"Kane you're driving too fast." Katie gave a drunken laugh.
"I . . .I got it." the wheel slipped and slid in his loose grasp.
"Slow down please!" Katie leaned over and kissed Kane on the shoulder. He lifted his arm and pulled Katie against his chest. He now only had one slack hand on the wheel. She was so warm, she was always warm, like a walking furnace. He saw her smile up at him. It amazed him that she didn't look at his masked face in fear and disgust, before Katie he had never experienced the feeling. She was one of a kind, no one could ever compare to her love for him. In his impaired state he had gotten distracted by his girlfriend, by the time he noticed they were swerving out of control it was too late. "Kane!" Katie let out a high pitched screech. He couldn't get control, their speed was too great, they began to careen off the road. "Kane!" She screamed again, clinging to him tight, her eyes clenched shut.
"Katie it'll be alright" He squeezed her to him as they braced for impact, hoping he could shield her from the brunt of the crash. They collided hard into a cluster of trees. For five or so minutes there was no movement from the vehicle, but eventually the sound of creaking metal could be heard in the dead of night. Kane was heaving all his weight to push the door open that had wrinkled inward. Eventually he muscled his way out. He was certain he had broken his one arm, an ankle and an assortment of bones in his face. "Katie?!" Kane reached in the wreck with his one good arm. "Katie?!" he finally found her, lifelessly contorted in the car. Quickly Kane grabbed her and pulled her from the mangled mess. "Katie?!" He called out her name a third time as he gingerly laid her on the ground she was limp and unresponsive. "Open your eyes, say something!" He shook her but nothing happened. He realized that she was no longer warm, she was uncharacteristically cold.
"Kane?" Her eyes fluttered open.
"You're alive!" He lifted her up and held her close to him trying to transfer some of his own heat to her, trying to force some his life into her fading body.
"Kane." She began to cough and sputter there was blood coming up. "I . . . I'm . . . Bleeding-" She grew paler still, growing colder, they both looked at her abdomen, her shirt was stained a damp maroon color.
"Just hold on Katie I'll get you to a hospital." He lifted her over his shoulder, limping his way back to the road.
"Kane." Katie murmured weakly, her head bobbing with each of Kane's uneven steps. "Kane just stop!" She coughed some more.
"This is all my fault." He didn't listen to her and continued to walk towards the road. He cursed himself as the pain surged through his body. With all his strength he couldn't protect the one person he cared about, he knew she was dying, there was so much blood, too much blood but he wouldn't give up on her, he wouldn't let her go, he simply couldn't allow himself to.
"It's alright." She whispered. "I forgive you." Katie smiled weakly. "Kane I love you. And I'm sorry." Those words stopped him in his tracks, he could hear the death rattle in her voice she had moments left and they both knew it.
"What are you sorry for? Katie I killed you!" They reached the road but there were no cars to be seen. Any fleeting hope of saving Katie flew off into the night, leaving Kane feeling useless and numb.
"I killed you too Kane. This . . . this is killing you. I don't want to leave you all alone again." She gasped for breath as she was laid down on the pavement. "But you'll be ok you'll get past this promise?"
"No. I should have known, I should have listened . . . I'm a monster I was bound to hurt you. I should have left you alone from the beginning. All I do is-"
"Kane I can't . . . I can't breath!" She was choking on her own blood.
"Kane! Kane! Wake up! Move your arm I can't breath!" Carrie was flailing like a fish out of water, Kane had rolled over in his sleep, his trunk like arm landed across Carries throat. Kane woke up from his dream in a panic, drenched is sweat.
"Katie!" He shouted at the top of his lungs, coming to his senses he quickly removed his arm. Carrie sat up gulping in as much air as possible, coughing and sputtering in the process.
"Who?" She massaged her throat as she spoke. 'He had a nightmare.' She could see the terror ridden look on Kane's face. 'What gives a monster nightmares?'
"None of your business." Kane rubbed some sweat from his brow. He didn't want to talk about it, he didn't want to think about it, he wanted it to just go away. He stared off in the distance collecting his thoughts, detached from his surroundings.
