Scars

Lesson Learned

A door opens and Josh appears in the doorway. He is carrying what looks like an iron rod. "That's enough you two. Time's up." He walks over to a lever and flips it. The sound of clanking metal runs through the air as Alex is pulled away from Anthony. The two lovers lock eyes.

"Awe, how sweet. You two are going to stay looking at each other thinking it will help," Josh grins. Josh walks around the room to a place where a warm orange light begins to grow. He sets the smaller end of the iron rod into the light and makes his way back towards his ex-girlfriend.

"So I have a strong feeling that you aren't going to talk, right? You won't even look at me, will you?" Josh questions. Alex continues to stay locked with her new love. "You know what, that's completely fine, because I want to talk." Josh begins walking back and forth between Anthony and Alex as they do not rest. "I suspect both of you know why I'm here, correct? You're probably thinking, 'Why, Josh, couldn't you go find another girl? You could go find a better girl than Alex. We won't tell a soul what happened here if you just leave us alone.' Well, that's the thing," he turns to Alex, "no one breaks up with me. You end up never hearing from the ones who do again." He turns away and continues pacing, "So that's why I'm here. I'm here to show you what happens when you cross me," Josh stops in front of Alex, blocking her view of Anthony, causing her to turn her head away. Josh stoops down to her level and grips her face to lift her chin. Their eyes meet and Josh leans in close. They are separated by only an inch of air. Josh's venomous eyes glow with excitement as a tear runs down Alex's cheek. He grins and whispers into Alex's ear, "You should have seen this coming, sweetheart."

Anthony shifts in his chair, irritated by Josh's actions. Josh whips his head around to Anthony, "Oh? Is someone getting antsy? Do you not like it when I do this?" Josh teases as he caresses Alex's cheek. Anthony takes a deep breath, attempting to control himself. Josh's wicked grin spreads as he moves his face closer to Alex. Another tear rolls down her face. She gives Anthony a look, her eyes telling him to turn away.

"Hey!" Anthony roars. Both Josh and Alex turn in surprise. "That's enough, fucker! Leave her alone!" Alex sits back in shock, not realizing that Anthony could be so stern. She always knew him to be the most sensitive and loving type of person.

"Really? Or what?" Josh asks, getting up.

"Josh, don't--" Alex starts but is cut off by Josh's blow across the side of her face. She is flung to the side, her right cheek reddening. There is pain in Anthony's eyes seeing Alex get hit but he maintains eye contact with Josh. "Anthony don't do this, this isn't your fight!"

"She's right Anthony, this isn't your fight. Well, it wasn't. But it is now since you got involved with her," Josh turns on his heel and travels back over to the orange light. He grasps the iron rod that was once in his hand. The smaller point is now gleaming yellow white. The rod sizzling as Josh makes his way back over to Alex and Anthony. Josh glares at Anthony, "You see, this is the first time I've had to encounter a problem such as yourself. I don't like people taking what's rightfully mine. This is what you get when you try and take my things," Josh aimed the heated iron rod at Anthony's chest. He inched it closer and closer to the area until it was so close to the shirt material, it started to smoke.

"Now, how about we leave a mark on that handsome face of yours, shall we? Maybe this will teach you a lesson," Josh quickly moved the heated rod up to Anthony's face. Alex looked over at them, tears stinging her eyes and streaming down her cheeks. Josh placed the rod tightly against Anthony's cheek. He screamed in pain as Josh let out deep, ominous laughter. Alex struggled against her chains that were cutting into her wrists as she tried to save her true love. The smell of burnt flesh filled the area and the sound of Anthony's screams drove Alex insane.

"Fuck you!" Anthony screamed as Josh pressed the iron rod harder against his cheek. All Alex could do was watch as the man who hurt her burn her new love. There was nothing she could do but fight against the chains binding her down. With a sigh of relief, Josh dropped the iron bar onto the concrete floor. He wiped the sweat from his brow and looked at Anthony, who was still writhing in pain. Anthony dropped his head down between his shoulders, his breathing was delayed and hard, head dripping in sweat. Josh chuckled again and Alex watched as he balled up his fist.

"Josh, what are you doing?! That's enough, let him go!"

"Oh darling... You see, it isn't that easy. He still hasn't learned his lesson," Josh growled under his breath. Within an instant, Josh punched Anthony across the face. Blood spewed out of his mouth and onto the floor. Alex screamed as Josh continued to lay his fist against Anthony's face. Anthony's head sunk down lower in between his shoulders. Josh picked up Anthony's chin and made him face Alex. Alex let out a cry as she saw her lover's face, beaten and bruised.

"Now that he has learned his lesson, you're next. But first, let's do this in private." Josh walked over to Alex. She cowered under his height as he picked her up by the back of her hair. He balled up his fist and punched her square in the jaw. She was out like a light.