Perfect Imperfections

Chapter Nine

"Why did you get yourself shot?"
Ash was leaning over me, his eyes close to mine.
"Oh you know, thought it might be a bit of fun"
I grunted as I pushed myself up off of the bed I was laid on to.
"Stop doing that"
Ash yelled as I went to stand up. He put his muscular arm over me.
"You need to stay in bed"
He pointed at my bandaged up leg. It wasn't well done but, it was nice that they saved me.
"Thanks dad"
I rolled my eyes and sat back on to the bed.
"What's up with you?"
What was up with me? Oh god.
"Really? What up with me? What's up with you, you psychotic shit? If you didn't notice, I was just shot for no fucking reason. I wouldn't of been outside right now if you wouldn't of captured me against me own will and forced me to be part of your stupid fucking gang!"
I was shouting so loudly at Ash that I actually had to stop in order to catch my breath.
"Shut the fuck up Azlyn-"
"No! Don't Azlyn me! My sister is gone, my Uncle is probably dead. I'm alone again. I'm completely fucking alone!"
I panted.
As i threw my head back I covered myself with the itchy blanket.
"You really shoul-"
"Just fucking stop Ash"
I turned away from him, not that it mattered. He probably didn't notice since I was hidden underneath the blanket.
"Look you ungrateful bitch, Kala told me to look after you for her whilst she's fucking gone. So go complain to her and not me"
Ash finally spat out at me.
Did he say Kala?
I lifted the blanket so slightly off of my that only my messy hair and green eyes were showing.
"Kala, you know my sister?"
"Don't shout at me ever again, okay?"
I screwed his then nodded.
He sat awkwardly next to me on the bed, the blanket was still over me. I looked like a small burrito.
"Kala came here a day or so ago. Said she saw us fighting at the shop and that she knew my crew was tough"
I scoffed. Tough, yeah right.
He rolled his eyes.
"She said that if I didn't keep you safe, my family would pay for it"
He shrugged it off like it was nothing.
"Family?"
I asked, even though it was none of my business.
"You're not the only one who was left"
Ash was abandoned too? I guess that made sense.
"What happened with you?"
I asked him, trying to lighten the mood. Then I pulled the blanket down on to my lap.
"It's none of your business"
"If you want me to respect you, I need you to tell me your story"
"Story? Oh you mean the tragic tale of Ash Acres? I know that one all too well"
He laughed at his own remark.
"I was seven. Little Ash was playing at the park with his younger sister, four year old Artemis"
Talking about his sister made him fiddle with the end of the blanket. I could tell he was uncomfortable.
"They took them. Turns out Artemis, Mom and Dad were all above an eight"
A small pant left his mouth.
"And Ash's score was only a six"
He looked up, trying to stop any tears from rolling down his cheek.
"I was a six too"
I tried to comfort him. He was hurting more than me. I mean, a lot of the people here were like that.
It sounds selfish, but I never really thought about anyone else's family.
"Yeah well. They went. No qualms about it. And I stayed here"
He finished off, wiping the tears from his eyes.
"Ash I'm so-"
"We're off schedule, I have to get back to work. You can help once you've healed. Even if you're a girl, you'll be doing the same jobs as everyone else 'round here"
With that, he stood up and walked away.