Once Upon A Mission

Chapter Two - Instincts

Beads of sweat continued sliding down my forehead. It was so hot, and the fact that I was wearing a long-sleeved sweater along with a pair of black skinny jeans was making matters worse for me. I was just planning on going home but the walk back to the my house from school was really far away. My throat was growing thirsty, hence, I grabbed a bottle of water from my black, worn-out bag pack. I drank it, then threw the empty plastic bottle in a nearby trash can. My gaze focused on the bin but I quickly glanced up when I heard faint voices.

Walking slowly with my heart hammering fast in my chest, I spoke in a hushed tone, "Hello?"

"Is anybody there?" I asked, but this time, I made my voice louder. I went closer and closer to where the voices were coming from, and soon, I found myself gasping at the sight - a man, who looked like he was in his early 20s was shouting at a younger-looking, scrawny kid who was practically wailing the man to stop messing with him.

I thought that if I were to leave the kid alone with a man who was verbally abusing him, it would make me feel like I was also leaving the kid to suffer on his misery so I did what I think would help the poor teen. I walked over to them, my hands clenched as they turned into fists.

"What do you think are you're  doing to this kid?" I spat out as I fought the urge to collide my fists with the man's face. He just looked at me, shooting me a look as if I were being ridiculous at the very moment. Well, if anyone was being ridiculous, it was him.

With venom in his voice, he spoke in a vulgar demeanor, "Leave me alone with this pathetic brat over here." I sent him a devious glare as I went nearer to the both of them, my arms folding across my chest.

"Don't mess with him." I said in a monotonous tone which only made him roll his eyes in response. He faced the younger teen and all of a sudden, he fisted the collars of his shirt, questioning him, "Do you know this girl?"

Before the lanky, teenage boy could respond, the man shoved him on the ground harshly, making him let out inarticulate sobs. I felt my insides crumble at the horrible sight of an older man abusing a teenage boy. It reminded me of my mother and I, but with or without a reason, nobody deserves to be hurt and abused. I knew too well how it felt like and I wasn't going to let that happen to a helpless teenager.

Just within seconds, I then shielded the young guy behind my back and because of that, a sharp pain made its way to my now aching head, especially on my red-tinted cheeks. I didn't know that this man had the tendency to hit a girl, but that's where he was wrong, dead wrong. I wasn't just some kind of girl who was scared of fighting back since my dad taught me how to defend myself. I stood up firmly, rubbing my face with my right hand once before I faced the man. He had an evil smile plastered on his face, his fists raising as they rapidly tried to hit me on my sides, which I blocked instantly with my hands that gripped on his fists and with just one twist on his wrists, I heard him groan in pain.

"Leave, now." I ordered the young boy and much to my liking, he obliged, standing up from the ground on his feet as he quickly sprinted away from the both of us, leaving me and the man alone.

"I must say, that for a girl who looks so fragile, you are good at this." He said, smirking. I narrowed my eyes at him and twisted his wrists once again which caused him to yelp shortly.

"Okay, stop it, stop. I'm so sorry." He pleaded and that was all it took for me to let my grip on him loosen. He rubbed his wrists and from what I could observe, it was red. Did I really grabbed his wrist that hard? I was surprised at the strength I had within me.

"Whatever." I muttered under my breath, "Just don't ever mess with some random kid, do you understand?" He nodded in response to my request and I wasn't sure if he was being serious or not but I gave in.