We were having a good moment and he ruined it by setting fire to her beloved garden. I wouldn’t shed one tear if she squeezed him to death.
“This bitch is really ticking me off.”
The roots released the man only for Hazel’s hands to grip his shirt and hold him close. “I’m not going quietly, and she can fuck off. Too bad you won’t be telling her that because you’re going to be in jail.” One of her roots smacked him in the back of his head, and he passed out.
“Are you OK?’ I pulled her into my arms after she let the firestarter collapse on the ground.
“I’m angry and tired at the same time. I’m tired of being stalked like this, and I want some peace.” She squeezed me. I wanted to keep her safe from the pain that attempted to crush her spirit.
I wanted to comfort her with promises that the Collector would never claim her and she would have her peace. Only I knew I couldn’t utter those words right now, but I could vow others.
“No matter what happens, I will always find you, and I will never leave you.”
She trembled inside my embrace.
“Is there anything you can do to help the garden?” I asked, hoping her power could revive the plants. She lifted her head away from my chest to examine the damage.
“I can’t revive something that’s dead, but I can accelerate new growth.” Her hopeful voice released the tension in my tense shoulders.
“Let’s clean up what we can, while we wait for the police, then go home.” Hopefully peace would find her at her home. She could dig in the garden, write music, and rest.
The sirens echoed from the streets. We didn’t have much time without drawing much attention. We weren’t in our hero outfits, so anyone could see us use our powers. Hazel must have realized it, too, because she crouched behind a bush and dug her fingers into the ground again. Where the damaged Earth stained the garden, new growth filtered through. I watched over Hazel while she focused and made sure no one saw her. She gave me a sense of awe and hope. Our hearts were like the burnt plants, damaged but healing. We could rise and become new like the flowers blossoming despite their charred past.
The police and firefighters arrived, signaling our need to depart.
“I’ll handle this. You sneak out, and I’ll meet you in the truck.” I gave the keys to Hazel and walked toward the cops. Hazel could use one of the trees to assist her over the fence, and I had faith she’d be safe for now. The Collector wanted to torture her before propping her on the prized shelf. Maybe it was all to psych Hazel up, so she would walk willingly into the Collector’s hands, ready for it to be over. Not my goddess, Hazel didn’t lay down and die, ever.
“Hands up where we can see them!” the police shouted at me, and I followed orders.
“The firestarter is unconscious over there. Be careful, I saw him use his powers, not a lighter.” The cop closest to me understood my warning.
Once they loaded the punk in the ambulance with a police escort inside, I gave my statement, and was released to go. My phone dinged. Phillip had left me a text that he’d take care of the firestarter. Normal police weren’t equipped to handle those with powers. The Hero Society existed to protect mankind . . . sometimes from its fellow man.
Hazel meditated in the truck.
“How are you?”
“I need to chill my emotions before my powers cause chaos.” She inhaled deeply, then released it like she could expel her negative thoughts with the breath. I understood her completely. My power rattled against my control. Both of us were prisoners to our own gifts.
My phone beeped as we neared her house, and I asked Hazel to check it for me.
“Update?”
Hazel shook her head. “AJ is still looking but hasn’t found anything new.”
When we arrived home, she said, “I’m gonna take a bath, then work on lyrics for a bit.” She mustered up a smile and went inside.
I needed to expend some energy, too. The adrenaline running inside me needed to dissipate. Luckily, as I walked into the house, a trail of clothes leading toward Hazel’s bathroom became my very own bread crumb trail.
A naked Hazel waited for me at the end.
Chapter Thirty- One
Hazel
“Oh . . . mmm . . .” I pressed the keys on my grand piano, searching for the words in my head.
“What if he leaves, what if he stays.” I opened my eyes and jotted down the lyrics in my notebook. While we waited for AJ to gather additional intel on the Collector, I decided to enjoy rather than dread my life. I hadn’t given up, but the constant attacks and threats drained me. I rallied my spirit for the fight that awaited me.
