The Strange Tale Of Ayla Jae

Chapter Four - Secret Secrets Are No Fun

I'm still in pain, but I'm alive. That's definitely an improvement.

Without going into the crappy details, Chloe ended being right, and I've been in this dusty medical room for two days now. Everything still hurts, but it's more numb than piercing.

Recovery is a mean spirited relief. Every second I feel the treatment healing me is a second I spend angry at myself for ending up here in the first place. Any other feeling than pitifully greatful seems hollow.

"How's Bena treating you, girl? I know she's experienced, but I still don't like her lack of emotion. And that bright yellow lipstick."

Chloe wanders from the door way into the room after sharing her obvious thoughts, ones she voiced yesterday. She promised me yesterday that she would try to slink out and meet me here again. Chances were slim, but it looks like in true fashion that she made it. I'm so glad to see her. I can't imagine how much crap she has to put up with just to do that.

"Bena's fine. In fact, I'm glad she doesn't get overly sobby about this stuff. Makes it easier to disengage, think about other important things."

I have spent most of the time just ruminating over things, trying to justify my recent behaviors. I wouldn't exactly call them all important, but if I'm going to figure out some way forward, I should think things out even more thoroughly than usual. Being angry at myself is still tempting. It's like a sour grape. I can't tell it's not going to be good until I bite into it.

"I'm just amazed at them all anyways. Even Bena. They're taking enormous risks by running places like this. I didn't think most people were capable of that kind of compassion. That sacrifice." She runs her hand over the soft beeping monitor next to me. Her eyes finally meet mine. I may not always be able to read her face, but I know enough to tell she's holding something back.

"Chloe," I say looking at her right hand, "where's your pendant?"

Chloe doesn't immediate react to me, but she soon chuckles softly. She turns her hand to show me the complete lack of anything on her wrist, an admission of my accusation.

"I have it. Don't worry." She says before reaching behind her into a side pouch on her skimpy adventure bag. "I just needed to convince my parents that I wasn't still hanging out with 'that dark emo girl'. Wearing this makes the real answer pretty obvious, even to them."

I can't help but smile. No, I don't like how binary and simplistic her parents are, but the description they have of me this time is a nice touch. It's charming how strong my personality can come across to people unwilling to even approach understanding me. I don't even wear that much black.

"Sorry, I had to leave so soon yesterday."

"Hey. You've done more than any normal person would do. It must be that Aken clan loyalty with those big dumb hearts." I make a dumb gesture to match my dumb meaningful words. My throat sounds a bit hoarse even to my own ears. "I appreciate it."

Chloe was apprehensive to leave yesterday morning, but I know she has good reason. She still has family rules to adhere to, and she's already flagrantly disregarded them twice this week. I am still secretly kind of proud of her ability to stay independent despite her situation. The Akens aren't all big hearts and roses.

Chloe nods and holds me hand for a few moments. Her warmth and kindness are all I can think about until she lets go.

The room stays relatively quiet for the next few minutes as Chloe wanders to the other side of the tiny room and sits. She figets with her pendant chain, putting back on her wrist. I hear her sigh, and I look to see her staring off again for a little while.