Annabel POV
Fang was easy to handle. You just had to push the right buttons. And the Max button was one that I was going to enjoy pushing.
I plopped back on the stool, finally able to look my mystery man in the face. I could tell that Max tried to wipe the dirt off as best as she could, but most of it was still caked on there pretty bad. So I went to the sink and filled one of moms bowls with warm water and grabbed a washrag from the drawer. I sat them on the table next to the bed. I moved the rag slowly across his face, trying not to wake him.
After his face was clean, I paused to take a good look at him, and I found him better looking than I had before. He had a strong jaw and prominent cheekbones, it made him look strong and powerful but something about him seemed to scream compassion and lightheartedness.
His hair was disheveled and now the color of dirt. I tried to wipe as much of the dirt out as I could, letting a few strawberry blond streaks shine through.
I moved to his arms next, wiping the blood and grime as best as I could. I moved slowly over his twitching muscles to his hands; surprisingly soft but strong. I eventually gave up trying to get the black dirt from around his fingernails and tossed the rag back into the bowl. I sat back and admired my work.
"You look good." I told him softly. "You really scared a lot of people, you know that?"
I starred at his face as I spoke, looking for any sign that he could hear me. "They really care about you, so you better get well fast." I tried to sound forceful but I have to admit that my voice did crack a little. Emotional day after all.
"The Gasman is the worst. He's not talking, and Angel had to force him to eat- and I do mean FORCE- that girl is scary." I smiled slightly, thinking of that little face hiding all of that power.
But my smile faded. "A friend of mine got shot once. It was the scariest few days of my life. We didn't think he would make it, the shot tore right through his stomach, nicked some vital organs. He was younger than you, but I wouldn't say weaker. He survived that, so I know that you can survive this."
I could feel the tears coming to my eyes thinking about those terrifying moments when I thought that I would lose him. I shook them away and reached into my pocket. "How about some music?" I asked Iggy, pulling out my ipod. "I have just the song for you."
I searched through my playlists until I found Creed's "Higher"
When dreaming I'm guided to another world
Time and time again
At sunrise I fight to stay asleep
'Cause I don't want to leave the comfort of this place
'Cause there's a hunger, a longing to escape
From the life I live when I'm awake
So let's go there
Let's make our escape
Come on, let's go there
Let's ask can we stay?
Can you take me Higher?
To a place where blind men see
Can you take me Higher?
To a place with golden streets
Although I would like our world to change
It helps me to appreciate
Those nights and those dreams
But, my friend, I'd sacrifice all those nights
If I could make the Earth and my dreams the same
The only difference is
To let love replace all our hate
So let's go there
Let's make our escape
Come on, let's go there
Let's ask can we stay?
Can you take me Higher?
To a place where blind men see
Can you take me Higher?
To a place with golden streets
So lets go there, lets go there,
Come on, lets go there
Lets ask can we stay?
Up high I feel like I'm alive for the very first time
Set up high I'm strong enough to take these dreams
And make them mine
Set up high I'm strong enough to take these dreams
And make them mine
Can you take me Higher?
To a place where blind men see
Can you take me Higher?
To a place with golden streets
Can you take me Higher?
To a place where blind men see
Can you take me Higher?
To a place with golden streets
And I fell into a light trance; simultaneously listening to Creed, Iggy's breathing, and the noises of the night outside.