6

BLOOD RUSHED THROUGH MY VEINS and pulsed in my ears. The pumping heart in my chest pulsed between my lungs, my breathing was ragged and heavy as sweat seeped through my pores. I raised my arm, wiping away the moisture across my forehead, eyes trained on the opponent that stood before me. A hot trail of blood trickled down from my throbbing nose, pooling along my lips. Blue and purple hues molded around my opponents left eye in a bruise, an after effect of my left hook. Her uppercut was just as effective.

Multiple pairs of eyes burned holes where their gazes trained themselves, watching me with an interest just as my opponent did. Assessing my every move, waiting to see what happened next. It was who made a mistake, and who out performed the other. 

My focus wasn’t on them. Besides the high ceiling and dark brick walls, there was nothing else I let my eyes rest on besides the woman in front of me. Other than the distant sounds of grunting, bodies being slammed on the mats, and heavy breathing, the large gym was silent. Breaths were held, mouths were open, and the anticipation was weighing in. 

My opponent’s curly black hair was tied back in a tight bun, her cocoa brown eyes dilated and watching every move I made, just as the spectators did. Each blink of the eye, each tick in the muscle, she noticed. I watched her with the same intensity, every move she made, I was calculating her next. My long honey blonde hair was tied in a high ponytail, the ends sticking to my back as it was soaked with sweat. 

We stayed in our fighting positions, sizing each other up, for a few more minutes. Watching; waiting for the other to dare make a move. We had been in the ring since we arrived after classes, and had been going at it for at least forty-five minutes. We were both visibly exhausted, yet eager to see who would come out on top today. 

DING. Our trainer called our match with a ring of a bell, interrupting our tunnel vision haze. 

I winced, my stance slowly relaxing. The fight was never over until one surrendered, or defeated. A lesson I learned my first several classes here at this kickboxing gym. After a moment's pause, Molly followed suit. “You need a new bell,” I grumbled. The ringing still echoed in my ears as I rubbed them.

Molly turned her back to me, then began unwrapping her hands. “He won’t,” she commented with a snort. 

My shoulders lifted in a shrug as my eyes landed on David’s bald head. “Just like he won’t grow hair?” I stifled a grin as he glared at me. 

Molly glanced at me over her shoulder. “Can’t, or won’t?

A laugh bubbled to the surface, and I let it free. It was always a good light feeling, to laugh and smile, and I welcomed it wholly. I began to unwrap my hands, biting down on the inside of my cheek to keep from being too obnoxious.

 Our trainer, David, ignored my very helpful suggestions. “Well done today, ladies.” David shifted his bald head to Molly, his baby blue eyes specifically trained on her as he spoke. “Keep it up, Molly, and I might get you on the cards this weekend.” 

 I paused, watching Molly as she processed what David had just said. Getting us on a card, meant we got to fight in the ring during the fight nights here at the University. College level athletes only, and Molly’s been waiting for months to get on the card. It was a topic she talked about non stop, and I hadn’t heard the end of it since I first started here two months ago. 

To my surprise, Molly didn’t react the way I thought she would. Instead of overwhelming joy, an infectious smile, and a “thank you so much”, she instead gave David a curt nod. “Okay.

I frowned, continuing to undo the purple wrap around my sore knuckles. Molly had just finished as David began to walk away, giving me a side eye that said to speak to her about it. I nodded once, then looked back at Molly. “Girl, you’ve been waiting months for a card…” I trailed off, hoping she would fill in where I was lost.

Molly sighed, her dark caramel skin flexing as she rolled her shoulders beneath her blue sports bra. “It’s complicated, Ang.

My eyebrows furrowed, now thoroughly confused. “What’s so complicated about it?” 

Her voice lowered, a sad ring to it that made my heart clench. “Med school is kicking my ass,” she grumbled, shaking her head. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep this up for four years, and then some.” Lifting the ropes, Molly climbed off the mat, and I followed suit. 

Picking my bag up off the cement floor, I threw it over my shoulder and followed Molly back to the locker rooms. “Molly, you’re literally the toughest girl I know. If anyone can make it through Medical School, and kick people’s ass on Friday nights, it’s you.

The corner of her lips tilted upward. “Maybe,” she murmured, obviously lost in her own thoughts and mental battle.

I playfully jabbed her in the side with my elbow. “I believe you, Mol. You just have to believe in yourself.

Molly turned her head, eyes shining as they met mine. “Thank you, Ang.

I faced forward, my heart warming for Molly. “Always.” 

