Scarlett The Devil's Daughter

by S J Crabb

  Chapter Twenty One

  As I exit the room I am surprised to see my brothers in the distance. They look as if they have just arrived but I know that they left ages before us.

  Suddenly an icy feeling spreads through my body. I should have guessed from the moment they left. They had a job to do tonight and it was on the instructions of my father. The trouble is I know exactly what that job was and know that my world is about to come crashing down.

  I head back to find my seat trying to ignore the knot in my stomach. There is nothing I can do but pick up the pieces.

  I must be so engrossed that I am surprised when somebody knocks past me and I almost fall over. Looking up I notice Taylor smirking at me. "Well well Scarlett from Hicksville. Making the most of your last few nights in a real town are we?"

  I push my anger firmly down inside me. I don't have the time or the energy for her tonight and just give her a withering stare.

  She carries on. "I wouldn't worry about Drake when you've gone. He is a popular guy and won't be lonely for long. There are plenty of other girls queuing up to take your place; I just thought that you would like to know that he won't be pining after you for too long."

  I carry on walking and it annoys her. She grabs hold of my arm and pulls me back hissing. "Don't you walk away from me you low life scum. I realise that you may not have the intelligence to answer me when I'm speaking to you but didn't your mama tell you it's rude to walk away when someone is talking to you?"

  I sigh heavily and pulling my arm away turn to face her and look at her wearily. "Listen Taylor, I really don't have time for this so I'm gonna make this easy on you. I know why you hate me so much and that's fine. You don't like seeing Drake with someone else and you're hitting out. I totally get that I mean if it was me I wouldn't like it either. I haven't done anything to you and nor will I so leave me alone. Your words don't hurt me because I live with much worse than you could ever throw at me. So just take my advice and back off. I'll be gone soon and you won't have me to worry about. The trouble is people like you waste far too much energy worrying about other people and not enough on being the best that you can be. I am sure that you're a great girl underneath it all and if I had stayed who knows we may have found that we have more in common than you think, I mean Drake wouldn't have gone out with you if you weren't nice underneath this bitchy exterior. So just leave me alone Taylor and I will you."

  Before she can speak the door flies open and my brothers fill the hallway. They see us standing there and I see their eyes narrow. Taylor pulls herself up straight and fixes a sexy look on her face.

  Caleb looks between us and sneers. "What are you doing here Scarlett? Oh let me guess visiting lover boy. Well take one last look at his brother before Marius changes his appearance for the worst."

  Taylor giggles beside me and I glare at them.

  Caleb laughs. "If I were you I'd take my seat, it's gonna start in a minute so enjoy the fight I know that I am."

  I walk away from them all without another word. I don't have any more time to waste with people like them. Now I know why Drake finished with Taylor. She may be beautiful but she is ugly inside, whereas he is perfection throughout.

  I make my way into the sports hall and look for my family. As I thought they are sitting in the front row behind the ring. As I approach Luna waves excitedly. "Here Scarlett, I've saved you a seat next to me." I see my father frown and my sisters sneer at me. Sighing I sink down beside Luna.

  "This is so exciting isn't it Scarlett? You must point your boyfriend out to me. I bet he's really hot."

  I notice that once again my father frowns and now my sisters look interested. I can see that the place is almost full and there is a huge amount of noise and anticipation.

  I hate fighting despite my background and wish that I was as far away from here as I could get. I can see Layla sitting in the front row across from us and can tell that she is anxious. Even from here I can see how beautiful she is. Typical Marius, he obviously chose the best looking girl in school. Unusually though she has a personality to match and I wonder if that is as much the attraction to him as her looks. We don't get much love at home that's for sure and like me he probably craves it like the air that we need to breathe.

  There is a big roar from the crowd as the contestants make their way to the ring. My heart goes out to Dylan who despite putting on a brave face must be feeling extremely worried. Drake walks beside him and my heart breaks. This is going to be the toughest night for them both and there is nothing I can do to help them.

  Luna shrieks excitedly as we see Marius flanked by Ash and Caleb. They make an intimidating sight and just look around them with their usual air of boredom.

  Once again I look at Layla and can see the fear and anxiety in her expression. I smile to myself. Perfect. If she can just maintain it for a little bit longer then I will have one less thing to worry about.

  Ashley nudges me. "Is that your boyfriend Scarlett? The hot brooding one with the wicked tattoo?"

  Savannah cranes her neck to see and Luna grips hold of my arm.

  "Goodness Honey, I can see why you've been spending so much time there, he's hot."

  Once again my father looks irritated and looks at Drake with animosity. Savannah looks interested. "Hmm he certainly has something I'll give you that. I prefer more Ivy league than Rock star but each to their own."

  That doesn't surprise me as both of the twins have certain standards that they want to maintain and it appears that that is all that matters to them.

  As I look at Drake my heart fills with love for him. He is concentrating on helping Dylan in his corner and I wish that I could be there supporting them.

  Soon the referee calls them both forward and they take their places. There is a hushed silence in the hall as the anticipation grows. I dig my finger nails into my hands to stem how nervous I feel; I must be strong and show no emotion.

  As they face each other I can tell how nervous Dylan is. You wouldn't know it just by looking at him but I can see it in his eyes. Marius will also see it and I hope that it doesn't go against my plan.

  My brothers like nothing more than sensing someone's fear just before they strike. They feed off of it and I can only hope that Marius reserves that particular pleasure for the next opponent.

  I can see Layla looking devastated opposite me and then suddenly the bells rings. Holding my breath I focus on the men in the ring. I can't see Marius's face as he has his back to us so don't know what he will do.

  They circle each other warily and I can tell that Marius is waiting for Dylan to make the first move. Suddenly Dylan lunges forward and I watch with horror as Marius moves sharply to the side whilst bringing up his fist in one swift sharp move. The contact is brutal and I watch as Dylan's head snaps back as he feels the full force of the blow. He staggers back and there is silence as the whole room watches in disbelief as he falls to the floor out for the count.

  The referee goes to him and counts to ten and calls him out. There is uproar in the room. Marius moves back to his corner and Caleb turns around and looks at me triumphantly. I know what he is thinking and I don't care. $100 was nothing to lose in the grand scheme of things. No my winnings are much greater than even he realises.

  My father sees the look between us and looks at us with interest. Luna is cheering and jumping around madly but I cannot celebrate. My sisters look bored and my father just claps slowly.

  Looking over at Drake I see him crouched over Dylan checking him over anxiously. The doctor is called and they carry him from the ring. I stand up to go to them and my father hisses, "Sit down Scarlett. The evening isn't over yet and you must watch your brother fight. Remember where your loyalties lie." I sit back down again with a scowl.

  The next fighter is called and I see the fear in his eyes as he faces my brother. This time when the bell rings Marius doesn't hold back. All of his pent up rage explodes in the ring and the fight is soon stopped before he kills the o
ther guy.

  In total Marius fights five opponents and shows no mercy. He is declared the winner and the noise in the room is deafening. My father looks around him with a triumphant gleam in his eyes. Luna grabs hold of his arm with excitement and he smiles indulgently at her. The twins just play with their phones and look bored. My brothers look around them disdainfully and Marius doesn't look like he even broke into a sweat.

  As I look at my family once again I hate them intensely. Nothing matters to them except winning and showing everyone else how superior they are. They don't stop to think about anyone else and the damage they cause in getting what they want.

  Suddenly I feel as if I can't breathe. The stench of evil fills my nostrils and I feel as if I am drowning in it. I think of Drake and Dylan and my eyes fill up. I hope that they are ok, that was just the start of the nightmare that is probably unfolding right now.