Recap :

The next time I anxiously look at the clock, it is ten to five. I scramble for my car keys and jog rapidly into the garage.

Chapter Thirteen

I jump into the car and start it up, willing it to hurry up. I rev the engine a few times, enjoying the sound of the purr for a moment, and then pull out of the garage at a speed that must be illegal for sixteen year old girls.

My stereo switches on automatically and I continually press the next button until I come to one of the pop stations. I let the roof down with a click of a button, the music blasting out on to the street as I whiz past vehicles and pedestrians.

I like that word. Pedestrians. It makes me sound intelligent. Well, maybe it's just me who thinks that.

Old ladies pulling shopping trolleys along give me the death glare as I stop at some red traffic signals; obviously very disappointed that such a young girl like me was listening to Eminem rapping when I should be listening to classic music and doing ballet while eating healthy food like peanuts.

As if.

I have one word for Eminem. EPIC. As I get the green from the traffic signal, I switch the gear and accelerate down the street, turning a corner on to the next avenue. My eyes latch on to a couple walking along, hand in hand, looking oblivious to the world's troubles, just happy to be together.

Like me and Rhys when we are together.

My heart twists in its need to see him. It nearly makes me brake in shock because it is so sudden, that feeling of being punched in the gut with heart-wrenching longing. The feeling overpowers me and I pull over to the side of the road so I can get my bearings back. My hands shake on the steering wheel. All I can think about is getting to Rhys. My heart thuds against my ribcage demandingly and I close my eyes against it, willing it to stop being so irrational. It doesn't listen, it just beats faster and faster, pleading with me to get as soon as I can. But I don't want to drive when I'm in such a state.

It could be dangerous for me and other people using the roads.

He must be waiting for me, wondering why I'm not there yet. It's not like me to not to be punctual to one of our dates. He might get worried. My hands are so tight on the steering wheel that my knuckles are pale white. I push my hair back and then start the car up again. Of it's own accord, my foot stomps down on the pedal and the car screeches, shooting forward.

I switch the gear and zip down the avenue, my head filled with thoughts of Rhys.

My fallen angel.

People and stationary cars blur past me as I press down harder, urgency and adrenaline pushing me on, regardless of the speed limits. I rev past, narrowly swerving a woman thrusting a pushchair along the road. When I look in the rear-view mirror, the woman is sticking her middle finger at me.

For some reason, this doesn't affect me like it normally would have done. I zoom along, avoiding potholes, bouncing over speed bumps. I slow down a fraction to turn on to the next lane, my engine roaring like a feral tigress. I smile a smug smile and rev the engine higher. A speed limit sign whooshes past me but I take no notice. Nothing can stop me from getting to Rhys now.

It's been so long since I last saw him. Yes, two hours, but it might as well have been a lifetime considering how I'm feeling right now.

My heart gives a pang and I accelerate higher desperately, skidding as I turn a corner on to the next road. Something clatters to the floor of the passenger seat and I bend down, trying to keep one eye on the road but it's impossible. So I give up, keep one hand on the steering wheel, trying to visualise how the road looks like and try to retrieve the CD.

It continues to inch out of my grasp. I finally get it and sit up straight, looking down condescendingly at the damn thing. Thought it could get away from me. I throw it on the passenger seat and then turn my attention back to the road, seeing Rhys for the date at the forefront of my mind once more.

There's a figure in front of the road. I'm quite far away so I just accelerate, thinking that the person will be at the sidewalk by the time I get to that point of the road. I honk just to make sure that the person knows to move, because -- and I'm not afraid to admit this -- some Americans can be really stupid while crossing roads, even me. I glance at the speedometer -- ninety five mph -- and then look up again. I'm inches away from the person and he's not moving.

It's Elijah!

"Argh!" I scream and brake hard, swerving to avoid crashing into him. The tires slip from my control and I turn the wheel desperately, trying to regain control. Adrenaline thumps through me, making everything seem as if it's happening in slow motion. The car screeches in protest, not knowing what it wants to do, and settles for banging into a brick wall.

I am thrown forward, my head thudding against the steering wheel. Black dots appear in my vision. My eyes feel so droopy. I try to keep them open but they don't comply and in the end, I feel it's so much easier to just let them win.

I close my eyes, feeling so sleepy...

My head aches as if someone has been at it with a sledgehammer. I groan and try to touch it but my limbs feel so heavy, like they weigh a ton. I can smell sharp disinfectant that doesn't help my headache one bit. I can hear dull voices whispering to each other and catch my name being said.

My throat feels so dry, as if I haven't drank anything in years. My mind registers a name. Rhys. I want to see him. More than anything. I get my mouth to open but only manage to hiss, "Rhys. Rhys."

I try again, "Rhys."

I hear a reply, "I'm right here. All you need to do is open your eyes. I'm here. I'm with you."

"They won't open." I try to speak louder, but my voice doesn't comply.

"Try. Try again, Donna." He takes my hand, squeezing it affectionately in his. I feel his lips graze my forehead; soft and moist.

With new confidence, I try to open my eyes. And they do. It takes a few moments for them to adjust but then I see him. His bewitching almond-shaped eyes, his dishevelled hair, his bow-shaped lips slightly parted.

