The Awakened

Chapter 18

My feet tapped against the hardwood floor as I reached up into the cabinet, grabbing one of the crystal glasses inside. When I grabbed it, I almost dropped it due to the adrenaline leaving my body from the intense scene earlier. I shivered at the chill of the home, intrusive thoughts of the past week plaguing me.

I took the glass, turned on the water faucet, filling it up with the cool liquid. All I knew was that Chase needed all the fluids he could get, especially after all the blood he lost. I had to help him, regardless of what happened with my brother. I let out a shaky breath as I shut off the water and closed the cabinet.

In an instant I was in front of the door again, this time I heard the water from the shower hitting its tile. I opened the door to the bedroom and entered, this time Chase's eyes were closed ever so slightly until he noticed my presence.

"Welcome back Makayla," he said, sitting more upright, cringing as he did so.

"You should've just stayed where it was comfortable," I said, handing him the glass of water. He took it as well as he could, but his hands seemed to refuse. I assumed more of his nerves than I thought were damaged after being brutally whipped. I put my hand on top of his to help him steady it. He looked at me with a confused stare before taking a slow sip. Once he took one sip, he tried to down the rest of the glass. "I know you're thirsty but drink it slower or you'll get sick to your stomach." After he'd drunk the glass, I took it from his hands to set it on the bedside table.

"How do you feel? Any better?" He looked at me and smiled gently.

"I don't feel like I'm going to pass out anymore, and after you put that gel on me it isn't as sore," I moved onto the bed beside him, returning his smile.

"Well, I'm glad it helped, even if it was just a bit," he nodded his head and took in a shaky breath, closing his eyes. "I'm really sorry Chase."

"What for?" He asked, his voice holding a clear rasp, that wasn't as bad as it had been earlier thanks to the water.

"For not remembering you, for not helping you when you need it, for blaming you, all of it," I looked down at my hands, fiddling with my fingers, trying to ease the pain in my chest. While doing this he laid his hand on top of mine, grabbing one of my hands.

"You know, you always do that when you're anxious, always have," he chuckled quietly then grimaced. "But there's nothing that makes me feel worse than you blaming yourself, which is also something you do quite often." Chase turned his head toward mine, then moved a calloused hand to my cheek. "Even if you don't remember me, I'll cherish every bit of memory I've ever had of you."

I stared at him for a moment, moving from his forest eyes adorned with long lashes to his lips. They were split on the top right side and the bottom left; I could only assume from sometime within the last two hours. I leaned into his touch, warm. I thought to myself as I closed my eyes. He pulled me closer until our lips touched, a feeling of what I can only describe as electricity running through my veins.

It was short and sweet until he pulled away and dropped his hand, seemingly ashamed. "I'm sorry, I-"

I turned his face to look at my own, "What is there to be sorry about?"

"I just kissed you, without asking and I shouldn't have," Chase's face had contorted into sadness, his eyes not meeting my own.

"It's okay, it was nice," I smiled as I pulled him closer once more.

This time he inhaled sharply as our lips connected again. His hands were shaky as he pulled me closer to him, his body warm against my own. That's when I heard the unclick of a lock and jumped away from Chase covering my mouth, my face heating. Chase stared at the floor, clearing his throat.

"Well, well, well, what'd I miss?" James was now leaning against the bathroom door frame with only a towel hanging around his hips. Tanned skin with defined muscle was all I could see.

"Go put clothes on," Chase grumbled bitterly.

"Ooo must've been something good for you to be angry and for-" He turned to look at me, my face several shades darker, a smirk forming on his lips. "Her face to be that red," he clicked his tongue and chuckled, "Bad timing?" I threw a pillow at his head, only for it to bounce off his chest. "Whoa there, watch where you're aiming."

James walked his way to Chase's closet, pulling out a pair of sweatpants, and some boxers. He whistled to himself then looked at us again, this time a hint of jealousy evident in his gaze that he covered up with a smile. "I'm going to go change now, please don't soil my salad," then he walked back into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.

I faced away from Chase, causing him to lay on his side. "What are you doing?" He asked quietly.

"Panicking," I said quickly.

"Why's that?" He asked obliviously. I swallowed hard facing him.

"Because in my mind, that's the first kiss I've ever had," He chuckled softly, running his thumb across my lips once more.

"Trust me, it wasn't," He placed his hand against my cheek then kissed me one more time before closing his eyes and pulling me close. My face was flaming hot, and I placed my hands against his chest as I didn't want to hurt him more. I couldn't help but stare at his chiseled physique that lay beneath countless bandages, however, it felt wrong to do, so I closed my eyes, until, eventually, I fell asleep.