Ravens, Flowers and all the other Bloody stuff

Ian and Spencers first meeting

A few feet away from the Docs office, Ian asked: "Why was the glass of the door broken? Did I do that?", "Well, you kinda threw a knife, but it's alright.", "Is that why Dr. Walker had a band-aid on his cheek?", "Yup. But don't worry about it too much, k?", Ian was a little unsure about this, but he shrugged it off pretty quickly. Spencer's room was on the sixth floor, door 212, on the right side. When I was smaller, normally an employee would bring me to him and later, when I was bigger, Spencer would always hang a photo or a picture I made on the door so it would be easier for me to find him. The first time I went alone, I was so scared that I would go to the wrong room or would be getting lost, but luckily, I was able to find it and Spencer was so proud of me, he made a large ice cream for me. Spencer is the best dad in the world, he's sadly just a little lost. I think something tragic happened to his wife. He sees her the most. He told me a lot about her. Her name was Ophelia. She had dark skin, like chocolate and dark brown eyes, almost going into black. She had the sweetest smile and the loudest laugh. Her hair was long and curly, but she had it most of the time up in a bun. Ophelia loved music and art. Sometimes she would let the records play non-stop, while painting a new masterpiece, listening and humming to the tunes. Going out to parties at night was something she could never say no to. She was a lovely woman, who loved to live and always would try new things out. She was never afraid to say her opinion and would never leave a friend behind. Through her, Spencer learned to live. He was more of a strict man, who was taught to behave and never say what he thinks. His family was strict and hurt him a lot. Especially his father. He was never allowed to go play with other kids or do fun stuff. It kinda reminded me of my parents. Apparently, they met each other in Paris. She was an artist and he was a business man. Ophelia wanted to paint the Eiffel Tower, but instead saw Spencer, who was sitting in front of her in a café, drinking coffee and reading Jules Verne. After she finished, she came up to him and showed him the painting. He was so fascinated, that he wanted to buy it. She denied the money and gave him the painting for free. That was when their eyes met. It was love at first sight. Later on, they found out, that they actually lived pretty near each other in New York. From then on Spencer would always visit her with flowers and sometimes with chocolate. She showed him how to live and made him very happy. That's everything I know from them. I loved the story so much, that he had to tell me over and over again. It's like a romantic movie. I know I'm a goth, but I'm actually a romantic person too. I love listening to love stories of old couples. It's something you will only find out if you ask them.
We took the elevator to get to the sixth floor. Now it was pretty easy for me to find Spencer's room. Though he still hung an old drawing of mine on the door. It was a drawing of me and Spencer meeting the first time on the playground. It had a big sun in the left corner and blue clouds next to it. In the middle was he and I holding hands. This was his favorite picture. And so was it mine. The corners of my mouth curled into a small smile, while I looked at the picture. "You two must really be close.", Ian interrupted my train of thought and brought me back to the present. "Huh?". He pointed at the drawing: "You and Spencer. You two must be really close. Like father and daughter. Is he your father?", "It's hard to explain. We're not blood related and my parents never knew him before. But he was the only adult in my life, who cared about me. Who made me feel loved. He might not be my real dad, but I still see him as one.", Replied I without looking up. "Well, now I'm even more excited to meet him.", "Yeah. You will like him.", With that said I knocked on the door and opened as soon as I heard Spencer calling us in.

