Oh my gosh! I must be really crazy if I've gone on a submitting spree again! Alright, enough nonsence. Please enjoy this cute chapter that I've been dying to put up! :D
Chapter 9:
Beginning of a Friendship
Jasmine heaved a deep sigh as she stared up at the ceiling of her room. She was well aware of the nightly owl that sat up in the tree that overlooked her room, hooting softly before flying silently into the night. The only light that illuminated her room was the lamp on her desk beside her bed. She'd moved it back to its original position after her discussion with Tim. Now that she and Tim had vowed to forget about the past, she had decided to start by forgetting about attempting to draw the picture of her saviour. By doing that, her strange dreams no longer haunted her anymore and her thoughts were as clear as clean water. It made her feel less vulnerable and more confident in herself than she gave credit for.
Her eyes shifted over to her desk, her thoughts bubbling with the same craving that drove her to draw. However, she pushed it aside and turned on her side, facing the wall with tired eyes. Sleep seemed impossible tonight, just like how her paralysed arm had become a nusiance ever since she had gotten it in a sling. Without the sling, it was useless and hung limply against her side.
"Take it easy, Jazz," she whispered to herself. "Just try and get some sleep." She was about to close her eyes and get some sleep when she heard a knock at her door. She sat up quickly, being mindful of her arm, and faced the door. "Come in."
The door opened to reveal Tim in his usual clothing. But the cowboy hat she always saw him wearing was hanging behind his back on a string that was wrapped around his neck. She was amazed at how different he looked without it. His hair was jet black with bits of gray in it.
Tim came on over and sat down on the edge of her bed, his kind blue eyes looking into her own with concern. "Hello, Jasmine," he greeted. "I noticed your lamp was still on and I thought I would come to check up on you. Are you having trouble sleeping?"
Jasmine nodded. "Yeah," she replied, brushing some of her hair out of her face. "I've been getting a lot on my mind. Mostly questions about you."
The older man seemed a bit hesitant in responding to Jasmine, but then a smile appeared on his face and he patted her on the shoulder. "I have questions I want to ask about you too, but we cannot talk now. You need to rest and get your strength back up to speed. I have something in mind that we can do in the morning."
"What's that?" Jasmine asked, lifting an eyebrow as Tim tucked her underneath the covers like her father would do to her before he passed on.
"You'll find out in the morning," Tim chuckled. "Now get some sleep."
"As you command," Jasmine remarked sarcastically as she lay down to sleep.
"Trust me, Jasmine," Tim chuckled as he turned off the lamp, "its better off you don't know until morning. It would ruin the surprise I have in mind for you."
Jasmine watched as Tim headed for the door and he glanced over his shoulder at her for a moment. For that moment, their eyes locked onto each other until Tim sent her a warm smile and departed. Once he was gone, Jasmine rested her head on her pillow and stared at the wall for a few more seconds until her eyes closed, taking her into a deep, dreamless sleep.
"You want me to what?" Jasmine squeaked.
She stood before Tim in the driveway in front of the blue-flamed truck. It was morning, and the sun had only just started to rise from in between the houses in the West. Tim had woken Jasmine up early, got her to quickly eat her breakfast, have a small shower, get dressed, and had her meet him out the front of the house. Now, Tim had made a suggestion that she climb into the truck and he will drive her into the city, much to her horror.
Tim nodded at Jasmine's question. "I think it's time that you got out of the house and into the truck," he said. "You need to get your confidence back up in learning how to drive. I discussed this with your brother last night and he agreed with me. We'll do it slowly, as I am fully aware of your fear of this truck."
The young woman's gaze shifted from Tim to the massive truck that sat quietly in front of her and her friend. She could feel her heart pounding inside her ribcage. Even her brain felt like it was swelling inside her skull until it threatened to explode. Was she ready to get in the truck and begin her journey into fully recovering from her ordeal? She didn't know, but deep down she felt hostile and afraid towards the innocent looking vehicle. She could've sworn that it was watching her and appearing to hold its breath.
