From Within [IN PROGRESS]

Chapter 11: Touch

The look in his eyes told me all I needed to know. That it wasn't a dream. I dragged my eyes away from his shining grey ones and to our linked hands. His hand was so warm in mine, and when he dragged his thumb across my fingers, the friction created warm sparks across my skin.

I sighed, the feeling calming my confused heart and brain. But the sound of someone clearing their throat forced me to rip my hand away from his. Aunt May was standing in the doorway, crossing her arms and staring at the two of us with a very amused smile on her face.

Damian stood up from his chair and stuffed his hands into his jeans. "I'll give you two some privacy." He walked towards the door, sending me one last smile before leaving. Aunt May walked towards me, checking my IV and the bandages on my head.

"What happened? I nearly had a heart attack when they wheeled you into the Emergency Room with a bleeding head and water in your lungs. You were completely knocked out." She began to scribble things down on my information sheet, writing down my condition.

"Slipped and hit my head by the pool. Long story short, I fell in and passed out." I told her. She nodded her head before putting the clipboard at the end of my bed. "You'll be fine. You should be okay to go by the end of the day, but stay put for now. I'll be back in an hour to check in on you again." She grabbed my hand, her kind eyes meeting mine.

My stomach dropped and for a second I felt bad. She was worried about me. I may just be her neice, but she still loved me, and I still loved her. I have always been thankful that she took me in after my parents died. She works hard to take care of me, taking extra shifts at the hospital.

So I sent her a small smile and told her thank you. As she walked out, Damian strolled back in with a coffee cup in hand. The sight of the cup made me realize he had probably been here all night and my heart twisted at the thought of him staying in that uncomfortable chair all night.

He took back his seat, sipping from the small plastic cup. The aroma of coffee filled the air and I couldn't help but take a deep breath and enjoy the scent. I wasn't a fan of the flavor of coffee, but oh god, the smell of it was delectable.

But then I was yanked back to reality.

"Alex, do you really not know you are an Esprit?" His eyes drilled into mine, searching for answers. "I told you that I don't know what that is, Damian" I hissed, suddenly feeling defensive. Damian leaned forward in his chair, running a hand through his black locks.

"An Esprit is a spirit that has some ability that is associated to the mind. There are different forms of esprit spirits, some more powerful than others. I am a reader esprit, which means I can read minds, but I have to be touching their skin." Instantly I raised my eyebrows. "You've been reading my mind?" I felt naked, and I shifted uncomfortably in the hospital bed.

"That's the thing, Alex. I can't read your mind. When I touch you," he placed his gentle fingertips to the surface of my temples; grazing the flesh. My eyes flutter close due to the sensation.

"When I touch you Alex, I hear no thoughts. I hear nothing. And it's quiet. It's peaceful. And for the first time, I am content with human contact." His fingers pushed back a stray hair behind my ear, and I could feel my heart tighten in my chest.

"I don't know how. I don't know what form of Esprit you are, but all I know is that there is something blocking your abilities. They've been blocked for so long that you weren't even aware of what you are. But if someone blocked your abilities, it must be because your abilities are so strong. But we need to find a way to get rid of that block." He lightly tapped my temple before leaning back and sipping the rest of my coffee.

I put a hand to my head, touching the gauze. I knew it was crazy, but I believed him. It was insane. But I knew he wasn't lying. And that scared me. Because that meant opening up the bridge to the impossible.

But I wanted the block gone.

I wanted my mind back.