KING OF HEARTS and QUEEN OF SPADES

CHAPTER V. NOBODY & NO BODY

- Gabrielle, give us a minute and bring Hope to the parking lots. I cannot ride my bike, so we need a driver.

- Yes, boss! And ... again, I am sorry for...

- No worries! Now go!

I kept Kendra pressed to me, shielding her. I felt her hot skin on mine and all I wanted was to melt in her arms. But Raven ... Raven need me. As soon as I heard the door closing, I looked at Kendra and spoke to her in a soft tone:

- Take my shirt, I am sorry for ripping your t-shirt but I needed that...I nee-

I wasn't ready to feel the reality so soon. She just took my chin and lifted it a bit, interrupting my pathetic excuse for being thirsty with a very sweet kiss. I felt how much she wanted me to shut up.

- It's ok, Octi, don't apologize for being human. I really enjoyed this. Now go, take care of your friend. We can catch up later.

- You sure?

- Yes. Go. They are your crew. Be there for Raven, she needs you.

I handed her my shirt, picking up my t-shirt and dressing on my way to the door. I looked over my shoulder to see Kendra with her back towards me –she had a lot of scars and a tattoo. I immediately turned around zipping my jeans and just trying to scrub that image with those scars out of my mind. I turned once again, just to meet an almost dressed Kendra smiling at me.

- See you tomorrow?

- Definitely. Take care.

I rushed towards the parking lots behind the restaurant with the speed of light. I felt myself shaking and my mind went foggy. Excellent! An anxiety episode –exactly what I needed. I tried to calm myself by taking deep breaths but no success. That blurry vision, those shivers and the pain in my chest overwhelmed me again. I felt someone pulling me into a hug. I felt Hope's perfume flooding my nostrils and heard her voice:

- Octi, I am here. You are safe. Breathe. I am here and I am holding you. Breathe with me. I got you.

Following her voice, I felt my pulse going down and my hands stopped trembling uncontrollably. I kept hugging Hope for a few seconds. I hate this type of moments. I really hate my mind for pushing me into these rabbit holes filled with darkness.

We got in the car with Gabrielle. She was driving like an F1 pilot. The girl is in love with fast cars...she is an adrenaline junky, but it's not like the rest of us aren't. Gabrielle loves big cars with a lot of power, and she does have a motorcycle, but I swear she drives like a maniac. For the moment, the car is the safest choice. I know her tastes in bikes are not as mine but I love her vibe and we welcomed her into our charter for her chemistry skills and amazing taste in booze.

It was almost sunrise. Those rays of sunshine were piercing through the dark clouds of the night as surgical blades were cutting through Raven's skin on the surgery table. The girl was strong and her will to live was pushing the Black Lady's calls. 'I cannot imagine her dying. I can't lose another member of the family. I just can't.' were the only thoughts echoing in my foggy mind.

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First week of university and I already have a lot to endure. My girlfriend decided to leave me because I wasn't good enough. My brother slowly pushed me to this new life, new city...I have only a few people I know since high school but how can I tell them? They have their own struggles, I am just scared and sad, and this is not depression. No, I am imagining stuff, I am just sad my girlfriend dumped me and my brother is away....there is nothing to worry, just a little sadness.