Tim walked over to the passenger's side and opened the door, which creaked effortlessly. He made a motion for her to come forward, and, as though she was being pulled by some invisible force, she found herself taking slow steps towards the vehicle. Much to her surprise, she found herself coming around the door and standing quite close to Tim. He offered his hand out to her and she slowly took it as he slowly helped her into the seat.
Jasmine thought she was going to be sick as Tim slowly closed the door, telling her that everything was going to be alright. She believed his words and she leaned back into the passenger's seat. She thought she felt it envelop her in an act of a hug and warm up faster than she realised. It was as though the truck knew she was afraid and was doing everything in its power into making her feel comfortable.
Her thoughts and suspicions were soon taken away when Tim climbed into the driver's seat and sat beside her. "We're taking this slow, Jasmine," he reassured her. "Just tell me to stop and I will do so."
When she said nothing in response, Tim seemed to take that as doing fine with what he had in mind. Slowly, he turned on the ignition and the truck roared to life. Jasmine flinched nervously, but nothing happened as she expected it to. She took a deep breath and put on her seatbelt, remembering the golden rule of the roads.
She watched as Tim fiddled with the gearstick, putting it into reverse, and backed the truck out as slowly as he could. It was as though he was attempting to make this easy for Jasmine to get used to again after not having been in a truck for a good long time ever since her accident.
Jasmine couldn't remember much during the trip, but all she could see was blurring images that passed by the moving truck. And as the truck moved towards their destination, her worries, fears, and hostility soon started to fade away into nothing and she forgot about why she was hesitant about getting into it in the first place. She hadn't noticed that Tim was often shooting careful glances at her whenever she wasn't paying attention to what was in front of her or on her left and right.
Soon enough, excitement began to flow through her blood, bringing a smile to her face. It was smile she hadn't smiled in many weeks since the accident. She turned to Tim and asked, "How about some radio?"
"I don't see why not," Tim chuckled and he reached forward to turn on the radio, tuning it into the way she liked it. Eventually, Jasmine found her bobbing her head to the flow of one of her favourite songs that played through the speakers.
You know the bed feels warmer
Sleeping here alone
You know I dream in colour
And do the things I want
You think you got the best of me
Think you've had the last laugh
Bet you think everything good is gone
Think you've left me broken down
Think that I'd come running back
Baby you don't know me, 'cause you're good as gone
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over 'cause you're gone
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself, and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
You heard that you were starting over with someone new
They told you I was moving on, over you
You didn't think that I'd come back
I'd come back swinging
You try to break me, but you see
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over 'cause you're gone
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself, and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
Thanks to you I got a new thing started
Thanks to you I'm not the broken-hearted
Thanks to you I'm finally thinking about me
You know in the end the day you left was just my beginning
In the end...
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm lonely 'cause you're gone
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself, and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself, and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
(When I'm alone)
As the song faded out and one that Jasmine didn't know started playing, she realised that Tim had taken the truck down into the middle of the city and had already parked it near a mall. He'd hopped out and had opened the door, waiting for her to get out while holding onto her walking stick. Puzzled, she carefully climbed out with the assistance of Tim until she was back on solid ground. Relief swept over her and she could've sworn that the truck gave a groan and shifted forward slightly before coming to a halt.
"Let's go," Tim insisted, motioning her to follow him.
"Where are we going?" Jasmine asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You'll find out once we get there," Tim chuckled and he set off at an even pace that Jasmine could keep up with. As they entered the building, Jasmine followed closely beside Tim, her eyes never leaving the older man's face. However, he didn't seem all that focused on her. Rather he seemed determined to find something by any means necessary.
They took a few right turns, and a single left for several minutes until Tim stopped at store called Bengal's Pets. "The pet shop?" she asked, eyes widening. "Why are we here for this?"
Tim's only response was a smile. He entered the store and Jasmine followed him again. He approached a desk and whispered something to the gentleman with African brown skin, friendly green eyes, and a strong body build at the counter. The gentleman quirked an eyebrow and then laughed before heading into the back. Jasmine glanced at Tim with questioning eyes, but he continued to avoid her gaze, as though he really was hiding something from her.
