Affliction.

Chapter 6:

Standing up, I huddled close to the graffiti wall behind me as I watched the barbaric scene unfold.

"Dove got a boyfriend?" The man who had advanced on me sneered. "Not so innoce-"

Before he could finish off, a punch landed right between his crossed eyes and he fell back, sputtering red.
But my guardian angel had no intention of stopping. He brought him closer by the collar of his chekered shirt, and drove a blow, this time, on his eye.

It looked like a worse case of WWE.

In my awe-struck state, I nearly missed Arno and his other puppet slowly inching away from the violent scene. But their leader didn't.

"Arno, Jake! Help." He managed to croak out his busted lips. His left eye was dilated to a small slit, ashened to coal black. I could practically see the broken bone of his nose, marred by crimson blood. With his friends leaving him alone with the death itself, I almost pitied him.

With a final few steps, the two guys fled away. Moving my attention, I saw my guardian angel giving a blow to the man's ribs. All was quiet beside his heavy breathing and the victim's groans at the inflicted pain.

This needed to stop, before he kills him.

Just as he was about to land another kick, I moved forward. "No!" I yelled. "You'll kill him!"

He whipped his head towards me and I flinched back at the unshackled fury his expressions exhibited. He looked at me for a while, as if trying to remember what I was doing here. I tried again.

"Please, just let him go." With his body stiffening, I knew he didn't miss the tremble in my voice. With a final shove to his almost unconscious body, he wiped his bloodied hands on the man's damp shirt.

He didn't feel any remorse. God, he's a killer.

I shivered and moved back as he made his way towards me. Shrugging off his black leather jacket, he held it out for me. Did he just offer me his bloodied jacket?

I stood numb, not making any move to take the jacket. Glancing up at him, I saw him looking at me blankly. Then without a warning, he threw the jacket at my feet in a miserable bundle and turned to walk away.

"Follow me." He called out gruffly.

His indifference to the events that occured mere seconds ago unleashed all the mixed emotions I'd been keeping in check. Insecurity, anger, fear.

"I don't want your pity!" I called out, shoving the jacket away with the toe of my Sketchers.

He turned to look at me and heart jumped at the expression he wore. I could only feel the rush of the cold wind as he stood infront of me, holding my chin into a firm grasp as he forced me to stare at him.

"What you really need right now is someone to knock some sense in that head of yours and if they weren't watching us I swear to god I'd chain you to my bed and teach you some lesson." He whispered harshly, his minty breath caressing my face.

I could only stare up at him, at how behind the blank shutters he'd created was a ray of panic and worry. Looking around, I couldn't see anyone.

"But nobody's watching us."

The dark was making it hard to see his expressions but his defeated sigh explained how he must look like.

"Lets get you home." He murmured, grasping my hand and leading me away. I gasped at how warm they felt. Wasn't he a tad bit scared of nearly killing someone?

I snatched my hand away from his hold, making him stop. "I want answers. Now!"

"You're not safe here, just come with me."

"Why should I? For all I know you could be a psychopath like those guys and try to kill me. Why should I trust you?" My voice took a hysterical edge.

"You know that's not true. Just come with me, damm!t!" He harshly grabbed my sweaty hand and froze suddenly.

"You're in shock." He stated. Then without my response, he started leading me to whatever place he had in mind. I was too numb to argue, and let him guide me.

A small distance away, I saw a black SUV parked in shadows. Dangerous, it called.

Before I knew, I was resting against the door of the passenger seat facing him. My head rested in my hands, and I tried to soothe my laboured breathing. Easing my erratic pulse, I looked up at him.

"I want to see you."

"You already did."

"No, I want to see you in light, out of the shadows." Without further a do, I turned on the light attached at the roof of the SUV. My heart back-flipped at the raw masterpiece in front of me.

Two stormy grey orbs stared intensely at every move I made, his tanned skin shining in the golden light. His full lips on heavy set jaw outlined his face with wisps of midnight black hair curling around the nape of his veined neck.

"Like my dreams." I whispered. He opened his mouth to speak but then stilled. "We need to get you out of here."

"What's wrong?"

"You're not safe."

I frowned. "You keep saying that, but why? Why am I not safe?" Without responding, he put the vehicle into ignition and backed out of the road sharply.

"Would it hurt you to answer my questions?"

"No, but it would hurt you." He replied calmly, eyes on the road. Fine. Two can play this game.

I inclined my body away from his and looked out of the window. Everything was a black blur as he- I didn't even know his name- chased through the wind. So much for getting answers, I sighed against the window glass. Now it's the mystery man 3, Ivory zilch.

He put the car to a stop in front of my home. Wow, he knew the address too. It made me queasy how much he actually knew about me. Like I'd no privacy.

"Thanks for the ride." I replied curtly before opening the door. I was dying inside to get some answers, but my ego wouldn't allow me to beg in front of him.

"Ivory, wait." His tone ignited a passionate fire inside me and I closed my eyes.

"What?"

"Don't do something this stupid again. Stop looking for me."

A wave of hurt washed over me as his words struck hard. Stupid?

Taking a deep breath, I answered calmly, without turning. "You're not my boss."

Without warning, he turned me, taking my hand and brought it closer to his mouth. My breath hitched as I watched him kiss my knuckles tenderly, his eyes never leaving mine. His lips felt hot against my skin, and I shivered at the feeling.

"I'll always find you, and keep you safe." He murmured, gazing in my eyes intently.

"From whom?" I breathed.

"I can't tell you."

I nodded, hurt. "Fine. Good night, then." Only when I jumped out of the SUV did I allow the tears to fall.

"I didn't even know your name." I sighed under my breath.

"Jev."

His whisper carried over the wind like a sweet caress, but it felt like he was standing right behind me. Startled, I turned around, only to be met with emptiness.

A/N:
I'd to delete this chapter 3 times to create the final outcome. Sorry, backspace.
I just wanted Jev's introduction in the story to be perfect, like the kind of  Jev I pictured in my head.

Anyways, until the next time. :)