ENTANGLED STRINGS OF PAST

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Aiden Williamson

I wrapped Hazel tightly in my arms, not allowing her to harm herself anymore. My grip was tight and firm. I turned her body towards me, her face facing me, "no! Please don't hurt yourself!" I pleaded and she stopped; froze to her spot looking straight into my eyes.

I was so relieved when I heard Hazel say that the blood on her body did not belong to her. But she left without a word after Terry stepped into office. I was worried for her so I followed her after telling Terry to take care of the bodies. I didn't care how she killed them all I cared about was her. I knocked on her door and found it was not locked after calling her name I walked into the room but only found the teddy lying right where we left him. I heard a sound from the bathroom, and without another thought, I went straight into it and found her. She was scrubbing her hands intensely and they started bleeding, I instantly held her away from the water.

I was looking into her eyes which were fighting back tears.

It scares me sometimes, the emptiness I see in her eyes, all the emotions she hides behind those beautiful eyes of hers.

"I'm going to leave you, but promise you'll not move," I asked her in a soft voice as possible.

"Don't leave me" she muttered.

"I'm not going anywhere" I tried to assure her as I slowly freed her from my grip. I held her hands in my hands. I inspected her hands were bleeding while her arms were as red as they were burned. I sight of her made my heart miserable. Without a second thought, I scooped her into my arms, took her to the bedroom, and settled her into the bed. Her eyes were dropped to her lap but as I was going to get the first aid box from the bathroom she held the hem of my shirt, "I'm just going to get the first aid box. I'll be back in beat" I assured her.

As I said I was back in a heartbeat holding the box. I looked at the door of her room, sat beside her, and started treating her wounds. I applied the antiseptic as softly as possible, I was scared to hurt her but she didn't flinch.

I applied ointment on her arms and wrapped her hands with a bandage. After I finished with it I brought her some clothes as her clothes were wet and covered with blood.

"Change into this, I'll be outside" As I was going towards the door she again held my shirt, "no please don't go" she pleaded. "Hazel you have to change or you'll catch a cold. I will be just outside, I'm not going anywhere" Her eyes are still not ready to leave me.

"I'll turn around, tell me when you are done" I turned around and waited. I could still feel her hand holding the hem of my shirt refusing to let me go.

After a few minutes, she pulled my shirt. I turned around, she was staring at me with her sweet eyes.

"Aren't you going to ask me anything?" she asked.

"Try to get some sleep," I said looking into her eyes that were waiting for me to ask her questions. That was right I want to ask her a million questions but right now she is what I care all about.

"Sleep," I said again while setting her on the bed

"I'll fight the nightmares off if they come to get you" I added, her eyes widened.

"How do you know about nightmares" she glanced.

"Every night I hear your screams" I confessed. I could feel her wet eyes but not a single tear rolled down.

"I'm sorry" she muttered. "There is nothing to be sorry about. It's not your fault" I told her as I tucked her under the blanket.

"I'll stay here. Don't worry" I assured her and sat near her.

"You don't know anything about me," she said.

"I would love to know about you, but I'll wait till you tell me about yourself"

"If I told you my secrets, you will never look at me the same" she confessed, I can sense her fear. I held her hands softly not to hurt her, "You don't have to be afraid to lose me. I am not going to leave you, angel." I stated.

"Many people came into my life saying that" she glared at me. "So how's this, YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO GET RID OF ME" I declared and her lips curled up in a smile. She smiled, for the first time after we met. It was just for a few moments but it was mesmerizing, I wished I could stop us from that moment.

It feels so dangerous to have something I'm afraid to lose. She doesn't know I long I have waited for her. Now when I finally found her this cruel world has already made her experience things she never deserved.

I saw her sleeping, "I promise angel, I will protect you from this world no matter I far I have to go or how many souls I have to burn" I whispered making sure not to wake her up.

I kissed her hand and put her by her side. I picked the teddy from the balcony and put it by her side too. After turning off the lights except the night lamp I walked out of her room, I wanted to stay there for the whole night but I had to take care of some unfinished business.

I went straight to my office; Terry was already there with Mary. "What happened here?" Mary asked shocked. "Why do you come? You should go put your headphones on" Terry mocked. Mary hissed. I cleared my throat to shut them. I examine my office. Three men lie dead, two of them were killed but one shot himself. That was strange.

"How did she do it?" Terry asked amazed. "I told you she was amazing" Mary chattered.

"Dmitry is messing with us" I announced. "We need to get that file as soon as possible. Did you trace its location?" I asked Terry. "Yes, currently it's in Los Angles but don't know the exact location"

"keep tracing it and call someone to clean this"

"Already did," he said confidently. "Start shortlisting our best men and make preparations in Los Angeles. I think it's time to visit" I said and both nodded.

"What about Hazel?" he asked.
I don't know what to say