Chapter X – Just You And Me
It seems three in the morning is the hour of the devil for some of them. The clock's hands pointed solemnly this exact hour for only one fateful moment, before the ticks started again, as the seconds passed by. How ironic though… it seemed as if an eternity had passed when she was in his embrace, but then again, time had different rules inside her mind. Nicole was sure of this, because she thought everything went by fast. Too fast for that matter. Ever since she left until Hagi entered her room. The only moment she thought lasted forever was when his arms wrapped around her thin and boney body. She lost herself to her tears so deeply, she didn't even knew when he carried her to the bed and put her down. But she remembered she stopped crying a few minutes after this, and she calmed down incredibly fast. But she wasn't calm. No, it was the wrong word. She was… shocked and frightened when she realized that he, Hagi came and helped her out. Nicole never expected such a thing from him… But it had already happened.
In the following minutes the chevalier helped the girl in what seemed to be a rather normal before sleeping ritual. She stripped of her dark clothes, of course without him seeing her, and jumped into fresh, baggy ones, Hagi helped her brush her messy hair and he even wiped away all the black make up her face was painted with. Everything was done by the two of them in complete silence, probably their breaths being the only ones which were heard. But it didn't seem to bother neither of them. She just kept her gaze down, as the male stored her clothes, threw away the tissues used for her face and so on, just like a normal servant would do for his mistress. Even if she wasn't completely lucid, Nicole kept wondering why did he helped her like this. After all the words she addressed him, after the favor he had already done for her, it made no sense. While in deep thought, the girl drawled up into a ball, bringing her knees to her chest and hugging the tight, as she sat on the edge of the bed. Hagi noticed this as he walked back into her room from the bathroom with a white towel in his hand. It wasn't even the need to question her what was on her mind. Only by looking at her he knew the answer.
"I think of you as my responsibility." He spoke soft and calm, in a voice loud enough only for her to hear. Nicole's eyes snapped open as she heard this. Responsibility? In other circumstances she would've felt insulted by this remark. Wasn't she responsible enough to take care of herself so she needed his assistance? It wasn't that the problem, because Hagi knew that her life was none of his business, but also Nicole wanted to feel him around her. Not because she wanted to be take care of, it was that, in those moments, frustration made her to beg for someone's company. Or better said, for his company. For Hagi, it was a total different story. It wasn't just only he didn't wanted to risk and leave her alone. In this state, she would've end up doing bad thing he didn't even wanted to think of. And the male knew he wasn't going to live a clear life with such things written on his conscience. But there was also another thing that kept him by her side, and that thing was guilt. Inside him, he knew that if he did not let her leave earlier that night, she would've slept the night away, safe and sound.
Hagi kneeled down, in front of Nicole as he wiped a few locks of her brown hair from her face, exposing her bruise even more. He then started to press the white towel against the wounded area, fact which made the girl jump a little and hiss as well at the contact. It seemed the texture was soaked in cold water. Hagi grabbed her opposite shoulder and held her from moving any further.
"I need to clean it."
Gulping the excess of saliva in her mouth and clenching her teeth tight, Nicole stopped moving as the chevalier continued his work. Shyly, she rose her gaze to meet his own. At its cold and emotionless look, she quickly lowered her gaze once more. Even if she knew it was pointless to ask again she done it anyway.
"Why are you helping me?"
Hagi stopped for a second from cleaning her bruise as he let out a small almost inaudible grunt.
"I told you already."
"You were lying."
Her words became sharp and cold despite the low voice she was using to speak. It was oblivious that there still was a trace of the proud Nicole inside this partially damaged body. Even if he could've used this opportunity to respond and feed her ego, he choose to remain silent, making her to drop her gaze once more. Instead, Hagi waited for a few more minutes to pass before he replied her.
"There…" he removed the towel from her face, revealing a less angry bruise. But still he wasn't done. "Where do you keep your make up?"
With a short move of her head, she pointed towards the drawers of her bed table which Hagi had opened and took from its insides a small black and gray purse. Without any words whatsoever he took the bottle of foundation from it and with the help of a small brush he applied it on her forehead and temple.
"It is better if this will remain hidden." He told her as she just nodded a couple of times.
