*Flashback- four years ago*
Droplets of rain cascaded down my face mingling with the sweat and blood. The crimson liquid blurred my vision. The gravel below my feet crunched, some stuck to my heels, others scraped against the calloused skin. They were numb to the pain. I released the chains from my wrists hours ago, but the raw skin stung with each raindrop.
The makeshift shack had collapsed, the axe in my hand a testament to that. The only thing left behind were sharp splinters of the past.
Harsh winds sliced through me, and shivers ran down my spine. The paper thin dress soaked in crimson, was tattered and offered no warmth. I had to find somewhere to go, or I would die.
I couldn't call to my abilities, I'd tried countless times. The hope that I still had them dwindled to nothing as the attempts failed. My soul was lost, and so was my sense of direction.
I just wanted to go home. I wanted my mother, I wanted my father. I just wanted to be saved. I should have never trusted him. I should have only trusted myself.
I'd wandered for days, my strength had slowly returned, but there was no light. There was dark, and there was grey, but the light was gone. My abilities were hidden in the darkness of my soul, kept safe from the anger that coursed through me. Cars had zoomed past me, not bothering to slow down or stop, and mud caked my dry skin.
Loneliness was all I felt for two years, but it was the betrayal that pushed forth my determination to make it back home. Through pouring rain, scorching heat, I walked and walked. Blistered feet against burning asphalt.
Not once did I give up.
The front steps were the same, and the dumb 'Welcome' sign still hung crooked on the door. Even in the dim light, The numbers three sixteen stood out in shining silver. A sliver of hope, a centimeter of light glistening in a shroud of dusk.
Mother and father would be sleeping. I wondered how they'd react to my return. My soft knocks turned ferocious. With each bang on the door, the wounds on my hands reopened, glistening ruby dripping from the skin. I couldn't feel them. I could only feel my hands meet with the rough oak door.
Desperation leaked from my pores. I wanted to see, needed to see, someone familiar, someone I loved. I had to, before I destroyed someone I resented.
*End of flashback*
"Oakley!"
My eyes shot open, and I leapt out of the bed. The sheets came with and I tripped, landing on my ass with a thud.
Instinct took over, and I sprung from the floor, into a defensive position. Fists raised, and blocking my face I peeked over at Coop. Electricity zapped through the room, creating an uncomfortable tension between us.
He had a horrified look on his face. Slowly, he inched himself off the bed. It took a moment, but I realized what he was trying to do. I backed up, my right heel hitting the wall's trim.
"Coop! Fuck. You scared me. What time is it?" The innocence in my voice did little to deter him.
"What was that, Oakley? You were crying in your sleep. What happened?" The concern and worry dripping from his voice sent shivers down my back.
"It's nothing, Coop. Just a bad dream. Those are normal. Now, what time is it?" I asked again, trying to derail the conversation into something safer.
Coop, and his damn observing eyes drank in my appearance. My fists were still raised, and I dropped them. He closed the distance between us, and I could feel my heart start to race. There was no room to breath with him this close, and I knew the time wasn't on his mind. He wanted to pry, and he wanted answers.
I wasn't angry this time, but dread filled my lungs. It wasn't the rage that wouldn't let me answer. It was the deep seeded trust issues, and the hurt that came with them. Coop hadn't given me a single reason not to trust him, but I couldn't find a reason to, either.
I had no idea what his end game in all of this was, and it was an unfortunate mistake that he had been dragged into my own mess. There was no way of getting around it without him butting in at any cost, and I wouldn't risk our lives with my pettiness.
"Oakley? Did you hear me?" Coop's voice brought me back from my thoughts, and his hand was in front of my face.
I smacked it away, and rubbed my temples. My brain throbbed against my skull. I wanted Coop to drop it, and I didn't want to be mean. I let my eyes wander over to the golden clock above his door. When they scanned over the time, my eyes widened. I had to come up with a compromise, and fast.
"Coop, if I tell you that I will tell you later when we get a chance to talk abut everything, will you let it go? I'd really like to speak to Eldritch during her office hours. That's in twenty minutes." My voice wobbled with emotion, and I looked at him with pleading eyes.
He seemed to understand, and his lips formed a soft smile in return.
"Yeah, yeah that's fine, Oakley. I have to meet with Trey and Alex after their class. Just, come back here when you're done talking to Eldritch," He said as he scratched the back of his neck.
Coop sauntered over to his dresser, and pulled out some clothes. There was no bathroom in here, but he peeled off his shirt, exposing a mass of muscles and intricate black and grey vines. tiny thorns were sprinkled about each one, and I couldn't help but wonder if there was a story behind them.
When he pulled the new black t-shirt over his head he turned to look at me with a smirk plastered on his face.
"Weren't you going to see Professor Eldritch, Oakley?" His smug tone irked me, and I frowned at him.
"Yeah, I was. I'm gonna need the scrolls, though, and where is my bag?" I needed to keep the scrolls on me.
I knew Coop wouldn't show anyone, but he lived with other people. I didn't know if they snooped or not, and I wasn't taking any chances.
"Scrolls are on my nightstand, and your bag's next to it. I'll see you later, yeah?" He replied, emphasizing later.
I rolled my eyes and shrugged, making my way to his side of the bed. The scrolls were rolled and tied nicely and my bag was against the table's leg.
I gathered the scrolls and placed them inside. I swung it over my shoulder, and gave Coop a mock salute.
"You'll see me later, Coop." I reassured, opening his door and walking out of the room.
I had to see Eldritch, and I had to do a little research on Professor Hawkins' research team. Hannah could help me with that, and I'd be able to get a better sense of who Alex was. I was still conflicted with him, and I needed to see him without Coop to determine if he was trustworthy.