“No. Really. It’s not nessessary-“ She suddenly hunched over as her hunger pains kicked in. She groaned out, “Fuck. Great timing. Not.” She slowly lowered herself onto the floor, rocking back and forth, waiting for the pain to stop. She grimaced up at Axel. “Sorry you had to see this.” Before hunching back over as a fresh wave of pain hit.
Axel gazed down at her and kneeled. “Are you okay? You look… hungry…” He stood and walked over to the break room, which was only a few yards away. He grabbed one of his two ham sandwiches and took it out to her, kneeling again.
“Here.” He handed it to her.
Ember really wanted to deny the food, but her instincts took over and she snatched the food, hastily eating it, barely chewing. When she finished, she set her head on her knees and wrapped her arms around herself, trying to keep the sobs that were shaking her small frame contained. She choked out a weak, “Thank you…”
(What is wrong with me that I enjoy making my characters suffer? Please never let me publish a book. Any fans of it will suffer as badly as the Percy Jackson fans. [Uncle Rick’s terrible.])
Axel hugged her immediately. “Come on, I’ll go tell the boss you need to go home.” He gently took the book from her, and gently checked his pockets for his wallet. He helped her up, an arm around her shoulders, and led her upstairs.
Ember started to struggle, mumbling things about “can’t skip work.” “Need the money.” Etc. Finally she just gave up and let Axel lead her away. Her eyes were blank and drooping, too exhausted to think anymore.
Axel bought the book from his boss, explained what was going on, and recieved permission to take her home and he watch over her. Their boss was a very kind-hearted person.
Axel thanked them profusely before walking out to his car and helping her into the front seat.
Ember watched as Axel did some sort of garbled exchange between him and her boss. She couldn’t quite make out the words though. Everything seemed blurry too. She felt herself be tugged and moved to a car and helped inside. What was wrong with her? Why couldn’t she understand what was going on? But all she wanted to do was sleep. She felt her eyelids start to slide shut and she struggled to simply keep them open.
Axel glanced at her. I’ll just take her to my dorm. He felt a rush of relief at his university’s schools. They were one of the few universities who allowed the opposite gender in a dorm room. His roommate was off on Fall Break, so he’d have the room to himself as she rested.
Ember felt the car start to move. She let it lull her to sleep, her eyes shutting. Tears of relief sliding down her face as she drifted off into dreamland. She muttered out an, “I’m sorry.” But fell asleep before she could hear an answer.
(Time skip to the University?)
(Sureeeeee)
Axel arrived at the university. He got out and opened the passenger’s seat, gazing at her unsurely. He poked her a couple times, yet when she didn’t wake, he slowly picked her up in a bridal pose.
Ember woke slightly, in a daze, eyes still closed. She couldn't have opened them if she wanted to. She felt herself being lifted. She felt herself against a warm, solid mass. She snuggled into it, shivering. Ember let out a yawn and finally went to sleep completely.
Axel frowned a little and locked his car, before carrying her to his dorm. It was a way away, but he made it eventually. He nudged open his door, walked over to his bed and set her down carefully. He tucked her in with a little grin, and set the book down on the dresser.
(Time skip to a little later? When she wakes up?)
(Sure!)
Ember woke up. She was under a lot of blankets, which was the first indicator something was off. Her eyes popped open and she sat up quickly. She pressed herself to the wall, starting to hyperventilate. "Where am I?" she asked out loud. She looked around, then saw her grandmother's book on a dresser. She scrambled over to it and snatched it, sitting down and rocking in fright, eyes wide as she looked around.
Axel was sitting and reading calmly at his desk.
“You’re in my dorm,” He answered, wheeling around to face her. A pair of reading glasses was perched on his nose.
Ember started to stutter, “W-why..?” Then she had remembered what had happened. She looked down at the book in her hands. “Thank you. I’m sorry.” She stood up. “I’ll get out of your hair. I’ll try and pay you back for the book and the sandwich as soon as possible.” She looked up at him and asked, “Where’s the door?” Then she had an intrusive thought. ‘Damn he looks cute in glasses!’ Then she mentally slapped herself and told her self to get it together.
Axel shook his head. “Don’t worry about paying me back. If you do, I’ll use it to buy you food. You’re welcome for the book. Exit’s that way.” He pointed.
Ember turned to go, but hesitated. She turned back. “Why did you help me?” She asks quite plainly.
Axel glanced up at her passed his frames. “Why not? Not enough men are nice men. They would’ve left you to suffer. I don’t like seeing people suffer.”
She looked him up and down, confused, then murmured, “Strange..” and she turned and walked out the door, saying over her shoulder, “See you tomorrow I guess.”
He raised a hand and turned back to his book. “What is so strange about it?” He suddenly asked.
Ember froze in the motion of shutting the door behind her. She pondered this. “May I come back in to explain? It may take a bit if you really want to know.”
Axel sighed and shook his head. “If you have things to do, I don’t want to bother you. I’ll figure it out.”
Ember stepped back in. “Nah. I don’t have anything to do. Education is honestly my only life right now.” She tilted her head in thought. “I suppose work will also be my only other life now too. Huh.” Ember sat on the floor a little more than a yard away from him, a leg stretched out and the other propped up, her arm hanging across it. “So your question is why I think it’s strange that you would help me?”
Axel turned to look at her again with a gentle sigh. “Yes, that was indeed my question.”
She tilted her head again. “I take a major in philosophy. I may not be a professor, but I’ve learned a couple things.” She set her book down next to her and leaned forward, resting her head on her arm. “Do you remember reading Lord of the Flies in grade school?”
Axel smiled a little. “Yeah, I do. What about it?”