My vision blurred, but I could make out the mans face. I lifted my hand to touch his face, he knelt down to let me.
" Are you real........?" I asked feebly. His image blurred, and he ran his hand over my cheek.
" Yeah, I am. I got you to the hospital in time, doc says you should be fine....." The man stepped back and watched me as I struggled to sit.
" Where am I?" I looked around, all the walls were white. Everything bland, except the small vase of flowers on a coffee table.
" Your in Brightler....." He paused as I sighed. This was the town where it had all started. The town where I got in trouble, and was stupid enough to return. " I'll help you get back to Duskan tomorrow, after I show you around a bit." He smiled, it was radiant. Just like everything else in this town.
" That sounds good.." I tried to smile, but with a weak attempt. He laughed and turned around, then walked towards the door. " Where...." I trailed off as my throat grew scrachy.
" I'll be right back... I promise." He shut the door gently and I slunk farther into the covers. Mama was right. All I ever did was get myself in trouble. Speaking of trouble...
Flashback
The summer sun was beating down on use. The surrounding buildings were painted a dull gray, and the trees all were dead.
" Mama, where all the pretty leaves?" I asked. In my dreams trees had tons of leaves. All colors. Red, orange, green, and yellow.
" Leaves? There aint never leaves on these trees. I aint even heard of leaves....Where did you see these leaves?" She growled.
" My dream mama!" I jumped up and down, excited that she had heard this. She held her stomach as she laughed.
" Stupid child! Leaves are not real." She chuckled, I frowned and glared at her.
" Your the stupid one." I scoffed. My mother stopped laughing and grabbed my shoulder. With that she shook me hard and threw me back.
" Better watch your mouth child." She bellowed. I crawled back and sat up. I opened my mouth, just to clamp it shut. Anymore stupid comments would get me in a load of trouble. Not just with my mom. If she told dad, I would most definitely be dead.
" Do you have a name?" The man asked. I snapped back to this time and looked at him. He had his hair fall against his face. His eyes were a light shade of blue, and they made my knees feel weak.
" Yes. Of course I have a name." I said, he smiled and leaned against the bed.
" Would you mind telling me what it is?" He ran his hand against the metal pole that was against the side of the bed.
" Cassidy.....but call me Cassie." I played with the sheets. Rolling the edge between my fingers. It was so soft, I wasn't use to it. In my town, it was scratchy and annoying.... Here, it was soft and delicate. "And you?" I looked at the man, and he held my gaze.
" Alex...." He sat down next to me, and ran his hand over mine. "....You feeling any better?" His eyes glimmered, as if he knew me well.
" Uhm..." I pulled my hand away, but he grabbed it and held onto it. " Yeah." I glanced up at him, but his face was turned towards the door.
" Why were you in the tunnel earlier?" He turned his head toward me and leaned his head into mine. It was to close, I could feel his breath down my neck. It reminded me of earlier, and it made shivers go down my spine.
" Uhm...I.......ran....away." I stuttered, he looked at my face and smiled. I tried to look away but he cupped my cheeks.
" Cas. You look......familiar. I know you from somewhere." He breathed. I squirmed under the covers. I was starting to get uncomfortable.
" I......I don't...thing so." I closed my eyes and pictures filled my head. I shook my head and leaned back, as I did I fell off the bed. With a thump I hit the floor. My eye lids flew open and I rubbed my head. Alex knelt down beside me and pulled me onto his knees.
" Cassie........." He whispered. His voice echoed into my mind. I shook my head, trying to get him out of my mind.
" Stop! I don't know you ok?!" I struggled out of his arms and got to my feet. He looked up with shock in his eyes. I backed up against the wall and slid down it. I hugged my knees and barried my face into my legs. Hot tears rolled down my cheeks, and quiet whimpers escaped from my lips. I was in an unknown area, and some random guy was saying he knew me. Just thinking of going home made my stomach churn. This with out a doubt was the most stupid thing I had ever done. Alex came and sat down right next to me. So close...again. He looked at me, with shimmering eyes.
" Whats wrong...?" He shifted beside me, moving over an inch. He didn't know how bad I wanted to say you.
" EVERYTHING!" I balled, he pulled back my head.
" Shhh...every things fine." He pulled my head into his neck. I stiffened and tried to move my head away, but he held onto me like I mattered.
" Why do you care." I muttered, Alex held my hand. I wanted so badly to shake it away, but I let him be. His blue eyes fixed on me.
" Why shouldn't I?" He matched, I leaned farther into him. Hoping maybe it wouldn't be to awkward.
" Because you don't know me." I whispered. Alex shifted again, and moved over so he could stand. He helped me stand up, and then pulled me into his arms.
" Come on. I'll show you around." His soft voice made me melt. Why was it so hard to ignore him? And why did I enjoy being in his arms? He held onto me the whole time. Until we got out into the street. This was very different from my home town. Every where I looked there were flowers, and fountains, trees, and birds. Nothing was dull, or boring. Everything had color and life. Alex released my shoulder and grabbed my hand, and began leading me around the small town. He pulled me into one of the stores. It was the small clothing one. " You need new cloths...here I'll help you find some!" He pulled random cloths off the racks and flung them at me. Then pushed me towards the changing room. I ran into the back of the wall and glanced at the thing he gave me. It was some kind of long shirt.
" Uh what is this?" I called from inside the little room.
" A summer dress. Now stop talking and put it on!" He called back. I did as I was commanded. It was a bright blue and green dress. Straps for the shoulders were thin, and when I walked it looked beautiful.
" I hate it." I said. I was use to shorts and a shirt. Not some frilly dress. Still I went out so he could see. His mouth went ajar and his eyes popped out. " I'de cloth your mouth. You might catch some flies." I smiled, Alex walked over to me and pushed the hair out of my face.
" You look wonderful.........come on I'll buy it, then we can go check out some other stores." He pulled me to the counter and paid for the dress. Then he pulled me back out onto the streets and was about to pull me towards a small stand until I heard my mother. Alex pushed me behind him and slid to the left. " Shhh she wont see you if you are quiet.." He backed up slowly, until my Ma screamed his name.
" Alex!? You back stabbing, money eating...." She trailed off as someone else got in front of her.
" Don't speak to my son like that!" Thats when Alex snuck me off into one of the stores. Then he shoved me into one of the racks and came in beside me. His arm brushed mine, and his face was a hair length from mine. I jerked back as I felt a sneeze come, but as I did Alex grabbed my head and did something unexpected....Something I will never forget.
