The Khigir Hunters

26. Blueberry Pancakes

After letting my hair down, throwing on jeans and a sweater, I made my way downstairs. As soon as I did, Chris and Jay made their way upstairs to my room with a broom and dustpan in hand. Chris gave me a small nod of reassurance, again I wasn't convinced. Maybe my lamp shattered from the door slamming, but that was a long shot. It was unexplainable. I took an empty seat at the dinner table, the gears turned in my head every possible way they could.

A fresh cup of steaming coffee was placed in front of me. I looked up to see Victor. He wore his usual leather jacket, and his hair was combed neatly back. An appearance drastically different from when I last saw him... It really was only yesterday that he made me bury a corpse. Victor reached in his pocket to reveal a bottle of painkillers. He opened the cap to take out two white pills and set them on the table in front of me. I said nothing.

"I'm surprised you're not sleeping, Yulia." I ignored Victor, and picked up one of the pills to study it. My bruises were fading now, now reduced to an old purple-blue hue. Although they still caused occasional pain, it seemed more bearable now. I picked up my coffee and took a sip, the steaming liquid quickly warming me up. I fought the urge to sigh in content. I don't know if this is Victor's way of saying sorry or not, but wow... This is some pathetic way of saying sorry.

"How's the coffee?" He asked, placing a hand on the empty chair next to me. I swallowed both pills, just to be safe. I held onto my mug with both hands, comforted by its warmth. I didn't look at Victor, although it was blatantly obvious that he was staring at me, just waiting for an answer. How was the coffee? Actually really delicious, I'd ask for another if I could. I gave no response. "Really?" Victor leaned in, now eye level with me. I persisted in looking away, finding my nails more interesting.

"That's you're answer, silence?" Victor pressed, getting all up in my face. I was aware of his closeness, his daringness. He knew I was challenging him, screw him and his damn answers. I planned to leave him hanging. Suddenly, he reached down and tore my coffee out of my hands. I gasped, caught off guard by his actions. Luckily none of it split, but damn, what an asshole.

"What the fuck is your problem, asshole?" I growled. I watched with narrowed eyes as he dumped my beverage down the drain. Victor turned towards me, our eyes finally locking. I shot daggers as he simply stared with discontent.

"What have I told you about cursing?" His voice was low, warning. I could tell he was barely holding it together. His patience was definitely on thin ice. Just how far could I push it? Didn't he know he hurt me? How could he be so cold to make me do something so morbidly disturbing and not give a shit about what I thought? Well, two can play this game.

"That you can shove it up your ass." I replied with a smile. He simply nodded, seeming to accept that I wouldn't comply.

"What was it that Malik threatened you with the other day?" He questioned. Ah shit. There was no way he'd willingly cause me hyperthermia... Right?

"You wouldn't."

"I would."

"I'd freeze to death."

"There's only one way to find out, your call." He put the ball in my court.

"What do you want?" I sighed, adrenaline now flowing through me. Without a doubt, Victor would definitely throw me in freezing water, because why not?

"For starters, an apology." He crossed his arms. I snorted. Like hell.

"And why would I do that?" Victor shook his head at my reply. My stomach dropped; I had broken the last straw. As much as I didn't want to test out freezing water, I refused to give the asshole an apology. If anything, he should apologize to me. Despite knowing what was coming, nothing could've prepared me for Victor's swiftness. Before I knew it, my brother had marched his way towards me and flung me over his shoulder like nothing.