Cold Flames

Chapter 20 : Help

As I browsed through the unappealing clothes of a local warehouse, I glanced over to see a familiar figure. That guy with the jet black shades was at the front counter buying a pack of cigarettes and some gum. I quickly jogged over to him. "Excuse me." I called. He turned around quickly. His shades were pushed up on his head, and his eyes sliced through mine. They were fathomless. Too knowing. My voice had caught in my throat for a minute. I cleared my throat and continued to talk.

"Look, I know you barely know me, and I don't know what kind of stuff you're involved with, but honestly I'm desperate at this point." I rambled. He listened to me attentively. "Do you know of the S.V.O?" I said quietly. He narrowed his eyes, and nodded his head. "Well, they're targeting that girl you saw with me before. I really don't know what to do, but I'm trying to protect her best I can." I said tensely. He studied my every word, and nodded showing he was following what I was saying.

"If we were to join whatever you're asking us too, could you stop the S.V.O from trying to kill her, and remove her from their target list. I know this is something large of me to ask of you, but I'm willing to do anything. I'm strong, and I can fight, I mean sure I'm a little rusty of how I used to be, but all I need to do is train, so if you need strength- just... please!" I dropped on my knees. I wasn't against begging at this point. Anything to get Firen the help she deserved, without being worried of whose over our shoulders. "Please help her. I can't stand not being able to do...anything!" I pleaded.

The man bent down, to meet me at eye level. "You are a respectable man." He said with great understanding in his eyes. "I'll help you. But just see this as a favor." He said nonchalantly. My eyes widened at his statement. "I want you to think a little more on what I'm asking you to do, because this is a big sacrifice I'm talking about." He said seriously. He glanced around, and then looked back at me. "So where is that girl?" he said curiously.

"She is at a hotel we are staying at... she's in really bad shape." I said regrettably. I didn't know why I was revealing all this information to this guy that I didn't even know, but you just got that feeling around him that you could trust him. I just knew he would be able to help us.

He nodded. "Could I possibly talk to her?" he asked carefully. For a second, I considered the possibility that he was part of the S.V.O. But if he could help Firen from then, I was willing to do anything. And if it came to a point that I had to fight people off, well I'll just have to deal with the problem when it comes.

I quickly searched for suitable clothes that Firen could wear, including underwear, and then bought them. I traveled on my ice, and that guy followed me on his motorcycle. I still couldn't tell if he were human or not.

Once we arrived at the hotel, we went up to the room in silence. We came in the room quietly, and I heard Fray talking. I stopped closed to the door, and that guy copied my actions.

"I am truly sorry. I didn't really think about it when I called them-" Fray said forlornly. "I was just so overcome with jealousy....If I could, I would trade my place with you so you wouldn't had to experience all that-" How dare she try to make nice with Firen? Right before I was about to interject, Firen cut her off.

"No you don't." Firen's voice pierced through with subtle rage.

"You don't know what's it's like to be tortured. To have those people look at you like some parasite, as if you were in the wrong, yet you did nothing. I have vivid nightmares, Fray. I can still see their twisted faces, enjoying my pain. Hell, I'm still scared that I'll awake again as their prisoner." I heard her voice break, and my fists clenched. "You don't want to experience that.... It's tormenting. And the worst part isn't the fact that they found a new way to hurt you every so hour, or not even the thought that they kept you alive barely enough so you could survive to the next day. The worst part is that you are convinced that the rest of your days will be in that torment. You will always remember it.... When I was there... I had already told myself that I wasn't getting out.... So don't tell me that shit. You don't know what it's like... So you are in no place to say that." She whispered with anger in her voice.

I gritted my teeth. Hearing her actually say what I was sure she felt only deepened my guilt. I felt a slight nudge, and I remembered the guy that I had brought along with me. So I knocked on the door lightly. Fray came out uneasily, with a guilty look on her face.

I roughly pushed pass her, and went into the room. The guy stayed behind. I dressed Firen in the clothes I had bought, which fit quite well. "I brought somebody here that might be able to help us." I told her. Her eyes widened. "Really?" she said with hope practically dripping from her voice. I nodded.

I called that guy in, and he came in. His eyes bulged out of their sockets as they observed Firen's changed appearance. Firen pushed her hair behind her ear, and looked at him shyly.

"Wow..." he whispered. Firen's jaw clenched. "The S.V.O did this to you?" he asked. Firen nodded hesitantly. The guy quickly flipped out his phone, and dialed a number just as quickly. He put the phone to his ear, then turned around.

"Hey, it's me. I need you to take care of something for me." He said quickly. A short pause followed after. "It's the S.V.O... yeah someone actually escaped." He turned back slightly, "What was your name?" he asked Firen. I stood by her side amazed that it was starting to get just so easy. "Firen. Firen Ignis Sanguis" Firen replied quickly. She glanced at me excitedly. I returned the expression.

The man nodded and turned back around. "The girl's name Is Firen Ignis Sanguis. Thanks a lot. I appreciate it. ... Of course. Always." With that sentence, he hung up. He turned back toward us. "It's taken care of." He said reassuringly. Firen broke out into a large smile, and hugged him. "Thank you! You don't know how thankful I am!" she said elated.

The guy chuckled lightly. "No problem." He said nonchalantly. Firen released him, and backed up toward me. He studied Firen's appearance a little more. "I'm just surprised on how bad they hurt you. Usually, they kill their victims quickly." He said knowledgeable. "Oh yeah." He said to himself. He looked around, and grabbed a pen a paper laying on the nightstand. He scribbled a number and address on the paper, and handed it to Firen. "That person should be able to help you with your injuries. You'll be good as new in no time. Mention my name, and they'll take care of you right away. Oh, and my names Leo." He told us.

"Could you give us your number again." I asked. Leo nodded, and scribbled on another piece of paper that same odd number. He gave a slight wave. Once he exited, Firen and I looked at each other with relieved smiles. She hugged me lightly, and gave me a cavernous kiss.

"Thank you, Vice." She said cheerfully. "Oh... and um... how did you know what size I was?" she said amazed. I laughed, and hugged her. "I know your body well." I whispered in her ear. She stiffened at the fact, and weakly pushed me off her. "You are a Pervert!" she shouted raspingly. I smiled faintly at Firen. She was starting to finally act normal.