Beneath the Bench

Stereotypical Alleyway

I slowly edged around the corner, feeling Jake step over my back and carefully nudge me behind a bin, where I crawled willingly. "Give it up man we don't mean any trouble....." Jake whispered, the man chuckled.
"Oh but you do......even if you don't know it yet...." He looked at the corner where I lay. "She will be no use to you in a matter of months....when it's over nothing will matter to you." He paused. "Or anyone..."
I started to feel faint, queasy. What could this strange man mean?
What do I have to do with anything?
I scrambled up, tumbling to the floor as I lost the final fraction of balance I had- tipping the full dumpster over sending cans and bottle caps flying everywhere. CRASH!
"I know your there, come out for gods sake!" I heard the mans voice snarl, as if it was in my head - which I soon realised it probably was. Peeking up behind the guilty remains, I stood up - wincing as I put pressure on my left forearm. Glancing down I realised I had landed into a shard of glistening glass.
"Ahh!" I hissed, upon seeing the bead of ruby red blood trickling towards my elbow.
"Are you ok?" Jake's distant voice echoed in my fuzzy head, as if he was trapped behind a wall of giant marshmallows.
I could hear muffled converse between Jake and the man but my head was refusing to take anything in.
Pounding; creeping further and further away...
"Im fine..." I breathed stumbling up and feeling Jake's strong arms wrap around me. He reached to brush my hair behind my ear.
"No your not...." He whispered.
I could hear muffled converse between Jake and the man but my brain was so filled up with everything going on that everything was faraway and distorted.
I lay imagining talking dogs untill I felt two strong arms around my chest.
I struggled and heard the familier hushing tone, instantly relaxing in this firm grip. "Its me....shhhh.."
Jake took my hand and walked me to a nearby bench. We sat down and both heaved a sigh of relief.
I tryed to hide my throbbing arm, not wanting Jake to worry, but my cardigan was starting to stain - he noticed?
My answer was answered with a gasp.
"Is it that bad?" I glanced into his concerned eyes, he nodded.
"Trace it looks pretty serious..." he looked so worried, I smiled. "What?" He asked.
"You're cute when you worry." I whisper planting a warm kiss on his now grinning mouth. Pulling away faster than I expected, Jake returned to his worried shake. "Is my breath that bad!" I half shouted. Jake threw his head back loughing making me turn a deep shade of pink in embarassment.
He turned back to me bringing my eyes level with his. "No, as much as I love kissing you, and I do - like a lot.." he blushed making me smile, I was definatly falling for this boy.
"We need to get you to a doctor Trace." Jake sounded stern so I nodded and heaved off the bench.
"Ok, is there one here?" I asked.
"Not at this time." He pointed to the arched ceiling of Radiule. "We'll have to go up there."
I shook my head.
"No freaking way! Are you mad!! I'll just wrap my jacket around it , I'm sure your just worrying to much....I think I packed plasters.."
He smiled. "Just kidding! We had to do a first aid course at the office, because computors are really dangerous I guess?" He shrugged. "Come on! That was a good one!!" I shook my head and tutted at his bad joke. "Theres a kit back at the office Miss Hard-to-please.."
I gave Jake a playfull shove before letting him wrap his arm around me.
Everytime I looked around this hidden underground treasure, it took my breath away. It seemed so crazy that I could have been opened up to this world at any time, or not at all...I'm different . It's almost hard to believe all the years humanity has existed, a race has been alongside in complete secrecy to its sister kind. Isolated, yet together with those who have no power. Dark and beautiful power benieth a layer of humanity ; a sheet of snow so perminant a whole section of our people was buried deep bellow it - litterally.
Arm in arm, we strolled in scilence. Jake, no doubt, worrying over my injury - and me ,on the otherhand, swimming in the dark waters of my inner thoughts.
Arriving back at the offices was almost like going from living upon a mountain, to living in a dingy cave - depressing. When Jake saw the discusted look on my face he sniggered, covering my eyes in a dreary attempt to lighten the mood. "Its almost over." He whispered to me in an irritatingly mocking voice. Shaving him of a replied with a sharp. "Shuddup!" That echoed around the gloomy corridoor.
I few moments later, Jake pointed at the door labled 'Dream Dep'.
"What has he gotten you into now sweety?" Jakes boss asked as we collapsed through the door onto a nearby 'swivel chair'
"Trace fell in some glass." Jake replyed, playfully sticking out his tongue.
"I can see that." She started to search the drawers.
As she rummaged through the office supplies, Jake and I heard a gasp at the door. Spinning around to see who made the noise, I was supprised to see Ellie standing in the door frame.
"MUM?! What the hell are you doing here?" Jake was as shocked as me. It was late, so why was Ellie at work??
"Um ... oh I was just ..uh" She looked around, seeming to have broken into a sweat. "Waiting for your Father."
"But we were home when he ...."
Jake was cut off as a confused Mandy appeared at the door, first aid kit in hand.
"She's a mess!" Ellie gasped, grabbing the box from her hands. "We better get you cleaned up love."
Jake cleaned, dressed and bound my wound in linen, sighing at the red patcb where my blood had seeped through..
Jake bowed his head and let a single tear drop on my arm.
"I'm so sorry I let this happen to you..."
I laughed lighty. " Don't worry." I whispered for, what felt like, the hundreth time that day. "I gotta expect it right?"
"I never wanted to put you in danger.."
Our eyes met.
"I know...." Our noses brushed together, but I turned away.
"We should really get back." Jake smiled and I nodded.
"Okay..."