The Dark (DEVON) // ✔️ // [NEWADULT]

|| Chapter Twelve - The Help ||

"Aria." Isaac breathed. He looked exactly as I remember him, scruffy white-blonde hair, crystal blue eyes and a cutting jawline... still as strikingly beautiful as I remember him. Yet, still as unsettling as I remember. If not more.

The woman's grip tightened on my wrist and I squealed as pain shot up my arm, Isaac noticed and growled, "Victoria." She looked at him and smiled innocently- for a second it was hard to believe that she was breaking my wrist.

"Let go." He said slowly. Reluctantly she released my arm and turned away. I grimaced when she wrapped her arms around Isaac's neck and planted a harsh kiss on his lips. Isaac frowned but returned it nonetheless. I looked away as my stomach turned.

Soon, faint grunts were heard from the inside, they got louder as the people stepped out of the shadows. Devon was hanging limply in between three large men. I gasped as I took in his complexion, he had busted lip, eye, cheek... everything. His once gorgeous face was now a purple and black pulp.

Slowly he raised his head to look at me, nothing but fear in his eyes. Part of me bristled at the idea that he wasn't scared for himself. He was scared for me.

Victoria- braid woman- pulled away from Isaac and snickered wickedly when she saw Devon, "Aww Devvy..." She crooned, placing her long thin hand under Devon's chin. She lifted his head up to a painful elevation before tutting, "You should've joined us when you had the chance." She spat, releasing his head. His neck landed at a sickening angle.

Isaac slowly made his way towards me, I wanted to run away but I couldn't bring myself to leave Devon with them, regardless of the mystery he carries along with him. He can't get out of this one alone.

"Dear Aria, you've been running from me for a long time." He said softly, grabbing a lock of my hair in his hand and caressing it. Cringing, I looked into his eyes as he spoke, "Baby, I'm sorry I ever cheated on you..." he smiled warmly at me.

"What!" Victoria hissed.

Isaac glared at her and brought his finger to his mouth, silencing her, to my surprise. She stood down, looking at me with venom in her stare. A flash of satisfaction spread through me at her apparent jealousy.

"You see, I misjudged you." Isaac sauntered around me and approached Devon, "I thought after the imminent death of your fathers, you'd be weak and I could just lure you into joining us." He knelt down to Devon's level and whistled, "look at me Serpent shit."

So he is part of the serpents.

Devon raised his head with a large smirk on his face, he chuckled a choked, wet chuckle before spitting blood onto the ground, "Yeah Isaac?" He rasped.

Isaac rolled his eyes, "Pathetic." He muttered, "Was this your plan?" Isaac asked, pulling a pocket knife out and dancing it around in front of Devon's impassive face.

I gawked at his demeanour, how could he be so calm? Something told me this wasn't a first for him, but I prayed it would be the last. For his sake.

"Plan?" Devon mused, "What? Drag the poor girl into my life?" He spat, "I'm not that sick. I was warning her. Warning her about you. You see Isaac, there is a different between me and you." Isaac didn't interrupt, "you prey on the helpless, you have no power over someone strong because to overpower them, you have to match or exceed their own strength. But..." he drawled, spitting out another glob of blood, "I help them, Aria- she needs help. She needs protecting." He paused and looked at me, my face still a picture of horror, "she needs my protection from you." He finished.

There was a silence before Isaac started laughing hysterically, forget laughing, he was guffawing- belly laughing. My insides turned to mush as Devon pleaded me with his eyes- I knew what he wanted me to do. Run. He couldn't help me. He knew that now.

"You my friend..." Isaac wiped a tear from under his eye, "are a comedy genius, honestly, you should do stand up." Suddenly, all the humour was gone, "That's If you can stand again, after we're finished with you, you'll be nothing but a broken pulp." Terror consumed me.

"No!" I shouted.

Isaac looked at me, raised his pocket knife, and smirked, "No?" He mused.

"Don't do it." I whimpered, "Put the knife down Isaac, please." My pleasing amused him. However, he lowered the knife.

"Why? Who is he to you?" Isaac stated coldly, "Let me guess, he's your saviour, your knight in a leather jacket?" He laughed harshly, "and you're going to run away with him, he'll keep you safe, you'll fall in love, pop out a few brats and live HAPPILY EVER AFTER!" He seethed, "Well guess what baby, you can have that life, with me, not him." He countered, "but guess what Aria, go with him and your life will be a never ending shitstorm!" His voice cracked as he shouted, the wavering tone jarring me.

Devon was slowly becoming more alert, I glimpsed him moving and readying himself. Therefore, I had to keep Issac distracted.

Anxiety flooded my veins as I spoke up, "I don't." I stated.

"You don't what baby?" Isaac addressed me, taking long strides to reach me.

"I don't want that life, with..." I took a deep breath, "him." I used as much distaste as I could muster when talking about Devon and it seemed to have worked.

Isaac smiled brightly, "You mean..." he pointed between me and him, Victoria continued to bristle.

"Little whore!" She screamed, storming towards me, "Sorry sweetie but you had your chance. You lost it. Deal with it, you can't just waltz-" Isaac shot his hand out and slapped her cheek. Victoria turned and grabbed her cheek, the sound resonated through the air, I actually felt sympathy for the girl.

Isaac ground his teeth and looked at her, "How many times?" He hissed, "You're a bystander in this situation, always have been, who could love you?" Isaac said it as if it was the most obvious thing. I agreed partially, she wasn't beautiful and certainly had no outstanding characteristics but, everyone can be loved.

Victoria walked away without another word. She left us. Perfect. I looked at Devon just in time to see him twist out of their grip. The two men staggered back in shock but quickly fought back, unfortunately for them, Devon knew what they'd do. He punched out and hit one after the other.

Isaac was staring, with an amused smile plastered on his thin lips. He didn't make any move to intervene, in fact, he looked almost relaxed. I watched him carefully, looking for weapons he may be carrying. Nothing.

Devon finished with the men, leaving them stunned and pained, he ignored Isaac and charged towards me, taking me by the hand and dragging me towards the lot, Isaac followed us with his eyes but made no move to actually match our steps. I could hear Devon's laboured breathing as he staggered towards the truck.

"Give me the keys." I said.

"...no." Devon breathed.

"You are in no position to drive." My voice was dull, I didn't want to convey how scared I was. He didn't need to see me cry again.

"I don't..." he grunted and grabbed his side, "care." He wheezed.

"Well I do! Give me the keys and fucking tell me where to go!" I screamed, my voice wavering slightly.

Devon stopped and glared at me, fresh blood running through his fingers and down his side. I gasped, "Y-you-" I swallowed hard, "You need to give me those keys Devon." I demanded.

He groaned, his eyes pinching together. He nodded slowly and threw the keys towards me. I caught them clumsily and made my way to the truck, unlocking it and hauling myself inside.

Devon followed, throwing himself backwards.

I started up the truck and reversed from the spot. I didn't miss the lone tear that fell down Devon's cheek.

I didn't miss any of the raw emotion he showed today.

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Interesting chapter, yes?

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