Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ In The Arms of the Angel ❯ Will You Remember? ( Chapter 2 )

Okay, so I'm finally updating, though apparently no one cares as I have gotten zero reviews. Perhaps I should just stop updating altogether…

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In The Arms of The Angel

Part 2

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I'm so tired but I can't sleep
Standin' on the edge of something much too deep
It's funny how we feel so much but we cannot say a word
We are screaming inside, but we can't be heard

-Sarah McLachlan I Will Remember You

Hitomi waved frantically at all the taxis carelessly passing by her rain soaked figure. I really should buy an umbrella. she thought absently right before a passing pedestrian's elbow accidentally hit her off-balance body, sending her stumbling into a disgustingly deep puddle. She whirled around, ready to unleash her anger on the perpetrator, but no one noticed her, and she realized that it could have been anyone of these apathetic passers by.

"I hate this city." Hitomi grumbled, getting back on the sidewalk and noticing that at least since she was wearing a skirt, her legs would dry fast, but there was nothing more obnoxious than waterlogged high heel shoes. Forget the umbrella, I need a car. Hitomi thought as taxis continued to pass her by. I'd get home faster if I walked. She realized cynically. Seeing the truth in her observation, she made her way away from the edge of the sidewalk and into the flowing throng of New Yorkers. Hitomi had lived here for just over half a year, so she could find her way home, but she definitely would have preferred to get out of the rain.

Lost in her thoughts of hateful cab drivers and their heartless ways, Hitomi only just noticed a flash of metal as a cutpurse stole her laptop and made off at a run. "Not today, buddy." Hitomi growled, chasing after him. She was angry enough, and that unlucky thief was going to pay for it. Kicking off her shoes to gain speed, Hitomi raced after him, thanking her brilliant foresight at being in track all through college. Bastard didn't count on that, did he? She smiled with a single minded focus as she gained on the surprised thief, chasing him through back alleys and back into open streets, and then back alleys again.

Hitomi was so determined to catch the thief that she never thought that he had some destination in mind until he scrambled up an emergency staircase deep in a maze of back alleys, launching himself through the window of a dilapidated looking apartment near the top. Without a moment of hesitation, Hitomi climbed after him, not even thinking how stupid it could be to enter a room blind until she found herself in the middle of several greasy looking men.

"Looky here!" one of the man hooted. "Little damp, but she looks nice to me."

"I brought her, save some for me." insisted the man who had led her here, dropping her bag as he advanced upon her with the other men.

"Y'all hold her down, I'll go first." a third man spoke, smirking at her terrified form.

"N...no..." Hitomi trembled, backing up until she hit the window. She glanced back, wondering if she could outrun all five of them. Seeing that escape was her only chance, Hitomi whirled to dive through the window, but several hands pulled her back, and she felt her hope disappear with her only chance of escape. "No!" she screamed this time, hoping that someone might hear her, might care enough to help. "Help me!!"

"No one can hear ya, girly." one of the men laughed, as they pinned her to the ground, chuckling at her tears and her desperation.

"Someone, please! Help!" she screamed, struggling futilely under the bruising grips of these men. Each one held one of her limbs down, and the fifth was working at his belt, obviously preparing to have his way with her.

"Ain't no one coming, sweetheart." the man who had her left arm down told her, his face so close she could smell the reek of liquor on his breath. Just then, a figure appeared out of the shadows, and Hitomi sobbed miserably, sure it was another assailant.

"Get off her." the voice was barely a whisper, and yet they could all hear it.

"Hey, who's there?" the fifth man stopped working at his belt, reaching in a side pocket and producing a knife. "Got something to say, come over here and say it to all of us." The figure did not reply, but he flew out of the shadows, moving in a blur of speed as he floored first one than another of the assailants. He moved so fast in the dark room that Hitomi couldn't see him clearly, but something about his presence and about that vaguely familiar voice put her at ease. Before she knew it, he had taken out all the men who had caused her so much trouble.

"Are you alright?" he asked, offering her an arm as she tried to see past the shadows which obscured his face from view.

"Just a little shaken..." Hitomi answered, taking his help as she noted how easily he lifted her. "Do...I know you?"

"You could say that." he answered, and she could see the glint of his smile, soft and warm in the dark room. "That's your bag, right?"

"Yeah, stupid of me to chase that guy, I guess." Hitomi babbled as she walked over to the bag, picking it up and dusting it off. "Seriously, I could have just bought a new one, I never should..." Hitomi stopped as she turned back to talk to the man who had saved her and found herself staring at empty space. "He's gone." she sighed before making her way back to the street before going home barefoot.

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Who could it have been? Hitomi wondered as she brushed her teeth before heading to bed. It had been nearly a month since the dangerous incident, and while she was still cautious of back alleys, she couldn't help but wonder who her mysterious rescuer had been. He moved so fast, like a professional fighter. It's been so long since I've seen anyone move like that. And his voice...something about that voice. I know I've heard it before, but where?

"No use, I suppose." Hitomi wiped her mouth, putting away her toothbrush as she moved to her bedroom. "I only wish I could've asked for his name. I didn't think there was anyone in this town left with a sense of chivalry. It'd be nice to know who he was."

Flipping off her lights, she yawned and looked at her digital clock. Only 9:45, but she was exhausted. Setting the alarm quickly, she climbed into her bed, hugging her pillow against her face as her breathing became slow and regular. She drifted into a sleep full of mysterious, dark figures who flew out of nowhere to save the day.

At 10:00 on the dot, a figure cloaked in shadow appeared at her bedside, running his fingers through her bangs before he sat down next to her, holding her hand.

At 11:00, he disappeared.

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The End (Of Part 2, That Is)