These Streaks of Blood

42

If Ryffin wasn't holding her back, she would have launched herself at Olivia already.

As it is, she is just straining against his hold, which is surprisingly strong for someone currently so weak. After a few moments, her concern for him kicks back in, and she realizes how much energy he must be using just to restrain her. She takes a second to put her mind at ease, to mentally prepare herself for the decision of leaving Olivia alive - at least for now.  

Then she stops pulling away from Ryffin, standing still instead. He drops his hand slowly, clearly relieved, but still unsure of how she's going to react. She doesn't glance back at him, unable to tear her deadly glare from Olivia.

Finally, the silence is broken by Ryffin. "I believe I speak for both of us when I say that this is not your home, and you are not welcome here. I think it's time for you both to go."

Olivia remains quiet, still avoiding Natalee's gaze, but Dan speaks up, his voice hard.

"I'm aware of that, Ryffin. But I've been keeping an eye on the house ever since Olivia and I came back here, and I was shocked - in a good way - when I saw Natalee walk in. I wasn't sure if she was okay before now, after what happened... and it's such a relief--"

"What do you really want, Dan? Cut the crap."

The boys both turn their heads to stare at her, but she keeps her expression as cold and unyielding as she's capable of. Though she cares for Dan in a friendly way, she doesn't want to see him right now, especially since he is carting Olivia - Olivia, of all people - around. It feels almost like a betrayal. He knows what Olivia did to her, to Emily. He knows. So why is he here with her? Why does he seem pleased to be here with her?

Dan looks surprised. "I was telling the truth, Natalee; I just wanted to check up on you before I left."

That gets her attention. She feels her expression soften the slightest bit. "What do you mean? You're leaving? Where are you going?"

Ryffin doesn't make a sound from behind her, and she isn't quite sure what to make of his silence. Is he mad that she's talking to Dan? Anxious, because he thinks this is some kind of trap? She doesn't know, but she does sense some sort of tension coming from him. She reaches back and grabs his hand. He squeezes it, and she fights back a small smile.

Dan glances at their joined hands for a split second before meeting her eyes once more. "Yeah, we're leaving. We figure that we can't exactly live here in Leewood anymore; it's been through too much, and we don't want to make any mistakes here that could cause any more devastation, you know? So we're going to wander. As cheesy as it sounds, we want to see the world."

As he speaks, Olivia looks up at him, and the affection in her eyes is so apparent that a lump forms in Natalee's throat. She hates this girl, she really does, with every fiber of her being. But she's still a girl, a girl with life in her. Natalee may be a monster, and Olivia may have done a monstrous thing, but Natalee knows she won't be able to kill her, not right now. That would make her no better than Olivia. And it wouldn't solve anything. Emily is gone.

However, she still needs to make sure Olivia isn't going to pull any more stupid stunts that could hurt people beyond the point of ever healing again.

"Dan," she says, and she keeps her tone as calm as possible, "I see that you two are back together. And that's... that's fine. But--"

Ryffin breaks her off, incredulous. "That's fine? Natalee, she killed your sister! She tried to kill you! And he kissed you, against your will! He said he liked you one day, and now, he's back with her! None of this is okay!"