───☪───

SHIFTING MY SILVER Nissan Altima into park, I let my head fall back on the padded headrest with a sigh. My eyes fluttered closed as the exhaustion tugged down heavily on me. I molded myself into the seating, my body slouching as I relaxed. I let out a long breath of air, dreading my morning classes at Valley City State. 

The University sat in the South East corner of North Dakota, sixty-four acres of absolute misery. High school was bad enough, but college was something else entirely. Our graduation rate sat on the very low average across the States, and most days I contemplated joining the already high percentage of dropouts. Environmental Science was kicking my ass, and we were only half way through the first semester.

A vibration jolted me upright. Tugging the device from the jacket pocket, I read the notification lit up on the phone screen. 

Dorm party tn, u down?

I rolled my eyes, tugging on my bottom lip with my teeth. When I first arrived here at the University, I was all about the parties, and sporting massive hangouts from the excessive drinking via the night prior. Back then, I was big on using the alcohol to numb myself, and to escape the reality I nearly refused to accept.

Five months ago, my father was murdered right in front of my eyes and I was helpless to defend him, or myself from the assailant. I had never felt so useless and defeated in my life, until that moment. It hadn’t taken long for the relentless motivation to better myself, and to control these gifts, to kick my ass into gear. I never wanted to feel helpless, ever again. I wanted to be in control of my fate, no one else. Yet another reason why I chose to leave the others, and go separate ways. 

Reginald, or Reggy as I now liked to reference him as behind his back, was true to his promise and let me return home. Although, I never stepped foot near it once I left. Mason had returned me to my car that early morning, and I drove right past the two story house without so much as a glance. The bright yellow tape and police vehicles were obvious enough from the corner of my eye. 

The loss of my father still burned a deep ache, but I kept it buried and locked away, far out of reach. I hadn’t let myself grieve, but I felt that I was doing those around me a favor. Last time my emotions were caught out of my control, I had hurt someone. I refused to let that happen again. 

Every night, before I let myself drown into the black pit of my unconsciousness, I pulled on the energy and power that smoldered within. Focusing on the bolts of lightning, they crackled between my fingertips until they formed a powerful bull of electricity. With the other hand, I felt out for the water flowing within the pipes of my room, letting my energy flow with the liquid as if it and I, were one. If I focused hard enough, my entire arm, blood, skin, bones and all, would morph into pure H2O. 

They were small accomplishments, but ones I was proud of. 

Felix, the man that murdered my father, was never far from my mind either. When I had vowed to myself to practice control, I vowed revenge as well. He had put two bullets in my father’s chest, poison in his veins, and placed the barrel of that same gun to my forehead. He deserved what was coming for him. 

Death.

Shrugging back the heaviness that settled within my chest as the thoughts of revenge swirled through my mind, I blinked and focused on the device within my hands. Unlocking my phone, I quickly typed out a response to Molly and hit send.

Yolo.

Her reply came within seconds.

Hell yes. Be ready in an hour, b.

My lips twitched upward, and I shook my head. Molly has been nothing short of a blessing since I arrived here at the Uni. She’s saved me from myself more times then I could count, and she didn’t even realize it. 

Lol yes, ma’am.

And she never would; Molly’s life was not worth the risk.

Stepping out of my vehicle, I tugged my jacket around my torso as the breeze swept across my face. The sun was setting and the temperature was dropping rather quickly. It had been seventy degrees today, but once the sun was below the horizon in North Dakota, it was as if the state was slowly freezing over. 

Okay, that was a little dramatic, but I hate the cold. 

I naturally craved heat; just the thought of a night chill, or that white puffy shit that falls from the sky three to four months out the year made me shiver. 

Yuck.

Locking the car, I made my way to the dorms as fast as my legs would allow, all the while attempting to stay upright and not faceplant. One of the blocks of pavement was hitched higher than the others, and despite walking that damn sidewalk a million times, I still managed to catch my toes on it and tripped. I yelped, flailing forward, my face sailing to the ground in blurring speed.

Just before my head cracked open on the cement like an egg, a hand reached out and snagged my upper arm, tugging me upright. I gasped, catching my breath as I turned to thank whoever had just saved my face from being splattered all over the pavement. 

“Thank you,” I mumbled, pretending to dust myself off, hoping my cheeks wouldn’t be as bright red as they felt, I raised my eyes as I stood up straight. 

He’s cute.

Shaggy dirty blonde hair, and diamond blue eyes met my gaze. He wore a pair of blue jeans, matching denim jacket and a grey shirt underneath. His thighs stretched the material, his chest filling out the shirt as much as his biceps did the jacket. He was built, and it was damn fine to look at. 

“It’s not a problem,” he replied, straight white teeth gracing me with their presence, and I nearly swooned. 

