ˢⁱᶜᵏ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘ { ᵐᵃʳᶜᵒ | ¹ }

Chapter 3:Her arms

Marco pov

Its been a week since I saw the bruises on Kira's arm. Things immediately got awkward between us. I wanted to ask her about what they were, and how she got them exactly...but back then, when I asked about them, it was almost like she was too scared to tell me. Or well...thats what I thought, mainly because when I asked her about it, I didn't see her face, so I don't know for sure...but just her body language..it was so on edge.

'But why should this matter to me, yoi? She's only my doctor until I leave, so this really shouldn't be bothering me, yoi. After all, when I leave this place, there's a low chance that I'll see her again, yoi.'

After that, I just carried on as I did......by sitting in my hospital bed. Ace visited me today, he brought Thatch with him as well. "So when are you getting let out of this place?" Ace asked. "Tomorrow. Kira said that my leg is just going to be in a moon-boot for a while, yoi." I explained, eating some ice cream. Thatch raised his eyebrows, "Really? That was quick. Though, I'm sure you'll just to have to not strain yourself, right?" Thatch asked. I nod, "Yeah.." I sighed, "Thats what Kira said, yoi." Ace poked me, "Whats up, man? You're not acting like yourself." Ace asked.

'Should I tell them what I saw? I mean...Ace knows Kira better than I do, yoi.'

"The other day, Kira was doing a regular check on me, and then I just saw these bruises all over her arms, and one on her neck, yoi. When I tried mentioning it to her, she ran away, just as someone was calling her for something, yoi. I didn't get a answer at all." I explained quietly. Ace's eyebrows were knitted into a knot, "You really saw bruises?" he asked. I nod, "They were as clear as day, yoi." I answered. Ace sat there, thinking for a moment, while Thatch spoke up, "Bruises? Did they look fresh?" he questioned. "They were pretty much purple & red, yoi. As if they were just recently put there." I added. "Hmm..." "What are you thinking about?" Thatch asked. "Well....I don't know if this will relate to anything but....Itami did mention that Kira has a boyfriend."

My heart sank upon hearing that, but I tried not to pay attention to it, "A boyfriend? Why do you think he has something to do with it, yoi?" I asked. Ace shrugged his shoulders, "Well...Itami did mention to me once that when they first started dating...he seemed pretty...sketchy." Ace mumbled. "Sketchy?" I asked. "Yeah like, drugs & alcohol, the whole shebang. But...they haven't been dating for too long..so maybe..-"

Thatch suddenly made us stop talking, and we all turn, and see Kira standing there. She was giving us a empty stare. "What are you lot talking about?" she asked, a dangerous aura emitting from her. "N-Nothing, Kira! We were just saying how you were taking such great care of ol' Marco right here! I mean, he looks as sweet as a pineapple!" Thatch lied. A sweat drop appeared, but it was hidden on me. Kira stared between us, then sighed, "Whatever, anyway you two, visiting hours are over. You both have to leave." Kira spoke with a authoritative tone. Immediately, they told me that we'll talk again soon, and then they left, leaving only Kira & I. "Kira..." I called. She looked at me, "Yes?" she asked almost pleadingly.

Kira pov

Marco called my name, "Yes?" I asked. Marco's eyes stared at me, and I almost felt scared to even look at him. I kew what he was going to say, he was going to ask about the bruises on my arms. I was finally backed into a corner, and I desperately thought of how to evade the question, or answer it with a believable lie. "How are your arms, yoi?" he asked.

'What?'

I felt so completely off guard by that question, that I instinctively held my arms. He stared at me, awaiting a answer. I mentally told myself to breathe, and just tell him another fib. I fake smiled, and answered with, "They're feeling much better, thank you for asking." I lied. He raised his eyebrows with relief, "Oh really?"

'Thank god.'

"How did it happen, yoi?"

'Fuck!'

"I...I..."

'THINK!'

"I was helping with carrying some stuff around, and it pressed hard against me, I guess." I lied. All was quiet as Marco silently stared at me, "Why didn't you get help, yoi?" he asked. "Because..I was trying to prove that I'm stronger than I appear." I answered truthfully (kinda). "Look...Marco.." I started, "You really don't want to have me in your life, okay? There are just some things about me that you don't want to know about. You may not believe this, but I have done some bad things in my life." I muttered. "But...Kira-" I shook my head, "After tomorrow, we'll never see each other again, okay?" I smiled, "Its better this way."

Then, my work phone started to ring. I grabbed it, and my eyes went wide. It was Josiah.

"Who is it, yoi?" Marco asked. I swallowed, and answered, "Yes, this is Kira." "I have a surprise for you at home." he said sweetly. I threw back the urge to scream, "Really?" He chuckled, "You've been good this past week you know, you never cease to amaze me." By now, tears were threatening to spill, "Whats going to happen?" I asked. "You'll see." And with that, he hung up. I stood there, completely still. I wanted to scream & cry my heart out.

'I don't want this anymore!'

"Is everything okay, yoi?" Marco asked. I spun to Marco, "Its none of your god damn fucking business." I hissed, running out of his room. My feet pounding against the linen floors, until eventually I found myself outside in the hospital garden. I fell onto my knees, and cried. Everything hurt. My head, my arms, my back, my heart, my stomach & my throat. I clawed at the grass, and let out pained sobs. "No....I don't want him to touch me again..." I whimpered, lying down on the grass.

'Would it have been better if I was gone without a single trace?'