CONFINEMENT

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

   Castania struggled to keep up, as Harrison dragged her through town, his hand firmly around her wrist. So many times had he bolted her out of the zoo like this, but his frantic eyes and his unwillingness to talk made her question the intention behind it.

   He marched into the apartment and flung her towards the couch, ordering her to sit down. Afraid of what was happening, Castania did as he said but watched him with caution as he marched back and forth in front of her, obviously going over what to say in his mind.

   He stopped and looked her dead in the eyes. "Listen, I know you're angry with me-

   "Angry with you?" She interrupted. "Why would I be angry?"

   Harrison looked at her puzzled. He had just worked out his speech, but her question threw him off. "The fight on Saturday. We haven't talked since; you have been ignoring me for the past two days."

   "I wasn't angry with you, I just needed some space." She said with a smile, but his frantic expression didn't change. "If you need, we can talk about the fight, but I'm not angry with you." She gestured for him to sit on the couch.

   Harrison started to pace back and forth again. "No, that's not what I want to talk about,"

   "But I don't want you to think I'm angry just because I want to be left alone." She spoke softly. "Or that I'm ignoring you for that matter."

   "Castania, it doesn't matter-

   "It matters to me-

   "Sure, but it's not important right now-

   "You said you were tired of fighting! I'm only trying to communicate so we don't fight all the time!" Her words were sharp.

   "For fuck's sake woman, would you just shut the fuck up!" Harrison shouted, stopping his pacing and gripping his hair in frustration. His heartbeat was in his throat, making it hard for him to breathe. He watched her as her features got stained with shock, then anger.

   "Don't speak to me like that!" She pointed a threatening finger at him. "I'm just trying to fix things!"

   "Would you just try and listen instead!" His voice was desperate. She swallowed hard, trying to rid herself of the shock and anger she felt. Normally she would have cursed him out for speaking that way, but something about his frantic expression made her want to hear him out. "Sorry, go on."

   Harrison hesitated, unsure how to begin. "I think," he tried but it sounded wrong. "There's been some talk."

   "Talk?"

   "Yes," He started pacing again. "You need to know that I support you and I know you want to fight, but I just can't let that happen, I need you to stay safe."

   "Sure, I'll be safe Harrison, just tell me what's going on, you're honestly scaring me." She said, her heartbeat now rapid with anxiety.

   "Yeah, but I need you to understand that what I'm about to say may make you angry, or vindictive, or... I don't know, I just need you to promise me you won't do anything stupid! That you won't leave!"

   "Harrison just tell me-

   "Promise me!" His words were desperate.

   She hesitated, then drew in a breath. "Okay, I promise."

   It felt as though the knot in Harrison's stomach lightened a bit. He knew her words were only that: words. They weren't binding in any way, but now he had something to hold against her, if she tried to escape.

   "There is going to be a fight." He forced the words out of his mouth, and watched as her brows furrowed with confusion.

   "A fight?" She spoke with sarcasm. "Like a boxing match or what? Stop being so bloody vague!"