“What do you mean? The fights?” She shakes her head in defiance. “I can’t do that.”
“That and everything else. You’re wasting your life away for someone who doesn’t even deserve it.”
“It’s not because of him, Brandon.” She says through clenched teeth.
“Really? Then what is it? Explain to me what is so horrible that you have to risk your life to get rid of the feeling? This isn’t who you are. It’s what you’ve become.”
“I was attacked.” She blurts out without much thought. Her eyes widen at the words that her mouth couldn’t contain.
“What?” He asks with great confusion.
She can’t hide it any longer. It’s been a secret for so long that she can’t do it anymore. “The night I went looking for Julian, I was attacked.” She explains.
“What do you mean by attacked.”
“You know what I mean Brandon.” Her eyes blister in emotion at the remembrance of that day.
He is lost for words. “Alyssa.” He wraps his arms around her tightly and she welcomes it. “What happened?”
Alyssa tells him everything. She was raped. She hates to even think about such a tragic word, but it’s the truth. The night she went looking for Julian to get some kind of explanation from her he had already vanished and in his absence a group of men attacked her. She never liked to consider herself weak, but sometimes it’s the weakness that makes you stronger in general. Everything happens for a reason and because of that night she found protection in herself. That’s why underground fighting is important to her. It’s dangerous and stupid, but it teaches her to become attentive to her surroundings and cautious of her movements. She will never go back to the girl who couldn’t defend herself. Never again.
“Everything will be okay. I’m here.” His words comfort her. It’s true. Brandon will always be here. She knows that now. If only Julian wasn’t.
Alyssa pulls herself away from Brandon’s reassuring grip and smiles her tears away. “I forgot to ask Matt Hanson about his, DJ uncle, to play at prom.” She bites her lip nervously. “That’s going to be an issue.”
Her best friend just laughs at her randomness. That’s just like Alyssa. Every problem she has she tends to ignore. When she found out that her father was cheating on her mother with his secretary, she went out dancing. Or when she failed economics because her therapist kept taking her out of class, she went to the library after school and left when it closed. He even remembers the time where her mother forgot her eighteenth birthday. All she did was throw the biggest bash and smiled like it didn’t even matter to her. He admires the way she willingly lets go of everything and makes herself believe that everything will get better, even if things don’t go the way she acts.
“I will always be here for you. I love you. You should know that.”
“I love you too, Brady.” She smiles at him with confidence. “I will be alright, no more worrying.”
He nods. “No more worrying.”
“Oh, and Brady?”
“Yeah?”
“I don’t think I need the car anymore.”
They both decided that they needed a normal day for once where they didn’t have to worry about anything other than their friendship. That statement led them to watch endless episodes of ‘One Tree Hill, Alyssa’s all-time favorite show.
He just stares at his other half, as he liked to consider her. She’s laughing at the cat fight between Brooke and Peyton. The only time only time he’s ever seen her so distant and lifeless was the time Julian left her. Right after she woke up from her coma. He’s the one that called out to her when she jumped off the bridge. That was stupid of her. She was lucky that he jumped after her and impacted the movement of their bodies so they wouldn’t hit the rocks like she aimed for.
How could one person cause so much damage? Now he knows why. The impact on her with the way Julian left her was painful for her, but her heart would have mended. Her sanity won’t mend at the trauma from being raped by not just one man but a group of them. If he knew that before, he would have been more sensitive to her and tried to not push her to get over Julian when he’s only a minority of the problem. Julian crushed her beyond repair though. For months she would walk around like a zombie, not caring about anything or anyone.
Brandon remembers how she’d zoned out everyone around her. How she would walk with no destination. It was as if she was undead. Her eyes were blood shot from the crying. Her face paled to a chalk-like color. Her hair always fell on her face hiding from everyone. She wouldn’t talk to anyone, not even him. The only thing she did to show that she was listening was by nodding her head. They called her the walking dead at school, but no one would ever make fun of her because she was Alyssa, Julian’s Girlfriend, and the last thing they wanted was to get on Julian’s bad side. No one knew that he left her for good and he knew that Alyssa wouldn’t have accepted the truth at the time.
He knew form the start that Julian wasn’t good for her. His reputation was questionable and he always carried his secrets around like a tease. Alyssa used to laugh at them because they thought of Julian like a powerful god. He could strike at any Moment and you wouldn’t even notice until he’s finished. The teachers all let him have his way; the student body would never be closer than five feet away from him. Alyssa was the only one who broke into him. His memories drive him to the time where students started to think that Julian would be more socialable, but he proved them all wrong. No one knew what he did to the poor kid, but they all knew it was horrible because since that day, Kevin Jackson would flinch at the mention of Julian. He might have scared many people with his actions, but Brandon would give up his life to protect his best friend.
