Phoenix found Tarek at the coffee shop like Onyx had said, and sat there at a table for a long time, thinking and scolding herself for showing so much emotion towards the dark man, whom she'd only met days ago. She hated how he made her feel, hated how he was able to get her so pissed off with a few simple words. It wasn't that nobody has before, but Onyx made it happen no matter what he said. She wanted him to stay out of her life, but like an idiot, she invited him to another hangout. He was impossible to stay away from: physically and mentally.
Gwen watched the woman sit at the table with concern. Earlier, she seemed perfectly fine, better than fine. Phoenix wasn't always in a good mood, nor did she always smile with ease, and Gwen continuously wondered what had happened to the girl while her and the boy left earlier. But when she returned alone, she wondered if he'd done something to hurt her. Phoenix, from what Gwen could tell, didn't mope around. She was a proud woman who always made herself intimidating to others, especially men. Most people who came into the shop were very wary of her, but only feared if they knew she'd go after them for something they did.
Phoenix didn't leave the shop until late that night, only because Gwen told her to go to a comfortable bed since she had fallen asleep. She'd have stayed, have insisted on staying like she's done in the past, but the argument died in her throat when she saw Tarek lying on the ground, golden eyes on her. A soft whine came from him, as if agreeing with the shop owner and was begging Phoenix for his sake. So, she stood up and walked to the door, calling the German-shepherd after her. He trotted up as Gwen opened the door and held it open for them. "Phoenix," she said softly as Phoenix started walking towards her house.
"Yes?" she whispered back, turning to look at the woman.
The usually bright eyes were dull and concerned. "If you need to talk, child, I'd be willing to listen."
Staring at Gwen, Phoenix heard Onyx's voice in her head. "…It's fine to let other people you trust."
"Thank you, Gwen. I'll let you know." The woman nodded, went inside her shop and locked the door, watching Phoenix disappear into the night.
Phoenix ran, stretching her legs to their fullest extent, feeling the muscles burn the farther she got. Tarek ran ahead, stopping occasionally to let her catch up. His eyes and ears alert for any danger approaching, always making sure Phoenix was still following him even though she could drop from exhaustion. She was slow compared to him, but he didn't seem to mind, only patient in waiting for her.
When they reached home, Tarek sniffed around while Phoenix opened the door. Inside, she led Tarek upstairs to her room, locked the door, and went to the bed where she collapsed. Her face in a pillow, her shoulders started to shake until she started punching and screaming. The dog watched in confusion and fear for his new master. The run home must not have done anything to ease the pain, and Tarek couldn't understand why. It eased his pain.
When the woman calmed some, Tarek hopped up beside her and nudged himself under her arm, his nose under her chin, occasionally flicking his tongue to taste her skin, letting her know he was there. In return, Phoenix rubbed his head and behind his ears in apology and gratitude. She fell asleep like that, letting him comfort her like she never let anyone else do. Tarek sometimes would let out a low growl to warn whoever was outside, but never to wake the girl sleeping. It worked, and so Tarek became the new guard dog.
But in her consciousness, Phoenix didn't have any guard against the memories that threatened to rip her apart. Blood everywhere, bodies littering the ground around her, and men—so many men—closing in on her to the point she couldn't breathe enough air. They weren't doing anything to her, but she saw the knives they carried, saw how they mutilated her family without a second thought. She had to survive! She had to make it out of there before something bad happened!
"Wake up!"
Phoenix opened her eyes and saw Elliot standing beside her bed, a growling Tarek making sure he didn't come any closer. Cold sweat ran down her back and into her eyes, her hair drenched with it. The sheets were strewn all over the place and Tarek was standing on the bed as if ready to attack. "Down, boy," she ordered softly, patting his large head.
Elliot took a step, but the dog wouldn't have it. So, the boy held up his hands and backed up, keeping one eye on the dog and one eye on Phoenix. "What the hell is going on, Phoenix?"
She rubbed her eyes and shook her head. "Nothing. Just a bad dream."
"More like a nightmare. You were screaming bloody murder! And where did this dog come from?"
Tarek growled again, but at the touch of the woman's hand, he relaxed and settled down. "This is Tarek. I got him off the streets and gave him a home. And what do you mean I was screaming bloody murder?"
Elliot narrowed his eyes. "What happened yesterday with that man? What did he do to you?"
"Why do you care?" she hissed sharply. "I'm fine. He didn't do anything."
Elliot's eyes turned a little dull with her harsh words but didn't hint otherwise at his feelings. "Then what did you dream about?"
"It's none of your business."
"it is my business!" the boy finally snapped. "I love you, Phoenix. I listen to you every night, screaming names, help, apologies to no one who can hear you. Except me! I hear you! No one else!"
"If you're tired of listening then get out. I shouldn't have bought you anyways," she growled. Standing up, she went into the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face, the dream still playing in her mind.
"You can tell me, you know." She looked up to see Elliot standing at the door way, watching her cautiously. "I have shit too that I remember."
"I know you do, but I need to deal with this on my own."
"Do you?" His eyes bore into hers, pleading for something. But she shook her head, not answering but dismissing the question and him. "Before I saw you, there were two men and a woman—"
"Elliot, you don't need to tell me your story. I never asked for it and I don't expect you to divulge your life to me for an answer that will complicate things."
"You don't get it, do you?"
Phoenix searched for the meaning to his question but couldn't think of any. "Get what? What is there to get?"
"I'm trying to help you, damn it!" he snarled.
She blinked and Onyx's voice rang out in her head. "You're not alone. You have Elliot and Gwen. You have Tarek, who I'm sure found his way back to the coffee shop. They're your family, and they'll help you."
Damn Onyx and his stupid words of wisdom.
Elliot sighed and turned, about to leave. "I'm sorry for whatever happened to you and those you loved, but you need to move on. If that means talking to someone about your past, then do it, but do not make me and others here the enemy."
"I'm not," she whispered.
He laughed harshly. "Look in the mirror and listen to yourself. Maybe you'll finally see what I see." With that, he left. After a few moments, Phoenix heard the door of the basement slam shut, making the house shudder.
"I'm not," she whispered again to herself, and looked at her face in the mirror. Her hair was a rat's nest, she had bags under her eyes, and her cheeks looked sunken like she didn't eat enough. Her usually defiant blue eyes were dark and sad. "Elliot."
A body pressed up against her leg and she saw Tarek trying to get her attention, whining softly. She bent and brushed her fingers through her hair and heard Onyx's voice again in her head. "I'm not an expert, Phoenix, but I think the kid likes you more than just friends or acquaintances." Could he be right? Could Elliot more than like her?
How did Elliot feel about her?
How could she not treat him like a friend when he was obviously trying to be one, no matter how they met?
Elliot. The boy she saved from slavery. The boy who would have done anything in the beginning to make her happy, even if it meant hurting himself. The person who wouldn't accept having a day to himself for whatever he wanted. The boy she—consciously or not—replaced a spot in her heart that had been reserved for another boy, who was no longer alive.
Elliot.
Someone she didn't consider a lover or a friend, but a brother. Family. Her family. Blood or not, she considered him family because she did not have one. A family she always wanted from that dreadful day, but knew she'd never get back.
Elliot.
Who has been there when no one else was. He had her back when she risked their lives for her own revenge. He had kept her company in a silent house filled with ghosts. He saw to it that she was kept safe, that she came home every night without giving up.
Elliot…