Malediction

30 - Bruised

The fight had probably only lasted a minute, and when the boys were seperate, Matthew found his courage, wrestling with Harlow and Richmond who held him back. Blood freely escaped his nose, trickling down his white cotton dress shirt.

Danny stood tall in front of me, his breathing rigid, his eyes firm. His hands were by his sides, balled into tight fists stained with blood. I hadn't ever seen this man show a great deal of emotion, and now, I saw all of it at once. 

"Get out of here, now Newscot!" Richmond yelled as he forced Matthew back "I'm only warning you once!"

"Holy shit, what just happened?" Skyler gapped behind me in shock, a large formation of crowds running outside to catch sight of the boxing match

Absorbing what Richmond had said, Danny hastily turned and began storming from the courtyard, his strides long and quick.

Cara was hanging off my arm, her voice slow as she asked me if I was okay.
Was I okay? I didn't even know, all I knew was that I needed to catch up to Danny. We still had a meeting to get to, no matter what small town bickering had exploded, bigger things were at stake.

I pulled my arm from her grip "I'm fine" I told her "I'll message you later, okay?"

I removed myself from the middle of the crowd, following Danny in tow toward the parking lot. I was jogging messily on my shoes in an attempt to catch up to him. When I found my voice, I began to call out to him, urging him to stop, or slow down.
He was shut off, unresponsive when he reached his truck, leaning on the hood with his head bowed between his arms

"Danny" I breathed when I finally caught up, the cold air causing my nose to become numb, my cheeks hot, my body lightly trembling

I paused a few meters from his back, keeping safe distance. I hadn't experienced angry Danny, I didn't know what he was capable of, no matter how much I wanted to believe he was of no danger to me, I needed to be careful

"Danny" I tried again, gentler, hoping to gain his attention, despite having no idea what I would actually say to simmer him down. He took a deep breath, releasing it before lifting his head and slowly turning to face me. His hands were on his hips, his expression smoothening back out

I shook my head, overwhelmed "I'm sorry"

He was looking at the ground, avoiding eye contact "Don't be, I'm not"

"You're going to be in so much trouble Danny, your mum, Blake.." I began

Unexpectedly, his face rose, his eyes meeting mine "He deserved what he got, I'll take whatever punishment I get"

"Danny.." I panicked, rubbing my forehead with my hands, concerned for the repercussions 

"I can handle it" He mumbled, retreating to his car, opening the driver door with his keys in hand "You should go back, hang out with your friends, I'll meet with Evalia on my own"

Without thought, my feet stomped forward, my hand reaching out to slam his door closed, preventing him from making an inexcusable escape

"No way" I shook my head "I'm going with you"

"Is it not clear to you now? Your life, my life, they aren't the same, they can't be, because it doesn't work" He argued

"Because of one asshole?" I cursed, angrily "It doesn't matter that it's you, he would have done the exact same thing had it of been anyone else"