Guardian of Memories

Chapter 7

Ugh, my head! I opened my eyes; my head pounding.

"Ah!" I screamed. Ken flew back, hitting his head on the ground.

"Ow! What the hell, Faye?!" he yelled, rubbing the back of his head.

"What do you mean? You're the one who was all up on me when I woke up!" I yelled back.

"I was just trying to help you." He mumbled, looking away.

I sighed and tried to sit up, immediately wishing I hadn't. I yelped in pain as I remembered my injuries.

"Don't move. The ambulance is on its way." He looked at me then, his eyes full of concern.

"Ambulance?" I finally looked around my surroundings. We were still in the alley, but a few people were gathered around. The sun was up in the sky so I'm assuming we were here all night until people started to show up.

"I don't need one. I'm fine." I said, looking at Kaneki. I really don't need a doctor. They'll find out what I am for sure. I started to shake with fear just thinking about it.

"Don't lie to me." he said, raising his voice as he clenched his jaw. I'd never seen him this angry at me before.

"Ken.. Why are you-"

"I have a question for you."
His eyes never left mine, but his intense glare made me want to run away. I gulped, nodding for him to continue.

"What the hell made you think to get back in front of me? You were seriously injured because of him when I  was trying to protect you." He paused. I was about to speak, but he cut me off by raising his hand up. "Why did you get in front of me when you knew you'd get hurt? It's a man's job to protect his lady, and you went and did the opposite. You could have gotten really hurt! Worse than broken bones, which I'm sure you have! What possessed you to take him on?!" He was full on yelling at me now. I had already dropped my gaze and cringed away from him, fumbling with my hands in discomfort.

"I have to protect you, Ken."

"No, you don't. You can't handle things like that."

"You don't know what I can handle." I looked up at him, a tear escaping and falling down my cheek. "I want to protect you, Ken... I have to... for mama."

He stared at me for a moment, his face softening a bit. "What does she have to do with it."

"She, told me to protect you, no matter what."

He looked down, his face twisting as he got angry again. "She has no right to say that. You're a girl. You shouldn't be protecting me just because you aren't her real daughter. It's not like you owe her that."

"Of course I do! I owe her my life, even though she's not here anymore, but it's not just that.You don't know how strong I can be. I can protect you. I'm sorry that you're angry with me for it, but it's not going to make me stop putting your safety before my own." I reached for his hands and grabbed them.

"Well, then don't get mad at me for doing the same," he whispered, giving me a small smile. "She raised us both to be that way." I laughed a little as I heard a siren. What am I going to do about the doctor?

I guess whatever happens, happens.

"Who called them?" I asked.

"Well, when I woke up, it wasn't crowded like this, so I did what you said and ran to Anteiku. It was the manager who got help for us.

I let out a sigh of relief. I don't know what the manager is planning, but I know he wouldn't call for help from just anyone. I relaxed a little, knowing that my life wouldn't end here. I just smiled as paramedics attended to me and Ken. It was embarrassing to be put on a stretcher; especially when I'm a ghoul.
They loaded us up into the ambulance and drove off to the hospital.