Before It Struck Midnight. *COMPLETE*

Chapter Seventeen - Images.

"B-Brenden?..." I repeat.

It does strike a chord, but it does not ring a bell.

"Do you?" he asks me, moving his body closer to mine. I see his eyes are focused on me and my answer.

I just look back at him. I don't know what to say, I can't say anything...

I can see his eyes lower down along with his head. I can tell that he is hurt.

"I-I don't remember..." I take a pause. To end on a good note, I begin, "but I bet that he is an amazing person-"

His sudden head move was what interrupted me, but it also scared me.

He did not say anything, he just nodded before resting his head on his wrists.

I look at him and I can't help but feel pain in my chest. Him looking hurt hurts me too, did this guy Brenden hurt Chris? What did this guy do to Chris?

"What did he do to you?" I ask him subconsciously. I stare down into the white blanket that is covering my legs.

Silence... That is all I could hear, silence.

I turn my head slowly to the right before looking up at him. I can see that his green pearls immediately look away from me when my eyes fall upon him.

"What did he do to you?" I repeat my question.

He looks into my eyes again before opening his mouth.

"Everything..."

I look at him, confused

"I don't want anything to do with him... He took away everyone and anyone I cared about or loved..." he continues as I can feel the pain in his voice.

"Why did he do that?..." I ask him softly, placing my hand onto his forearm that is still covered by his leather jacket.

I see him look down at my hand before looking back up into me, into me eyes.

"Hey..." I say gently.

"Chris?..."

"He did that because he is a selfish, egotistical and arrogant prick..."

I am surprised by his choice of words but I am also angry that someone could make his feeling that way. That someone could do that to him, why would anyone want to harm Chris?

"He is also the reason why you are here right now..."

I strike my eyes back up at him, just to be met with his soft look of sorrow on me.

I retract my hand as I think over what he just said.

"I-I shouldn't have told you... I... I am sorry...".

I see him look back down into his laps. God... Why does he always do that?...

"Hey..." I say breathily, reaching my left hand out towards him.

"Look at me... Chris..."

My fingers come into contact with his chin as I slowly rise his head up.

I see his eyes, once again, looking into mine. I begin to feel a funny feeling in my stomach as his gaze continues to look right into my eyes, into my soul.

"We are going to find whoever this person is... Okay? Once I get out of here... okay?" I tell him, I try to convince him that we will find whoever this person is, who this psycho is and send him behind bars.

But he does not reply, he just looks at me.

He looks at me before pushing my fingers off his chin.

"I know who this Brenden is..." he says.

"I know him all too well...".

I don't know what to say, I am confused, I feel like I am not me. Just then, I feel a headache. The pain intensifies with every pulse I feel, causing my hands to embrace and massage my forehead.

"Emma? Are you okay?"

"I don't know" I reply.

"Lie down... You have to rest, come on..." I hear his say to me as he slowly guides my head down onto the pillow.

As if by some bizarre reason, I feel the headache slowly drift away. I look back at Chris who is now over me.

He tucks me under the blanket, causing a strange reaction in my brain.

BUZZ

A vivid picture pops up behind my closed eyelids.

The image was of a dark room, I am lying on a bed in that room, that is all I could make out in that one short second.

I shake my head as my concentration returns back to reality.

"Are you okay?"

I look at Chris, I see how worried he is.

"Yes..." I tell him, "I am probably just tired".

I see him look at me for a few more seconds before a small smile appeared on his face.

"I guess I shall leave you to rest" I hear his voice as I can feel the touch of his hand on my forehead.

He began to lean in towards me, very soon I can feel his soft lips touch my forehead before giving me a gentle kiss.

"I'll be back..." he whispers to me before standing up and walking out towards the door.

I watch him as he opens the door. He turns back towards me before giving me a wink.

Again... ZAP

I saw a tall and buffy silhouette behind my closed eyes. The silhouette reminds me of Chris.

I open my eyes before taking in a deep breath. I relax.

"I need some rest..." I tell myself before closing my eyes.

The sensation of sleep gladly devours my body.

Within minutes, I fall asleep.