TOUCH

Chapter - 46

Bravery often gives you a surge of great clarity. Probably its for the most ridiculous or most important thing. But you're always sure about what you want from the actions you're planning to commit.

When I spin on my heels to charge on Matt with blood in my eyes, I see a flash of brown move past from the corner of my eyes. The next thing I know is I'm punching Matt's face as he is lying on his back from the double impact of me and Shadow.

Yes, Shadow.

That goofy ball of fur and joy is no longer goofy. Or joyous.

He is digging his canine in Matt's calf while the bastard thrash his leg wildly.

A couple of things happen next.A couple of voices shout my name and ask me to stop. A loud whistle and a call to command Shadow to stop. A man's hand pining Matt down while I still punch him mercilessly. And finally someone firmly holding my shoulder to make me hear and stop.

But I'm not going to. I have no idea what's the source of all this rage and pain and humiliation I'm feeling but I have no problem giving a taste of all that to someone else if they come in between me and this abhorrence.

I turn partially but my vision is a haze. My eyes burn and muscles ache. I look up to find Jean's hand on my shoulder and finally her voice and words register cutting through the alarm bell in my ear.

"Aura! Stop. Please, they have got this. Trust me."

I look around in that huge, mahogany paneled room with double height ceilings. There are still only few people here. People I know.

Cassian, Silas, Theo and Raven.

All have concerning looks in their eyes. But I don't care if they have witness me commit a murder. I don't care if the entire America witness this and it cause a diplomatic upheaval between the countries. I will prefer jail than taking on whatever he was trying to do.

Before my thoughts of killing Matt could calm down my nerves, he groans and starts coughing hysterically.

It triggers me so much but immediately I find Cassian's huge body fold and crouch down to where Matt is lying down and I'm on my knees taking a breather.

The guy must have seen death in my eyes because he immediately raises his hand in defense and say, "Trust me Aura, we got this. He will be jailed and will be out of college by tomorrow for what he has done. I swear on my little sister. Okay?"

Cassian is almost pleading me in that voice but I still search for traces of lies in everyone's eyes. But finally when my gaze lands on Raven's face, I just know that she won't let this man go without first letting him face hell.

And that's when I shift away from Matt's writhing body and slide my hands beneath my thighs to tamp down my nerves.I release a shuddering breath trying to make sense of the pain clawing at my insides. When it registers, I sob soul wreaking tears pulling my legs to my chest.

Someone drapes a peice of clothing to cover my torn top and I don't know how long I sat there crying.

Finally when my body has run out of tears, I curl my fingers around the jacket that was draped on me and stand up to get the hell out of here.

Bile rise in my throat as each pair of eyes in the garden turns towards us.

I just want to dissappear. How much exactly can a person afford to run in a lifetime? And is it ever okay? Because standing here it doesn't feel like its ever going to be okay.

I came to America hoping to run from my past; to bury it behind me and yet here I am- facing threats from yet another classmate.

But there's a difference. This time I know I can fight. This time I did fight.