Annalise

Chapter 1: The Imperishables

"Don't!" I cried, racing downstairs.

I moved my hands to the stranger's raised arm, gripping his wrist and tugging him away from my brother. I couldn't stand him getting kicked and punched any longer.

His flaming eyes burned into mine, shivers crept up my back. He grabbed my upper arm and pushed me against the wall, my front side pressing hard against it.

"Ow!" I cried, as his hand roughly pressed my cheek to the wall.

"Don't get in my fucking way! I won't hesitate to fuck you up either," he seethed.

As fast as his hands were on me, was as fast as they were off. The pressure eased and his hands retreated. I instantly turned to face him, only to find out that he was inches away from me.

Taken aback by his closeness, I stumbled away from him. Unfortunately, I tripped over my feet. My butt hit the floor as I fell back. I scooted away from him using my feet to push me back. My eyes were glued to his shoes and I didn't think I could bring myself to look at him.

Tears threatened to gush out of me, my lips, clear as day, quivered uncontrollably. I closed my eyes and brung my knees into my chest, wrapping my arms around them. I formed into a tiny ball.

What does he want? Is he still going to continue beating up my brother? More importantly, who is he? How can a stranger come into my house and start pounding on my sibling?

He's in my house and I'm not going to be scared. Your home is the place where you're never suppose to run from someone. With that in mind, my eyes flipped open and laid upon his.

His face and stance displayed power and triumph, as if he were pleased by his actions of making me cower before him. My hands trembled and my heartbeat sky rocketed. I scanned the room for objects that I could use to attack, in case it came down to it. Nothing, absolutely nothing was in grabbing reach. I gulped loudly, my throat becoming dry.

What the what is wrong with this guy?

In the matter of seconds, he bent down and his lips were at my left ear, "It's good that you're scared, it means you're smart."

I flinched at his closeness and mostly his words.

"Get away from me, get away from us!" I screeched, gaining as much space between us as possible.

His right hand shot up and cupped my face, tightly. I groaned loudly at the amount of force he used to yank me up to my feet. I shut my eyes, counting to ten. I didn't want to cry. I couldn't cry, not now. I need to be strong for my brother.

1...2...3...4

"Open your eyes."

Maybe this is all a dream. When I open my eyes he won't be there. I'll be in bed, safe and sound.

5...6...7...

He squeezed my cheeks and jaw harder, the pain just made me glue my eyes shut more.

8..9

"Open them or your brother dies. I'll shoot him at the center of his head, forcing you to watch!" He scowled, oozing with power that attached to him like a second layer of skin.

His dominance over me and my brother was well known, he barge right into our house with little worry, no fear or trouble blocked his features. The confidence he had was sickening, his eyes never left my face at all, his head didn't hang low, it was as if his actions were purely acceptable. He held a great amount of three things I did not currently have.