The lost Auras

Chapter 4

I scream, and in my terror, I slap Hydra right across the face. Hydra reels back from the blow.
- What the hell, he shouts.
- That's my line, I yell. I sit up, holding a hand to my pounding heart. Too late I notice the blanket and pillow in his hands. He drops the bedding, rubbing his cheek.
- You kept waking me up with your groaning, he says.
- Umm, I say.
- Just use these, alright, he says. He kicks the bedding over to me and climbs back to bed without another word.
- Gee, trying to give me a heart attack, I say in my head. I wait to make sure he's really asleep until I grab the pillow and blanket. Though the bedding improves things somewhat. The leftover adrenaline keeps me up before I drop into an uneasy sleep.

A few hours later..
The second time I get up, the sun is out and beaming cheerfully.
- I feel like crap, I say in my head.
- At least there's no crazy person looming over me, I whisper as I run a hand through my hair, exhausted. My body aches and my stomach isn't in the best shape either.
- Ugh, why did I eat that cup ramen. That plus sleeping on the floor. No wonder I barely slept, I say. I hang my head. The scent of belfast tickles my nose. I look around to find Hydra at the kitchen counter, eating some eggs and sausage.
- So you do have stuff in your fridge, I say. Hydra says quiet.
- Hmm. Maybe he's annoyed about the slap, I ask in my head. I definitely wasn't in the wrong there. What kind of person creeps up on people in their sleep. Then I remember the bedding he had gotten for me.
- Maybe he's not so bad, I say in my head. I look at the breakfast hopefully.
- Any for me, I ask.
- No, just me, he says. I go to the bathroom to splash water on my face. Looking around in the small space that has none of my usual comforts, drives home the fact that I really can't spend another night like this.
Determined, I march out and put my hands on my hips.
- I need to go to my own apartment for my own supplies, I say.
- Like what, he asks.
- Change of clothes, for one. Some of my own files. Food, I say. I shoot him a glare, which bounces right off him.
- Fine, but I'm coming with you, he says.
- I'm not a child, I say.
- I don't trust you. For all I know, You'll just go running off to H.E.R.A. once you're out of sight. I'm not going to risk you giving away the location of my apartment, he says. What he says irks me, but it's not like I trust him either.
- Whatever. Let's just get out of here, I say. I stop as a thought occurs to me. What if they're watching my place.
- Maybe I should wear a disguise, I ask. I realize I've said it out loud when Hydra laughs. That in itself is an answer to my question.

When Hydra and I arrive at the street my apartment is on, I can barely hold myself back from running down the sidewalk. I desperately need a shower.
- Shampoo. Shower gel. Here I come, I yell in my head. I pause when I spot something not quite right about my apartment. Someone is skulking around the front, peeking into my windows.
- Who the hell is that, I ask.
- Just what I need, another creep, I say in my head. I'm ready and raring to confront him, but Hydra covers my mouth with his hand. He pulls me to the side of the building out of sight, my back to his front. I freeze at full body contact. Hydra doesn't remove his hand. Like before, he surprises me with his touch, gentle but strong. With his arms around me, it almost feels safe. I try to say something but Hydra squeezes me so I don't squirm.
- Shh, he says. He maneuvers us so we can both peek around the corner of the building. The weird stranger keeps pacing back and forth in front of my apartment.
- Not here, not here. Have to find them, the stranger says.
After a few minutes, he leaves. Hydra quickly moves back against the wall and into the shadows. But the stranger is so in his own head he doesn't even notice us when he passes.
- Hercules won't be happy about this, the stranger mutters. I glance up at Hydra who's watching the stranger with narrowed eyes.
- Enough of this, I say in my head. I step backwards onto Hydra's foot. He hisses, but doesn't let go.
- What is your problem, he asks. I glare at him. Hydra doesn't let go of me until the stranger disappears around the corner. I take a breath, but I can't help remembering how soft and warm his hands felt. Wait, I'm supposed to be angry.
- Can you try not manhandling me, I ask and push at him. He doesn't even budge. Sighing, I escape his raised eyebrow and finally make my way into my apartment.