And the next chapter is up! A bit shorter than the first, but definitely worth reading and reviewing! ;)
Turns out I did dream of Space Rock.
I was walking through this blurry landscape and he was just ahead of me. I ran to catch up, but it seemed that I could never get to him. I kept getting closer and closer, until I realized that he didn't have his mask on. I tried to catch up with him, but I somehow couldn't. All I could see was a small head with messy (In a cute way) black hair. Then my dream ended. Not much.
I woke up at about 2:30AM, and listened to the heart monitor until about 3. I took another glance at the window, to see if my head had been playing tricks with me before I went to bed. Nothing was there except a beautiful full moon, illuminating the dark blue sky.
I reached over to the bag my friend had retrieved from my place, and flipped open my laptop. Why not check out the news? I went to the local news site and there was my face, front cover. I sat there for a second. Then I began reading vigorously about the whole incident. Somehow, they got practically every detail correct. And they even had a picture of Space Rock flying through the night with me hanging limply against his broad chest. When you think about it, it's actually quite romantic. And, assuming that it was him at the window a few hours ago, he might even care about me.
I looked over at the consistent beeping of my heart monitor, and realized that my heart rate sped up just thinking about Space Rock.
Next thing I knew, I was asleep.
"Good morning, !" my nurse said as she gave me some pain pills, and helped me up to go to the bathroom since I'm still quite weak. Once I was relieved, we repeated the conversation we had the previous night. This time it was a bit different.
"Any visitors while I was asleep?" I asked, hopeful.
"Yeah! A guy came by and brought a single rose. It's there, in the vase by your bed." She said, giggling.
"What?" I asked, glancing over. I didn't even notice. It was a single red rose, in a glass vase filled about one third of the way up, "WHO?"
"I didn't get his name, sorry! Kind of short. A bit muscular. Black hair. Olive skin color. Ring any bells?" She asked, trying to read my expression, which I kept emotionless.
"Nope. Oh well. Bye!" I said, trying to usher her out.
I grabbed my laptop again and Googled Space Rock. Images popped up, and all I saw was a short, black haired, muscular superhero. What if it was him that visited me? What if he comes again?
"How are you doing?" a playful voice asks. I look up to see a rather short, latino guy, with spiky hair replacing the single rose with a bouquet of flowers.
"Uh..i'm good, thanks. So...w-who are you?" I asked trying to remain calm. Being in the presence of a superhero is very intimidating.
"Ha-i'm Carlos." He said proudly.
"You're Space Rock." I said matter-of-factly. The look on his face was priceless.
"N-n-no i'm not! Wha-what made you think that?" He asked, trying to look shocked and offended but failing.
I turned my computer around to show the images of Space Rock, comparing them to him. "Let's see. Short. Muscular. Black spiky hair. If it weren't for that damn mask, I might be able to see your face, too." I said, smiling. I turned to look at him and he was blushing furiously. Then his face changed into more of a pleading look, almost sad. It made me feel terrible about what I'd done.
"Please don't tell anyone, promise?" He asked desperately.
"Of course." I said, trying to be as sincere as possible.
"Ugh, thank you." He said, creasing his eyebrows.
"Why are you here though? Do you visit all the people you save?" I asked.
"No, of course not. Just the ones that I have interest in." he said, smirking. My mouth fell open a little bit.
"Me? Why me? You have interest in me? What kind of interest?" I blurted out, trying to figure out what's going on.
"Yes, you. Because you're funny, adorable, and smart. I have...a good interest in you. It's creepy, really." He said, sitting at the edge of my hospital bed.
"Why is it creepy?" I asked, blushing.
"Well, i've seen you around before. I've actually been trying to protect you, since I first saw you. But I had another call for help when you were coming back from the grocery store. So I left you, because it was urgent. When I came back, you were gone. I searched and searched until I saw the robbers walking along the walkway to the vaults. So I swooped in, and here we are." He said, recounting the events. Some people may think it's creepy. But I think it's more protective and cute.
"Well, thank...you. It's not really creepy, anyway." I said, taking an interest in the window.
"Whatever you think." He said, dreamily. Suddenly something ticked a shrill noise, and he jumped up with a completely serious expression on his face. He mumbled "I gotta go!", opened the window, and jumped out. I flicked on the news and I got a live report of one of the top 10 criminals of New York City, Jake "Slasher" Rosh, being reported of attempted murder on 52nd street. He's nicknamed Slasher because he only uses a jagged blade for his victims. He's been convicted of rape, murder, robbery, and a whole bunch of other shit but nobody can seem to get their hands on him to put him in jail. For a while, Carlos has been tracking him down just to see him slip through his fingers at the last second.
