Shadows of the heart (MxMxMxMxM)

Chapter 24: Back to normal?

For now. . .

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I had taken Ace to the hospital with only a few run ins with. . . 'Cranky' people.

He had tried to be friendly a few more times with me.

He seemed like a nice guy, He really did, But the feeling of unease I felt around him made me keep my words curt and cold.

Until I can find out why he feels so. . . Unsafe, I'm not gonna be friendly with him. . .

That thought alone was so surprising to me that I paused mid step on my walk home.

What am I thinking? I'm never seeing him again, Firstly because the size of this city makes that unlikely and secondly because I'm going to avoid him.

Shaking off the odd feeling that I had somehow just jinxed myself, I continued back to my apartment.

Opening the apartment door, I noticed that my dragons had been oddly quiet this whole time.

I was starting to get worried when I opened the front door and they weren't there to greet me.

I started to summon the shadows to me, Prepared to fight whatever could be the reason why my dragon's weren't responding.

Before I could end up attacking anyone or anything. . . The sound of running footsteps drew my attention up to a dragon covered kid barreling towards me.

I barely had time to brace myself before Lily barreled into me in a high impact hug.

I let out a grunt of pain as she clung to me, The tears from her eyes making the front of my hoodie wet.

She's not wearing the sunglasses I gave her? Wait. . .Why is she crying?

''Lily? Lily what happened?'' I asked worriedly, Prying her off of me before crouching down slightly so we'd be at eye level.

Tears were spilling from her eyes, Small hiccupped sobs escaping her lips.

When she didn't answer me I turned to my grim faced dragons.

'Her powers attacked her again when we were gone.' Eige said grimly before Lily finally spoke.

''Please. Please don't leave again, They'll get me if you leave again'' She sobbed out.

With a small sigh, I kneeled down, Pulling her to sit on the floor with me as I held her in a hug, Letting her bury her face in my chest as a sympathetic pain clutched at my chest.

I didn't bother trying to tell her it'd be okay, After all, I didn't want to lie to her.

''I've got you, I won't let them hurt you'' I soothed quietly, Holding her tighter when I spotted an inky grinning creature watching us from the door way.

I reached out to the shadows around it as my dragons started to quietly growl.

Striking out at it with my shadows, I watched in annoyance as it turned into an inky pool that soaked through the floor, Disappearing in seconds.

Damn it. . . Got away. . .

Sighing, I gently pushed Lily away enough so I could see her face.

''Did you get wounded?'' I asked worriedly, Looking her over to see if she was bleeding.

She gave me a fragile smile, Her eyes slightly red with tears still in them.

''I-I only got a few scratches when I fell while running. . .'' She admitted, Holding her arms out towards me.

She had scratches on her palms and elbows like she had skidded over the ground.

I let out a sigh, Relived that she wasn't hurt worse.

Getting up, I tugged her gently back to her feet before guiding her towards the bathroom.

''Come on, Let's get you patched up'' I muttered, Opening the cabinet behind the bathroom mirror, I frowned.

We're gonna have to go get some more first aid supplies. . .We're actually getting low. . .

'Gee. . . I wonder why' Tene grumbled quietly as he landed on the sink.

I rolled my eyes, Ignoring the dragon.

I gently held the girl's wrist so her arm and hand were held under the faucet.

I carefully washed out the scratches, Wincing in sympathy as she hissed quietly in pain.

A few band aids, Tears and a change of clothes later, We were walking down the street yet again.

Lily had asked. . .Well, More like begged, For me to take her to work with me.

I had managed to call her school, Tell them she was sick, Call into work, Tell them I was bringing a kid with me and get us both ready for the day with just enough time left that'd I'd only be somewhat late to work.

Sighing, I hurried in through the employee entrance, Slipping on my apron as I did so.

I'm gonna be so fucking tired tonight. . .

I whispered out a 'Sorry' to Jake as I took over my station from him.

''Did ya get hurt last night or something?'' He asked worriedly.

I gave the gentle giant of a man a small smile, ''Nah, Lots of things happened though. . .'' I whispered back as Kate slid up beside me.

''Hey uh. . . When did you have a kid?'' She asked, Glancing over at Lily who was currently hiding under the counter with Cali.

''Wait, I thought you were gay'' Jake added on, Briefly looking over at me in shock before turning back to the customer.

I gave the customer in front of me a tense smile, Taking down their order before answering my friends.

''First of all, Her name is Lily, Secondly, She's a young villain, I don't know what happened to her parents but Grandpa has me watching over her until she can manage her powers'' I explained quietly to my friends.

Kate's eyes widened before she stared at Lily.

The little girl was currently having a very serious conversation about Scooby doo with Cali.

 ''She's still a baby villain?'' Kate checked as Jake went back to taking orders.

He didn't have powers and he tended to leave conversations when they circled around to powers.

''Yeah. . . Her powers. . .They've tormented her constantly. . .More so today. . .'' I explained as I roughly handed a cup of coffee to a customer.

''. . .Imma go get her a cookie'' Kate muttered, Heading into the back.

. . .And she's been adopted by my friends too. . .

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So. . .A mostly calm chapter, Lily's powers are jerks. . .Any guesses if Corbin's day is gonna stay normal?

Anyways! Like always, Have a good day/night and find a better book! - fallen