Death's Call

Chapter 8

Alex's POV:

I looked at the clock once more annoyed by how late he was staying out. It was almost funny how upset I was. As if I owned him or was his wife. My hands dropped realising how my little gestures were playing the part of an angry wife. Still, it's getting late.

The wait was agitating long that I just picked up my jacket and went out to the street. I peeked left then right only to be faced with an empty road. On the verge of giving up, I heard footsteps approaching from the corner of the street. The small road between as gapped us apart. He lifted his head and stopped when he laid eyes on me. "What are you doing out here?" He asked, tiredly. His hands in his pocket and his shirt a little ragged. "I should be asking you that question. What happened to you?" I took a step forward only to have him step back with hands gesturing for me to not come further. I didn't realized this before but once I looked closer, I noticed blood on his head. His hair dipped in blood. I stood in horror not knowing what to do. "Don't come any closer." "Is that blood?" I muttered in case anyone was around. "Why do you do this?" He tilted his head, like he was exhausted and confused at the same time. "Why do you treat everything like it's okay, like it's normal, when it's not? Do you know how annoying that is?" What was he talking about?

"Let's talk inside. I need to treat your wounds." I stepped forward again but he kept his hand in front of him as if to keep me away. I stopped right in the middle of the street. From this proximity I could see the blood clearer. How could he be bleeding? And how could he even get hurt? Was it because he uses a human body? I was naïve to think he was unbreakable just because he was Death. He was still human, physically.

"I'll heal. I'm not human, remember?" He made clear for the thousandth time. "You should go back inside. It's cold out." When did he start to care about stuff like that? I knew if I went up to my apartment he wouldn't follow me in. His actions told me that much. I didn't waste my time to debate whether it was for the best or whether he needed me right now. He was bleeding and I was too stubborn to follow his demands.

Tightening my fist, I walked on instinct, ignoring his words. Once I stood in front of me, he lowered his head, watching his feet and ignoring eye contact. His hair fell to his forehead and the blood stuck to it like glue. My heart was beating so fast I could hear the thudding sound. Everything else went mute. It was actual blood.

How did this happen?

I could ask myself that but not him.

I knew he wouldn't answer so I wasn't going to push it.

I slowly touched his head, and he immediately jut his head up at me. His black red blended eyes burned into my hazel ones and all I could see in them was pain and terror. He looked away and stared at everything but me. My touch didn't seem to hurt him. At all. Didn't it hurt? "Come with me." I pulled him by his stiff hand and surprisingly he didn't resist. I was expecting him to pull away from my grasp and disappear like he normally did.

I dragged him to my place and searched for my first aid kit in the kitchen. I settled him on my couch and sat on the center table opposite him. Before I used anything in the kit. I made hot water and got a clean white towel to clean up the blood. He was quiet the entire time and still wouldn't make eye contact. He looked lost in thought. The blood on his neck was covered by his shirt. Lifting my hand, I make a mental note to be careful not to spook him too much. I gently pulled at his shirt from the spot but he stopped me as my hand touched his skin. His hand clutched mine tightly and eyes intensely searching mine.

"What are you—" "your shirts in the way." I interrupt, swallowing hard. My hands shaking and cheeks ridiculously becoming red and warm. "I'll get it." He leaves my hand and began to unbutton the shirt after taking off his coat. His chest was in sight and I feared if I looked away he would think I was flattered. I bite at my lip and hold back a smile. He had broad shoulders and even with his shirt half way unbuttoned, I could see his chest that lined up to his thick abs.