Blind

Love is a killer

The wind bites into her side. Coffee. A shower. New clothes and some pop music later.... She pulls her coat around herself tighter as she walked briskly through the street. Sunlight filters down the palm frons of the small alleyway and warms Hope's face. The small street bustles with life as Hope impatiently walks with coffee in hand through the surging sea of people. Her eyes scan the faces, unsure of who to trust in the world. Her mind is filled with questions and uncertainty of her future. She doesn't realise she had been moving to the side of the street until she sees the man. The man. The man that haunts her dreams and rants about imst Projection.
Yeah, That guy.
Hope gasps, her coffee spilling down the sides of the foam cup. His black hair is long and shaggy and he looks exactly as it had been in the dream with the same grey slacks. His eyes seem to plead with her own. She glances around her to see if anyone noticed anything odd but when she turns back she sees the man is walking away from her. She jogs to catch up with him, dumping her coffee in the bin. His fast pace unnerves her and she is panting by the time she turns into a quiet alley that he did. In arms length of her he stands. His faced relaxed as he stares at her.

"Who are you." Hope asks completely and utterly astonished. "You are the one I see?" She asks but it comes out more harsh than expected and his steel face flinches.

"Yes, you see me. My name is Patrick, and I'm here to help and guide you."

"With what?!" Hope asks dumbfounded.

"Everything." He replies a smirk showing.

He seems to enjoy her confusion she thinks annoyed.

He leans over to Hope as he whispers crucial words to her. "I know WHAT you are. I was a friend of your fathers." He drags this out and waits for her reaction.

Be cool. He is probably just messing with you. Breath Hope. She thinks.

"And what am I?" She asks, hands trembling.

"All in good time." He says. "I am here to help, do not fear me, for I am not the enemy."

"You must be strong Hope. For the sake of loved ones. You may be the only one to prevent his destruction."

Who's destruction? She wanted to ask but she was afraid she already knew. This new information shocked her. Surely she wasn't strong enough.

"How??" She finds herself asking anyway.

"The answer is for you to find. Start with making a portal in which you will be able to travel dimensions. Use your strengths to find the power within. Unleash it." He says fiercely though his eyes were warm and calm.

"What power?! I don't have any power!" She exclaims, annoyed to admit this.

"You do." He says firmly and Hope instantly believed him. But a voice nags the inside of her mind.

Me? Power? Definitely not.

A big mistake Hope.....

"I'll find you again soon." He says before he disappears in a flurry of leaves. Leaving Hope standing on the pavement in an annoyed state.

Oh Boy

*****

3 hours and 2 coffees later....

The pier is cool even though the sun shines as Hope leans against the railing inhaling the deep salty air. The wind tossed her hair into a salty tangle. After Aiden had been released from the hospital they scratched the movie catch up and instead decided to go to a cute cafe near the shore. After Amber and Em had raided her closet and together made a date material outfit for her. Mainly Amber. She now wears skinny black jeans and a crop knit of which Amber loves. She finished off the look with her worn white converse and she used her best napoleon makeup to add a natural look, with light brown lipstick. Whilst Hope had argued against the fact that it wasn't a date, Amber and Em obviously had other ideas. Calm reached her outside but it didn't her inside. Every time she had applied another stroke of makeup she felt all her outside emotions slipping away, but her insides remained the same. A raging tornado. Inside she was screaming a hair pulling scream. Whilst she stands against the pier she considers all these things and what she would say to Aiden. She needs a few excuses to make a get away she thinks.

I'm not feeling well.

I think I know that person over there.

I need a drink.

These thoughts seemed constant and she felt ashamed. Hope had told her mothe....

"You look amazing. The back anyways." A honey smooth voice sounds from behind. All Hopes thoughts come to a crashing halt. Goosebumps ripple across her skin. Aiden. She hesitantly turns to find him in jeans and a dark T-shirt. A small smile quirks at his lips. His eyes never leaves Hopes as he runs a hand through his dark hair.

Ha Hope thinks. Look at you!!!

"Ahh you too...." She stutters caught off guard.

He chuckles warmly. She could be melted by that.

"Thanks. You ready to go?" He says, taking a step towards her. If someone made her forget about her worries. He could. He closes the distance between them and wraps a casual arm around her shoulder.
Hopes heart flutters.

*****

The cafe looks amazing. It has a rustic feel that Hope loves. Raw and exposed brick forms the walls. The cafe is located down a tight alley where pot plants line each window sill. Three tables and chairs sit outside and multiple booths inside. Each table has a jar of daisies. Ohh I love daisies she thinks....
Aidens arm is still around her shoulder and he removes it as he moves to grab her seat. As they sit her heart thumps in her chest. Cool it she thinks.

"How have you been?" He tentatively starts.

Hope shrugs, "Alright I suppose." Her gaze intently focused on the splinter in the table.

Who was she fooling. She thought. And Aiden picks up straight away.

"It's not your fault. Don't blame yourself for the attack." He starts.

Hopes eyes sting and it takes all her self control to blink it back.

"Your wrong." She says softly. Her gaze doesn't change. "You. Were. Shot." Her eyes lift to meet his.

"Don't think that." He almost growls. He takes her hand giving it a bit of a squeeze.

Would she ever forgive herself? Knowing that the bullet was meant to leave HER wounded?

"Thanks." She says.

He will never understand.

"I would rather you than me." He says quietly and Hope frowns.

"What would you like." He says, obviously changing the subject.

"A creme Caramel." She asks. Glad of the change.

"Is that your favourite!?" He asks immediately and she nods. "It's mine too." And he chuckles. She softens inside.

Soon she would know that that chuckle would ruin her.

To be continued....
How does Hopes date end up? Will she make a move? And who is Patrick? Who can she trust with the secret that can break her?
Hope you all enjoyed it. Thanks for all you feedback I love hearing from you all. More to come soon!
- Tahlia