Upon Meeting You

3

TW: Domestic Abuse/Mentions of alcohol

What the fuck did I do? Shit- what do I do? He's coming over. He's so mad. What the fuck.

Dolion begins stalking over to me. I stand frozen waiting for whatever is about to happen. As he nears me, I feel Goren tugging on my arm motioning for us to walk away.

"Give me a moment, Goren." I respond to his actions.

I feel a sudden clutch around my wrist and a sharp pain as it violently yanks me into a secluded area. I attempt to resist the pull in attempt to not hurt the small boy who is still in my grasp. Goren scuttles along side me as I am still being pulled until we come to an abrupt stop behind a large tree. I release his hand and he stands a few feet away.

"What are you—"

"Shut up." Dolion hisses in my face ignoring Goren's presence. He takes a step forward forcing me back against the tree. I glance over to see Goren standing behind Dolion with a fearful look on his face.

"D—Dolion—" I stammer but am instantly cut off.

"What the fuck do you thing you're doing?"

"Dolion I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You think you can just whore around and I wouldn't know? Throwing yourself at every man that glances in your general direction, you pathetic prostitute?"

"What?" tears begin welling in my eyes. "Where the fuck is this even coming from? When I have ever thrown myself at anyone?"

"Don't play stupid with me, Lenora! I saw you!"

"You're delusional!"

"Shut your fucking mouth before I shut it for you."

"I—Who are you? Where is this coming from? Why are you acting like this? You never act like this..." I furrow my brow as I place my palm against his cheek looking into his eyes. I attempt to find any sort of emotion. Any signs of hesitation, remorse, love.

Nothing.

A single tear escapes my eye as he firmly grips my wrist again, this time causing me to whimper as a feel his nails penetrating my skin and the bite of his hand bruising my wrist.

"If I ever, see you so much as look at him, let alone hug him like that agai—"

"Irving? Is that who you're talking about?" I cut him off. His nose flares as he uses his other hand to grasp my jaw.

"Did I tell you to respond to me?" he hisses. I remember that Goren is there.

I twist my head forcing him to release me from his grasp and shove him away from me.

"That's enough." I look to Goren. "Are you okay?" he stands frozen to the spot eyes bulging from his head. I walk over and lift him into my arms attempting to walk away but am stopped and Dolion yanks at the top of my arm.

"I am not finished speaking to you."

"I am." I pull away from his grasp and begin walking at a heavy pace.

In an attempt to steady my breath, I hold Goren's head against my shoulder, running my fingers through his soft curls as I continue walking towards the car.

I quickly unlock the doors, tossing my bag to the other side as I place Goren down, buckling him into the car. I close his door then pace over to the drivers side sliding into my seat. I scramble to buckle myself in as I lock the doors, making sure that they are in fact locked just in case Dolion followed us.