Everything is in a haze. I might be dead again and about to meet that tsundere angel lady again.
Actually, how do I even know she is an angel? All she mentioned was going to heaven not mentioned it I think. She was so pissed *chuckles*
My eyes start to widen slowly. They feel dry and exhausted. No wonder I just got my ass whooped. But at least I spilled some of those guys' blood.
As my vision starts clearing up I realize I am in a room in a bed with an end table having half remaining candlelit. the room seems relatively empty with just my bed, 2 chairs facing my bed...and Lara sitting on my bed?
How long was she just sitting there? Must've been a while seeing as the sun through the window appears to be very low but bright at the same time. Could mean this is morning. Did I go unconscious for the past 20 hours or something? Maybe. Wouldn't surprise me still.
I start moving a bit but immediately feel pain in my back from my movement. How long was I asleep in that position? Whatever. screw it It has been a while.
"Agh.Shit...Lara is that you?" asked while trying to set me up.
Lara turns to me with surprise and blushed a bit. She seems surprised by me moving and speaking. I guess she does care for me a bit now.
"H-hey Cody...how are you feeling" she hesitates to look into my eyes.
Did she call me Cody? Was that her in the alleyway who called me Cody? Must be but that's not my name unless it is an alternate name for me. Did she give me a nickname?
"Cody? That's not my name." I say holding my head which is throbbing in pain a bit.
Likely due to the forcing of my head into the ground by that sicko. By this point, my vision has cleared up. But the sun is still burning my retinas...Reminds me as a teenager waking up to school and wanting 5 more minutes. Yes, those 5 minutes turned into 30 minutes, then got late to school.
"Oh well...I uhm, chose to call you that since your... you're my friend...right? Friends call each other by names or nicknames right?" she starts to mumble under her words
"Oh, OH! Yes of course they do I just uhm I uh, didn't realize you thought of me that way already?
"Already? As in you were trying to be my friend before?"
"Yeah, I was trying to be your friend by being nice and wanting to get to know you a little better. But of course uhm, we got into that little issue." I look down after finishing that sentence not wanting to remind her of the likely trauma she might have endured.
"Yeah, an experience that was...Thank you for saving me. If it wasn't for you finding me in the alleyway I wouldn't have been able to run to the vent and getaway. Plus you helped me get the courage to run when I had to."
-Lara POV-
I am too afraid to run or move. He is still on the ground how can I run without help? I am so worthless! Before I could continue in my sorrow, I hear a yell with what sounds to be, Coda?
"Run! Lara!"
He wants me to run away without him? I can't leave him but he needs me to get away! AS I look at him on the ground he looks me into the eyes before being grabbed again. I need to run! He is right!
-Coda-
"OH yeah, I remember that, sorry if I yelled at you but I needed you to get away." I start rubbing my head behind my head in embarrassment. It is rare for me to raise my voice so aggressively.
"Oh no it is fine, I wasn't thinking straight. If you didn't clear my head at that moment we both would've likely been held hostage and you would've been hurt more than you did already. Look at you..."
I start feeling my face where a small bandage was placed where the sadist used the knife on me. The bandages wrap around my stomach and I use my tongue to feel where 2 of my teeth were knocked out. Damn it. I hope I can grow them back as some lizards can.
"Yeah I guess I did bite off more than I can chew haha" I laugh a little to chill the mood since it feels a little tense when suddenly
*thwump*
When suddenly she lunges at me with her right-hand karate chops my nose like a psycho. My nose was bleeding not that long ago I feel like it is bleeding again.
"OW! Why would you karate chop my nose...I feel like it is bleeding already again!" I move both my hands to my snout and it feels a little mucus move instead of blood. More gross than bloody but fine by me.
"S-sorry! I just felt. You shouldn't take lightly the fact you got hurt so much distracting them...When I was crawling through the vents I heard them kicking you and your sounds of pain. They wanted me to come out, if I didn't they would hurt you even more!" she start to cry a bit.
"I am sorry, your right I shouldn't have it is just a sad mood that often makes me sad..." I start to feel emotional as well. I reach for her before she can burst into tears and hug her. My body still hurts but making sure she doesn't cry was my top priority.
I hold her tightly with a shocked expression from her appearance just before contact. Her eyes widen and start to tear up again. But tears of something else this time. She hugs me back and says I am sorry for hitting you Cody!"
"It's fine, I am not bleeding so it isn't a problem." as I say that my chest hurts a bit and it feels like a rough rock or stick is pressing into my chest.
I move my hands away from her surprising her from me moving away from her. She seems definitely curious why I pushed her away for a bit.
"What that your wearing on your chest?"
"OH this is the necklace Ariel said you-" before she could finish she turns away and moved her hands covering her face in embarrassment. She is so cute.
"What's wrong did I say something?" I say pretending I don't know what she means. I have to toy with her just a bit for fun.
"Well I uhm, I was told you bought this necklace for me which you threw at one of the thug's heads to distract him. Ariel told me she recognized it and gave me her story about you and it...It is sweet. Thank you so much I will keep it.
As I and he smile, I see a sparkle in her eyes. It feels like she and I are closer than ever before. Suddenly the door gets a knock and it opens. With Mr. Uchida, Ariel standing at the door with a guard.
"Coda!" Arial started running over to me with a warm embracing hug which hurts a little due to my bandages.
"Ow ow ow! Careful Ariel my bandages are not shielding me from your hugs of death!
"Oh sorry Coda, I was just so happy to see you and Lara smiling and speaking to each other."
"I am glad as well" Mr. Uchida responds to Ariel.
"You see, I heard some rumors and stories as to what follows. Some bad. Most all say the same thing. Especially from Ariel. That you chose on your own tuition searched for my daughter. Found her, took some hits, and even purchased a gift for her. At first, I disliked seeing you near my daughter in that dining room since I didn't know you. But I can see you are kind heart soul who has risked his own life for my daughter's safety. You have earned my respect as well as my thanks" he speaks while eventually getting on his knees and bowing in thanks.
"Oh no! It was nothing, sir!" Actually, it was everything I did, risk my new life doing this but it paid off I think.