The Girl with the Wolf Features

Chapter 6

I sat down on one of the benches outside of the gym while Lillia went to go get my bag.

Why did I think antagonizing Reveras would be a good idea? It never ends well, it didn't for.... No, don't think about that Amelia. I put a massive target on her back, just like.... Stop thinking about that Amelia, seriously stop.

My ears twitched as the locker room door creaked. I knew I had slightly wet eyes, I always do after coming close to thinking about that day. Lillia would want an explanation, so I will just blame it on the pain.

She walked over with her bag under mine. I saw the moment that she noticed, her mouth turned down, concerned about my teary yes. "I am fine, it's the pain."

"Okay, come here," she helped me stand, putting my right arm on her shoulder as she supported my weight.

I stepped, wincing, "god that hurts."

She grimaced, her shoulder tensing under my hand. "I bet it does, just take it nice and slow."

We managed to make it three quarters of the way to the nurse's office before I couldn't go further. "Lillia, stop, I can't go any further like this."

Her eyes widened when I said to stop, worry and concern in her eyes. She stopped immediately, my body leaning heavily on hers. She tried to adjust so she could support more of my weight. "Is it getting worse? You're starting to lean heavily, and you're really pale."

"I haven't been hurt this badly since...." I shook my head, not willing to go there. "Never mind, I just need to sit down."

She nodded silently and looked around, her eyes quickly landing on an empty section of the hallway by the wall. "Okay, slowly, sit down here. Lean against the wall and I'll sit on your good side."

I held my face in my hands, hating this feeling of weakness. "You shouldn't have said anything after you hit him. Now you have a massive fucking target on your back."

She huffed a small laugh, a slight smirk on her face. "Eh, he doesn't scare me. Besides, I've taken people like him on before, it'll be fine."

I shook my head at her grin, looking at her. "Trust me, you haven't, and don't want to, take on people like him."

She raised an eyebrow at me, curiosity and disbelief in her eyes. "And how would you know?"

I shook my head again, not wanting to answer the questions it would raise. "I can't think about that right now, please leave it alone."

A look of concern entered her eyes at my refusal to answer. Her arm gently squeezed me. "You can't just say something like that and not explain why. Why can't I take him on? And how do you know I haven't?"

I could feel myself getting annoyed at Lillia's insistence. "Please, please, please promise me, you won't try to take him on yourself. You don't know what he can do."

A confused, slightly hurt expression came across her face at the annoyance in my voice. "Why wouldn't I be able to handle myself by myself? I'm not a damsel in distress, I can defend myself."

I sighed, clearly I would have to explain. "I know you aren't but. He has... he... he doesn't hold back."

Her arm still around my shoulders, she subconsciously pulled me a bit closer, holding me close. A small shiver went down her spine as she processed my words. "Meaning?" Her tone was hesitant and cautious, good she should be.

"He won't ask nicely twice." I can't think about this anymore, it hurts too much. "No more talking about it. I-I can't."

Concern and worry were clearly written on her face at my words. She didn't seem to be able to help it, as she pulled me more against her, holding me close like a protective shield. "Why can't you?" Her words were barely above a whisper.