Opening my eyes I groan and wrenched in pain. My throat dry and itchy and muffled as I breathe. A small masking covering my nose and mouth as hot air is pushed against it, as I turn my head looking around my surroundings.
The falling sun's rays leak through the open window to my right, as the constant beeping ringed through my head, from the machines taking my vitals. I grasp my mask, pulling it off, only to feel another a hand grab it and place it back on my face, "Sorry missy, but you will need to keep this on for a few more hours," a women's voice replies, as I turn to face her. She has a sweet and kind smile, short blue hair and blue eyes. She wore a long white lab coat, with a name tag in white and black letter: Bulam Briefs.
She looks back at the screen, tapping her finger to her chin, if pondering on my results. "Where am I?" I am able to voice though my voice is hoarse and barely audible.
"You are at the Capsule Corp Hospital," never taking her eyes off the screen, as it produces more data. "What happened—" I started to cough violently, my chest heaving up and down in pain. I started wheeze. "Breathe. Just breathe," I hear her soothing voice replies, as she does the motions with me. I follow her lead, taking smaller breaths. "Better?" I nod my head, as she gives me a weak smile. "Good." She pulls the covers back over my chest, "We believe you had a small seizer. You are lucky Trunks and Goten were there or you might not have…" her voice trailing off as she closed her eyes, tapping her fingers onto the sheets, if she did not want to say, died. "Anyways, you need some rest. I will be back in a few hours to check on you."
I nod my head, closing my eyes, however I could not fall back asleep, knowing this was no seizer. He is getting closer and there is nothing I can do, expect to run.
Ripping the mask off my face and along with the needles and wires in my air, I started to get dress. The machines started to beep crazily, alerting the nurses and doctors of my vials. Jumping onto the windowsill, I looked down, glad it is only 10 feet up from the ground.
Pounding on the door could be heard as I turned towards the door. My name being called repeatedly and frantically. Just as the door opened, I saw Trunks standing there, his facial expression filled with concern. When his eyes meet mine, "Hazel?" I jumped out of the window, landing with an 'ouch' as I rolled my ankle. I looked up at him, Forgive me Trunks. As I race off into the trees, feeling his wandering eyes on my form before I completely disappeared.
Grabbing a hold of my keys, looking around the streets, making sure no one has followed me, as open the door and shutting it just as fast. I leaned against the door in the shroud of darkness as I hear footsteps and a few barks. Turning on the lights I am confront with my two chocolate labs, Abui and Mocha. "Hey boys, you hungry?" I say in a childlike voice, as I hang my jacket up. Both of them beginning to jump up and down, excited for food, as I walk into the kitchen.
The two labs chowed down on their food I had prepared as I sat on the couch with my legs crossed legged, consuming my food at much slower rate, though watching the dogs remind me of how fast Goten and Trunks chowed down on their rice cakes. Trunks… I thought remembering seeing his facial expression of concern and worried as I jumped. I do not know why I am feeling anything for him, it is not like I like him anyway.
I have always been a kinder spirit and worry about what people think or do. I sigh placing my plate on the coffee table in front of me, not hungry anymore as I read the clock, "9:43PM."
What an eventful day, I thought as I lean my head up against the back of the couch and stare up at the red oak beams, thinking of my next move. Do I stay and face him and die in the process, to finally end this misery of a life or run and keep on running, to save my own skin. Closing my eyes, "What am I to do, boys?" however a loud and pounding knock brought me back, as I snap my head in the direction of the front door. My two dogs, jump to their feet and got themselves in between the door and myself. They both started growling uncontrollable as the person continued to knock and hard.
He cannot be here. He cannot be here I kept repeating over and over in my head, feeling panic, until I hear the person speak and all the tense I held within my body disappeared. "Hazel. I know you are in there. It's me Trunks. Open the door."
Walking over to the door, I waved my hand to the dogs, as they sat down on the cool floor, their tongues hanging out, but still watching the door. "What do you want Trunks?!" I yelled wondering how the hell he found my place, considering Shumi and Kini do not know where I live and for good reason. "I wanted to see if you are okay?"
Walking over to the door, I look through the peep hole, "I am fine. Now leave." I can see him shuffle back and forth, trying to keep warm with his hands in his pocket and a hood on his head. "I want to talk as well."
I sigh opening the door, but only a crack, allowing me to see him face on, but still able to shut the door if I need to. "I do not want to talk."
"Please Hazel?" I look at him, seeing him continue to shuffle back and forth as I felt the cool wind and rain come in. "How the hell did you find my place?" He half-chuckled at the comment, "Well…"
"Trunks?" I say, my voice raising. "You can't be mad."
"Trunks how did you find—"
"I followed you home," he replies quickly not knowing if I will hit him. When I do not he opens his eyes and ask quietly, "Now can I come in Hazel?"
"No," shutting the door however he puts his foot in the door in the nick of time, not allowing me to shut it. "Move your foot."
