Phoenix

Chapter 11

Bulletproof
Phoenix's POV
I woke up to a freezing dark room. My limbs felt stiff and my whole body ached. I barely managed to sit up as I felt weak and my vision blurred. What's wrong with me?
I look down at my torso. I was wearing one of my hoodies, nothing unusual, but I felt something wrapped tightly around my shoulder and chest. I strip out of my hoodie and take in my bandaged up shoulder. It was wrapped tightly and professionally and I felt a wet patch on the back of my shoulder. With a-lot of effort, I managed to push myself off of the bed.

Through the wooden window, I observed the night. Everything was pitch black with a hint of lilac and rose in the far horizon, announcing the coming of a new day. Abundant stars twinkled flamboyantly synchronizing with the dulcet stridulation of nocturnal crickets, as crystalline snowflakes gravitated towards the snow coated earth. Lightning tore the Stygian sky, before a roaring thunder shook the frosted windows. The glacial wind seeping through the seems of the rustic window caused goosebumps to rise across my skin and made my body tremble. I still hadn't a clue of what happened...

Essence's POV
After what had happened earlier tonight I couldn't get a wink of sleep. I tossed and turned on the couch trying to find a comfortable sleeping position but my frozen body and burdened mind wouldn't relax. I stand up, contemplating the dark emptiness. The cold practically numbed all my joints as I walked around the sitting room in circles. Since there might be a risk of us being tracked down or searched for, turning on the chimney would be treacherous as the smoke could give our location away. Yes even at night. The moon and aurora borealis shown so brightly in sundry colors of celeste, amethyst, and indigo, that even the black smoke that would usually coalesce with the night, would stick out like a sore thumb.

The guilt consuming me, lead me subliminally to the room Phoenix was placed in. It wouldn't be the first time I would check on him tonight...

I crack open the door, and take a small step in closing it back behind me. I look up from my sock covered feet and take in the sight before me. Phoenix stood parallel to me, his side profile facing my way as he looked out the window before him. His top was off, exposing hi-his perfectly d-defined torso... his abdomen was rugged, delineating a rock hard six pack. He was muscular and robust, but not the kind that looked too beefy and packed with steroids, rather the type that looked healthy and laid back. His tall figure was illuminated by the pale lights from outside, as he ran both his palms over his face, rubbing away at his eyes.

_ "Are you okay?" I almost whisper, taking a few steps closer to him. He faces me and offers me a subtle smile, barely noticeable.

_ "Yeah I'm good, just a bit confused." He points at his bandages.

_ "How are you feeling? How's the wound?" I unconsciously take a few more steps towards him.

_ "Feeling a-bit drained not gonna lie. The wound stings a-bit but otherwise it's fine." His husky voice was even. I could see a big scarlet stain on his shoulder which meant that he was still bleeding or had bled while he was unconscious. I look up at his face to take in a look of pure scepticism.

_ "I need to clean that wound again, you clearly bled a soupçon. I'll explain everything while I do so." I say.

To my surprise, he just nods. I quickly jog into the bathroom and grab the first aid kit I had used before hand and head back into the room, turning on the light as I enter. Phoenix sat on the bed awaiting.

_ "The moment all the guards started infiltrating the office, Igor shot you before I could kill him. He shot you in the supraspinatus (small muscle of the upper back). The bullet entered through the back and got stuck there. It didn't penetrate deep enough to exit through the front. Luckily it didn't, nor did it hit any vital organ or damage any important tissue." I explain as I unwrap the old bloodied bandage and throw it in a plastic bag. "You're going to need some physiotherapy, other wise you'll be fine." Phoenix's eyes darkened with memory.