Maybe gods were real, I thought to myself. Not at all drooling over the dude. 

I ran a hand through my tangled dirty blonde strands. “Sorry,” I muttered, attempting to play it cool and not at all succeeding. “What’s your name?” The shyness in my voice was very obvious, and I’m pretty sure my cheeks and nose were tomato red with how hot they felt.

A light chuckle escaped his lips, and my eyes immediately dropped to watch the movement. “Davis,” he answered. “Davis Matthew.” 

He stuck out his hand in greeting, and I gladly accepted his hand as I raised my gaze with a gentle smile. “Nice to meet you, I’m Angelina.” His eyes pop a touch, and my thoughts dive to the worst possible scenarios as to why he reacted that way. 

Does he know me? Does he know what happened to my father? Does he know what I am?

Yet, none of what my mind came up with, did he start to discuss. Gotta love anxiety, right? Instead, he said, “That’s a beautiful name.” He purred his compliment, and I’ll admit, it was hard not to drool. Sure, I’ve gotten male attention before, but Davis was truly a gift from the gods if he was so much as blessing me with his time.

Hello Knight and shining armor. 

Okay, that was a little excessive and a bit creepy, but come on. The dude literally saved my ass from smacking face first onto cold, hard cement. Who says fairytales don’t exist?

A small giggle bubbled from the back of my throat and I resisted the urge to groan. How much more embarrassing could I be? “Thanks,” I replied, purposefully looking down at my shoes and tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. Fuck it, might as well just send it.

“Well,” Davis started. I snapped my gaze back up to meet his, the smile he was sporting nearly blinding me. “I have to go, but maybe I’ll see you around?” His steps were slow as he backed away, making his way toward the lot, back the way I came. I nodded, probably a little too enthusiastically, but the laugh he gave me was worth the embarrassment. “Cool.” 

My eyes followed his retreating form longer than a normal person would have, then turned and strode inside. Hooking an immediate right, I paused at the base of the stairwell and glanced up with a groan. 

I hated stairs. 

My dorm was on the third floor, and I dreaded making my way up and down the three flights each and every single damn time I made the trip. Some days I’d have the urge to go out and get a couple of midnight snacks at the local gas station, but just the thought of those damn stairs kept my lazy ass in bed.

Trekking up the bloody things, I stared blankly at the red bricks adjourning the walls as the second floor came and went. My gaze caught on the bright red fire extinguisher, and for the hundredth time, a set of amber eyes flashed behind mine like a vision. I quickly blinked them away, burying the memory of him, of his kindness and warmth, far, far away. 

Ryder nor Hunter had said a word to me as I made my departure that day. Hunter didn’t come as a surprise, but when those amber eyes that held the brightest fire I’d ever seen within them, avoided me completely, it stung enough to burn a patch of charred coal within my chest. In a way, Ryder was the first to be truthful with me, completely, without holding anything back. Even when I pushed and asked for more. 

It was hard to forget such integrity, when all you’ve known were lies. Yet, as I walked out with his brother, the disappointment written across Ryder’s features was clear, and he let me see it, bright and plain as that molten lava behind his eyes. 

Blinking back the memory, I stuff my hands in my jacket pockets and let my gaze fall to my feet. My strides were short and slow as I climbed up the last few steps, and made my way toward my door. Room number 314,  occupied by me, myself, and I alone. 

My old roommate, Alyssa, was a medical student, but had dropped out just the other week. I didn’t say anything to her, but her stressful and near silent cries reached my room each night. I felt for her, but I never knew what to do, let alone possible say to help. So, I didn’t, and now she was gone, and it left me feeling guilty, once again, about helping and then not. 

How pathetic of me, I chastised myself, shaking my head with a heavy sigh. 

The lock sounded with a small click as I turned the key to unlock it. I turned the knob, and dragged my feet inside, shutting the door behind me with a small kick from my foot. To my left, I set my phone and keys on the white marble island countertop. Shrugging off my jacket, I flung it over the back of one of dark grey chairs, and made my way toward the shared bathroom. 

My eyes drifted over to the right side of the counter, where Alyssa’s toothbrush, a couple of strands of bright red hair, and opened a tube of toothpaste used to sit. A blank and empty countertop stared back at me, and the guilt hit me once again. Part of me told myself I shouldn’t be guilty, that she made her own choice, but it did nothing to halt what I felt. I could have done something; helped her; talk to her; comfort her during the stressful times of college. But instead I did nothing. I left her helpless to her stress, meltdowns, and late night panic attacks. 

Yet, for a moment I believed I had changed, but as I stared at the counter, I knew nothing was different. 

