messed up my head.
Tilting my head to the side, I said "Why are you shirtless?" Not that I mind or anything, of course.
"Why are you outside in the rain?" He repeated.
"Why are you outside in the rain shirtless?" I countered.
"Touche" He said softly. He walked over to me, barely making a sound. I stood up and let his arms wrap around me.
I smiled against his chest. "Why do you do this to me?" I whispered. His arms tightened.
"Sunny.." He hesitated. "I like you.. a lot.." He strained. "Okay, well, more than a lot." We fell silent. He was so warm, like always. I asked if he was sick, awhile ago, but he told me he was always like this. His heart drummed quickly. "And when you got hurt, It just.. scared.. me."
I'm digging my own grave. I should've left the moment I realized what happened.
But I didn't. Why?
Because I'm a selfish creature.
Always have been, always will.
I have to tell him. I have to, I have to. "Seth, I have to tell you something.` I pulled away, still holding his hands. I will break the strictest law of the Fey Realm and face my punishment. "I'm a-a-." I stopped. Taking a deep breath. " I know it's gonna sound crazy and I mean 'throw me in the looney bin and lock me up crazy' but, I'm a-" Everything fell terribly quiet, the nocturnal creatures fell silent. Deadly silent. Everything was quiet except for terrible hiss that erupted from the darkness that surrounded us.. The moon didn't shine as bright, the stars became hidden. Shadow-like tendrils seeped into the small clearing.
Oh no. Please not now. Of all times. Not now!
Seth whipped around, standing in front of me. His body tensing.
"Seth, go get out of here." I pushed against his back. "Leave!" The hissing grew louder, the monster's body began to take shape from the shadows. Growing larger then before. "Seth, Please!"
"No." He growled...growled? Another growl came from deep in Seth's throat. The hiss intensified. "What the fuck is that?"
"Seth, just go."
"No way! Are you crazy?" He looks forward. An animalistic growl escaped from his lips as the serpent inched closer.
"You can't do anything, Seth!" I panicked. I don't have any magic. Saving Lacey had taken what little magic I had left. I peered around him. The monster roared.
"Move asssside, foolissh mortal." It hissed. It's yellow eyes filled with amusement. "And maybe I ssshhall sssspare your life." I closed my eyes. The power that had once ran through body like adrenaline wasn't there. Fear and panic instead take its place. I strained for the power. Oh please, just this once. The seal kept my power at bay. Although I fought against it, it wouldn't break.
Seth's growl got louder. The serpent-man became confused.
Oh well, I'm goddamn lost. What the hell is going on?
Seth was trembling. His whole body was shivering. "Seth?" He didn't move, his body continued with the tremors. I pulled at his arm. He wouldn't budge.
The serpent's eyes narrowed, "Then I will kill you along with her!" He lunged.
Time slowed down. All I could hear was my heart beating loudly in my ears and my scream as Seth ran forward. He's going to die!
The snake bared it's poisonous fangs and almost gliding forward. Seth fell forward, before his hand hit the ground, his whole body changed. I must of blinked.. because Seth wasn't there anymore.
I gasped. What stood there was the biggest wolf I've ever seen. I stood frozen to the ground. The raindrops no longer comforted me but froze me to the bone. The wolf stood baring it deadly teeth. Growling in furious anger.
"What magic is thissss, Earth guardian!" The monster hissed. Dude, I am just as lost as you are. It dodged the wolf's swipe and slid under it's guard. The wolf spun around and bit down on the end of it's tail. The snake roared in pain and thrashed the wolf around. The wolf landed on the ground with a 'thud'. It struggled to stand but after a few seconds it was standing perfectly.
But it was too late. The snake lunged at me. The wolf after it. I raised my arms to shield myself. The snake clamped down on to my arm. Searing pain burned through my arm. I screamed fighting against it's hold. The wolf tore into the snake demon's shoulder and threw it 15 feet in the opposite direction. I fell down holding my bloody arm against my body. The snake rose again, a sinister smile plastered on it's bloody face. The shadows begin to consume it. As the wolf lunged, the serpent disappeared.
The bite had no poison. That much I knew. But it was only a matter of time before he returned.
My body shivered uncontrollably. The wolf turned around slowly, hesitating. He whined and took a step closer. I scooted back and hit the tree behind me. The sandy colored wolf retreated a few steps, whimpering. I clutched at my arm. I sat utterly shocked, not out of fear but out of confusion.
"Seth?" The wolf lowered it's head. He's a- but how- I thought I was- I. Am. So. Confused. My head began to spin with questions. I pushed myself to my feet. The rain, the trees everything was no longer a comfort. The pain in my arm numbed from the cold. I felt completely frozen.
Alexis was right. She is right. I should have left. But I wanted to stay. To be normal, I ran away from the supernatural. But it will never end.
Seth took another hesitant step. I shook my head and clutched my hand quickly.
"I'm sorry..but I.." The monsters, the demons. It'll never end. I can't deal with this. The demon made me realize that I was vulnerable. Defenseless. I can never be normal. This was..This was too much. "I can't deal with this-" Holding my arm against my chest, I ran away. As well as I could with my burnt leg. My feet going on their on accord. As soon as I was inside my house, with the door shut behind me, I fell on to the floor. My eyes burned with tears. Seth was a shapshifter. That much I understood. How he had gotten that ability I had no clue. But it doesn't matter. I'm not afraid of him. He could've gotten seriously hurt. Because of me. And it will always be that way. Demons will always go after me. That will never change. But there's one thing I can change.
The house as silent as I left it. Everyone was still asleep. I pushed myself to my feet. I looked around the kitchen then back to the the door leading to the backyard. I half expected Seth to knock on the door, but all I heard were the distant howls.
After taking a shower and bandaging my arm, I quietly tip toed. My small cellphone seemed heavy in my hands.
Do I want to do this?
"Yes." I looked up to the mirror that hung on the back of the door. She was me.. obviously. Her eyes shone a brilliant, emerald green. Her dark hair was longer than my own and seem to flow around her a glowing crystal pendant hung around her neck. Her. She's me. The me that I wanted to leave behind, to forget that wasn't me.
"Of course you want it."
"You want it." She crossed her arms across her chest. "You cannot run away from who you are."
"Your right. I can't."
"Plus," Her wide grin showed her sharpened canines. "I like Seth. I do not want anything to happen to him. Protecting him now," Her smile faded. "Is not something you can do in your current state." I shut my eyes tightly and when I opened them again, the reflection was gone.
Without any hesitation I dialed Dianna's number.
Riiing
Riiiiing
Riiiiiiing
"Hello." She mumbled groggily.
"Tomorrow we are breaking the seal."
She immediately woke up, "What! Are your serious! Are you sure?"
"I'll bring some of the things, but we'll need a storm to hide..it."
"Yeah, okay, I'll call Alexis. We'll do it somewhere deep in the forest behind my house." She paused. "But are you okay? Did something happen?"
I"No, I'm just done pretending."
Woah!
Sorry it's been FOREVER! Foo serious.. yeah but I've been writing and re writing this chapter over and over again. I seriously have like 5 chapter 11's on my laptop.. Well..
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED!
VOCAB YAY!
Realm: A community or territory over which a sovereign rules; a kingdom.
Fey: Having or displaying an otherworldly, magical, or fairylike aspect or quality
Let's go with other worldly magic...kay? Yeah I don't know I felt the need...