The Devil Within

Stranger Danger

My back stung painfully as I was slammed against the fence at the bridge, I struggled against Patrick and Victor's grip but I wasn't strong enough. I kicked out, trying desperately to get them to let go of me, Patrick laughing in my face at my attempts.

Henry stepped closer to me, a small smirk plastered on his face. "I'm gonna teach you some fucking manners, cunt."

He clenched his fist and I suddenly felt his knuckles connect painfully with my jaw, he brought his hand back and then swung again for another hard punch across the other side of my face - this time catching my nose and lip. I felt blood pouring down my nose, and my lip had been busted open, the metallic taste of blood quickly filling up my mouth. Henry roughly grabbed the front of my top and pulled me closer to him, his nose nearly touching mine.

"This jogging your memory a little?" he mocked, grinning.

I turned my head to look up at him, giving him a small smirk, and suddenly spat a mouthful of blood in his face.

"Not one bit." I said, weakly.

Henry recoiled, hastily wiping the blood off, his face contorted with sheer anger as he glared at me. "You cheeky fucking bitch!" he spat, drawing his fist back and landing a swift punch in my stomach, knocking the wind clean out of me.

I doubled over, coughing and spluttering, until Henry grabbed hold of my shirt again - this time accidentally pulling it a bit too far up so that part of my bra was showing. Henry glanced down, noticing this, and a mischievous smirk creeped across his lips.

"On second thought, I've a more fun way of teaching you a lesson..." said Henry. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his switchblade, I watched him raise it to the edge of my shirt, and my heart started thumping wildly.

"H-hey, there's no need for that now," I said, trying to hide the panic in my voice.

"Why? Afraid us Derry hicks will be too much for you? I know you've probably fucked half of LA now, but let's show you what real fun is," said Patrick, flicking his tongue out and dragging it along the shell of my ear.

Henry slowly began cutting my shirt, sliding the blade upwards, I knew I had to react quickly. I wasn't gonna let them go this far. I could see a golden opportunity when I seen Henry's crotch was within kicking distance, I didn't think twice and suddenly swung my leg upwards - landing a hard kick right onto his groin. Henry dropped the knife as he fell over in pain, clutching his crotch; I lifted my leg up and brought my foot against his face, using it to push myself up over the fence with such force I ended up slipping out of my leather jacket - as Patrick and Victor still had a hold on it, they hadn't reacted fast enough to what was going on until I had already tumbled down the steep hill. I scraped my cheek as I landed on the solid ground, I could hear them all yelling after me from the top of the hill.

"YOU'RE SO FUCKING DEAD, YOU WHORE!" Henry shouted, getting up off the ground and wincing in pain.

I glanced up to see Patrick, Victor and Belch climbing over the fence and running down towards me, I scrambled to my feet and bolted through the trees towards the river. My heart was thumping wildly against my chest, and my mouth tasted metallic, but I couldn't stop - I couldn't let them catch up to me. I ran through the river, almost twisting my ankle a couple of times over the stones beneath the water, I could see the entrance to the sewers up ahead; and I knew I didn't have much of a choice if I wanted to get as far away from them as possible. I could hear their high pitched taunts and shouting in the distance, they'd catch up with me soon enough if I didn't pick up the pace; I reached the entrance and rushed inside the dark and rancid smelling sewers, the cold water splashing about my feet making me shudder. I continued down the dark tunnel, I didn't have a flashlight on me and I couldn't really see where I was going. I kept bumping into corner, frightening myself as I rushed through the tunnel, several unpleasant thoughts ran through my mind and I couldn't help but feel even more on edge than I already was. I kept on running until I hit a dead end, bars blocking my only way onwards. I began pulling at them, trying to pry them open, but to no avail.