Hagi stared at her face as he masked the 'evidence' of her latest action. He didn't knew what she felt in those moments. It could've been still the shock she had earlier, or maybe the fear or the shyness or it could've been nothing at all. Just the empty body of a puppet with no soul, no mind and no dreams, but Hagi shook the thought away quickly. Something defiantly was on her mind. It was expectance. Nicole was expecting something from him and from what he noticed she wasn't ready to face it, but then again, he couldn't wait any longer as well. He had to do it and he had to do it now.
"What happened to you?"
Nicole's eyes immediately rose themselves and pinned on his own. This was what she was expecting, and it seemed it had came a little too soon. The girl was thinking of how she should've choose her words to explain what happened that night, since it still left her confused. This was the first time something like that ever happened to her… Bitting her bottom lip, she had closed her eyes and exhaled deeply. Hagi's eyebrow rose as his head leaned only a few millimeters towards her. He was ready to listen. Tilting her head to a side, Nicole finally showed a little emotion in her eyes as well as in her voice.
"It was not my fault. I didnt knew that… It wasn't my fault!"
-Flashback-
The night was getting hotter by the minute between the walls of the night club known as 'The Great Dick of London." The music was loud, the drinks were flowing like rivers and the ring was on fire. Along with the dancers in the ring Nicole was Jordan were enjoying the single song she had recognized that night. It was impossible for anyone not to remember a song with such vulgar lyrics after all. But, even if this was so, Jordan needed to pay two more drinks to get her to dance. Only after she finished the last one, she grabbed the boy by his collar and dragged him to the ring. Just in time since the song had started.
"Everything's been said before
There's nothing left to say anymore
When it's all the same
You can ask for it by name"
The beginning was calm and slow as the singer almost whispered the lyrics and the music made Nicole think of a post apocalyptic imagine of a town or maybe a really hardcore underground punk world. Still, she enjoyed every minute of it, just like her partner. Since it wasn't a dance they done for a contest, she allowed herself to freestyle like everyone else did on the dance floor. Her hips moved from side to side along with the rest of her body fluidly, only her shoulders made quick moves as if she had spasms on the beats. Jordan just watched her as he moved less around her. Even if she was enjoying her time, and gave him constant smile, he didn't dare touch her more then just hips. The song continued.
"Babble-Babble- Bitch- Bitch
Rebel- Rebel-Party- Party
Sex- sex- sex- don't forget the violence
Blah -blah - blah
Got your lovey-dovey sad and lonely
Stick your stupid slogan in
Everybody sing along"
And that was what she done. Nicole mouthed the words along with the singer as her eyes were pinned on Jordan's. By this time only she was smiling as her eyes were staring into a blank point somewhere outside the small space between them. Her partner dared and inched his head closed, gluing their foreheads one into the other and moving his hands another inch higher. The bridge repeated itself as she turned her head towards him again. The song was visibly more violent then when it started, so she adapted her moves to the melody, and so did Jordan. Her hands moved higher as well on her own body until they grabbed Jordan's palms.
"Are you motherfuckers ready for the new shit?
Stand up and admit it, tomorrow's never coming
This is the new shit
Stand up and admit it
Do we need it? NO!
Do we want it? YEAH!
This is the new shit
Stand up and admit it"
The chorus pierced everyone's ears as a thunder as loud industrial tunes filled the whole room. The few ones who had heard the song before were the ones who acted the most fitting, such as Nicole. As soon as she heard the third word, the girl took her partner's hands off of her, almost throwing them as if their were made of rubber and stepped a couple of feet backwards making the pace between them open up. Singing along, Nicole moved her body in her own way, a mix between pogo and her own dancing style, moving so fast and randomly, spinning her head and yelling with the music, it made the teen feel really dizzy. But she didn't care too much for that. Jordan seemed pretty ok himself, so why do bother?
