Cover Your Tracks [HS][2014 VERSION]

24. Snap Out of It

"Under a spell, you're hypnotized. Darlin', how could you be so blind? . . ."

I'm overwhelmed by the presence of Harry looming over me, the shadow his large frame creates falling across my face. The sun behind him illuminates the outline of his body, his wild mop of curls atop his head, and the corners of his eyes. The sight would be something of beauty if his expression didn't hold a glare.

There was a certain look in his eye that set me on edge. It was the same as the night we met, and similar to that of the one where he took off just after seeing the fire that Miles had started in my yard. I had only seen that look on those two occasions, but I could recognize it anywhere. It caused shivers to run down my spine and adrenaline to pulse through my veins, filling my body with fear.

There have been many occasions where I've been at the police station where my father works and witnessed people being brought in. Their stories were different, each unique in their own way, but I noticed a particular pattern among them. They all entered the doors the same way; involuntarily, and without ease. Often there would be lots of screaming, the kind that causes your blood to curdle, and thrashing about as the officers drug them along.

I would always be stood beside the reception desk, silently watching as they entered. Each one went unwillingly, having to be pulled and tugged until they eventually stopped resisting and accepted the consequences of their actions.

They would stop fighting, but if you looked closely, they were all burning with rage. The muscles in their bodies were tense as they tried to keep in their anger, restraining themselves from making the problem worse than it already was.

And I knew, Harry had that same look right now. We're so close that I can see my distorted reflection in his eyes. The expression on my face is one of horror, while the one on his is full of hate.

He's oddly restrained and calm as he looks down at me, green eyes trained intently on my face. His gaze travels between us, glancing back and forth between the white color produced by skin stretching over bone and the rocks that crumble beneath the weight of our bodies.

Slowly, he releases his hold on one of my shoulders to place the palm of his hand over my heart. His eyes then flicker up to mine, meeting my frightened gaze.

"Your heart, it's beating so fast," he observes, putting more pressure on my chest. "Tell me, if you fell, would it drop to the bottom of your stomach, or would it soar to the top of your throat?" he muses deviously, using his hand to tilt my chin up.

"Harry, please."

"Please...what?" he inquires, turning his head to the side in mock confusion.

"Let me go," I beg, pleading with both my voice and my eyes. He seems to consider it for a moment, staring at me in silence.

"Country," he murmurs quietly. His voice is softer now, less condescending than before. "If you're going to be around me, you need to learn some things. I don't mean to be cruel, but this is the only way I know how to teach you."

Although his tone has been reduced from anger, there's an edge in his voice that is anything but friendly. It sounds like a threat disguised as a simple misunderstanding, and I don't know what to do but listen.

"Just do me a favor and never, ever say that about me again, because if you say I'm a problem, I may be tempted to show you just how problematic I can really be," he warns, tightening his grip on my chin as if to prove his words. The bottom half of his palm rests beneath it, at the top of my throat. He could do a lot of damage, I realize, if only he decided to give it a little squeeze.

I bring myself out of the daze his words put me in and shake my head, doing my best to nod even though my face is in his hold. He scans his eyes over mine a few times before he takes a few steps back, pulling me with him. I keep my grip on the fabric of his shirt and move willingly, wishing for nothing more than to get away from the edge of the cliff and move to safer ground.