Echo in Her Mind

Thirty-Eight.

Ruben appeared out of the blue, and snatched Aaron by the back of his shirt, before throwing him against the wall with all his force. "How dare you even place your hands on her in that way!" Ruben roared, and Bethany was positive she had never seen him that angry before. It didn't seem to faze Aaron though, who smiled and stood up from the ground.

"How many times do we have to go through this, Ruben? You can't beat me. I always win, especially when Bethany is the prize." He chuckled, as she saw as Ruben raced towards him, and tackled him through the wall, into the room next door. She could no longer see them, and was still stuck shirtless on the bed.

Bethany wished Ruben would have attempted to cover her up before he attacked Aaron. At least then she couldn't feel so exposed.

All she could hear was their movement from the other room, and their words, but she had no idea who was wining. She felt herself growing worried about Ruben's wellbeing.

"I'm next in line! You know how it works, Ruben!" Aaron shouted, and a loud bang could be heard. Bethany had no idea what it was.

"You can't make it happen by force! She had to want you too! Have you not learned anything?"

"She did want me! It was pretty obvious in the bar! Nothing about that was forced! Regardless of her reasoning for doing so, you drove her right into my arms!"

Bethany could just hear the smirk that she was sure was plastered on Aaron's face. "You changed the course of her fate, Ruben. Not me, not Bethany, only you. Just accept it, and let me have my bride."

There was another loud bang, and Bethany wasn't sure who threw who, but that blow definitely could've done damage by the sound of it.

"She is not your bride, nor your destiny. I suggest you leave, before I make you, Aaron."

"You and I both know you can't beat me, in anything," Aaron spat, venom evident in his words.

"You really need to stop underestimating me, Aaron." Ruben's voice was light, but forceful, as he advanced on his brother. He didn't appear afraid of Ruben, but he wished he had. It would've made it must more worthwhile.

"I don't care who she ends up with after my time is gone," Ruben spoke. "As long as it's not you."

In one quick movement, Ruben lifted Aaron over his head; his grip on his ligaments, tight, so he couldn't fight his way out. He walked over to the window as Aaron began to squirm.

"You aren't able to kill me. You know that, right?" Aaron asked him, which of course Ruben knew. Aaron's heart couldn't die; his previous life was pure, regardless of his current actions.

Ruben was only thinking of a temporary solution, as he threw Aaron through the glass window, which now matched the one of his own hotel room. He watched as his brother's wings appeared after the encounter, and he flew up in the air to face Ruben once again.

"This won't be the last time you hear from me, Ruben. I will be back for her, when you least expect it." Ruben didn't doubt that.

He watched as Aaron disappeared into the now early morning sky that mixed blues and oranges together. It was such a beautiful sight that such an ugly soul now flew throughout. From this point forward, Ruben knew he had to be on his guard more than he already was.

Bethany figured Aaron must have been gone now, as she was able to move her body that was now stiff, as she sat up on the bed.

"You'll be sore for a while." She looked up as Ruben reentered the room through the giant whole he made. "You might want to redress yourself."