"Oh" Carrie nodded awkwardly. "Ok." She collapsed back down on the bed pulling the covers over her face and closed her eyes. ' He doesn't want to talk about it, then he doesn't want to talk about it.' She felt no desire to press the issue. 'I feel bad but there's not much I can do for him. He'd just push me away if I tried to get beyond that mean nasty shell.'
"How can you possibly go back to sleep?" Kane finally came back to reality, stunned that Carrie was so ambivalent about being more or less choked out. 'Idiot doesn't take care of herself.' He just tilted his head at the mass of covers. 'Is she my responsibility? Am I supposed to take care of her?' He grew uneasy at the thought. 'Why? Why is it my job? If she wants to crash and burn-' The memories of the car crash flooded back, his fists clenched. 'Katie. What does this woman have to do with Katie?' relaxing one hand he reached out to touch her, to maybe feel Katie again but he stopped himself. 'She's not Katie.' His inner turmoil was interrupted by Carrie who was now stretching and squirming underneath the cover.
"Why? what time is it? Is the continental breakfast open? I'm mad craving some waffles." She yawned peaking her head into view. She was trying her best to ignore what had just transpired for the benefit of both of them.
"Why?! I nearly killed you Carrie!" Kane couldn't believe how quickly she had shrugged it off. Carrie's eyes lit up for a moment. "What?" Kane was taken aback. "What did I say? It finally sink in that you could've died?" He only grew more confused as he saw a smile roll over her face.
'Progress. You called me Carrie . . . not in a threatening way, you just . . . acknowledged me as a person.' "Nearly being the operative word here. What are the odds it will happen again so soon?" She tried to seem supportive. 'What would be the reasoning behind blaming and berating him?' It was her turn to be puzzled as she saw Kane's face go from confused and slightly concerned to irritated and angry.
"What is wrong with you?" He yanked the covers off of her. Kane was used to being blamed, being hated. Kane was the big bad wolf that just knocked everything in his path down without care or consequence, and here was Carrie who seemed to be actively overlooking that. 'She's being naive. She's going to get hurt.' His breath grew labored. 'Stop it! Why do I care? Women equal pain.' He couldn't decide what to make of all this, flip-flopping from hot to cold from concern to contempt. Kane could see Carrie trying to connect with him, harmless enough, but all the same Kane's inner demons and small scraps of human emotion were at war. "What do I have to do to scare you?! If you don't look out for yourself who will? No one can protect you from me! You'll turn out just like everyone else who gets close, you'll get burned!" Perhaps the war wasn't over but the battle had been won. 'I don't wan't anyone I don't need anyone, I don't need Carrie. Monsters are supposed to live in their lairs . . . alone. That's what I need, that's what has been working . . . Alone.' He slip a palm over his head, this was too much deep thinking for so early in the morning.
"I heard you the first thousand times!" Carrie stood out of bed. "I'm trying my damnedest alright? I'll be scared of you! I'm sorry! I just wanted you to like me that's all." Carrie was putting on her socks and shoes as she shouted. "Don't crucify me for trying alright? I'm not the scum of the earth or some bumbling fool because I was trying to befriend the person who is stuck with me for the next month or two!" Carrie huffed. 'Two can play at this game. I won't just let you yell at me all day!'
"Because you want me to throw the match." Kane felt like it had dawned on him.
"Excuse me? What?!" Carrie was at first just cranky from being woken up so abruptly, by this point she was genuinely insulted and angry.
"You think I'm some moron! You just want me to like you enough to lose next week on purpose so you're contract doesn't get shortened." Kane could see the hurt behind Carrie's eyes but he would not get played as a fool one woman right after another. 'I have to protect myself, women equal pain.' He wasn't sure if his accusation was true, but in his mind it was worth hurting Carrie's feelings for it to be out there that he would not let the wool be pulled over his eyes.
"You've got one thing right I think you're a moron!" She swung open the door to punctuate her aggravation.
"Where are you going?" Kane questioned as everything spiraled out of control.
