The Depths Of The Ocean

I Had an Idea, It Was A Bad Idea

When I finished eating I stood up. I realized he must have my shirt and jacket. So I started to glare at Nico. He glanced at me then seemed to notice that I was glaring at him.

"What?"

"Where is my shirt and jacket?" I seethed.

He turned around and grabbed my leather jacket and navy blue tank top. He handed them to me a faint pink tint on his cheeks. I took them from him and started toward the small stream i could finally see, about ten yards away from the small campsite. 

"Where do you think you're going?" Di Angelo asked.

"To the stream. I feel filthy." I answered

"Fine, but if you're not back in twenty minutes I will go and find you." He threatened.

"Yeah, yeah. I will be back."

I continue to walk towards the stream my feet scuffling against the leaves on the ground. I found a willow tree that could provide privacy from any one or thing that happened to be walking by. I slipped under the tangled leaves. I set my jacket and top at the base of the tree.

I unzipped my combat boots and removed them from my feet. I slipped out of my black ripped skinny jeans and hung them over a low hanging branch to keep them out of the mud. I winced slightly as I slowly unwrapped the bandages on my rib cage. I hung the bandages by my jeans and pulled off my underwear. I walked into the water and instantly felt better.

I scrubbed the dirt and grime off my body, paying extra attention to my hair.

I felt as if I was being watched by some one or something. I decided to ignore it.

When I had been in the water for about fifteen minutes I decided to start getting dressed.

—_—_—_—

I put on my leather jacket as I heard someone call.

"Raven if you aren't back here in one minute I am coming down there whether you are decent or not!" Nico called.

Yeah right.

I silently wondered why Nico was helping me. Could he be like me? Could he see things no one else could? Why was he in the woods? Why didn't he call the police? What if he was a criminal! I quickly chided myself for jumping to conclusions. I told myself that I would ask him why he was helping me when I got back to the campsite.

I wondered if he might actually go looking for me even though I might be naked.

Then I had an idea.

I crept to the edge of the campsite hiding in the trees. I stood there for a minute then he started to get up he turned and faced my way and started towards the path that lead to the stream.

As he was about to pass me I jumped out to scare him.

Bad idea.

He instinctively punched me in the gut and I heard my ribs crack, again!

I huddled on the ground and put my hands in front of my face bracing myself atomically for the next blow.

"I am so sorry!" Nico exclaimed.

I slowly took my hands away from my face. I looked up at him wondering why the next blow hadn't come. At first he looked horrified at what he did then he looked confused as to why I was in a defensive position then he had a look of realization on his face.

He picked me up and carried me to his sleeping bag as I protested weakly. I didn't like being touched.

He set me down and took off my jacket. He grabbed some bandages from the first aid kit behind him. He slowly moved me into a sitting position. He lifted my shirt up until it was just below my bra reviling an angry purple bruise.

"I'm sorry." He said again. I just nodded

He carefully bandaged my ribs once again.

"Again I am so sorry. I didn't realize it was you!"

I think I surprised him a bit when I said bitterly. "It's alright it's not the first time I did something stupid and I was punished with pain."

He just looked horrified. Then he seemed to notice the scars lining my arms.

His eyes widened.

"Oh." He whispered.