The reporter was talking about a young college girl, being found on the deserted street with her throat cut open and blood everywhere. Then there was the usual "call this number if you have any information about where Slasher is, $1000 reward" etc. And the news changed to sports. Yuck. I flicked it off and got to thinking.
Carlos has an "interest" in me. He's been watching me, keeping me safe. He quite possibly likes me. If he even is gay. Or bi. Or whatever. The point is, I can't wait to see him again.
It was quite the opposite of what I wanted, actually. It had been 3 weeks since my release from the hospital. I was going about my normal day again. Class, work, homework, sleep, and repeat. But something was different. I knew he was there. Somewhere. Watching me. I could practically feel it. But whenever I turned to look, there was nothing. Until once again, it was my day off.
I was taking a leisurely stroll through the park when I saw it. A quick flash of red and yellow, soaring across the rooftops. My heart jumped into my throat and I took off, full speed after it. I sprinted for about 4-5 blocks before I had to stop or else I would collapse. I was looking around when I saw a blur of black, being quickly followed what had to be Space Rock. I assumed it was Slasher. I wasn't sure whether to keep following or keep my distance, considering this guy was insanely dangerous.
Oh well, love has it's risks. This is just a bigger one.
I took off in the direction they were heading, except I took a shortcut. I entered a bright red building and hit the elevator to go to the top floor. Then I took the stairs out onto the rooftop. I came flying out of the door just in time to see the duo jump onto the building next to the one I was on. I hid behind an air vent and waited. I just wanted to see him in action.
Seconds later, I hear the quick pitter-patter of a pair of feet. I waited. And waited. And then...I stuck out my foot and tripped the dark mass. It went sprawling onto the rooftop and skidded to a halt about 7 feet from me. I ran over and tackled him as he got up.
I drove my elbow into his side, and he threw a weak punch at my head. I slugged him on the back of his head, which bounced off cement.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" Space Rock yelled from behind me.
"Helping-you!" I grunted as Slasher got the upper hand on me and pinned me down. That's when I realized that it wasn't Slasher.
"Wait. Who are you?" I asked the hooded figure. He pulled off his hood.
"I'm what you'd call an underground superhero. I'm calling myself Shadow, I guess. But the point is, dumbass, i'm on your side. And you just fucked it all up." He said, getting off of me.
"I-I thought you were Slasher." I said lamely. Shadow rolled his eyes.
"Close. We were pursuing Slasher. But not anymore. He got away. Again. Thanks." He said, running his hand through his blonde hair.
"Chill out." Space Rock commanded. Shadow threw his hands up.
"I didn't know..i'm so sorry." I said, turning away from Space Rock and beginning to feel like shit.
"It's fine. We were going to lose him anyway." Carlos said, grabbing my shoulder and turning me towards him again. He looked me in the eyes and smiled an adorablely contagious smile. I couldn't help but smile, too.
"I'm sorry." I repeated anyway.
"Whatever. We'll just track him down again. It's no big deal." Shadow said sarcastically.
"Shut the hell up." Carlos reprimanded, "Want me to fly you home? It's a bit chilly out here for you to walk all the way home."
"Sure!" I said, practically jumping into his arms, "I'm sorry, Shadow. I'll help you find him again." I finished, apologetically.
"Fat chance." He replied walked past us to go home. But not before Carlos slugged him in the shoulder. Then he teleported about 200 feet away.
"Don't mind him. Let's go." Carlos said with that contagious smile of his. He literally swept me off my feet and we floated into the air. The way we flew was so different, but perfect. It was like we were stuck in an embrace forever, but gliding through the air at the same time. I shivered considering the altitude, and the fact that it was winter in NYC. Carlos smiled and pulled me closer to his warmth. He was hot. Temperature wise. And looks. But. Still. His warmth out his body and flowed through mine. I was warm in a matter of seconds. I closed my eyes and savored the moment.
Then it was over.
"We're here." Carlos whispered in my ear.
"Oh! Thanks. For...everything. Saving me. Visiting me. Defending me. Keeping me warm. And flying me home." I smiled, landing at my doorstep.
"You're definitely welcome." He said, shifting from foot to foot. Was Carlos actually nervous?
"Would you like to come in for a little? And warm up?" I offered.
"I'm never cold. I don't get cold...but sure!" He said, quickly recovering.
Carlos was coming into my house.
Cliffhanger! :D Review, and the next chapter will be up quickly. I definitely have some plans in store.