Author's note: Yeah, quickest update ever since the last one, for a few reasons, but it'll make up for my slow updating.
Chapter 22
Broken Dreams
Cliff picked a dazed Nel up and Fayt picked Albel up, while Claude helped Ariette along. They took them to a hospital, where Ariette finally passed out after all the strain.
"Well, now that that's sorted, we need to sort out where you guys are going to stay. I'm guessing you'll want an apartment in New York," Cliff explained. Claude nodded. Fayt and Cliff managed to find seven free apartments on the same floor as Fayt, Albel, Sophia and Maria, as people had moved off of that floor years ago.
"Hmmm…I'm not sure where Ariette and Master Leon are going to stay though," Fayt said.
"Ariette can stay with us, she is my sister after all," Claude replied. Cliff nodded.
"Hey, Leon can stay with me and Ashton," Precis said. Ashton nodded and Leon smiled happily. They went off to work this out and Ariette, Albel and Nel stayed in hospital. Nel was released the next day and Maria invited her to stay at her apartment for a while.
One day a few days later Ariette opened her eyes and sat up. She could see Albel sleeping in the next bed with all sorts of bandages on his head, on his arms and legs, and on his body. The nurses and doctors had marvelled at the miracle of his awakening just a few days before. They still had yet to find out what had brought him back. Ariette sighed and remembered what that Luther had said.
A violence gene, eh? Maybe that's why Albel was awakened. My new powers brought life back into his body. I guess it was lucky I was crazy enough to kiss those dead lips.
Ariette reached up and touched her lips, a faint blush playing about her cheeks. She got up and walked over to Albel's bed, sitting in the side chair. She brushed a hair out of his eyes and stared down at him.
What a brave man, jumping off the side of a building just for me like that. And for a stranger as well. I wonder how I can repay him?
Ariette smiled and got up, wandering out of the hospital room. She cam back ten minutes later with a bouquet of flowers, to find Albel lying awake in his bed. Her smile brightened and she ran to his bedside.
"You're awake! How are you?" Ariette asked. He just stared at her.
"Well, of course I'm-…I mean, I'm fine," Albel said, stopping himself from being sarcastic. She giggled.
"I'm glad to hear that. I want to apologise. It's my fault that you're so bashed up and that you nearly lost your life. So please, forgive me. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?" Ariette asked. Albel rubbed his head and shook his head.
"Bah. I don't need your apologies. It was my decision to jump off after you. Just don't try killing yourself again. Otherwise I'll just watch you fall," Albel said. Ariette nodded and smiled. Ariette found a vase and put the flowers in. They were red roses and their smell filled the room. Albel took a single rose from the vase and stared at it.
"Beauty and strength…a deadly combination. How did you know that I liked these?" Albel asked. Ariette laughed.
"You're a fighter and you are strong…yet I get the feeling that you have a deeper quality than just brute strength. Besides, I didn't think giant daisies were quite you," Ariette replied. "Plus, I studied spiritual things back in high school. And I have a knack for knowing what people like from either their appearance or that and the little information I know about them."
Albel nodded politely and looked at the bandages on his arm. Ariette moved herself and sat on the side of his bed. Albel did not look up.
"When am I getting out of here? I have a job to get back to," Albel said.
"Hmm. Probably not until you've recovered a bit more," Ariette replied. Albel grumbled a bit and lay back onto his pillow. Ariette sat and stared down at him. Albel noticed this and blinked at her.
"What? What are you staring for?" Albel asked, feeling a little uncomfortable. Ariette stared to the opposite wall.
"I was just thinking about how you're such a nice guy and all," Ariette replied. Albel looked confused and stared at the door.
"You know, even though we've only just met, I feel like I've known you for much longer," Ariette said. Albel turned to face her and stared at her like she was mad.
"Oh? Well that's probably because we communicated through dreams. Other than that, I barely know you," Albel replied. Ariette giggled.
"No, silly. Not that. I mean like in another life. I feel like if we did exist in the past, we knew each other," Ariette said. Albel shook his head in disbelief and turned over and started to fall asleep. Soon after, Ariette returned to her bed and Claude came in. He ran over to her and took her up into his arms.
He told her about the plans to get an apartment and she smiled gratefully. The doctor came in and examined her, saying that she could leave that day. She thanked him and asked if he could see how long Albel has to stay.
"What? Why another week?" He shouted. The doctor tried to calm him down, but he was quite angry and punched the table. The doctor explained that he was injured and needed to stay some more time, just to make sure he's healing properly. Albel growled and buried himself under the covers in a huff.
"I'll come and visit you every day Albel, I promise," Ariette said. He said nothing. She left and Claude showed her to the apartment they were staying in. She loved it and looked into the bedroom she was staying in.
She went into Albel's hospital room the next day to see him fall on the floor. She quickly went to him and pulled him back up, were he held onto her shoulders for support.
"Thanks. I guess I know why they're keeping me in here now," Albel muttered. Ariette smiled and giggled.
"You really do want to get out of here, don't you? I know that feeling…" Ariette said. Albel looked down and stared at the floor.
"Hey, Albel? I was thinking a lot. I don't know whether this is too hasty or whatnot, but…I think I…like you. I really like you a lot," Ariette confessed. She bowed her head, unable to hide her scarlet face in her occupied hands. Albel just stared at her.
"And why would you do that?" Albel asked. Ariette looked back up at him wide eyed.
"I don't know. I just do…I guess I see some part of you that is similar to me. Both struggling to be accepted and all…I never was very popular in high school. I was always 'Claude's twin' or 'Claude's sister'. And you're trying to forge a better name for yourself. I like that strength in you. You care about people. Why would you jump off a building for a stranger?" Ariette said. Albel just stared and then turned his head away.
"Hmph. I'm not the one for you. You deserve better. So I suggest you give up," Albel said. He slapped Ariette's supporting hands off of himself and started walking clumsily away from her. She grabbed his wrist and pulled him gently back towards her.
"But you're the only one for me," Ariette said. She reached up and lightly touched his lips. She brought herself back after a minute and stared at him.
"Do you still feel nothing?" She asked. Albel just stared at the far end of the room.
"Hmph. Just get over it. I'm not worthy of that kind of stuff. But my legs do feel a little stronger now," Albel said. He stretched his legs out a little and walked perfectly back to his bed and buried himself under the covers. Ariette stood there and her eyes watered. She ran sobbing out of the room and out of the hospital. She cried herself to sleep that night.
