A Locked Box

Chapter 4

   "Don't you want to hang out with us?" his voice was slick with darker intentions.

    Kat glared. "Back off before you regret it," she said through a clenched jaw.

    One of the friends laughed, his massive shoulders bouncing. "Sure, a girl like you could take on four of us," he was doubtful. He looked like a gorilla.

    Kat smirked. As fast as lightning, she grabbed Leather dude's arm, twisting it behind his back painfully. Twisting until she heard the unnerving pop, Kat released the boy. He fell to the ground in a painful heap. "I only count three," she smiled a sickly sweet smile.

    The other two boys shared wary glances as the third, Gorilla boy, stepped forward. "You seem tough but you're just a scared little girl," he sneered.

   Kat tilted her head to the side in mock confusion. "Do I look scared?" The numbness was starting to grow up from her feet. This scenario was so familiar.

   The Gorilla didn't back down. Charging, he yelled out in anger. Kat dodged his first punch, directing her own attack to the boy's passing cheek. She wasn't thinking, numb to the world. The only thing concerning her was the fight before her. Charging again, he managed to land a painful blow to Kat's gut. Doubling over, she felt the air leave her lungs. Gorilla let out a triumphant shout but was cut short by Kat's punch to the throat. He choked, eyes wide, holding his throat. Stumbling away, he sent one last resentful glare at Kat before he allowed his friends to lead him away. Leather dude looked fearful.

   Kat fell onto the grass, breathing heavily. The fight had exhausted her and brought up unwanted memories. All she had was painful and unwanted memories of her past. Her left side hurt from where the gorilla goon had landed his punch. It was clearly going to be bruised soon. Her eyes closed from the fatigue.

   "Are you alright?"

   Kat's eyes flew open. A glare settled over her features as she perked up to see Devin standing over her. She laid back against the ground, hiding her wince by clearing her throat.

   "So you just like to lay down randomly on the cold ground during the middle of autumn?" Devin asked sarcastically. Kat could hear him shifting to sit beside her.

   She kept her eyes shut. "Yup!" her cheerfulness was fake. She turned to look at the purple haired boy. "You really are a stalker,"

   Devin said nothing, staring back.

   Kat ripped her eyes away. "Creep," she sat up, wincing.

   "I knew it," Devin didn't sound happy about being correct. "You're hurt!"

   "And you're stalking me. We both have problems," Kat snapped. "Just leave me alone," she stood slowly, pain flowing freely. Devin hovered around her. His hands were just inches from her skin. "Don't touch me!" Kat demanded. Anger was flaring in her as she backed away from the tall boy.

   Devin was confused by her change in tone. "Why don't you want help? You're clearly hurt,"

   Kat glared hotly. "I don't need help. I'm fine!" she started down the sidewalk. Stomping down the road, she forgot about the world and was consumed by her dark, better left forgotten memories.