A Faltering self (Distorted Reality book 2)

Chapter 37- A Threat to be Taken serious

(Matt's POV)

I make it back before Madison does. It was my intent to. And now, I intend to make sure everything is okay so she doesn't have to come back to insanity. Things are still settling down from before. Zach is on the couch with an ice pack to his face as Bailey scolds him. Kalston on the other hand is nowhere to be seen which might be for the best. I don't like Zach either, and in fact, there are unspeakable things I would like to do to him, but never in front of Madison. He screwed up big time with that. He should have held himself better than that, and now I'm afraid his temper won't be a one-and-done thing. I'm afraid he'll let go again and cause more hurt to Madison. She deserves better than that. I know how much she's barely holding on, and one slip is all it will take for things to come all the worse for her.

I keep those thoughts to myself for now as I walk closer to the situation in the living room.

"Aw, come on, I was only defending myself. Loverboy was the one who started it."

"No, you need to go. Call a car, a friend, walk, I don't care what you do, just leave, NOW!"

Bailey doesn't seem to be one to be messed with. She seemed so calm before, but clearly, she wants Zach gone just as much as I do. If only we could keep the other one away too.

I cut things off before they go further and try to play friendly for now. I know that Madison could be here any minute and it's best to move things along fast.

"I'll take him. Where do you need to go?"

Zach looks up at me with a slight smirk before his gaze lands back on Bailey. He seems to be as friendly as he has been, but the underlying feeling tells me it's only an act as it has been.

"Looks like I have my ride then."

Bailey backs out of the living room, frustrated before offering me a smile that truly feels the friendly it's supposed to.

"Thank you. Don't let him drag you on for too long, supper will be done shortly."

I nod before my attention is directed back to Zach. and I try my best to seal away the hatred I have for him. At least any visible identifier of it.

"At least someone has some decency here. Thank you for the ride, man."

He gets up and we head to my car. The ride stays mostly quiet on my behalf, but Zach tries his hardest to get me to crack. Little does he know I've come across plenty of those playing the same game in worst situations, so a car ride with him is nothing.

"Take a right here. I'm glad at least one of Ducky's boyfriends is nice. The other dude really can't handle much of a joke."

Yeah, I'm sure that was the case.

"Keep going straight until you see a red barn on your left."

"Take Vernen, it's coming up next. You should give me your number after this. We didn't get to hang that much."

That wasn't an accident.

"You'll see a split, take the right road. You'll follow it until you hit a four-way with a gas station on either side about a few miles out. Take the right there as well."

"It won't kill you to talk to me."

It's best for you if we don't.

"It will be Geller's road. You'll see a park a few streets before. You know, you look familiar."

I just nod to that.

"Okay, it will be the house at the end of the street with the green roof and stone mailbox."

I pull up to the house, and Zach hesitates a moment before he puts his hand on the door.

"Well... It was nice not talking to you, but maybe another time?"

I held off until now purposely to make things run smoothly. I still have my anger held in check better than another, but it wouldn't be right if I didn't do what I need to to make sure Madison's safe. To make sure this monster knows who he's dealing with if only to be certain he'll stay away.

I lock the doors right as he's about to open his. The deal with my car, it's specially made. When the locks are in place and a little switch flipped under my sterling wheel, there's no unlocking them until it's flipped back. No one knows so the panic is always priceless on the faces of those deserving the fright.

"What the crap, man, let me out."

Keeping my expression unwavering, better than his menacing grin at times, the steadiness of the plain I feel gives more of a show of being in control.

"I need you to hear this because I will not repeat myself. If you ever come near Madison again, you won't have a second chance to."

He finally cracks as he laughs and sure enough, does seem like the unstable one now.

"Wow, I thought the lover boy was off, but I guess I misjudged you. Madison really does have a type. You don't scare me, but I'll make it easy for you. Let me out and I'll forget about this all? I won't warn Bailey to watch out for psycho boy number two."

"He doesn't believe you, but I bet I could make him afraid."

The whisper is enough to straighten me a bit, but I can't let this monster slip away because mine came back around.

I keep my expression the same still before I'm at his throat in a second too fast for him. My right arm is against his throat with enough pressure to have fear finally put into his eyes. I know no one can see us because the switch that locks the doors is also set to fade the windows to that which no one can see in. A useful tool.

He struggles, but there's no fighting against me. He might have stood a chance against Kalston, but never me.

"I already said I won't repeat myself, but it seems that you didn't understand me. So, instead I'll put it a different way. If you Ever even so much as send Madiosn a message, or repeat this little exchange, I'll kill you."

I hold myself like that for a few seconds longer before I back away and unlock his door. He's frozen for a moment longer before stumbling out of the car. I think he got my message this time. He'll think he can stand a chance against me, they always do after a while, the ones who think they're invincible at least. He'll chalk it up to him being caught off guard. But, I already snuck a bug into his phone earlier. I didn't know I would do this exactly, but I figured keeping track of him and what he does would be a good bet. I never liked him.

But maybe he won't be so stupid.

"It's nice to see you haven't lost your touch."

I go back to ignoring my monster. The last thing I want is to be back to that insanity.

It was nice while it lasted.