"Come on Hazel. It is freezing out here," his face in a sad pouty face as I groan, opening the door wider for him to enter. "Fine." I walk back into my apartment with my hands rubbing up and down my arms, trying to stay warm as the cool wind blows through the door. Trunks quickly shuts the door and locks in, as he walks in with his arms across his chest. I can hear his teeth chattering a little bit, "Do you happen to have a towel?" he asks before I sit down.
I walk into my bedroom, grabbing a few towels, however when I exited I did not expect to see him half naked. "What are you doing?"
"I have to take my wet clothes off or I will caught a cold," he replies trying to take off his hoodie and shirt at the same time, however he fails miserable and gets himself stuck. He starts to laugh a little bit, "Can you help me?"
I sigh, walking over and throwing the towel on the back of the couch as I help him. I try to pull it off, however he is about 4 inches taller then me and I cannot reach over his head, "Bend down…" He does as he is told and I pull off the shirt and hoodie, only to fall over the couch. "Ouchie," I reply as I rub the center of my back. He tries to help me up, but I grab the towels and throw them into his face, as I roll off the couch.
I look back at him as he begins to run the towels over his rock solid chest, as every muscle tighten and loosen as he moves. He wraps the towel around his neck and he begins to unbuckle his pants. "Whoa, what the hell are you doing?" Placing my hand on his hands, before he counld full undo his pants. "These are completely soak. I don't think you want your coach wet," giving me an or-do-you-care expression as he looks down at my hand, that I pull away very quickly.
"I…ah…I," I could not string words together as he begun to undo them once more. "Hold your horse, minister. Let me get some of my workout clothes for you and allow me to exit the room before you undress. Doubt your girlfriend would be happy about that," I reply the last part mostly to myself as I entered my room. "I don't have girlfriend," he yells back. I snort at his comment, "Sure you do not."
Grabbing basketball shorts and a large tank-top I walk out my room, only to quickly shut my eyes. "What the hell Trunks!" He chuckles a little. "What? Never seen a naked man?"
"No I have not and I would like to keep that way for a while longer." I reply as I turn my head with my eyes still closed, holding out the clothing I gathered for him. He take piece by piece as he redress, however I keep my eyes closed, "You can open them now."
I slowly open them and find him fully clothes in my baggy clothes. "These fit nice, where did you get them?" he asked as I grab a hold of his clothing and towels, "Whoa where are you going with those?" giving me a strange expression. "Do you want them dry or put them back on wet when you leave?" I ask with a hint of sarcasms.
"Um… dry please." Rubbing the back of his head as I throw them into the drier. "Thought so." He still has one of the two towels as he pulls it over his head and starts to dry his hair, making his purple hair all messy and frizzy.
"Can you not hear the lightening and thundering outside?" he asked as I sat down on the couch. "I had no paid attention to the outside world," leaning my head against the couch back. "What do you want Trunks?" I felt the spot next to couch sink in, as I turn my attention to him, in no real mood to talk, however I have really notice how purple his hair really is and how baby blue his eyes really are.
The towel lays against his neck and shoulder area, as he looks around the room taking in my apartment and seems to be quiet impressed, of course it is no mansion. He turned his attention to me, as I became captive by his eyes, "Why did you jump out of the hospital window? You could've—"
"I do not like hospitals," I stated flatly and quickly, not wanting to speak of it again. I turn my attention to the TV in front of us, though it is not on, as I watch his reflection as he kept his eyes on my form. "Seriously? You jumped out because you don't like hospitals?" I nod my head, "You could have gotten yourself in a worse condition. You should—"
"Why do you care so much Trunks?" I ask him with annoyed facial expression, "It is not like you are my friend."
"Seriously? You think I wouldn't help you if I wasn't your friend?" his voice rising as his face turns angry and frustrated, "You think that low of me?"
"Then what? Are you being a Good Samaritan, so that people would love you more? Or for you own gain, knowing you helped a girl whom cannot help herself?"
"What?!" he says turning his entire body in my direction, as I jump to my feet, slightly collapsing on my left side, because of the sprain ankle. "I think it is time for you to leave, Trunks." I started towards the door as he grabs a hold of my wrist, stopping me. I pull my hand away immediately feeling a new strange sensation. He tries to grab for my wrist again, but I pull it back. He jumps to his feet.
"Leave Trunks," I retorted as I walk backwards, expect for my back soon hits the wall, pinning me in one area as he continues to move forward, placing his hands near the side of my head. I did not fear him nor felt threaten by him, but I sure as hell did not want his sympathy.
He stares into my hazel eyes as I stare back into his baby blue, slowly feeling memorized by them. His wet hang hangs loosely around his well frame face, "Why do you push people away Hazel?"
"I do not push people away," though I know I do, but it is better for them not to be in my world and me in theirs. "I choose not to have people in my life."
"Same difference," he retorts still eerily close to my face. I try to move, but he blocks my way, "Move Trunks."