Alyssa could see the frown growing slightly on Brandon’s face. She’s been pretending to watch the show, but it’s not much fun when she’s conflicted with herself. She must be worrying him, but she will pretend she notices nothing. Last thing she needs is comfort for something that’s beyond her reach. She’ll deal with everything her way. All wants to do if forget and move on. It might be difficult with her past, but it’s time to finally come to terms that nothing will ever be the same, therefore, she had to adapt to her new life and be prepared to take on new blows that she will either let it break her or heal her.
Julian, or the men who raped her, won’t get the best of her. She will fight to keep herself sane. She will make sure that they all know that she’s stronger than she ever has been because this is a battle and in battles you don’t lose unless you want to die. She’s not ready to die.
War between Lovers
“How are you holding up?” Brandon asks Alyssa as they walk towards their lockers. The hallway is filled with smiling teenagers and disinterested teachers who want to end the day faster than the actual students.
“I see that news spreads rather quickly.” She gazes upon her classmates who secretly stare at her direction, but look away as if she would attack them. It takes her back four years ago. They would do the same thing.
He shrugs. “Don’t let it affect you.”
“It does affect me when everyone in this school is waiting for a ticking bomb to go off if they even think about coming near me.”
“It shouldn’t surprise you. They did this before and you didn’t mind.”
“That was because the man they were afraid of was my boyfriend. Now he’s my ex and I would really like being treated like another teenager instead of a mob wife.”
“They’ll come around as soon as they see that you and Julian are not together.”
She raises her eyebrow. “Do you think that would really help?”
“No?”
“Didn’t think so.” She groans at the distance between the passing students. “Did you see what happened at the parking lot?”
“No, what happened?”
“I was talking to Jaycee Keller-”
“The blonde who’s captain of the volleyball team, and has that dragon tattoo on her shoulder?”
; “Yeah, that’s her. So I was talking to her about maybe getting a live band to perform at prom instead of having Matt’s uncle play, and you know what she said?”
“That it was a great idea?”
“No. She said that she doesn’t think it would be a good idea to talk to me when Julian is around.”
“Was he around?” He asks suspiciously.
“No! That’s what I find irritating. Everyone’s treating me like a disease now that Julian’s back.”
“You really know how to pick them, Aly.”
She sighs while leaning against the side of her locker. “I know that Julian isn’t the type of man to keep close, but he won’t take out a knife and stab you with it.”
“Aly, you have to understand everyone. I might not like him. I actually hate him, but the point is that he’s not someone that you would want on your bad side. He’s the definition of dangerous and he has his mark all over you.”
“You’re not scared though.” She states.
“Being brave and scared are two different things. I will always be with you, but there’s something about him that’s wrong, don’t you feel it around him?”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s a feeling that you would have the urge to run. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s the way he looks at you I guess.”
“Now, you’re just overreacting, Brady.” She laughs.
He shrugs. “I may be, but one thing is for sure, you need to stay away from him. He’s not good, Alyssa. Even you know that.”
She gently kisses his cheek. “Don’t worry, I will it make it my life’s goal to stay away from him.”
“Alyssa?” Brandon and Alyssa turns toward the man standing behind them.
“Jim?” Her eyes widen in surprise as her best friend chuckles while she stares at her long ago crush like an idiot.
“No hug? Not anything?”
“What? Oh, sorry.” She jumps up on him in a loving embrace. “It’s really you. Isn’t it, Jim-Jam?”
“I got discharged. I’m here to stay for a while.”
“Glad to have you back man. Allow your trespassing school property. You graduated years ago.” Brandon pats his shoulders.
Alyssa doesn’t let go of Jim. She did have a crush on him, actually she had for a while, but when he graduated two years ago he went into the military. She always wondered what could have happened if he stayed in the state. She pulls away slowly to stare up at him. He’s even more handsome since he left. His brown ashy hair is a contradiction to his clear blue eyes. The slim body that she knew he had has transform to that of a man with a buff body, but not too much. You can really see the role the military has played in him.
“You look even more beautiful than I remember.” Jim states lovingly.
She blushes. “Thanks. I-” The double doors of the school’s main entrance slams open, leaving the students shocked still. The all squint when the bright stray of sunlight temporary blinds them.
Julian walks down the hallway with everyone moving out of his way. No one ever willingly stayed closer to three feet away from him. That isn’t that hard since the school is too big for the population that actually goes there.
He doesn’t even try though. Alyssa doesn’t understand how everyone can fear Julian when all she could have felt towards him was a pull. His raven black hair always made his black eyes pop with malice. His choice of clothing doesn’t help his image. His leather jacket clads to his body as the shirt just defines it. His jeans are topped with a black leather belt. He looks almost the same as she remembered him four years ago. Even his eyes show no emotion like always, but as his eyes meet her she knew this isn’t the same Julian she once fell in love with. He always showed a smirk towards her way, but now his lips are pursed in a thin line. She looks away from those eyes that are too intense to hold.
Jim narrows his eyes. “Is that-?”
“Julian’s back.” Brandon informs him.
“Since when?”