"I'm running away scared just like you want Kane! Cause it's your way or the fucking highway! If you must know I'm going to get some waffles asshole!" She slammed the door behind her.
Kane rubbed his temples. Had he gotten it wrong? 'She's just as hot headed as me.' He stared over at the door she had whipped shut. As he sat dazed at the end of the bed he began to second guess some of the things he had said. 'Picking a fight with a monster? Still stupid, still naive, but she stood her ground. She didn't cave, if she truly was just trying to play me . . . she'd be here groveling, just like they all do.' Kane was used to people, intimidated or down right scared down at his feet begging for leniency, because they knew the pain that was coming their way. 'Perception. She doesn't perceive me as a threat? What does she perceive me as? What is she seeing that I don't' He thought of the conversation they had the previous night. 'Is that why I'm seeing Katie? I'm perceiving some connection? Katie always saw something I could never see. What is it? What is so important that they put themselves in harms way? Why can't they leave me alone!' Kane desperately needed some air, after haphazardly getting dressed he left the room in the direction of the lobby. He was about to leave when he saw in the dining area someone give Carrie a shove. 'Idiot what trouble did you get into now?' Insult aside Kane instinctively lumbered towards the confrontation.
"Hey newbie learn your place! It's not cool to not respect seniority!" Carlito pushed Carrie back a few steps nudging himself in line. Carrie bit her lip keeping her eye on the prize, staring down the waffles inches away as if they owed her money, no one was going to ruin this for her. 'Today will be a better day . . . didn't start off great, but waffles make up for a lot.' Carlito noticed her fixed gaze and simply picked up the plate, walking down the line, a smug smile lining his face.
"You're going to eat all 13 of those waffles?!" Carrie was already aggravated, her fuse was short and what was going to be her solace was walking away from her.
"I'm a growing boy! Do you want one?" He held out the tray. Carrie went to grab one but Carlito slapped her hand. "No magic words? How rude of you. Not cool" Carlito smirked watching Carrie's ears turn red in anger.
'What is this guy's problem?' She didn't understand why everyone seemed to be so selfish and territorial. "Please may I have a waffle?" She questioned through grinding teeth. 'Waffles . . . just keep thinking about the waffles.'
"No I don't think so!" He turned around with all intentions to walk away victorious but was blocked by a human wall. Carlito was eye to chest with Kane. "I . . . hey big guy." He gave a nervous wave. This was the body language Kane was used to, one of fear and impending pain.
"You got a big mouth, I already have a headache and you're making it worse." Kane took a hold of Carlito's hair making the shorter man crane his neck upwards to see the angry and annoyed look etched on Kane's face.
"I did not mean to do that, I'm sorry-"
"Heard you across the building something about learning you place? You said it very loud Carlito. Was that directed to-"
"No no definitely not." Carlito shook his head best he could.
"Don't. Inturupt me." Kane had wanted to take a walk to calm his nerves, breath in some fresh air to bring down his rage but what was a wrong place wrong time wrong girl scenario for Carlito was a perfect release for Kane. "You should know yours by now. Your place that is. Or is that a lesson I need to reteach you?" Kane tugged harder at the quivering man's scalp.
"No no Kane you don't . . . Waffle?" Carlito held the plate up almost as a shield, there wasn't much more he could do to defend himself. Kane yanked the plate from his hands, inspected it for a minute, then passed to Carrie. "Apologize." He pointed at the girl all but drooling over her newly acquired breakfast food, her eyes brimming with anticipation.
"What to the ring rat? I thought you-"
"Maybe you didn't hear me." Releasing Carlito's hair Kane opted to lift him by the collar closer to his own face making sure not a word would go missed. "Apologize. I won't ask again, you even stutter I'll put you in your place hell I'll burry you there."
"Sorry my bad!" Carlito first spoke to Kane then turned best he could to Carrie after the monster nodded over in her direction. "I didn't mean to call you a ring rat I'm sure your an ok girl, plain, nothing out of the ordinary." Carlito gave Carrie the most obviously backhanded complement ever.
