The minute I hit the ground I'm awake and in so much pain. I curl up on the ground and start to rock back and forth as tears come down my face. I don't even realize that I'm crying until a tear hits the back of my hand. Fucking perfect. Lexi pull yourself together your not safe yet. I tell myself. And oh how true it is. Taking a deep breath that nearly kills me I force myself to sit up. This is the worst pain I have ever felt in my life but I have to get up and start moving before I pass out again.
With that I make it to my feet only to double over again. Oh god I'm going to puke and with that lovely thought I start to puke. I managed to hold on to a building as I'm double over emptying my stomach of everything I didn't eat. Just bile and acid, fun right. As I finally stop I lean my head on the wall and wait for the world to stop spinning.
I really don't know how long it take but eventually it does and I can left my head to get my baring. God it's been 5 long years since I've seen down town Cithdale. Nothing and everything has changed. I look up to the sky and see the blood red moon has changed to an orange color and I know the portal has sealed itself again. I sigh but not with relief just with resignation. There's no going back this time for me I feel it in my bones, I'm here to stay.
As I bring down my eyes from the sky I really look around, I'm in an alley in the center or the Cithdale Quarter. Well that's good luck I'm in a neutral zone where I can't be hurt or killed no matter what. Thank god for small favors. Zach must have gone through the garden entrance. That's a bold move but it just proves his remarks as facts because there is no way in hell he could of used that portal without the Red Queen or the Black Queen's help and that means I really have no one to rely on here. With that thought comes more tears. I had friends here from both sides once now I have no one. Why do I always have to be alone. Ok Lexi stop right now you really need to find help but who.
I think about this as I slowly start to move. With each step it's agonizing and makes me dizzy all over again but I keep moving and thinking. I know I need a doctor but the only doctor's here are army doctors but the best is with the red army. Double dog fuck. But I don't have a choice it's either black or red but unfortunately I'm closer to red so red it is. With that thought I make my way out of the alley. I'm not going fast a snail could beat me in a race and I realize I'm seeing black and white dots in front of my eyes. This is not good but again my luck gets even better when I hear,
" Holt!" The soldier says and the countiers with
" I said holt or I'll shoot you."
I stop and wait it's a newbie and the stupid fuck would shoot me the way my nights going. It takes him a couple of minutes to get to me and when he does, he looks me over and says,
" why are you out in the Quarter after curfew. Do you want to get locked up."
Fucking perfect. Did you look at me. Nope not at all. So I slowly move my head and look at him and say
" Sorry, I just dropped in from out of town. And thought a midnight stroll would do me some good."
I know I'm a cheeky smart ass but I'm in pain and this fool has just pissing me off.
Finally the fool looks down and a gasps escaped his mouth with the words
" what happened to you? Are you all right?"
Oh why me.
" Do I look alright to you? Mmm."
But before he can say anything I hear footsteps and a voice I know very well say,
" hey Tray did you see what that shadow was."
" Nope he didn't. He just wanted to ask said shadow a bunch of stupid questions. Are you going to do better Brent?" With saying that I hear the footsteps pick up speed until I'm seeing Brent Myerson the Jack of hearts in fornt of me. He takes a minute to look me up and down. Then without a word he offers his hand to me. I take it without hesitation which is laughable since Brent being the Jack is in charge of covert missions and interrogation. He's one scary guy but not to me. To me Brent is safety like an anchor in a storm.
He pulls me to him and into the light, where with his other hand he lefts up my chin and moves my head from side to side.
" Angel I'm glad your home but who in the hell was this fucking stupid as to touch you let alone do this to you."
His warm voice washes over me and I almost loose it but I swallow back my tears and say
" It doesn't matter. Brent can you help me get to a doctor I'm not sure I can get there on my own."
I look up at him with imploring eyes. He locks his bright green eyes on me and I can see pain and anger there.
" please Brent."
That's all it takes and then I'm in his arms and he's holding me tight but not tight enough to cause pain just tight enough for me to realize I'm not alone, I can lean on him and I do.
" Tray go bring my bike here." The rumble of his voice is soothing and I sigh and relax into his chest more.
" why sir? She needs to be brought up on charges for breaking curfew and inappropriately addressing you." The newbie really sounds confused but that's the red army for you. They all follow the law no matter what. Well all the new ones the officer's like Brent here makes the laws so he can change them when it suits him and it does often. I feel one of his hands move from my back and the hear a
"Ow!"
Hehehehe dumbass.
" Do as I say. Or I'll have you brought up before our Queen. Since this is his wife. Now go."
I know the guy lost all his color at that no one wants to go in front of Voughn for anything. He's as scary as they come if Brent looks scary Voughn is 10 times worse. Ugh. I hear the guy footsteps leave and I wait. I know he's not going to let it up but he's smart enough to know I wasn't talking in front of dumbass.
A sigh and then
" he's gone Lexi. Now look at me and tell me what's going on. We don't see you for 5 year's and now you just show up all beat to hell. What the fuck kid. Voughn and Vance looked everywhere and when they didn't find you they mourned for years. Hell their still mourning Angel."
I laughed and it was bitter.
" that's a nice picture you paint Brent but not true at all. They sent me back and it almost killed me." I see the confusion in is eyes and before he can say more I hold up my finger and go on.
" I waited for 5 years for them. They never showed. Just left me as my world crumbled down around me. My parents disowned me and lift me in a foreign country with no money and no way out, to live on the streets. But I got over that and was doing ok on my own. I really was. I had a job I loved and was dating a really nice guy. " I'm going to hell, sorry Troy. I think but I'm making a point.
" And then tonight out of the blue Voughn and Vance send someone from Cithdale to kill me. And do you know who they sent.... mmm no huh Zack St. Thomas. I managed to get here but it came at a price now I'm back and I don't know who I can trust."
I stop not being able to continue without breaking down.
I hear his soft,
" why would they do that Angel.?
Another laugh and I'm saying
" They have moved on. And can't until I'm dead."
Brent has gone dead white. And I know right there Zach was right they have another girl. And I know I won't make it to see another day at this point. Not with both armies coming for me.
I start to pull away but I'm locked firmly against his chest. I try and struggle but it only makes the pain worse.
" Let me go. Please Brent I really don't want to die. I'm sorry please Brent."
I'm losing it and we both know it. But he keeps me there and runs his hands up and down my back and rocks me back and forth. I don't realize he's talking to me trying to calm me down until I hear
" Lexi stop this. I won't let anyone hurt you again. Come on honey you have to keep calm until I can get you to Julian. Please baby shhh."
I feel myself calming down slowly almost hypnotically. He's using magic this I know it's to surreal. I feel almost drugged.
" That my good girl. Yes just like that. Julian will help and no one will get near you until I figure this out ok."
We stay like that until we hear a loud rumbling and I know Brent's bike is here. The noise is really loud now that I can't hear myself think I don't hear their conversation but I feel a tug and move that way. He over did the magic and now I'm in a zombie like state. This sucks. I slowly blink and when I open my eyes I see Brent on his bike and he's taking my hand and pulling me towards it. Then he's lifting me up and putting me in front of him. And with that he kicks off his stand and guns it on the road towards red headquarters.
I'm lost in the feeling of flying and just being high. I don't know how long it takes but my eyes start to close on there own and I don't fight it. I welcome the darkness with my arms wide open.