"Babble, Babble, Bitch, Bitch
Rebel, Rebel, Party, Party
Sex, sex, sex, don't forget the violence
Blah, blah, blah
Got your lovey-dovey sad and lonely
Stick your stupid slogan in
Everybody sing along
Everything's been said before
There's nothing left to say anymore
When it's all the same
You can ask for it by name"
Nicole's dance suddenly didn't felt as right as she felt it before. The moves weren't done by her body anymore, but it seemed as if the lack of balance made her body move around with less of its original style, but more as if she was ready to fall on her butt at any minute. Tripping over someone's foot, the girl found herself free falling but luckily Jordan was there to grab her.
"Whoa, princess, wha' happened to ya?"
Nicole rose her head lazily to see him better, but she didn't got nothing more but a blurry imagine. It was odd…she didn't remembered the lights being so bright… she rose her head and rubbed her head closing her eyes in the process.
"I dunno man.. I guess I'm just a little tired or something…"
"Come with me."
With this the black haired guy helped the girl on her feet and began dragging her away from the ring, somewhere behind the bar…
-end of flashback-
Inside her room, Nicole remained with her head lowered as she stopped for a few minutes from telling what happened that night. Besides her, Hagi was listening closely, eyes pinned on her own. The male noticed the water in her eyes. He understood that from this point on the story went wrong. Quickly grabbing a small tissue, he reached to wipe her tears away, but his hand was almost slapped away by the girl.
"Don't." she said in a low voice as she let out a small sob. Hagi's eyes narrowed a little at her warning, but he retrieved his hand back. The girl wiped away her tears with the back of her palm and rose her head, staring blackly at the walls. Hagi was the first to speak;
"What happened next?"
Nicole opened her mouth, as if she wanted to tell him the rest, but she didn't manage to let out nothing but a sigh. She closed her eyes again and rubbed a little her temple as if she wanted to remember better.
"He began… to touch me."
-Flashback-
Behind the bar, there was a small room, which lead in a little storeroom full of bottles and packages. The room any bigger then her room back at the farm, and it wasn't well lit. The only difference was that the music wasn't heard so loud in there and a normal conversation between two persons was a reasonable thing to do.
"Jeez…" Nicole moaned as she held into Jordan tight. "Dude, my head hurts like hell…" she complained as Jordan didn't quite seemed to notice that. He just dragged her until both of them were in the middle of the room. He stopped and turned around facing the girl and also closing in the space between the two of them. Nicole blinked her eyes a few times, but not even here her vision wasn't any better. Inwardly she slammed her head on his shoulder bone. "crap…" she muttered as she felt her balance was leaving her again.
Jordan just help her even closer as his grip on her arms grew.
-end of flashback-
"…and then he simply rose my chin."
Nicole's hands were rubbing one against the other as the girl grew more nervous by the minute. She kept trying to keep her sobs inside her throat, but every once in a while they came out quick and panicked. Hagi kept his eyes pinned on her as his teeth clenched inside his mouth tight. By the way she talked and acted, he already figured out what happened to the orphan, but he did not stopped her from her speech. He didn't knew why, but maybe his curiosity or maybe his nervousness stopped him from speaking out and calming her down.
"i-i…I didn't knew what was going on. I was too dizzy. I asked him, 'what the hell is going on?', but he said…"
-flashback-
"Don't worry, its going to be fun… I promise…" Jordan's voice filled the room. It was smooth and calm, but it brought a wave of nervousness to Nicole. She didn't knew why, but she had a bad feeling about this. Her eyes narrowed as she wanted to slap his palms away.
"Like hell you are gonn-"
A pair of lips blocked her for saying anything more. By this time, her eyes snapped wide. Did he done what she thought he done? Nicole's eyes started to roll in their sockets moving to every single direction possible until they finally stopped on Jordan's figure. He was so damn close to her, she even felt the strong smell of cigar smell and alcohol not only on his clothes, but also in his skin! Not to mention, his lips were dry and rough, it made her wonder if her own lips were going to bleed after this brutal excuse of a kiss. When his wet tongue traced her lips the girl shut her eyes tight and hit his head with her own, confusing the guy for a second and making him go a little further.
"What the hell did you put in my drink, you son of a bitch!" she shouted in his face as she tried to make herself way out of his disgusting embrace. Jordan moaned in pain, but he acted quickly and grabbed her by her hair.
"It was something that would've made you feel better, so just stay still!"
