CHAPTER SEVEN

Despite how tired he was Xavier couldn’t get any rest. He mentally berated himself for failing to protect her. She slept against him without stirring, his chest constricted anytime her remembered the amount of pain she had been through, the train was gradually slowing down, he gently placed her on the floor and opened the door. The sun was just beginning to rise. He quickly gathered their bags and possessions then reluctantly tapped Vanessa. She looked at peace while sleeping

“What happened?” Vanessa asked

“We’re at our stop. We need to get down and I’ll carry you the rest of the way.”

She nodded and Xavier helped her to her feet, the train screeched as it stopped and Xavier jumped down the Vanessa followed. Xavier moved towards her to carry her but she pushed him away.

“Just because I cried yesterday doesn’t mean I need your help.”

“That’s not why am offering to carry you.”

“Then why and don’t say it’s because you know am tired.”

Xavier looked away without responding.

“Since you don’t have an answer I suggest we start walking.”

Xavier led the way and Vanessa moved slowly behind him, they walked through paved road filled with mud and puddles. The amount of houses lining the road gradually increased as they progressed. Vanessa tried to walk as fast as she could so she won’t slow them down but she could feel pain everywhere. Even her eyes felt too heavy to guide her through the thick dew and puddles.

Her wounds had healed completely but they still hurt like hell, and the more she moved the more it felt like the bullets were re-entering her. Xavier slowed down when he noticed her lagging behind, if only she had just listened to him. She wavered in her steps, the pain in her back and kept spreading, she could not understand why her body hurt so much, maybe it was because she hadn’t eaten in days.

Vanessa tripped on her foot and Xavier quickly stretched his hand to steady her, she was about to flinch away from his touch. She didn’t need his pity.

“You don’t have to be so stubborn. I don’t care about what you feel I would’ve done same for anyone who was shot with two bullets.”

He crouched lower in front of her and Vanessa reluctantly climbed his back. He wrapped his hands around her legs and she placed her hands around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder.

“If you’re tired you can drop me.”

“We’re almost there.”

Xavier kept walking, the thick morning dew was gradually dispersing and the street was growing populated with people rushing to work, the amount of drunks lying around was dwindling. Xavier stopped in front of a small gate covered with over grown vines, he could see the house behind the gate clearly. Memories flooded his vision, he pushed them away. He looked at Vanessa’s face, she seemed to be drowsy her fatigue radiated from her, she merely looked at him and looked back at the gate in front of them.

He pushed the gate and entered the compound. There were flowers of different shapes and colours and a peach blossom tree a swing was attached to it. The path to the house was paved with cobblestones and both sides of the path were lined with dandelions and morning glories.

Xavier made his way to the door and knocked, rays of sun were beginning to trickle through the clouds, footsteps echoed from inside the house and seemed to stop in front of the door. Keys jingled, Xavier’s grip on Vanessa’s legs increased, Vanessa quickly glanced at him.

An old lady opened the door slowly and stared back at them, she was short and chubby with a healthy stature, the hair on her head was totally white with age. She glanced from Vanessa’s face to Xavier’s and her features softened a bit.

“Xavier, I didn’t expect to see you here.” She smiled at him

“Nana I came to see you.”

“You came to see me with a nearly unconscious girl on your back?” she retorts

Xavier remained silent, she looks at him and noticed the blood staining their clothes then after a while she sighs and her shoulders slackened. Nana opened the door wider and gestured for them to come in. After entering Xavier kicked the door shut, Vanessa is hit with the warmth of the house and the scent of toast. She unconsciously burrows into Xavier

Xavier looked around the living room and smiles in familiarity, he sees the same couches he and his siblings once jumped on and some of their terrible paintings and drawings framed at the mantle and the scorch mark he implanted on the tea table. He lowers Vanessa to her feet and doesn’t let go till she’s steady.

“Take her to your room so she can get cleaned and get her clothes from your parent’s room.” Nana instructed Xavier while flipping pancakes in the kitchen. Xavier nodded

He pulled Vanessa’s hand gently and took her up the stairs, they stopped at the first floor and turned right. A door at the end of the corridor was open letting in all the sunshine. The white walls were coloured with paintings of flowers. Xavier turned the knob of the second door and opened the door for Vanessa.

“There’s running water in the bathroom and towel in the first drawer. I’m going to get something for you to change into.”

Xavier closed the door, Vanessa relished the short silence and solitude, she crashed onto a nearby chair closed her eyes. She stood up opened the first drawer and pulled out a soft white towel and made her way to the bathroom