hiding

When you realize you've been had

The first thing she registered was pain. It wasn't the sharp pain from before, instead it was a strong ache that spread thru her whole body. The next thing she registered was a light, rhythmic beeping somewhere near her. She knew she shouldn't be alive. The air around her didn't smell like the woods, or her dirt shelter. It smelled like disinfectant with a faint hint of saltwater. She no longer felt the tightness around her chest her wrap should have provided.

Her eyes shot open, and immediately landed on the IVs in her arms. Without a second thought she reached for the IVs in her left arm, ignoring the strong ache in her right shoulder, with the intent to rip them out. A strong hand grasped her wrist with an almost bruising force, causing her to gasp.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Marco's voice was firm, but low in her right ear. She felt panic fill her chest again as she backed up on the bed as far against the wall as possible, which honestly wasn't very far. She instinctively let out a low hiss, meaning to sound threatening, but the fear in her eyes gave her away.

Marco stared at her in slight awe of the amount of fear that filled her eyes. Her body visibly trembling as she attempted to appear threatening. She looked nothing like the marine he had attempted to take down in the alley. The one eye he could see then only showed determination, maybe a hint of agitation. Now that he could see the marine's entire face, he could only see very visible fear. She looked like a caged animal in some way. He slowly released his hold on her wrist, after giving her a few warning glares regarding her IVs. He then took a few short steps back, wanting to give her some space to calm down, while still maintaining safe enough distance to prevent her from taking any action. Her breathing was so rapid, he was worried for a moment she might hyperventilate.

"I will ask you a few basic questions, and you will answer them." Marco shot her stern look, "If you cooperate, you might find your stay here a little more than just tolerable. We have no intention of hurting you further."

Marco gave her a long moment to gather herself. Her breathing was still fast, but not nearly as rapid as before. Her eyes never leaving him, still very much filled with fear and weariness. She swallowed, well tried to, before attempting to speak, and winced in pain from how dry her throat was. As if knowing her reasons for wincing, Marco held out a glass of water. She refused to take it.

"It's not poison I promise. I told you, we have no intention of hurting you further." Marco took a sip of the water as a show of good faith, before handing it back out to her.

He smiled in an encouraging manner as she cautiously reached out for it, pausing before finally taking it. She slowly raised it to her lips and took a small sip. Marco made a note in his head to find out when the last time she had something to eat or drink as she quickly gulped the rest down in seconds. Had he not been studying her face so carefully; he might have missed the relief that flashed through her face as she tasted the water. Might have, but he hadn't, he had caught every moment of the quick emotion, before her face went back to being flooded with fear and weariness. He smiled at her again, as she slowly nodded her head in agreement.

"What is your name yoi?"

"Alexia" She said so lightly and nervously, it almost came out as a whisper. He noticed her fingers fidgeted on the gown she was now wearing, her left hand almost instinctively touching her face as if to touch her mask that was usually on her face.

"Alexia what?" Marco pressed; one eyebrow raised.

"Just Alexia, no last name." Alexia whispered, almost coming out as a plead.

"How old are you yoi? And what island did you originate from?"

"I'm 22... I don't have a home island." Her eyes glanced away from his face for a second, as if hiding something. Marco decided not to press at the moment, satisfied that she was at least answering some of his questions with less resistance than he expected.

"How long have you been with the marines, and why did you decide to attack a member of Whitebeard's crew? You look as though you would be aware you couldn't physically take one of us on."

"I'm not a marine..."

"We aren't blind yoi, you were wearing a marine cap." He shot her a warning glare.

"I'm not a marine," She stressed lightly, "It was my mother's cap, it's... it's all I have left of her. That's why I wear it." She looked at him, as if she was searching for permission to continue, as if looking to see if her answer was acceptable. When she found no argument from Marco's expression, she continued, "I didn't mean to attack your friend..."

"You decked him in the face. You didn't mean to attack him?" He scoffed skeptically.

"I swear I didn't mean to," Alexia pleaded lightly, "Your friend, he... he scared me. I didn't expect him to touch me. I didn't even know who he was, I acted on instinct. I... I don't like being touched." She pulled her knees to her chest as if subconsciously protecting herself.

Marco hummed in thought before continuing, "When was the last time you ate?"

"How long have I been out?" Alexia asked.

"Almost three days."

"It's been about nine days then." Her stomach rumbled loudly at that moment, as if proving her point.

At that moment the door opened quickly, an elderly woman in what looked like a nurses uniform appeared, looking agitated.

"Commander Marco! What in the world is she doing?" The woman moved to force Alexia back onto the bed in a laying position, "Need I remind you, that you were sternly told she was not to move! She needs to be resting!"

As soon as the woman made contact with Alexia's skin, she hissed, backing further into the wall, not realizing how relaxed she had become during the brief conversation with the commander. She dug her nails into the woman's wrists, her breathing become rapid once again. Not completely phased, the woman continued to attempt to force her down on the bed. Alexia thrashed wildly against her hold, clawing at the woman's face. Her eyes, which Marco had noted showed only wariness just moments ago, were once again flooded with fear. Marco quickly shoved the nurse to the side; his eyes were like shooting daggers towards her. He grasped Alexia's wrists with his hands, which seemed massive compared to how frail and tiny her body was.

"Leave now. I will tell Doc when she is ready to be seen. You need to leave." His body appeared calm, but the tone of his voice was hinting at harshness.

The woman grumbled as she stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind her, causing Alexia to flinch. Her breathing was still rapid, knees drawn up to her chest as she was backed up against the wall, her hair acting almost as a curtain as it fell around her face and shoulders. Marco was irritated. Once again this girl had attempted to harm one of his family, even if it was slightly warranted. He was thinking of something to say to let the girl know his displeasure of her actions, a warning of sorts, when he heard her sniff lightly. Her body was still shaking. He released one of her wrists to lift her chin up to him, so he could see her face. She flinched at his touch but didn't act against him. It was clear she was starting to cry and didn't want him to see. And if there was one thing Marco didn't know how to handle; it was a crying woman.