Beyond The Fury

Chapter Seven

(Song- Use Somebody by Kings Of Leon)
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Ivory's POV

Before I even have time to blink fists are flying. Hardin's knuckles collide with the mans face and I struggle to breathe as they both crumble to the ground. I whip towards Bruce and watch as he rushes towards the men rumbling around on the floor.

Hardin's fist comes crashing down repeatedly onto the mans cheek and I cringe away at the bloody sight. He's not going to stop. Bruce stands near by but he doesn't do anything.

"Do something! Please!" I cry out in a shriek but Bruce does nothing. He's going murder him. My feet are moving before my mind can comprehend what is happening and I grab onto Hardin's shoulder, "Hardin stop! Stop it, you're going to kill him!" I beg loudly, tears threaten to spill from my eyes.

I yank at the fabric of his shirt and just seconds later the man beneath Hardin finally manages to crash his fist against Hardin's nose. This is such a mess.

The crack of Hardin's nose sends a horrible shiver down my spine. Blood begins to shoot out of his nostril and it trickles down his chin and onto his shirt.. but Hardin smiles.

The thick red liquid grimly leaks into his mouth and my grip on his shoulder loosens. He spits onto the floor next to my shoes and his saliva is a deep red. Just as Hardin wraps his large hands around the mans throat I am pulled away from him and roughly thrown to the other side of the room.

People have stood from their tables and are now screaming as they watch in horror. They have formed a circle around the fight and I can see out of the corner of my eye as a group of men and women dash towards the door.

This doesn't feel real. My life is never chaotic and this feels as though I am dreaming.

"Ivory, your shift is over. Go home." Bruce's eyes remain trained on Hardin and my jaw slackens.

"What? I can't just leave-"

"Go home! Now!" He grunts his demands through clenched teeth, his small eyes finally find my face. I raise both of my hands up in a form of surrendering and march my way towards the locker room to grab my things.

Bruce is fuming and I don't intend on pushing him further. Five minutes later my wobbly legs carry me to the back exit and my bag straps are slung messily over my shoulders.

My arms push open the heavy door, the cold air immediately attacks my bare skin.. however it isn't the wind that gives me goosebumps.

There is some disturbance up ahead, a dark figure throws a man to the ground and what I hear next leaves me weak. Speechless. My ears ring wildly and it's as if  time has begun moving in slow motion.

Bang! Bang!

Two rounds echo from the gun. Two bullets impale the unfortunate soul that now lays lifeless on the stony ground. The gun shots briefly light up the alleyway and I quickly clamp my hand over my mouth to muffle my scream. It's him. It's Hardin. I violently push back against the brick wall and crouch down behind a large garbage bin. The smell of rotten food fills my nostrils but nothing can mask the stench of death that now lingers throughout the entire alleyway.

Hardin just shot someone.. The rude man from inside..

Hot tears prick my eyes and when I am certain I am alone I bolt from my hiding place and towards the lights of the street. Hoping that it will offer me some sort of sanctuary.

I tumble over one of my heels as it slips from my foot, but instead of sliding it back on I kick the other off and run for the hills- or my apartment for that matter.. barefoot.

Rain conjures a sweet but deadly pattern upon my skin. Billions of clear globes cascade from London's confident night sky. I shiver, my hands come up to wrap around my torso as I weakly try to provide myself with some sort of warmth. My head whips and snaps over my shoulders as I try to make sure I am not being followed. I can just feel that I am not alone..

My pace begins to quicken as I continue my jog to my apartment. I practically fall through the front door when I arrive home, my hair is soaking and my stress it sticking to my damp skin.

I push my back harshly against my front door and my eyes fall shut as I let out a trembling sigh. Hardin killed a man. He murdered someone innocent. The hairs on the back of my neck stand uncomfortably and it's only then that realise I still haven't turned on any of my apartment lamps.

I inhale deeply and notice a scent that lingers.. Cigarettes? Pine? Alcohol? None of which I associate myself with.

The darkness shades the living room from the streetlights outside, like a thick velvet curtain at an opera show.

I shakily bring my hand up to the sleeve of my dress, slowly peeling it from my shoulder only to be stopped by the eeriest sound I have ever heard. A cough.

My eyes widen with fear as they dart in the direction the noise has came from and I notice a dark silhouette of someone's frame. My heart begins beating so fast that I'm sure it can be heard by the intruder. It is as if it's going to jump out of my rib cage and run away.

My hands tremble and my eyes begin to water as I timidly reach my hand towards to door knob of my front door. Something is in the darkness- watching and waiting. And it is everything but good.

With every move I make terror twists and tightens in my chest, like a sharp blade being forced through the protective plate of my sternum.

"I wouldn't do that, Ivory." I stop. Completely paralysed by the familiar voice. I'd long forgotten that he did indeed eventually find out my name.

"Hardin.. What are you doing here?"