-end of flashback-
"He grabbed my hair, tight…" Nicole continued as inwardly her hand rose and patted a little the back of her neck. She wouldn't be so surprised if she had there too a bruise, but luckily it was hidden pretty well behind her messy hair. "I struggle even more.. I think that is way it hurts like hell even now." Her hand moved from the back of her neck towards her forehead rubbing it slightly. She did not believed her own words…
"But I managed to kick him where it hurts…And after that…"
-flashback-
Jordan moaned in pain as he grabbed his lower regions. It seems Nicole really had hit him where it hurts, but that did not stopped him. Leaning against the wall, she tried to make herself way out the door but ended up grabbing a box of empty bottles. She didn't paid too much attention to that, those surely were nothing more then empty beers. Just in time to feel His tight grip gainst her arm again. She gasped as she turned to face him.
Big mistake.
"You bitch!" he shouted in her face as his other hand made contact with her face. It wouldn't have been such a great deal of pain if his fingers were closed up in a fist. The hit made her spin around on her heels, ending up on the box she earlier grabbed. Nicole was already sobbing slightly. Jordan was coming closer. This was really fucked up.
-end of flashback-
"I told you, it was not my fault!"
It was amazing. Just amazing. He thought of so many scenarios, so many theories, but Hagi had to admit to himself. This was truly something he did not expected at all. His mouth dropped slightly open, as his eyes dropped on the floor as well. A big knot formed in his throat. Weak. Vulnerable. Guilty. But most of all, useless. Hagi felt them all. Behind the walls of everything
he knew was a whole new world he knew nothing about. A world where girls like Nicole wonder the streets at night and get raped. Where chaotic music plays and where alcohol is drank instead of water. A hidden, dark world where Nicole just returned from, and Hagi was sure this was not the first time when she dared to enter it.
"And after that…"
His eyes rose once more. Was there even more to tell?
"…I remember another voice, yelling at us." Nicole made a pause as she rose her hand and wiped away her tears, careful enough not to damage all the make up on her bruise. "It was just what needed to get the hell outta there. I don't know how the fuck I got myself here safe…"
Saved. She saved herself from a horrible experience.
All the air he kept in his lungs was freed along with all his tense muscles. But this time Hagi's face ran from shock and guilt to anger and fury. He didn't need to hear anything more. It was already too much. As if he assisted besides her like a dark shadow hidden in a corner, he still couldn't help but feel it was his own fault. Throwing one of his eyes in her direction he saw the girl as she simply gulped away her sobs and tried to keep a serious face. After all of this, she still tried to look strong? Just like, this was nothing to her? She did. How stupid of her, but then again, Nicole still had the ashes of her pride which she now kept as close as she could to her damaged heart and mind. Hagi did not want to take that away from her as well. It was no use to try and sound like a parent or a big brother, she knew she made a mistake and there was no need for anyone to remind her that.
"It is late."
For the first time he spoke as he allowed a grunt to escape his throat. Nicole uselessly turned her head to face him, because he was already standing. Too late? How late could it be? Almost 3 in the morning. She saw it when the clock made a small click. He heard it as well, but he said nothing, just spun on his heels and quickly pushed the orphan by her shoulder, forcing her to lay backwards. Her eyes simply got a little wide as the redness around them made itself even clearer. No, she was not drugged. Or, if she was, they weren't so strong to keep her from being sober. Then why did that man act so…kind with her? A small gasp escaped her lips when her head hit the pillow.
"Go to sleep."
What was that, a request or an order? Or maybe an assurance? Nicole could not define it, but it was surely something Hagi tried to say as serious as possible, which he had actually done. The girl had to admit, it was something new to see someone so calm; especially after she just told him what she been through. This man was a walking wonder, filled with mystery, and why not, it awoken the brown haired girl a wicked interest, a thirst of knowing more about him. Her mind gone wild with thoughts mostly about her listening to his life tale just like he done now with her, but something just did not belonged to this puzzle… Which could that be? Herself and himself only. She was just to different, and he was the same. But still, it was human-like to aspire for things which seemed impossible, so her thoughts weren't so wrong after all. The girl's eyes half closed themselves as Nicole allowed her body to relax in the cool sheets. She even let out a yawn and placed a palm over her forehead. How awkward, she did not felt this tired while she told Hagi what she just told him, but she decided to ignore this minor aspect.