"You need to learn when to shut up." Kane tossed Carlito to the ground like a sack of potatoes looming over him for a minute before speaking again. "Take a good look at her face." He paused for Carlito's bruised head to take Carrie into view. "See where she is?" Kane paused waiting for a nod. "Above you, that's where she is. Know your place. If I have to waste my energy explaining it again I'll just beat it into your skull." With the final threat Kane stepped onto Carlito's sternum walking right over him, Carrie following behind.
"Kane! Hey Kane!" Carrie called after the giant striding out of the cafeteria. "Slow your roll!"
"What?" He stopped, he rolled his eyes at the sight he turned around to, Carrie chomping furiously on two waffles bunched together. "Before you think I came to your rescue I . . ." He didn't actually know why he had stuck his nose in her business. "I just don't like him." Kane shrugged. 'Smug little bastard.' He truly did have distain for the 'Bad apple.'
"I can see that." Carrie laughed and even got a small smile out of Kane. "I'm still mad at you by the way." She spoke between bites. "But I-"
"Are you expecting an apology?" Kane stated flatly. 'I'll be hearing about this for two months at this rate.'
"I don't think I could hold my breath that long." Carrie shook her head. "Anyway, what I was going to say was before I was rudely interrupted was-" She got a second crooked smirk from Kane. "You did have my back for whatever reason. It's only fair that you enjoy the fruits of you labour. I can only eat seven or so Waffles, that leaves six waffles without a home."
"You want me to eat breakfast with you?" Kane looked over at an empty table. "Seven waffles?" He saw that Carrie was on her third as they spoke.
"Or so. Waffles are a comfort food. I'm eating my feelings . . . and I got a lot of feelings."
"You gotta stop being so sensitive."
"You gotta stop being so mean!" Carrie paused to let out a sigh. "So how bout it? start fresh. Eat breakfast!"
"Fine." He shrugged and they walked over to the free table, the plate placed dead center.
"So I was thinking about it over the last fifteen minutes or so, I figured maybe we could aim lower."
"Huh?"
"Maybe I was asking too much of you to like me. You're not the first and won't be the last person not to like me. Sometimes I forget that my personality is . . . um what did they say . . . er abrasive, obnoxious annoying that I'm a freak who-"
"Who said that? Someone here?" Kane scanned the room, he still had frustration to spare and felt no qualms about releasing it on someone else. 'Won't apologize . . . But I owe her . . . something. No! No I owe her nothing.' He shook his head violently as he argued with himself.
"Not my point." She spoke loudly to pull Kane back to reality. "My point is I'm not your cup of tea I get it. Does that sting a little yeah but we can get past this. Like I said aim lower I'm not asking you to like me. Just . . . tolerate my presence. Doable? I meant what I said earlier if you're stuck with me, might as well not hate every move I make every step I take."
"You want me to tolerate your presence?" Kane repeated her request. 'She doesn't think very highly of herself that she would settle for that.' He frowned. 'She's still smiling though.' He could tell this smile was hollow and forced, he knew better than anyone else when someone was hiding behind a mask.
"Fine" he shrugged. "I'll try." He nodded, he relented both to Carrie and his ever growing desire to let someone in.
"Yes!" She shouted triumphantly got up from the table and gave Kane a one armed hug. Kane out of reflex recoiled.
'Her skin.' For some reason every touch of her skin was electric. Carrie's smile wavered as she sat back down, her ego bruised slightly but it was quick on the rebound.
'What is she hiding?' Kane wasn't sure how he felt about this enigma of a girl, he knew she had grown on him ever so slightly in the short period of time, she wasn't put off by his wall but was determined to break it down. He didn't know if that's what he wanted, or worse yet he still had the sneaking suspicion it was a trap. His face soured at the thought. 'Don't feel like getting in that fight again. I don't know if I could contain myself a second time.' As vindictive and evil as he thought women to be, he didn't want to hurt Carrie.
"Eat! eat!" Carrie demanded her cheeks filled to excess with waffles. Kane laughed for the first time in a while he genuinely laughed. He allowed himself to enjoy the moment, he would cross the betrayal bridge when he got to it.