Shadow Beasts *Rewrite, Slow Updates*

IX

I still couldn't figure out what had happened that day. It all seems so fictional, unreal, impossible. I tried asking Jaden about it again but he wouldn't reply. He wouldn't really speak much since then, only a few 'yes' or 'no' questions. At night I would stare at my hand for hours, almost seeing those symbols again. I didn't understand what they meant, but they were still clear and vivid in my mind. I had nightmares about the man with the mask, he was getting closer to me and closer and closer until I jerked awake, crying. Jaden asked what was wrong but after a few seconds he would understand.

"I'm really sorry Catherine. If I could turn back time, I would kill that bastard before he even looked at you." Jaden's voice echoed in the small room. A vibrant and soothing sound.

I couldn't reply, I only stared at his dark eyes sobbing. He reached out and pulled me close to his chest, cradling me in his arms. It only made me cry even more because I also felt horrible about not helping him, and he would always place his arms over my deep cuts. They hadn't healed. They closed one day, then when I moved around the bed, they would open again. I had used up so many bandages and stitches but nothing would work, I wouldn't heal.

Jaden sighed softly against my neck, then pulled away slowly. He started deep into my own dark brown eyes. I could see he felt really really bad, but I wouldn't blame him. I felt like I was in hell, like I was in a burning chamber waiting to die. Like the world's anger and hate was being taken out on me, I was dying. Jaden knew exactly what I was feeling, he knew what his father was capable of.

I reached out and touched his cheek slightly, caressing him trying to calm him down. He wouldn't tell me but I knew he was extremely stressed and worried. I tried sending a message of reassurance through my eyes, and it sort of worked. His eyes shut and his head lay on my hand. His eye brows relaxed and his expression softened. My whole body warmed up instantly. His face looked so.....beautiful. I felt the blood rise to my cheeks making me very hot. I let go a small gasp and made Jaden open his eyes instantly. A smile spread across his face, the guilt and worry fading away.

"What are you blushing at?" His voice had a playful tone to it.

I was happy he wasn't worried anymore but I was also completely embarrassed.

"Shut up!" I whisper shouted turning away and heading to the bathroom to try and close my cuts again.

Jaden laughed loudly and chased after me. I looked behind me to see his six foot silhouette racing to me. Some switch inside me turned on and I went full turbo into the bathroom. I made it but right as the door was gonna shut completely, Jaden started pushing it open. I struggled to keep the door shut but my noodle arms were no match for his big muscles. Although somehow I shut the door and locked it as if God sent me a miracle and gave me super strength.

"HA!" I yelled at the door.

"Geez Hulk, I didn't know you let yourself go like that. Turning into a short little girl is just a new low." I heard Jaden reply. He was trying to trigger me.

"Okay, first of all, I'm average not short. Second, I get super strength automatically when I see a huge towering man chasing after me and Third, I think the one who let themselves go is you because that muscle was no match for these small arms so I have no idea how you lost." I was very proud of myself.

"Whatever, I let you win because I didn't want you to hurt yourself." He didn't sound so playful anymore.

I forgot I ran to the bathroom to close my cuts up. I got so distracted that the pain went away. I still didn't want to bleed all over my shirt so I quickly and messily put some alcohol on a bandage and wrapped myself up.

I walked out of the bathroom and found Jaden in the room again. He was laying on the bed starring at the ceiling. It looked like he was in deep thought. But right as I was about to ask if he was okay, his lips curled into a grin then he turned to looked at me.

"I didn't let you win. Your actually pretty strong." He chuckled a little and sat up, stretching his arms out gesturing me to go to him.

"What can I say? I've been carrying alot of really heavy grocery bags." I joked and walked towards him.

He sat my on his lap and cradled me again. I felt like a baby, but it felt safe.
He laid his head on mine and delivered a small kiss to my forehead. It surprised me a bit making me blush, again. I dug my face into his chest trying to prevent him from seeing me. It was a bad idea because he knew exactly that I was hiding from him so he pushed me away. Smiling again.

"Your so easily embarrassed" he let out a small laugh.

"Leave me alone Jaden." I whined.

He laughed louder and threw me to my side of the bed. He then crawled to his side and tugged the covers over both of us. I hid my face in the sheets still blushing. Jaden wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me towards him. My face was on fire, burning even more by the second. He chuckled a little then lifted my chin up. Something in his eyes danced with joy. He wore a huge grin. He looked so adorable but I hated him a little for making fun of me. Even if he didn't say it I knew he was thinking of it. His eyes flicked downwards as if looking at my lips. And I think he was actually looking at my lips. I only started intensely into his eyes trying to find out what he was planning but nothing was found. Out of no where he lowered his head down and slowly delivered a small kiss on my lips. My eyes widened and my breathing got faster. A deep chuckle came from his throat. He lowered his head again and kissed me gently, trying to get me to follow. But I had no idea what he was doing. My eyes shut and I let myself go. I somehow managed to do what he was doing, but he did it faster. I was gentle and tried not to show that I was just stalling. His lips roamed around my own, sending bursts of electricity down my spine. He backed away a little, biting my lip gently before letting go completely. I opened my eyes right away. His expression was calm, but joyful. His eyes opened and showed his delight. I was confused but at peace.

"It doesn't hurt anymore does it?" He gently spoke.

I thought about his question a little and he was right. I didn't feel anymore pain, my mind was blank. I felt relieved and safe. I nodded and he smiled. He again hugged me and soon after I heard his breathing get deep and quiet. He was asleep. I couldn't sleep, I still felt his lips on mine. It was such a strange feeling, but it felt so.....right. I smiled to myself and dug into his chest falling into my own trance of slumber.