Unlike Nicole, Hagi had his own thoughts to deal with. Or better said, he had his thoughts to reject and ignore, but those just remained into his mind, like a dammed parasite! And what other thoughts to have other then the ones she gave him; defeat, shame, but the most torturing one was his guilt. He found more then just ordinary to cover her underweight body with the white, old sheet and watch as it modeled itself over the girl. Inwardly, she grabbed into it, and brought it up until it covered her up to her chin.
"Go to sleep" the man repeated before shooting her one last look, directly in the eyes and then make himself way towards the door. His steps were slow and heavy, but only seconds later, the metal handle or the door lowered itself under the pressure Hagi applied on it, and the door opened. But the sound made Nicole widen his eyes even more, and almost hop in a sitting position on her bed.
"Wait!"
Hagi turned his head only until he could have seen the orphan with the corner of his eyes. Much to his wonder, wonder which he had obviously hid, the brown haired one had a neutral expression on her face. He did not used words, only a slight nod was enough to let her know she was free to tell him what happened. And Nicky understood the message pretty clear. "Thanks, you know…" she muttered with only half of mouth. "Will you shut up again, for me?"
It was the second time, in less the 24 hours when the very same person had asked the cold and distant chevalier to lie for her. Even if it wasn't such a great thing to request, Hagi couldn't help but re-memorize in a flash of a second what happened only a few hours earlier, and think of a similar scenario if he would lie again. The man lowered his head and turned his gaze from her. To lie, or not to lie? That was the question… How ironic, but what she requested after all, was not a lie, but silence, and silence was the thing he was best at. Then, why refuse her? After all, Hagi had to admit, inside of his he felt what was left of his humanity calculating what would be his win out of this deal, but no. He was a man of honor. He done things because it was right. But was it right to keep silence because of someone he just met? With a sigh, the man opened his mouth to speak;
"Your ride out, our talk, everything. Did not happened at all. You fell off your bed and hit your forehead, thus you did not had a good night sleep." Hagi's head spun a little until he was facing the girl again. "Understood?"
Amazing.
Nicole felt as if her very heart was about to pop out of her chest when he spoke. Yet again, he was to lie for her. Well, to keep silence. What else could she do other then simply express her feelings by grinning hugely and hugging herself. Nicole had to use al her strength to keep a squeal inside her throat. Instead, she simply muttered a "Thank you." Just like a child would say when she just received a big bag of candy. Hopping again under she sheets, she placed her head and on the pillow, this time facing the pale man. Right before he had the chance to open the door she remembered something she simply let out, without thinking too much.
"Next time, you will have to show me your wrapped hand, mmk?"
Ironic.
Hagi froze when he heard her. For a second he lost his lucidity and wanted to yell at her that it was impossible, but he remained silent and survived the moment of outrage. What he done? He grunted, just barely audible and opened the door, the exited. Hopefully, the girl did not heard the slight grunt from his throat, but, than again, he did not heard her when she muttered "Good night…"
TO BE CONTINUED...
A/N: Wazzup! Sorry it took so long to upload!!! this chapter just didnt wanted to come out...and i had a shit load of trouble at home...sorry sorry sorry sorry! Promise i will try and upload again as soon as possible! Hope people are still reading this... Anyways, about this chapter; there are ups and downs here, and i am not that pleased with it. I tried to make a flashback/present moment alternation, for the drama thing, but i dont think i got it right. If anyone has any advice for me, please tell me! So i could make better future storied :3
Anyways, this will be it. Cliffhanger once more. but at least we found out how the heck she got her bruise right? I dont really know what next chappie will be about, so feel free to say your ideas! You will recieve credit for them, promisee ^^
That would be it...Please review! Bye bye!^^
Edit: Just forgot to mention, the song is 'this is the new Shit' From Marilyn Manson, which i do not own. And i do not own Blood+ either! so please, the guys up there, please dont sue me for this little piece of my imagination.... Oh, i own, the guys at the club and nicky'Nicole, and the plot thingy . Yaaaaay....