Perfect. [Completed]

Chapter 12. Hatred And Pity

Xara's POV.

For a few minutes all I cared about was breathing. In and out, in and out. That was the first time I swam in a century, and, to my pride, I managed to survive through it. Had I really liked that before?! Oh, well, I suppose simply swimming is more enjoyable than saving a person who you tried to drown.

Speaking of Romeo. I looked at him, sand sticking to the both of us and our colourful hair looking dark. He was lying on his back, but his desperate pants for air transformed into normal, heavy breathing. I felt cold wind touch my wet clothes and shivered.

- Hey. - I lifted myself up by my hands and my enemy's eyes fell on me. - Come on, let's go inside.
He nodded and began to stand up, when a silent hiss of pain snapped my attention back to him. I frowned, seing red liquid running down his hands. Was it blood?! Romeo looked on the ground and stood up, and I felt something tingling inside me. Pity?

- Are you hurt? - I asked, hoisting myself on my feet and coming to him. He shrinked back and I stopped, not able to bring myself to move. Then the guy looked at me, for barely a moment, and nodded.
- Where? - I came closer to him, no hatred anymore. He sighed, holding out his hands for me to see. And I saw it.

His wrists were wounded badly. They turned into two huge bruises, and from some places even blood was leaking. My hand reached to touch them, but Romeo pulled them away, already in enough pain as it was. He must've injured himself while trying to swim in those handcuffs. For a moment or two I stood there, speechless. Then, and only then I finally realised that he was mortal. He could bleed. He felt pain - just like me.

- Come on. - I exhaled, nodding towards the shack. He looked on the ground and got moving, I walked right behind him. Neither one of us talked any more, even though there were so many things I wanted to say. But how to find words?!

When we finally walked into our shelter, I locked the door and took everything out of my pockets. As soon as Romeo's eyes fell on two remaining syringes with C8, he gulped and backed away, his eyes wide with fear. Was he thinking I would stab him with those?
- Hey, it's okay. - I rolled my eyes, making sure that the syringes were both in great condition. - I'm just looking for... Here it is!

My fingers gripped a tiny key from the handcuffs. I took a step to my enemy, who stared at the key for a few moments, before slowly lifting up his hands. I unlocked the cuffs, and he immediately rubbed his hurt wrists, frowning in pain.
- Go take a shower and change. - I said. He nodded with some enthusiasm, grabbing the new set of clothes from his chest and walking up a stairs. I rubbed my forehead and sat on the couch, wet and cold. I seriously needed to take control of my memories! This wasn't okay, the fact that I constantly mistook Romeo for Fred was terrible, but now I confuse them with myself! How is this even possible?!

And, because of this, I almost drowned my former friend. I heard water running from the second floor, but didn't pay much attention, my thoughts were everything I cared about that moment. Since when had my memories began to transform like this? I don't think that happened while my imprisonment, although it was possible that the Sunshine Institute made me go a bit crazy. But not to that point! If this happens now, what will be later, if this thing progresses?! I would probably have to see a doctor, but what could they do? I'm older than anybody, I shouldn't even be alive now! Is this what happens when you grow up?

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice Romeo coming down the stairs until he cleared his throat silently. He was wearing the same crystal white clothes, his scarlet hair a mess.
- You done? - I asked, not knowing why. - The brush is somewhere near the couch, comb your hair.
He nodded and stepped down, but there was confusion in his eyes. I raised an eyebrow. What now?