Blinders

Chapter Four: Should've Left Our Love In The Gutter

Cass's P.O.V.

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"Good night, Evelyn. Good night, Vivian."

"Why're your shoes on?" Vivian asked.

"I'm going for my walk. I won't be long."

The screen door slammed behind me, bidding me farewell. I fished my iPod out of my pocket, along with a pair of headphones that were more knotted than Campbell's hair. I selected one of my favorite songs, turned the volume up to the max (shit for my ears, I know), and started walking.

My habit for walking stretches back for as long as I could remember. When I was four, my mom would take me for walks every day, rain or shine. We'd walk every day, until five years ago, when Evelyn and Vivian were born. She stopped going for walks then, to "take care of the twins". Our last walk together was October seventh, 2007, two days before my birthday.

I ambled into town, appreciating the silence only nighttime brought into my life. Mosquitoes buzzed around my face and neck. I jammed my hands into my pockets.

Over the music, I heard a burst of sound from up ahead. I glanced at the local church, up the street. Golden light spilled from its doors, and a group of teenagers jumped from the steps, celebrating their newfound freedom. I ignored them.

"Hey! Dyke!"

Shit.

I glanced up again. Jason and his friends, Tom and Aaron, were dashing down the sidewalk towards me like a group of not-so-graceful gazelles, their football-induced bulk causing their appearance to lean more towards "part time bodybuilders, part time ballerinas".

"Hey, dyke," Jason repeated.

"Ah, if it isn't the king of the douchebags! Forgive me for not bowing in your presence, Your Majesty."

"Grab it," he growled.

My heart skipped a few beats. Aaron and Tom grabbed my upper arms, and I laughed. "Is that supposed to intimidate me? Make me less human?"

They shoved me forward, into Jason. He wrapped his arms around my back. "Maybe you haven't been with the right man, baby," he whispered as I started to struggle.

"Well, I was with you," I whispered back. I jerked my shoulder back. His grip remained tight.

"YOU BITCH!" he roared, shoving me back into Aaron and Tom. "I'll show you a real man!"

I yelped and strugged more. Their fingernails dug into my skin. "Let go of me! I'll scream!"

"HEY! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?"

Mr. Ross dashed down the sidewalk. Aaron and Tom dropped my arms. "You should be ashamed of yourselves," he snapped through gritted teeth. "And Jason, I'll see you lose your spot on the football team. Now LEAVE."

"Thanks, Mr. Ross," I said after they scattered, staring at my feet.

"They were talking about grabbing you all youth group. I followed them out. C'mon, I live right down the street. You can clean up your arms there."

I looked at my shoulders and muttered, "Holy shit." The boys' fingernails had dug into them, leaving long, red ruts.

"Come on, kiddo." He started down the street. I had no choice but to follow him.

He stopped in front of the local coffee shop and pulled out his keyring. "You live HERE?" I whispered.

"Well, above it." He jimmied the door open. "C'mon."

We trudged through the dark, heavenly-smelling shop and up the spiral staircase shoved, forgotten, in the corner. He unlocked a second wooden door at the top.