(The New) Power of the 8 Elements: Part Two

Chapter Nine: Ruined Date

*TRIGGER WARNING*
CONTAINS DEPICTIONS OF AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP

"No matter how attractive a person may be, you have to date their reality." - Mandy Hale
PRESENT DAY
THRAX

"Sorry I was late," I say, sitting at the table in the very back of the restaurant with Lawrence.

He seems very angry and taps his finger relentlessly on the table.

"It's fine."

"I'm sorry. I know I'm incompetent and...a failure."

He doesn't respond.

"...and a stupid person who doesn't know anything about dating. It's my fault. I'm always pathetic."

I know Lawrence wants me to keep insulting myself. That's always been his goal, to have me berate myself, so he doesn't have to "waste his precious time" doing it himself. I've done it long enough without him being around, but it hurts more coming from him.

"That's better," Lawrence says, raising his glass of wine.

We tap both of our glasses (mine containing water) together and drink.

"So how was your day, Thrax-y?"

"Um...I went for a walk around Colelet park."

"Oh, really? How was that?"

"Fine, fine. It was interesting."

"What made it so interesting?"

"Being in a d-different neighborhood. I just liked the change of scenery."

"Don't we all? Reminds me of my days in the war."

"How was that?" I say, wanting to immediately change the subject. "Being in the trenches. Was it scary?"

"All the time. There was always that constant nagging fear—that and everyone coughing their *sses off right next to you. Diseases, rats, rifles, the constant fear that something was going to drop on your head and you wouldn't know it until it was too late; that kind of sh*t." As he speaks, I nod my head along with it, hoping that this would be enough to make him happy. "Oh, and the lice. The lice were another part of it. You and your pretty face wouldn't last two minutes in there." He strokes his hand across my cheek, and I lean in for a kiss, thinking he might be a little nicer today if I do. Surprisingly Lawrence he stops. "I need to ask you something, Thrax-y."

"Oh, really? What is it?"

"CC said there was a bit of a commotion going on at Colelet park."

"A commotion? I don't think I ever..."

"You know what? Let's just talk about this when we get home. An open space, environment. We don't want to attract too much attention, now do we?"

"No."

"I thought so, pumpkin."

His hand slides across the table as he taps my clawed hand. He immediately lets go when our waiter nervously sets our plates in front of us. As of course, I hadn't got to order anything myself with Lawrence choosing the food for me. I begin to reach for my fork, but Lawrence picks up his plate and shoves it in my face, glass shattering in my face as I fall backwards. Everyone gasps and turns to face us. I try to back away from Lawrence who didn't seem to give a f*ck that all eyes were staring at the couple who's starting a fight.

"Sir, we need you to leave the premises-" Lawrence grabs the neck of a waiter, squeezing it tightly so that his corrosive touch melted their throat, decapitating him.

People speed out of the room, toppling over each other to make a run for the exit. I try to crawl away from Lawrence who is distracted. I grab a steak knife from a table and attempt to use that as a weapon, but Lawrence knocks the blade out of my hand with his foot.

"Don't even think about using that against me!"

"What did I do?!" I exclaim through pained winces.

"Black vans were driving by the house. What the h*ll do you think you did?" He bends down and grabs my collar. "I've worked so hard to remain hidden, and you brought those SCP-b*tches back on my trail. Do you know what happens if I go back?"

"You get t-tortured?"

"Correct. Use that brain of yours next time before you do something else dumb." He let me go and walked towards the door. "And you're walking yourself home tonight."

I wait until he leaves my sight before I stand up, dusting myself off. I sit at one of the tables and through tears consistently begin pouring myself glasses of wine until police lights appear.