Spencers room only had a bed, a table with a few chairs, a tv and a second room as bathroom. It wasn't much, but enough for him. He had a lot of photos hanging on the walls. Most of the time it was him on them, in different locations. He went all around the world. There was only one photo next to his bed, where his wife was seen. It was a wedding picture. She was in a beautiful white dress, holding a bunch of flowers in her hands and looking at Spencer who was in a black suit with a black bowtie. They were both smiling at each other. It was a lovely picture. To be honest, Spencer looked really handsome back then. Brown, wavy hair, dark blue eyes, and the face of a model. Like, literally. You could see his cheekbones a little, when he looked at you and even if he had glasses, they fit him very well. And Ophelia was a very beautiful woman. They both looked great together. And I got to admit, if I would've been there when he was around 18 – 20, I would've had a huuuge crush on him. But now, he's 77 and that young look has fated a long time ago. Tho, it doesn't seem to bother him. He still had that smile from back then. He welcomed us in and I introduced Ian to him. "Ah so you are Ian. What a nice young man.", "Thank you sir! And you are Spencer, it is nice to finally meet you. Wendy told me about you.", "She also told me about you already. You make her very happy.", I went red when both of them looked at me after what Spencer said. "Spencer!", I said in a little grumpy voice. They laughed, while I crossed my arms and looked a little embarrassed away. The old man offered us to sit and we talked a while. Ian and him understood each other well. I'm very glad about that. After some time, Ian said: "I noticed all these pictures and it looks like you've traveled a lot." "Oh yeah, these were good times. When my wife was still here, she wanted to travel with me around the world. But we had a lot to do, to achieve that dream. Sadly, she got sick a few years later. So sick, that she couldn't get out of bed. Cancer. A very bad one. I wanted to help her with the money we earned for the trip, but the doctors said they couldn't do anything for her anymore. Before she died, I had to promise her to travel around the world for her. She wanted me to see the world, because I never had the chance to do it before. You should know, my parents were very rich, but because I married a black woman, they kicked me out of the family. Once, when I introduced her to them, they were shocked. They thought I was together with a white woman, but they were wrong. I told them, how much I loved her and I would never give my love up, just so I can please my parents. You should've seen the look on their faces. I was about to leave with my wife, when my father had the audacity to say: "People like her, aren't the same as us. We are noble ones. They are just rats with no home." I got so mad, I turned around, went to my father and punched him in the face. I didn't notice how hard I had punched him, but his nose was bleeding. And then I said: "If that's how noble people talk, than I would rather live homeless with the rats."", This was one of my favorite parts. Back then, when he said he would rather live homeless with the rats, rather than living with his parents, it was like a long 'Fuck you'. Spencer was actually a very nice man, always polite and never said anything about anyone. When people were mean to him, he stayed calm. So, that means his love to Ophelia was so much, that he didn't care about who was mean to her. He would've punched them in the face no matter what. THIS is LOVE. THIS is what I would like to have. Not that the man would be brutal, but not be afraid of holding back. Ian was just as shocked and stunned like I was, when I heard it the first time. It's like coming out of a movie. "WOW, that is very brave of you! Ophelia was really lucky to have found you.", "Yes and I was lucky too. 8 years of my best life. 28th of August. A good day for humanity, but not for me. She never got to hear the wonderful speech of Arthur Luther King. While everybody else was crying happy tears, mine were sad. I loved her more, then you could ever imagine. I would've gone to the worst place on earth, just for her to be healed again. But the only thing I could do for her, is to be there. And that was very, very painful for me. Seeing this one person, the only person you really love, dying right in front of you, knowing they're in pain, but there's nothing you can do. But you know, she never stopped smiling, not even when she died. I could never forget her last words. "Death is permanent, but Love stays forever. I will wait as long as I have to for you. I will wait, till our time has come to meet each other again. No matter how, no matter when. I'll wait for you, my love." And you know Nina, no matter when it will happen, that I will leave, you can be assured, I will be happy. And then, me and my love will look out for you. My sweet Nina." He stretched his hand out and brushed my cheek softly. You could hear his voice cracking and his eyes were tearing up. His words made my heart warm and I felt happy. I know I might lose him soon, but I will never forget what he did for me and I know he will be there for me when I need him in the future. Ian watched from beside with a nice smile on his face. Suddenly, Spencer turned to the side, looking at his bed. "Isn't that right Ophelia? We will protect her, no matter what.", I was already used to it, but Ian got a little confused. When he looked at me, he understood and just stayed silent. I took Spencer's hand, which was still on my cheek and said: "Thank you, Spencer. Thank you for everything. But you know, I know I will never be alone. Even if you might be gone, I will still have my other family. The gang and Ian. I know, that they will also be there for me, when I need them. So, you don't have to worry about me. I'm in good hands.", "I know, I know. And you young man, could you do something for me?", He turned to Ian. "Please, take care of my Nina, will you?" Ian nodded and said: "I will. I promise."

At 15:30 pm we left the asylum. The whole day with Ian and Spencer was really nice. I enjoyed it. "So, do you have something to do now?", Ian asked while stretching his arms. "Actually, no. Do you still want to do something?", "Sure. Do you have an idea, of what we could do? Maybe we could go to the movies or go eat?", "Nah, I don't know...But I might have an idea where we could go.", Without asking, Ian followed me to the bus stop. We went all the way to central park. It might be dark and cold by now, but I haven't been here for quite some time. I showed Ian my favorite place in the park, with the benches. We found two benches next to each other, lied down on them, our heads touching. We looked up to the stars. What a day. There was so much going on, that I couldn't keep up. "This place is nice.", said Ian. "Yeah...I used to go here with my grandma. She died when I was five, but I can still remember her very well. She was the mom of my dad. And she was so different from him. Loving, nice and caring. When my parents were busy doing something else, she would always take care of me. And when they fought, we went for walk in the park. So I wouldn't notice the things, that happened at home.", "Wow...I'm sorry, that you had to go through so much. I didn't know.", "It's ok. I didn't know about your past as well. I actually wanted to ask you. How was your family? I mean, you only mentioned your mum, but what about your dad?" He stayed silent for a few seconds. "...I don't remember him. I just know, that he left when I was born. From what I heard of my mum, my dad was not a nice man. He would hurt her a lot and when she was pregnant, he wanted her to abort me. But she refused and so he left.", "But if he hurt her, why didn't she just leave him?", "She was young and well young people do dumb stuff sometimes. But, I'm glad he left. The life with her was so great. She was always there for me and took great care. She was the best mom in the world. ... I wish I knew what happened to her.", "What do you mean?", "I know she died, but I don't know why or how. I can't remember anything and I think it's how Dr. Walker said. Gedeon is like a wall. Between me and the truth. I don't know why, but whenever I think about it, about her, I have a weird feeling. I feel like, something important happened, but it was also horrible. I want to remember, I want to know. But I'm also scared of what will happen, if I find out.", "You don't have to be scared. Whatever happened is in the past. You can't change it. But you can stay here. In the present. It's nice, you know?", He giggled. It's actually cute. We were watching the stars, but didn't talk much. Then he said: "I want to thank you, Wendy. You are my first real friend. And even if you knew, what's wrong with me, you stayed and said you wanted to help me. You introduced me to your friends and they greeted and accepted me as well. You immediately got with me to a doctor, so he could help me understand what's happening and what I should do about it. And you showed me, that not being blood related doesn't mean you can't be a family. Your friends are great, your family is great. And I'm really, really glad, that I met you. So, thanks." I blushed and yet again smiled. I didn't know, how much it meant for him. All of it. "I'm also glad, we met. Funny. A few months ago, I was exactly here on this bench, looking at the stars. I wished for a soulmate. I guess wishes do come true. You're also a great friend, Flowerboy. And I hope we stay friends forever.", "Of course we will! We will always be there for each other. Whenever you need help, you can come to me. You have my word, Ravengirl.", At that time, I didn't know how much help I would need.