My head kept swirling my mind into deeper, and darker circles. I let it, dragging myself deeper into the pit I often found myself drowning in. My head grew heavy as I backed against the door, leaning my weight onto the wood. The dense weight on my chest enlarged, and my body slowly sunk to the ground. Flashes of my father’s pale face, lifeless eyes and pooled blood around his body replayed on repeat. 

When the tears began blurring my vision, the flashes of memory switched to the power I had at my disposal. To Ryder’s hiss as I burned his skin, and the flash of fear within those amber eyes of his. Fear of me. 

As the bathroom light overhead flickered, the memory switched again, echoing Alyssa’s cries within my head. They grew louder, and I began to whimper and weep, cradling my knees to my chest as tightly as I could manage. The feel of my muscles burning was the only thing that kept me grounded as sobs racked my body. 

My weight on my chest never eased, but in time, as the light above eventually blinked out, my cries softened to light whimpers, and the tears dried along my cheeks, I managed to bear the weight as I stood. Facing myself in the mirror, I stared at my reflection and attempted to not repulse at the sight. 

My eyes were swollen and blotchy, reddened with tears. My dirty blonde hair was a mess of snarls and tangled strands framing my cheekbones. I tore a piece of toilet paper from the roll to my left, wiping away the snot that threatened to trickle from my button nose. 

As much as I would love to say that I haven’t felt this pathetic in a long time, I could not. This, as much as I hated to admit it, was a near nightly occurrence. My fake façade of improvement, vigorously physically and mentally strong, was just that. Fake.

Every time I looked in the mirror, I saw a weak girl with daddy issues, and the lack of motivation to do anything about it. Sure, I practiced every night, but it’s been five month, and I haven’t even been able to begin to master my abilities. Hell, I didn’t even have a clue as to what all of them were.

Sometimes I would often think about the “what if”. What if I had stayed, trained with the boys, and learned all there was to know? What if I had stayed, learned the truth about my parents, about what really happened to my mother, and what it all meant for me? What if I had stayed, and gotten myself killed just like my parents? What if I had stayed, and someone else got hurt because I was too weak to defend anyone, even myself?

An endless cycle of reminders, spinning and digging myself deeper than anyone should ever travel. I would never admit it aloud, my pride would never allow it, but I could admit it to myself all day long: I was depressed, anxiety ridden, and I felt utterly hopeless. I was officially at the lowest point in my life, and I often wondered if my parents would be happy to see me again so soon.

I lowered my eyes from the mirror, and just as the tears began to resurface, three hard knocks sounded at my door. My body jolted with surprise, wondering why Molly was here when we usually just met at the parties. 

Had it been an hour already?

Reaching forward, I turned on the faucet to cold and hurriedly patted my face with the cool water. It wouldn’t do much, but I was hoping it would help some. If anything, my pride won above all else, and I refused to let anyone see me at my lowest. 

But he had.

I grumbled, annoyed with my thoughts as I turned off the faucet. Snatching the towel off of the counter, I quickly dried my hands. Three more knocks sounded, and I jumped. “I’m coming, hoe,” I shouted. “Slow your roll.” Jogging over to the door, I unlatched the lock, and swung the door wide open. But it wasn’t Molly on the other side of my door.

Mason smiled gently, his bright emerald green eyes shimmering with hesitancy as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Hey,” he started. My mouth gaped open, but I closed it when the other two stepped into view. 

My gaze raised to meet the hard grey ones of Hunter, his nose flared in annoyance. With his arms crossed over his broad chest, it was obvious this was the last place he wanted to be.

Feeling’s mutual, buddy.

A slow burn grew on the side of my head, his gaze smoldering hot as I met it. Ryder’s expression was blank, unreadable, but his eyes told me something different. He was pissed, scorching hot and boiling within his own skin. The heat radiating from his skin wafted off of him in waves, striking me in the face with an intensity I almost couldn’t bear. Whatever was going through that hot head of his, was heavy and overwhelming that lit the already raging fire within.

Tearing my gaze from the captivating pair of amber eyes, I focused my attention back on Mason in an attempt to ignore the other two. It didn’t work of course, but they didn’t know that. 

“What?” I blurted, my own anger building. The electric shocks began sizzling and hissing within my core. I bit down on the inside of my cheek, drawing blood as I fought for control over my emotions, and the power I held.

Mason winced, and I had to bite back a frown. I didn’t like when he did that, but as the next few words left his mouth, I simply regretted the sympathy. “We need your help.

Flaring my nose, I hid my stir of emotions behind a mask of anger, and slammed the door in their faces. 

Fuck. No.

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