A few minutes later, the gentleman returned while carrying a bundle of fur in his arms. To Jasmine's shock, it was a one month old, midnight black Siberian husky puppy with intelligent sky blue eyes, and a plastic bag with a dog bowl, a leash, and some puppy food. The gentleman handed the puppy over to Jasmine, and the bag to Tim. Then he winked at Jasmine before saying to her, "You're lucky to have met a guy like him," before picking up a cloth and started wiping the counter down.
The puppy looked up at Jasmine with wide eyes as she shook herself from out of her shock and Tim led her out of the store. Once they got outside, Jasmine turned to face Tim with an expression that would've told the whole world that she was still in shock at what he had given her.
"Surprise, Jasmine," Tim laughed, gently petting the puppy on the head.
"I-I-I don't know what to say, Tim," Jasmine breathed as she continued to stare at the puppy. "Does Jason know about this?"
"It was his idea that we get you a companion to make you feel better," Tim answered honestly. "I just merely made the call and paid online. The owner of the store was kind enough to hold onto this one since he had heard about your accident on the news." He chuckled again and scratched behind the puppy's left ear. "Her name is Midnight."
"Midnight," Jasmine whispered. "She's beautiful, Tim. I couldn't have asked for a better gift and a better friend."
Midnight gave Jasmine a lick on the nose to show her affection and Jasmine giggled. Oh how Jasmine had missed laughing, and it made her feel better to do it again. She took a step forward and hugged Tim to show her thanks. She really didn't know what to say to express her happiness. All that mattered was that she had a true friend to share in her despair and her recovery.
"Come on," Tim said once Jasmine had released him from her embrace, "we better get back to the truck."
The young woman nodded and, with Midnight constantly wagging her tail, headed back with Tim towards the blue-flamed truck. She should probably stop calling it 'The Truck' and give it a name just like her Silverflame. But not right now. Thinking of a name for her new truck would take too much of her time. She was going to have her hands full with looking after Midnight.
"We're here, Jasmine," Tim called, snapping Jasmine out of her thoughts. She hadn't noticed they'd walked out of the building and had returned to the truck's side. Tim had opened up the door for her and was waiting for her to climb in. She placed Midnight inside the truck and was about to climb in when she heard a deep bark sounding right behind her and a man's startled cry.
"Ace, come back here!"
Jasmine turned in time to see a large brown and black Doberman heading straight towards her with a young man trailing behind and waving his arms frantically, ferocious black eyes gleaming in the morning sun, and drool dripping from its mouth that bore sharp canine teeth. Jasmine yelped and struggled to get back into the truck, but her bad leg wouldn't move. All she could do was scream as the dog drew closer and was within leaping distance.
"Jasmine, look out!" Tim's voice cried as he, with lightning fast reflexes, stepped in between her and the Doberman. The Doberman latched onto Tim's arm and dug its fangs deep into his warm flesh. It was Tim's gasp of pain and the slight jump of the blue-flamed truck that startled Jasmine into getting her to move again. She rushed forward and attempted to get the Doberman off of Tim, but a warning look from Tim told her not to interfere or else she might get hurt.
Tim lifted a hand and easily pried the Doberman off of his arm, despite it being known for its jaw locking abilities. The dog gave a startled yelp and fell backwards onto his side. It looked at Tim with wide, brown eyes. The older man stood tall enough to look intimidating and took a few steps forward, causing the Doberman to freeze in fear. This allowed its owner to leap onto it and pull it away from Tim.
"Oh my God!" Jasmine gasped as she came towards Tim. "Are you alright?"
"I'll live," Tim replied as he struggled to stop the bleeding on his arm.
But as Jasmine came closer to help tend to his injury, she suddenly drew back in horror when her eyes lay upon Tim's broken flesh. Instead of human blood bleeding from his injury, a glowing blue liquid thicker than water leaked out of it.
Tim glanced up at her with sullen eyes, as though he had a hidden truth in him that would make her freeze with shock. "Jasmine... there's something I have to tell you."