All the lies // D.M.

13 - Threat or Promise?

Cathleen Avery

I found myself in a dark broom chamber, Holden's large hand clamped over my mouth and my eyes widened in panic, chest tightening with fear.

So, this is it. A promise or a threat?

My heart raced when the dim light from the single bulb dangling from the ceiling flickered just enough to illuminate his face, and the darkness in his eyes made my veins turn to ice, sending a shiver down my spine. I'd only seen that look once before, and I prayed I'd never see it again.

"Where do you think you're going, love?" Holden hissed through clenched teeth, finally taking his hand off my mouth.

"Ba-back to the common r-room," I stuttered, trying to even out my quick, erratic breaths, and I pressed my back as hard as I could against the cold stone wall, wishing I could melt into it and disappear. Every breath I tried to take felt too shallow like there wasn't enough space for me to breathe, to think, to survive.

"What is wrong?" I asked, my voice shaky.

"First Malfoy, now that half-blood Anderson," Holden growled, his voice thick with jealousy and fury.

"Holden, we were just talking," I said, forcing as much calm into my voice as possible, trying to make him see reason. "You need to stop being so delusional"

"Delusional?" His voice rose, venom dripping from every word. "You're the one fucking the whole school."

I flinched, his words slicing through me like a knife. I couldn't even defend myself, not after what had happened at the party. He couldn't possibly know... could he?

"You know that isn't true," I whispered, desperate to convince him to trust me, believe me. "Please, Holden. You're seeing things that aren't there."

"I see the way you look at him, the way they act around him," he growled, stepping closer, his eyes locked on mine. "He wants you and you—you want him."

"I wasn't flirting... You know I wasn't," I tried to reason, my voice trembling. "Holden, look at me. You know me."

He shook his head slowly, cold fury in his eyes. "I don't think I do."

"Holden, please," I whispered, stepping forward, trying to reach him, and lifting my hand, aiming for his face. Whatever it takes to survive.

"No!" He shouted, slamming me back against the wall but I suppressed the sounds wanting to come out of my mouth. "You can't fuck your way out of this one."

His hands gripped my neck, squeezing as he pushed me harder into the stone, my back aching from the force. "You're the reason all this is happening. I don't know you. I thought I did, but you just used me. You used me when you had no one else." His voice cracked, seething with betrayal. "Snape had me drop out of Advanced Potions because he thought I was copying your homework. I tried to help you, and you ruined my future"

"I'm sorry," I whispered, choking on my words, fighting the tears that welled up.

"Sorry?" Holden scoffed bitterly, leaning in closer, his grip tightening. "You'll be sorry for the rest of your life. Your future is mine now."

His hand gripped my hair roughly, jerking me toward him, his breath hot and furious against my skin. "I never wanted to hurt you," he muttered, his voice low and dangerous. "But you leave me no choice. You made me do this."

I shook my head, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not responsible for the things you do." The words left my mouth before I could stop them, and I knew the moment they did that I'd made a mistake but my parents raised a fighter. "Get your shit together."