Beautiful Mess || Johnny Rotten

Chapter 20: An Eye For An Eye

WARNING: This chapter contains violence!!!

It had been a few days since Violet had seen any of the pistols, with the exception of John who she'd seen yesterday, to apologise for Steve's outburst which cookie had rang her about shortly after the incident, telling her that he didn't have a problem with her dating John if that's what she wanted to do and checked to see how she was holding up. Violet had really appreciated the support since she felt torn after Steve made it pretty clear it was either him or John and she couldn't have both.

She moped about her flat going through cup after cup of tea and pack after pack of fags. A raging battle in her head between who she should choose, she'd known Steve for what felt like forever and there'd never been anything or anyone to come between them before now that would jeopardise their friendship. And then there was John who from the moment she'd met him she'd been entranced by his raw and unapologetic words, his crazy spiked hair and his persona which seemed larger than life. Even though she hadn't known him as long, she struggled to remember what is was like before they'd met.

"Fuck" Violet hissed as she had been so lost in thought she'd forgotten about her fag which had now burnt down to the filter, singeing her fingertips,

The sound of knocking at the door made her jump since she hadn't been expecting anyone that day. She thought it was probably John just stopping by but part of her hoped it was Jonsie coming to apologise about taking the whole situation too far. However as she opened the door, peering out into the hallway she was met with a face she'd never seen before.

"Can I help you?" She squeaked from behind the door,

"Is this uh, Cole Webbs residence?" The man asked his voice rough like gravel,

"Uh no, well it was for some time but not anymore" she told him, trying not to reminisce to much on her times with Cole,

"Do ya mind if I come in?" He asked,

Violet was sceptical at first but her inquisitiveness peaked and she wanted to find out what he might know about her brothers sudden disappearance.

She stepped back unlocking the chain on the door, standing aside to let him in. He was a tall and stocky man, he was a skinhead and wore very mundane clothes. The only interesting thing about him was a long scar on his cheek that ran down from his cheekbone to his chin.

"Would you like something to drink, tea maybe?" She asked, trying to be polite,

"No thanks" he replied, scanning the apartment as if he was looking for something,

"You live alone?" He inquired out of the blue,

His question didn't quite sit right with Violet as she took a cup out of the cupboard for herself.

"Um yeh, just me and on the occasion my boyfriend" she mumbled, keeping an eye on him as he wondered about,

"And where is he?" The man asked again,

"H-he's at a band meeting, he's should be back soon" Violet lied as her hands started to shake whilst she filled up the kettle,

"What band?"

"The sex pistols, you've probably heard of them" she told him leaning against the counter, "I'm sorry I don't mean to be rude but why are you here?"

He paused for a second before sighing and gesturing to the chair at the table for her to take a seat. She did so warily as she sat opposite him, fiddling with her hands in her lap.

"Well you could say your brother and I were... in business with each other" he started,

"Business! What sort of business?" She queried,

"He sold some merchandise for me" the man told her,

"That's just code for dealing, im not stupid" she grumbled, feeling pissed off how Cole had been doing such things under her roof without her even knowing,

The man took a deep breath his nostrils flaring before he continued "The cash for the last batch I gave to your brother never came back to me. And then a few days later I find out he's taken off with it. A lot of it"

"If your here to ask me where he is I'm telling you now I don't know, he left without even leaving a note" Violet confirmed,

"Oh don't worry I believe you, but where I'm from we believe in the saying 'an eye for an eye'" he said clicking his teeth,

"I-I think you should leave, I'm sorry I couldn't help you" she stuttered, getting out of her seat,

He slowly stood up but instead of making his way to the door he drew closer and closer to her until her back was digging into the counter. Violet trembled under him, her mind running through what her best way out was. Her hands fumbled around until she grasped ahold of a mug, bringing it down over his head. The crack echoed around the apartment walls as he stumbled back giving her time to run for the door.

Her hands botched the lock and before she could escape he grabbed ahold of her, throwing her into the table which legs collapsed at the force as she hit the ground with a thud. Causing her to cry out in pain as she clutched her side, helplessly trying to crawl away from him.

"Fucking bitch" he seethed, wiping away the blood that was trickling from the cut on his head,

He started towards her again, pummelling her with his fists as she cried out for help which she knew would never come. Violet managed to force him off her by kicking him where it hurt most, scurrying up and locking herself in the bathroom. Her breathing was fast and heavy as she backed away from the door praying he would just give up and go away.

It felt like forever before any sound came from behind the door. Violets eyes spilling with hot tears as her heart beat out of her chest.

Bang

The sound of a fist hitting the door caught her off guard.

Bang

Bang

Again and again the door shook from the force. Violet whimpered quietly as she held her hand over her mouth to muffle it.

The door flew of its hinges as Violet snatched some small scissors from the side of the sink. He charged at her and they fell into the bathtub, accidentally hitting the faucet causing freezing cold water to pour down on the pair which were currently tangled in the torn down shower curtain.

As they tussled Violet had unluckily lost the scissors somewhere in the tub, panic coursing through her as her only source of defence was now gone.

The man grabbed ahold of her neck with both hands. Violet desperately gasped for air hitting him over and over frantically grabbing at his hands in an attempt to loosen his grip on her as she jerked violently underneath him, starting to feel herself slowly slipping away.

The ice cold water cascading down on them as her eyes caught a flicker of silver not too far from her. She hastily seized it, stabbing them into his shoulder and chest repeatedly. Although the scissors were small they still did enough damage to send him tumbling backwards into the living room, collapsing to the hard wooden floor.

Air filled her lungs as she took deep breaths, rubbing her throat gently where there were now long red finger marks. Steadily lifting herself out of the bath she hobbled towards him, her wet socks slapping the tiles leaving soggy foot prints behind as she went.

Her eyes fixated on him, a livid darkness clouding them as she picked up a fire poker. She cocked her head watching his chest slowly rise and fall as he clutched his shoulder in agony.

Without another thought she raised the weapon over her head before bringing it down on him ruthlessly. Over and over and over she did it, crying out from a mix of fear, pain and anger.

"FUCK YOU!"

"FUCK YOU!"

"FUCK YOU!"

She screamed until she exhausted herself. The metal poker slipping from her fingers, hitting the floor with a clang.

Violet wobbled slightly, stumbling towards the door helplessly. Dark spots filled her vision and her head was spinning, and with that her legs gave way and she crumbled to the floor.

Seeing nothing, hearing nothing and feeling nothing .