Animal

:.Prologue.:

Three years ago

I stared in horror at the television screen as I lay side ways on the couch with my legs spread across my boyfriend's legs. Tommy squeezed my foot gently, lifting the remote. "I can change it-"

"No." I shook my head, silencing him. "I want to hear what they're saying."

".. Devastating the lives of families as eighty four or so men and women were found nearly unrecognizable this morning. It was reported that these scientists were not in contact with their family or friends for about two days. Investigators went onto the scene and found them all dead and ripped apart," the reporter said, her face solemn and melancholy.

"Kenzi.." Tommy drew out cautiously. I felt his eyes boring into the side of my head and I shook my head, silencing him with another 'shh!'.

Tommy grew utterly silent and my focus returned solely to the television screen.

"The animals that were kept safely locked in one of the labs managed to get free. When receiving the animals two years ago, the donators promised they were calm and friendly animals. The cause of death hasn't been ruled yet, so we can't say whether or not these escaped animals were the cause of death. Right now the families of the deceased ask to have their privacy as they mourn their lost. Back to you, Terry."

The television snapped black, and I whipped my head at Tommy who had pointed the remote towards the tv and turned it off.

"I was watching that, thanks," I snapped angrily, thrusting my hand out to swoop the remote away.

Tommy was faster. He jerked his hand back and held the remote out of reach, staring down at me with his dark blue eyes. "For God's sake, Mckenzie. Stop it!"

"Well then give me my remote!" I retorted, lifting my foot and bringing it down right in the middle to his crotch. A loud, pained grunt left his lips as he dropped the remote to the ground, disappearing from view next to the couch.

"What the actual hell?" He groaned, pushing his legs off and curling himself over his injured nuts. "Goddamn it," he cursed again, wheezing. "That shit hurts, Kenzi!"

"I know." I watched him, feeling guilt for a split second before remembering that he elbowed me in the boob last week when we were in a similar situation except with pizza.

"Freaking devil woman," he complained, eventually uncurling himself and placing his hands on top of his knees while I looked on with a bright smirk on my face. "I hate you."

"I hate you, too, Tommy, so it's okay," I replied in a comforting voice, reaching out and patting his hand caring like.

Tommy didn't reply,  instead he rolled his eyes and glanced at me for a split second. His eyes travelled down my arm and locked on the beautifully designed promise ring around my finger.

I watched carefully as he slipped his fingers through mine and led my hand up to his lips, placing a gentle kiss to the palm.

"Forgive me?" he murmured.

I gave him a confused look. "You haven't done anything wrong. I'm the one who kicked you in the nuts."

Tommy simply smiled and reached his arm out to wrap around my shoulders. I smiled when he pulled me into his side and rested his head on top of mine.

"I love you, Kenzi."

"I love you, too, doofus."