Chapter 6

CLAIRE'S POV

"Dad?" My dad looked up at me from the napkin he was washing at the sink.The once white napkin now had traces of faint red color. No thanks to my blood.

"Yes honey", he replies lovingly. God, I love this man so much. "Why do you think I always get bullied." My six year old self asked. We were at the toilet sink, my dad had taken off my blood stained shirt and was trying to wipe off my nose at the sink before my mum returns and throws a fit.

He sighs before he answers. "You see, most strong people are always preyed on; to find their weakness or to find what will emotionally break them. The fact that you, my love has never for once fought back shows how brave and strong you are".He says while slightly dragging my cheek, causing me to erupt in giggles.

"What makes you think I can fight back." I said in between laughs."Oh, I've seen the kids at your school. Don't tell anyone--"he cups his hand over his mouth in a dramatic way and continues "--but they look like they need a lot more of protein."

"Dad!" I said while swatting his arm. It's true though, I could easily beat up those kids who bully me, but I let it happen because I can never and will never give them my lunch.I rather eat the food and deal with them later, so it's a win win situation.

"It's true though".My dad says in between laughter."You're a strong girl Claire, and never forget you're a fighter; no matter what happens, I always know you'll fight your way out, cause that's your super power. You're my little fighter." He turns on the tap and immediately splashes cold water on my bare body.

I giggle endlessly while trying in failed attempts to get back at him.

I smile at my memory while slowly regaining consciousness. I missed my dad, but he just reassured me once again that he was always there for me. My head hurts, and when I raise my hand to feel it, I notice there is a bandage over it. Fucking surgery.

The light from the windows are too bright and they are directly aimed at me. I'm always irritable at mornings and the continuous beeping from this machine meant to monitor my heart rate is doing nothing to help me. Turning my head around, I discover I'm alone in the hospital room.Great.

I really need to pee, but all these wires stuck to my body are stopping me from moving. My head still aches and I put my hand over it trying to reduce a pain a little bit. The least these people could do is put a pee bag under me so I can easily ease myself. But no, they were to busy plugging me with too many wires.

Out of frustration, I tug at all the wires till they're out of my body. I'm bleeding a bit but it can wait till I've relieved myself. I climb down from the bed and stroll to the toilet. The toilet has a strong Dettol scent.

I mean,I know this is a hospital, but easy with the antiseptics please.

While peeing I look down at my legs. I really need to get back home and shave my legs. They're usually covered so I've not noticed them lately.

How long have I been at this hospital? And where the hell is my mum?

I hate wracking my brain when I wake up but I really need answers to these questions and sitting here won't help me one bit. My headache has now multiplied by the minute. I need some aspirins from that nurse.

I leave my room wearing nothing but my hospital gown and socks. I couldn't even find my clothes from last night.Can somebody please tell me what the freaking time is! Doesn't this hospital have a clock? I'm really getting irritated. I can't even find my phone.

The hallway is empty and quiet.It's as if it's a different building altogether, I would have thought so if I hadn't remembered being wheeled here last night.

Now where do I find the elevator?

After going round this damn hallway over three times, I finally find the elevator. It's the only thing in this hospital that doesn't look like it's been soaked in bleach. It's metallic doors creak before it finally opens up for me to enter.

I press the button for the down floor and wait for the doors to finally close before a middle aged man stops the door and enters the elevator. He's wearing the same hospital gown as me so I'm pretty sure he's a patient. He smells like stale urine. Or is it me?

No, honey I'm pretty sure it's him. My subconscious holds her nose with her hands while fanning herself.

Can this elevator go any faster for Christ's sake!

"What floor?"

"Last floor".He doesn't glance at me while he answers.

Great! We're going to the same floor. Again I ask,'can this freaking elevator go any faster?'

My prayers are finally answered when the elevator finally creaks and comes to a stop. I rush out of the elevator before smelly man even makes a move.

I feel nauseous and the whole place is spinning.

My head feels like a rock band is holding a concert up there and they just decided to 'let loose'. Now would be a really great time for a nurse to pass by this way.

I'm still far from the front counter and I try to make a signal for them to see me but I can't find my hands. Oh, they're over my ears as I'm trying to block out the noise. I really need to get to that counter.

I make a move to go there but everywhere is dangerously spinning. I hold onto the railing on the walls and try to steady myself. It doesn't work as I find myself stumbling on the floor.

"Hey there,take it easy." A pair of strong hands hold me and stop me from falling.

His arms hook under mine and he grabs me so my head rests on his chest. His cologne is mixed with soap and it smells... weird?

"Are you okay?" He asks.

Just when I'm about to answer, a nurse appears from a hospital room and sees me. She rushes over and helps me to sit on a bench nearby.

"Go get her some water". She instructs him.

I hear shuffling so I guess he has gone to get the water. I close my eyes cause my head still hurts.

"Here, take this." She hands me two tablets of aspirins and I immediately throw them into my mouth. Right about time.

The boy returns back and I finally get to take a look at him. His eyes are sea green and he has a birth mark right above his eyelids. His hair is black and curly and very long too. He ties up his hair in a messy pony tail. On his arm rests a phoenix tattoo with something scribbled under it.

He looks uncomfortable as he hands me the cup of water. Before I can mumble a thank you, he turns back and walks away. I stare at him till he reaches the front door of the hospital and exits it.

Who the hell is he? One thing is for sure, I must find him.