Invincible

Intensity

Chapter 6

The tension hung thick in the warehouse, heavy and stifling, as Tori's heart pounded in her chest. The sneering faces of the older kids hovered just feet away, leering and smirking as though she and Meur were some kind of joke. She tried to keep her gaze steady, but her nerves betrayed her, making her palms sweat. This wasn't some innocent escapade anymore.

The guy looming over them took a step closer, his smirk twisted with contempt. "Look, if you're gonna skip school, at least try not to look so damn lost."

His friends laughed in a mocking chorus, and Tori's pulse quickened. She shot a glance at Meur, hoping he'd show some restraint, but his expression was hard, unreadable. He was practically vibrating with anger, his fists clenched at his sides.

"Relax, man," Meur's voice was steady, but there was an edge to it, cold and dark. "We don't need your advice."

The older boy's smirk faded, replaced with a hint of something darker—something that made Tori's stomach twist with unease. "Fine, Mr. Tough Guy. Just don't piss your pants when things get serious." He turned to his friends, chuckling as if he'd just delivered the joke of the century.

For a brief second, Meur looked like he might actually hit him. The air around them crackled with tension, and Tori felt her breath catch, afraid of what might happen if things escalated.

She reached out, grabbing Meur's wrist. "Meur, let's just go," she whispered, barely able to keep the tremor out of her voice. She could feel his pulse beneath her fingertips, racing, hard and fast.

But he shook her off, his gaze never leaving the older boy's. "What, you're scared, Tori?" he taunted, his tone laced with frustration. There was a bitterness in his voice that stung more than she wanted to admit.

Her face burned with a mix of anger and embarrassment. "I'm not scared," she shot back, though her heart was pounding like a drum. "I just don't want to waste my time on idiots."

The older guy's face darkened, his eyes narrowing as he stepped closer, his face just inches from hers. "Idiots, huh?" His voice was a dangerous whisper. "You think you're something special, don't you? Skipping school, hanging out in places you don't belong. Guess what—you're just as pathetic as everyone else."

A hot rush of anger surged through her, stronger than anything she'd felt before. She was tired of letting people like him make her feel small, insignificant. "And who the hell are you to tell me what I am?" The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them, her voice hard and steady.

For a moment, she thought he might actually hit her. But then he just snorted, shoving past her with a muttered curse, his friends following him. As they disappeared into the shadows, she let out a shaky breath, feeling the adrenaline finally catch up with her. Her hands were still balled into fists at her sides.

She turned to Meur, anger flaring up inside her. "That was a terrible idea," she snapped, her voice wavering despite her best efforts. "A really, really bad idea."

But Meur just laughed, a low, dark sound that sent a chill down her spine. "Come on, Tori. Don't pretend you didn't like it."

She glared at him, trying to ignore the confusing mix of emotions churning inside her. "Like what? Being humiliated? Nearly getting my ass kicked? Yeah, that was just thrilling."