Chapter Twenty-One

I stared in the mirror at my reflection. It had been a week since Reece rescued me. Blu had told me that the bullet had grazed my side, cutting deeply, but not actually going into me. Between his medical skills and Axel's magic I had healed with no trace of the bullet on my abdomen. The silence in the room was broken by the click of the door.

"Hello?" I said softly, peering over my shoulder.

"Hey Vin." Reece stood in the middle of the room, a small smile on his face. I turned to face him with an arm across my chest, resisting the urge to throw myself at him.

"Reece, you do know that I'm not dressed right?" I mumbled from behind my hand. His eyes looked heavy, as though he hadn't slept in weeks. I stepped backwards towards the dresser so I could grab my sweater. Reece followed, pressing his hands against the wall behind me.

"Do you care?" He asked.

"No." I whispered, heat rushing to my face.

"I've missed you. Blu hasn't let me see you all week." Reece said. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

My lips met his and it was like I'd kissed him for the first time again. One of his hands left the wall to hold my back. I pulled away hesitantly.

"You'll see me later. I think Lauri's here." I mumbled. He sighed and stepped back. There was a smile on his face once more before he disappeared out the door.

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"Come here kid." Lauri was waiting outside the building. She pulled me into a rib-crushing hug.

"L-au-ri." I gasped. Lauri laughed and let go, her hands lingering on my shoulders.

"Let's go home." She said with a sniffle, using the back of her hand to wipe her tears away. I put my arm around her waist and we walked to the car together.

I looked over my shoulder at Blu's truck. Part of the white truck was stained red, dark, blood red. I exhaled shakily and turned to face the road ahead of us. I caught sight of a blue haired figure in the rear-view mirror. He gave a two-fingered salute before disappearing. Lauri drove out of the driveway and out onto the highway.

I'm going home. Finally.

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"Home sweet home!" said Lauri, parking the car in it's usual spot in the grass. The house looked the same. Same green door, same wood exterior, same newspaper sitting unread under the window. Lauri opened the door and ushered me inside.

I sunk into the couch as she dashed to grab the phone which was ringing shrilly on the other side of the room.

"Sorry sweets, gotta take this." Lauri said. I shrugged. A meow from the floor caught my attention.

Church hopped into my lap.

"Hey buddy." I said, scratching the cat behind the ear.

He purred and settled deeper into my lap. Just the sight of the cat brought a smile to my face. I glanced at the clock beneath the TV, it had already been an hour since I'd left Reece's house. Lauri hung up the phone. I was going ask her what was wrong but the doorbell rang.

Church leaped off the couch and slunk away to the bedroom.
"I got it." Lauri said, running a hand through her hair.

"Hm you." I turned around on the couch to see who Lauri was talking to.
"Is Vinnie there?" He asked.
"Yes, but she's had enough trouble from-" I jumped up and rushed to the front door.
"Hey."
"You." Lauri finished with a sigh before walking away. I took Reece's hand and led him to the backyard.

"So. You look better." He offered with a weak smile. I forced one onto my face as well. Reece stepped closer and put his arms around me. I did the same and resting my cheek on his chest.

"I'm sorry." I whispered, tears pricking at my eyes.
"It wasn't your fault Vin."
"And it wasn't yours either." I looked up at him, his amber eyes hard.

"Agree to disagree?" He mumbled, placing his hands on my cheek. I sniffed and sunk to the ground. He followed.

Reece held me while I cried into his shoulder.
"You don't understand." I wailed.
"How so?"
"If I hadn't said yes to meeting you that day Maria wouldn't of...done this." His arms tightened around me.
"She has nothing to do with this. Nor does Koran."
"They have everything to do with this! They're still out there! This is going to happen again." I cried.
"I'm not going to let that happen. I'm here to protect you." He murmured. I pulled out of his arms and stood up.

"I don't want to have to be protected!" I yelled, thankful that we had no neighbors.
"What?! Are you insane?!"
"No, I am not! This is how our life is going to be! You protecting me, the weak human." Reece's eyes blazed.

"I only do it because I love you!" He shouted. "You're being irrational."
"Irrational? I'm sorry for not wanting to be watched over twenty-four-seven!"
"Oh, so you want to be brutally murdered by my uncle?!"
"No!" I snapped. He spun slightly, my vision blurring. I shook my head.

"I can't deal with this right now okay?" I growled. Reece didn't answer as I stalked back towards the house. I slammed the door behind me.

"How'd it go?" Lauri asked. I walked past her into the bedroom, also shutting the door hard. My vision still swimming slightly, I moved closer to the wall.

I caught sight of two glowing eyes. Angrily I pulled the blinds down.

"I do still love you." I murmured, as if he could hear me. My hand slid off the wall as I moved towards the bed. Maybe things will get better.

Hopefully.