"No." he states firmly, as I try moving left as he moves left. I sigh, "What do you want?" feeling irritated and annoyed that I am being a prisoner in my own home. "I want to know why you push people away. I am trying to help you and yet you—"
"You would not understand Trunks."
"Try me," he said gritting his teeth together, keeping my form blocked in by his arms. I sigh, opening my mouth and then closing, not knowing if I should tell him the truth, that some psycho is trying to use my powers and my body for his own bidding or tell him a flat out lie. "Hazel?" his voice slightly gentler then before but still having the presence of being annoyed.
"My life is complicated and fill with unexpected occurrences—"
"Welcome to my life," he replies, but I give him a stern glare, "My life is not complicated because of life decisions, boyfriends, or school problems. My life is complicated because bad and horrible things happen around me, things I cannot control. I find it is best to keep people out of my life and me out of theirs."
"Seriously? Just because bad shit happens to you, you decided to exile yourself from civilization," he says with sarcasm, if I am side stepping the question, "How can you say that? Life is complicated, bad shit happens, but you don't have to face the challenges alone. You have family—"
"No I do not. I lost my family when I was young, I have no memories past the age of ten years old, along with no friends, because they end up dead half the time," I retort spilling information I wish not to spill to him. My eyes fill with tears, as his face relaxes a bit, "You do not understand what shit I have gone through Trunks. I have been running for over half of my life, trying to escape life itself, however I cannot. It comes back and haunts my dreams and my reality. I have no salvage, just darkness."
"Then what do you call me?" he ask confused. I snort as I turn my face away, "You are just an acquaintance, nothing more. Just somebody that was in the right place at the right time, or rather the wrong place and the right time." He is completely shocked by my answer, as I dip underneath his arms, getting away, however I felt him grab a hold of my body, sending a shock down my body as he forces me back to the wall.
Just as lightening flashed outside, near the apartment cutting off the lights. I closed my eyes as image in my mind began to start popping up, images of a young girl with long black hair and hazel eyes, curl up in the corner as lightning flashes outside and the room is filled with darkness.
"Mommy," the crackle of the thundered roared as she squealed loudly, crawling into the corner, holding her arms and legs tightly to her chest, tears streaming down her face. The sound of the beating footsteps echoed off the walls, making her tremble more. "Pleasee stop… I don't wanna…" her small voice replies as his steps continue to walk in her direction.
"Aw poor little monkey, are you frighten by the lightening," the vile voice replies as he holds out his hand. "Come on child." He waves his hand for her to come out, at first she does not, but after a while she takes the man's hand, however what is to come next is not what a child expects.
He throws her across the floor, her back hitting the metal wall. The lightning flashes, making her cover eyes of fear. She tries to crawl to the corner, but the crackle sound of a whip can be heard as she screams in pain. "Pleaseee stop…" her voice crackling as tears stream down her face, "Pleaseee stop… I won't be afraid…" however the whip lash again and again, hitting her back and her arms.
He chuckles at the sight, as the poor child is curled in a ball, covered in her own blood as the torture continues, only making her fear of storms worse. The whip cutting and burning into her skin…
I covered my ears with my hands, not wanting to hear that man's voice and the screams of the poor child, as I closed my eyes tightly not wanting to see it happening before her. Slowly I drop to the floor, curling my knees into my chest. My breathing elevating, as I feel I cannot breathe. "Please stop…" I repeat over and over again, as tears stream down my face, "Please stop this…I cannot take it."
I shake my head side to side, wanting everything to stop. I felt a hand touch my shoulders, as I shy away from it. "Hazel?" his voice soft and kind and filled with concern, however I cannot open my eyes for fear of him standing in front of me. My body slowly start to feel cold to the bone as I begin to shiver.
"Hazel?" I felt Trunks rub his hands up and down the side of my arms, but stops immediately. Pulling one of my sleeves up, he feels the scars that are present and when the flash of lightening occurs he is taken back as I keep shaking my head and asking for it all to stop.
I felt him pull me into his chest as he lifts me from the ground, carrying me. I feel myself hit soft fabric, as he encased his arms around my body, as I wrap my arms around his chest and burying myself into his chest, hoping this would all end. "Please make it stop…"
His starts to rub the back of my head 'shhhh' every now and then rocking me back and forth. "You are okay," I hear him reply over and over again. His touch is soft and warm, full of comfort, love and kindness. A feeling I have not felt in a long time. A feeling that I cannot truly remember feeling to be honest.
"You are okay Hazel. I will not let anything hurt you," I dug deeper into his chest, as I felt the weight of the world lift from my shoulders, as my body is slowly relaxing, "I promise." As another flash of lighten occurred. I coward as he turns my head into his chest, cover my sight from the light.
The sweet and comforting smell of his aroma filled my nose, making me slowly feel safe in his arms. I drift into a deep and soundless slumber, knowing nothing can harm me here or I can only hope.
