Gifted

IV

"Police are currently questioning this.... Thing for further information on the attack on the nightclub on for-"

I turn the tv to a different channel.

"Monsterous attack on Club Fever! What you could call a dragon attac-"

Changing channels again...

"...and then bust through the window with huge, razor sharp wings!"

I turn it to a cartoon and sigh. I hate hospitals. They're soo full of sadness and despair.

I look over to Damien. 'I should have gotten him out quicker.... Poor things burnt to a crisp..... It's my fault. He hates sushi and was there for me.... God... I am a monster....'

I get up and go to the bathroom in his room. I look in the mirror.

It's been a week since the explosion and I look horrible. My hair isn't brushed, I have bags under my eyes, and I'm wearing sweat pants. Could things possibly get worse?

As I walk by the door, a child gaps and points at me. "Dragon lady!"

Yes. They can get worse.

I close the door rather quickly, and sigh softly.

"Kids were never really your strong point" I turn around, seeing Damien awake. I rush to his side.

"Are you okay Damien?" I ask. Half of his face is burnt, and his skin that isn't burnt, is a raw pink, but he hasn't lost his humor or charm.

Thank god.

He manages to sit up, his face twisting into a face of utter pain.

"Don't hurt yourself... Just relax" I say going to his side, making him flinch.

'He flinched... He thinks I'm a monster too'

He looks over "are you okay Ana?" his eyes are soft, sweet...

"Of course. Just happy you're okay" I smile, sitting beside the bed. 'He would never hate you Ana.... You heard him in the sushi place.'

"Ana? I have to ask you something..." he reaches for his jeans, but I push him back down.

"Relax Damien. You need all the strength you can get." I smile, kissing the top of his head, one of the few spots he's not severely burned at.

"Then can you-"

"Mr.Bird? Its time-" a nurse comes in and just stops when she sees me. "Ma'am, you're not allowed in here"

I give a confused look "excuse me?"

The nurse calls security. "You're a threat to Mr.Birds health." She says, stepping away from me.

I get tense. "A threat? Is that what you see me as??" I ask, getting angry. "I'm his girlfriend!" I growl, then look over to Damien.

He's terrified... I reach up and feel those horns and look away from him.

'Shit... I am a threat.... Aren't I?' I look at the nurse and rush past her to leave. I try hiding my face from everyone as I pass by them.

It doesn't really work. As I'm walking through the halls of the hospital, people gasp and step away. I hear them talking about me.

"Look. Its that freak from the club"

"I heard shes the one who started the fire"

"She's a monster!"

"I heard she ate a child..."

By now I'm running through the halls, desperate to find a way out. Tears are rolling down my cheeks. 'I'm not a monster..... I'm not a monster... I was trying to help....' I run to my car and get in, quickly driving away.

~~~

Later that night, I try coming back to see what has been bothering Damien. I have gone back to my normal, non- monstrous face.

As I'm walking through the halls, I hear murmurs and whispers, but I choose to ignore them.

'Be strong Ana. They don't know anything about you. It only matters what Damien and his family think.'

I get to Damiens hallaway and stop outside his door.

'What if he calls security? What if he doesn't like me?' I think, then shake that nonsense out of my head. 'this is Damien we're talking about! Best pals since elementary!'

Just as I'm about to open the door, I hear Damiens parents talking to him.

"Damien. Thank god you're alright" I hear Mrs.Bird say. "Well, other than that nasty burn on your face."

I smile. Mrs.Bird always tries to think positive before negative.

"It could have been worse" I hear Mr.Bird say. "I'm just glad you're in one piece." Mr.Bird has been there all my life. He's like a father to me. "Thank god the police arrived in time. Any longer and that monster would have killed you"

So much for a father figure.

"Dad. It wasn't her fault! She was trying to save everyone from a bo-" Damien tries to support me.

"Son. There was no bomb. The fire started in the bathroom. On a dead woman". Mr. Bird growls. "You're little girlfriend killed them."

'No... It can't.... I started that fire? No... It can't...' I step back, into a patient.

"Watch it, freak!" she frowns, and continues.

I lean back on the door to listen.

"She couldn't have.... No... I love her... I was going to propose..." I hear Damiens pained voice sob.

' Damien.... Propose??? That's why he was so flustered...' I feel tears roll down my cheeks. I reach for the knob, desperately wanting him now more than ever.

"She's a monster"

I stop. ' Damien.... Called me a monster?' I open the door, and see the family that raised me.

The dad I adored looked at me with rage.

The mom that cared for me was scared beyond belief.

But Damiens expression hurt the most. The hate in his once playful eyes broke my heart.

"Damie-" I start, only to get punched in the face by Mr.Bird.

"Monster!" he yells, glaring at me. "We took you in and this is how you repay us? Murderer!" He yells, causing me to fall back.

My eyes are still glued to Damien. "Damien.... I'm so-"

"Get out. Freak." Damiens words are laced with venom. His blue eyes cold and unloving.

I hesitate, praying for him to just stop. "Da-"

"Get out now!" Mrs.Bird screeches, causing me to scramble up and out the door.

I run down the halls again, tears flowing out of me like a river. Their words echo through my head.

"Monster"

"Murderer"

"Freak"

Damiens words hurt most.

'I am all those things.... Even the family I love hates me....'

I don't stop running. I don't care where I end up. Anywheres better than here.