Runaway - A DEVIL'S NIGHT FANFICTION (PTBR + ENG)

Chapter 18 - Ivar

Four years ago...

God, I really hated this guy.

The teacher stares at us as if we've been caught with drugs and an arsenal of weapons, arms crossed and waiting for Nini's response.

"Sorry, I was... returning the clothes I borrowed," she assumes, embarrassed. – "I fixed most of the holes and rips."

"Borrowed without authorization, you mean," he corrects her and takes a step forward at the same time I take one to the side, starting to stand in front of her. – "You stole pieces from the drama club that belong to the school, Nini!"

She clamps her lower lip, trying not to pout.

"I know, I'm sorry. I should have asked before."

"You really should have!" - he exclaims. – "That's not why I gave you a key to the theater."

"I know..."

"And if you had asked me, I would have given you permission and helped you with it!"

Nini does not repeat another "I know" and remains silent, just listening.

"I thought we were friends, but this is a breach of the trust I had in you," he continues, scolding her and ignoring my existence.

"She's already said she's sorry" I say, crossing my arms and mimicking his posture.

"Ivar..."

"And she was returning the clothes," I continue. – "She only needed them for one day, fixed what she wore before she wore it, and is returning them in better condition than she took them. She's been very helpful with everything around here, don't you think she deserves credit for that?"

"And what are you doing here, Mr. Torrance?" – he asks, narrowing his eyes.

"I've come to keep her company. You know how it is, you never know what pervert might be watching you" I say, mimicking him again and narrowing my eyes at him.

"Does Claire know where you are, Nini?" – he asks her and ignores me again.

"She... she's not home," Nini replies quietly.

"Evans won't like you coming home so late," he continues in a threatening tone.

She – who always seems to be one fright away from running out – seems to want a hole to hide in at that moment.

"He's not home either" – she assumes.

"Are you alone?" – he asks, raising his eyebrows.

She nods, not looking at either of us.

"Well, then I think it's best if I take you home and make sure you're safe until your parents are back," he says and walks over to us, but when he puts his hand on Nini's shoulder, I put myself between the two of them again.

"I can take her. I was already keeping her company," I emphasize, because not even dead I'm going to let this asshole take Nini home.

"You're just a child, Mr. Torrance," he says, but he lets go of Nini's shoulder anyway. – "I'm sure Nini will feel safer in the presence of an adult, and I can check the house she left alone all night while she was out and about."

I feel Nini's hand take mine, and although cold and sweaty, she moves to the side to speak:

"Don't worry, Prof. Forester. I know some officers in town and I'll ask Ivar to accompany me to the police station. From there, I'll ask one of them for a ride home safely," she says. – "I'm sure I can even ask someone to spend the night making rounds nearby."