Rhys.

"Rhys." I mumble, as loud as I can, "What happened to you?"

"Me? You had an accident." Rhys weaves his fingers through my hair, "You went straight through a brick wall."

"How long have I have been out?" I say, my eyelids fluttering as I struggle to stay awake.

"Two days, in and out. How are you feeling?"

"Like I bashed my head against a brick wall." I reply. It's all coming back to me. The longing, Rhys, the fast driving, Eminem, the woman with the pushchair, the potholes, the figure...

My eyes widen, fear smothering me like a blanket, and I frantically look around. The room is empty apart from Rhys.

"Rhys!" I clutch his hand desperately, "I saw him! I saw him, Rhys. He was right there in the middle of the road and he was not moving at all. That's why I crashed."

"Who?" Rhys demands, his features twist from concern to suspicion, "Who was there? Donna, please tell me. Who was there?"

"I can't remember his name." I struggle, biting my lip anxiously, "It's... He was the one at the Tower, who had the knife."

"Elijah?" Rhys' eyes darken, his face twisting with menace. I nod and then unable to fight the fatigue, I pass out.

When I wake up, Rhys is still next to me, his head resting on our entwined hands, staring into space. When he sees me awake, he sits upright and smiles, "Hey. How are you feeling?"

"The headache has gone but I'm feeling sore all over." I admit sheepishly. I shouldn't have been driving so fast; I was right about driving in the state I was in. Now Rhys is worried about me, scared that he might lose me. "I'm sorry." I apologise, tears running down my cheeks.

Rhys wipes them away, "For what? What did you do?"

"I made you worry that you might..." I trail off, unable to finish the sentence.

"Lose you?" Rhys finishes for me. I nod silently, turning my head away in shame and mortal embarrassment.

Rhys turns my head to look at him again, his face somber, "it's not your fault. No one can blame you for this. It's his fault."

"Elijah?" I shudder, "Please just leave it. He's not worth it, Rhys." I clutch his hand, bringing it up to my cheek and rubbing it against my cold skin, trying to generate some heat.

"No." Rhys replies, "I'll see to him. I'll decide whether he's worth it. He tried to harm you twice. I only warn people once."

"Rhys, please." I plead, "Just let him go back to where he came from. He won't bother us again. It's like you said to me, they pick fights and then run away. He's going to run away now. He's picked the fight."

"Yeah." Rhys bends down closer, "He's picked it and I'm not going to back down from it. He touched you, harmed you. I'm not letting him get away with it."

Tears well in my eyes, "It was my fault. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been driving so quickly. I don't want you to get hurt because of me. Just leave it, Rhys." Tears are streaming steadily down my face.

"Hey." Rhys wipes my tears away with a firm hand, "Why are you crying? No, I'm not backing down. Look at you. You have two bruised ribs, one cracked rib. How dare he? You don't need to get involved in this. I'll take care of it."

"No!" I cry and then wince as my ribs protest.

Rhys puts his hand over my stomach where the pain is and pushes strands of hair back, "Stop straining yourself. You don't need to stress yourself out about anything. I'm here. I'll set everything right."

"No, Rhys, please!" I stammer, "Just leave it."

Rhys doesn't reply; he just looks toward the door as someone walks in. Mom. She's wearing a Louis Vuitton suit, shades covering her eyes. Her heels clack as she dashes over to me and kisses my forehead, "Oh baby. Are you okay? How are you feeling? I just got back."

"Mom, take a breather." I tell her, fightig a smile, trying to push the pain to the back of my mind. I look acorss at Rhys, hoping for a distraction. He nods once.

"Mrs Morrison, I'm Rhys Hart." He holds his hand out politely.

Mom takes her shades off, recognition flashing across her features, "Rhys? Oh, I see. Well, it's nice to meet you."

"It's my pleasure. I'm sorry it's in such bad conditions, Mrs Morrison." Rhys looks down at me and I wince.

"Yes. Please call me Lorraine." Mom bends down in front of me, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay." I give Rhys a look that says 'this isn't over' and try to smile at Mom, "I'm feeling better than before."

"I came as soon as I heard, baby." Mom says, tears welling in her lined eyes, "I can't believe this. I wish I'd come sooner. I wish I'd never gone at all. I would have been here for you."

"Mom, it's not your fault. It was work, you had no choice." I reassure her, smiling.

A doctor walks in and shakes Mom's hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Doctor Jones, I've been looking after Donna. She's improving vastly but I still want to keep her here under observation for a few days."

"Aw, can't I go home? I don't like it here." I say not very tactfully, "Oh. I didn't mean --"

"That's quite alright." The doctor smiles, "Few people do like it here."

I want to fade into the pillow. I'm so stupid sometimes! "But can't I go?"

"I'm afraid not, love." The doctor presses buttons on the medical equipment while chatting away avout the state of my body and recovery. I take the chance to fall asleep, giving Rhys a quick warning squeeze before I go under...

Dedicated to Tranquility, for being my ultra super best awesomer and for coming to me when she needed support. I <3 u, Tranquility!!!