Submerge

P U N C H E S

NATHAN

7:47

I was sitting on the couch, staring at my phone, trying to distract myself. Liam was in the kitchen, going through some papers, and I was trying not to think about everything that had been weighing on me.

Then Liam called my name, his voice quieter than usual. "Nate, come here. We need to talk."

I looked over, noticing the serious look on his face. Something was wrong. I could feel it in my gut. I walked over, shoving my phone into my pocket. "What is it?"

"I found where's Marco's usual spot"

Marco. That name alone sent a wave of anger through me. I'd heard enough about that scumbag to know what kind of person he was.

I clenched my fists, the heat rising to my face. "Where is he?"

"Nate, wait—" Liam began, already sensing where this was going.

"Where the fuck is he, Liam?" My voice was sharp, almost shaking with rage. I wasn't about to sit around while some lowlife like Marco messed with my brother's life.

Liam looked torn, glancing between me and the door. "Look, I get it, but this isn't the way to handle it. We should call the cops or—"

I was already moving, I snatched his phone and found the location, grabbing my jacket from the couch. Liam followed after me, his footsteps quick and anxious behind me.

"Nate, listen to me, man. You're not thinking straight!" Liam grabbed my arm, trying to stop me. "Marco's dangerous, okay? I get that you're pissed, but beating him up isn't going to fix this. Let's just call the cops—"

"I don't care!" I snapped, shrugging his hand off. My whole body was buzzing with adrenaline, and all I could think about was making Marco pay for what he'd done. "The cops won't do shit. You really think they're gonna care about some low-level drug dealer messing with a couple of highschool kids? No. I'll handle this myself."

"Nathan," Liam's voice was firmer now, more desperate. "If you do this, you're only gonna make things worse. For you. For Mason."

I stopped at the door, turning to face him. My jaw was tight, my fists clenched at my sides. "I'm not letting that asshole get away with this, Liam. I'm not."

Liam stared at me for a long moment, then sighed, his shoulders slumping. "At least let me come with you. If this goes south, you're going to need someone to watch your back."

We left the apartment and made our way to the spot where Marco was known to hang out. Liam didn't say much during the drive, and I was glad for the silence. 

My mind was racing, filled with images of Mason, hurt, scared, spiraling because of that piece of shit.

8:16

By the time we got there, I was barely holding it together. Marco was standing in the alley, smoking. The moment I saw him, something inside me snapped.

"Nate," Liam said quietly, placing a hand on my arm. "Think about this. There are better ways to deal with—"

But I wasn't listening anymore. I stormed forward, my vision tunneling, my fists itching to make contact.

"Marco!" I shouted, my voice echoing off the walls of the alley.

Marco turned around, a smug grin spreading across his face when he saw me. "Well, well, well. Look who it is."

"You stay the hell away from my brother," I growled, my hands already balled into fists.

Marco shrugged, not even remotely fazed. "Your brother came to me. He's a big boy. If he wants to play, I'm just giving him what he needs."

That was it. That was all it took for me to snap. I lunged at him, my fist connecting with his face before he even had time to react. The crack of my knuckles against his jaw was satisfying in a way I couldn't describe. He staggered back, cursing under his breath, but I didn't stop. I couldn't. I grabbed him by the collar, slamming him against the brick wall, my fist ready to strike again.

Liam was shouting behind me, but his voice felt distant, drowned out by the blood pounding in my ears.

"You think you can mess with my brother's life and get away with it?" I snarled, bringing my fist down again, this time hitting him square in the ribs.

Marco groaned, trying to push me off, but I was stronger, fueled by pure rage. "He came to me, man! You think I forced him?"

I hit him again, this time harder, feeling the impact reverberate through my arm.

Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around me from behind, pulling me back before I could land another punch.

"Stop!" Liam shouted, struggling to keep me from lunging forward again. "Nate, that's enough!"

I struggled against him for a moment, my breath coming in ragged gasps, but then the reality of what I'd done started to settle in. 

Marco was slumped against the wall, blood dripping from his nose, his face bruised and swollen. He was clutching his side, breathing heavily.

I took a step back, my chest heaving with the effort of trying to calm down. Liam kept his grip on my arm, as if afraid I'd go for another round.

"You good?" Liam asked quietly, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.

I nodded, my hands still shaking from the adrenaline. "Yeah," I muttered, my voice hoarse.

Marco wiped the blood from his face, glaring up at me with pure hatred in his eyes. "You're gonna regret that, Nathan."

I ignored him, turning away as Liam finally let go of my arm.