“Since a week ago.”
“Alyssa?” She looks up at those blue eyes that always comforted her somehow. “Are you okay?” Jim asks.
“You know you and Brandon should get together and come up with questions that actually make me feel better. Of course I’m okay, why wouldn’t I be?”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m fine.” She turns toward Julian. “He’s a man who will not affect me, you know why?” She knows her voice is loud enough to be heard over the quiet crowd. “Because he means nothing to me.” Julian eyes bore into hers. She will stand her ground and not let him immediate her. She’s strong for this, she can do it.
Julian stops right in front of her. “At least you admit it. I can tell you the feeling is mutual.”
“I have only one thing to say to you.”
“What is it?”
She takes a few steps forward to stand right in front of him. “Stay the hell away from me.”
“That won’t be possible.”
“Why not?”
“We have unfinished business.”
“I don’t think so.”
A hand grips on her arm, pulling her back. “Alyssa, come on. Let’s get you to class.” Jim says behind her.
Julian takes a step forward. “Well, this is interesting. I left you with great company.”
She can hear the double meaning to his words. “You’re not even worth my time Julian. Have a great life. Jim, Brady, let’s just go.” She walks a few feet away, until she is pulled back by her wrist and slammed to the locker.
Julian holds both her wrists in his hands as he pressed his body to hers. She flinches from the circulation that’s being cut off from her wrist. “You come closer and I will make her pay for it.” His eyes never leave her, but she knows he’s probably warning Brandon and Jim. He leans down eyes so frightening that she shivers. She never thought that he would ever physically harm her. “I will tell you this once. Listen carefully.” He says through clenched teeth, but his eyes remain expressionless. “I live up to my name. Test me one more time and you will see exactly what I’m capable of.” He steps away from her seeing her drop on the floor with a thud.
She stares at her wrist. There’s hand marks are noticeable to confirm that he really did harm her. She closes her eyes to hold the tears back. She won’t show him weakness. He doesn’t deserve it.
“Alyssa.” Brandon’s worried voice makes her open her eyes to see him and Jim kneeling in front of her with concerned looks. Julian is nowhere in sight. “I’m going to take you home. We have to talk.”
She nods without any resistance. How can she be so stupid? She was slammed against the locker by Julian and she did nothing. All the time she has been fighting underground with touch colleagues were thrown out the window. That means she’s still not safe. She needs to go back tonight. She needs to try harder.
“I’ll meet you at her house. I have to do something first.” Jim states before he walks away.
Brandon drives her home without much conviction.
<><><>
Julian stares at the number that flashes on his smart phone. He narrows his eyes as he answers the phone call. “What is it?”
“I have found it, my king.”
“What did you find?” He questions.
“The Gem of Nephthys.” Hans, his loyal lycanthrope, has worked for him for centuries, says on the other line.
Julian nods. “How did you get it?”
“The Goddess does not know the way of the Keepers when she visits the mortal realm. As the Keepers do not know where their loyalty stands.”
“Good work, Hans. You have done more than expected. You know where to find me.”
“I will meet you at midnight as always, my King.”
“Hans, do not shift. It will hide your tracks.”
“I understand.”
He hangs up. The Gem of Nephthys is priceless. He’s been searching for years with no luck now it will finally be in his possession. Dues will not be able to trap him much longe
r. He needs more factors to have his plan work, but with the Gem it will help track everything else down. He’s getting closer to his thronum.
Julian snaps his head towards the sounds of a human running. He sees Jim Hort running towards him. He doesn’t know how a human can risk his life to follow him.
The human male stops a few feet away from him with a threating posture. “I want you to stay away from her.”
“Leave before you regret ever crossing my path.”
“You don’t understand. It’s not a question. I’m warning you to stay away from her.”
“If I choose to leave her alone it will be up to me. I make the rules.”
Jim takes a threating step towards Julian. “This isn’t a game, Julian. I will make sure that nothing harms her and if you even dare to lay another hand on her you will have to deal with me, understand?”
“I’m not very fond of threats. Watch your words; choose them wisely because it may be your last.”
“I’m not scared of you. I’m scared of what you will do to her.”
“If you are asking if I will kill her, I can answer that. I will not. I have bigger plans then just a simple kill.”
Jim shakes his head. “Just leave her alone.”
“I want you to hear me clearly. Alyssa belongs to me. I will do whatever I want to her and she will take it because that is what I expect from her. If you or Brandon come to give me empty threats, I will make it seem like wolfs attack you both. That’s my word, and I always keep my word.”
Jim couldn’t hold his anger. He throws a punch at Julian, but Julian isn’t at the same level in strength. Julian grabs Jim’s fist and flips him over. Jim tries to stand again, but Julian has a firm grip on his throat before he can blink. He forces him to stand and then he slams his head on the concrete floor.
“I don’t like threats. Make one again and you won’t live through the fight.” Julian leaves the broken man on the floor.
Indignation Page 5