Sorry, the chapters seem to be getting shorter I know, I'm not sure whether to start combining some or not.. Also there is a bit of swearing this chapter, I'll try not to let it get out of hand :L ~nellen x
"Don't wanna let you down, but I am hell-bound. Though this is all for you, don't wanna hide the truth. No matter what we breed, we still are made of greed. This is my kingdom come, this is my kingdom come."
Flora followed Clive's voice through the streets once more, finding him back in the same little square by the pub. His bloodshot eyes brightened as he saw her, and now he sang with a smile on his face.
"When you feel my heat, look in to my eyes, it's where my demons hide; it's where my demons hide."
Flora sat down at one of the pub's tables to watch him finish. The pub was closed on Sundays, so she wouldn't be told off for not buying a drink. She remained there in silence until he'd finished that song, then another, then one more. He never came over to talk, just smiled her way and continued to sing, a distinctly cheerier tone to his voice now she had arrived. Finally, once he had finished his own rendition of 'Little Talks' by Of Monsters and Men, he drifted over to chat.
"You know, we never really got to talk properly yesterday," he smiled sadly, slipping into the seat opposite her. "I forgot to ask how you've been."
"Alright," she replied, a sudden shyness to her voice, "I've been lonely, but alright. You?"
"Well I've been doing fan-fucking-tastically, as I'm sure you can tell," he chuckled dryly, before giving his real answer. "Miserable, lonely, depressed, guilty, miserable, and guilty."
"You need to stop."
"What?" The boy's lips fell into a puzzled pout, "stop what?"
"You need to stop! Stop feeling so bad and beating yourself up," Flora wailed, although there was a hint of anger behind it. "You didn't sleep last night, I can tell, the circles under your eyes are darker than the night sky, and you're so thin it's frightening. Just stop punishing yourself for a stupid mistake!"
"Well cheers, I think you're beautiful too," he laughed, as the girl's cheeks glowed pink, "I'm fine, trust me. And I'm sorry, for being sorry. I'm still sorry for that too though, so, uh, sorry."
"You're impossible!" She yelled, throwing her hands up in exasperation, shuddering slightly as the cool breeze whistling through the square picked up it's pace.
"I can't help feeling this conversation would be better somewhere a little warmer, your shivering dear," Clive frowned thoughtfully, ignoring her frustrated cry. He slipped out of his coat, and draped it over her shoulders. "There, that's a little better."
He waited for Flora's reply, muttering quietly when nothing came, "well you're welcome then." His voice dripped with sarcasm, and Flora's smile echoed it as she finally thought of something to say. "Oh look, there he is. There's the sarky bugger we all know and love. But um, thanks for the coat."
"Didja miss me?" He winked with a cocky smile, taking up a more caring tone as he continued, "it's ok about the coat though, you looked cold, and I didn't really need it anyway."
He gasped in mock-shock as she flashed him a disbelieving look, "seriously! Feel how warm I am!"
Now it was Flora's turn to be shocked, as he pressed a gentle hand to her face. It was indeed very warm, almost feverish, but he seemed completely unfazed by it.
"Well, you are rather hot," she giggled in surprise, and his lips parted in a cheeky grin.
"I know, fricken gorgeous ain't I?" Their laughter rang around the little square, earning a few irritated glances from passing shoppers. She was still laughing as she prised his fingers from her cheek, stopping immediately as a cluster of scars caught her eye.
"Clive!" She gasped, staring wide-eyed at the marks, keeping a hold on his hand as she waited for an explanation.
"Prison's a depressing place," he shrugged, as though the lines meant nothing to him, "I would have done my wrists like a normal depressed person, but they watch out for stuff like that in there." He just didn't understand why she was so bothered, they weren't even that bad. Sure, some of them were a little deep, but they had healed up okay. She continued to stare, mouth opening and closing uselessly. She'd always hated cuts or blood, but for once it wasn't these that bothered her. It was the pattern they formed.
"B-but why...? Why are they...? Why is it an apple shape?"
Uh-oh...