Highs and lows [Imagine Dragons Fanfic]

Revenge

Just to warn you: The next few chapters contain violence and get pretty bloody.

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Dan:

All of us jump because of his sudden action. I take a worried look at Wayne who is holding his nose and clearly fighting to keep the tears back. Blood is tripping through his fingers. I can only hope that it's not broken, but it must hurt like hell.

I don't want him to get hurt and signal him to swap seats. He hesitates for a second, but eventually stands up, allowing me to stand up too. While he is taking his seat, I'm standing, not even two feet away from my father, who darts malignant glances at me.

I try not to shake because of the fear caused by him and quickly take my seat next to Wayne again. In the meantime, Platz grabbed some tissues and handed them over to Wayne. The eyes of my father following every movement.

No matter what I try, my hands start shaking and I quickly hide them under the table. Sweat is slowly running down my forehead and I notice that my breathing is way faster than it should be.

For a few moments, no one moves. Wayne is holding his nose. Platz, Ben and I look up to my father, waiting for his next action. He is still standing, angrily glaring at us.

Suddenly he fishes three things out of his pocket and slams them on the table. I try not to scoot away as he sits down next to me with a nasty grin on his lips. The four of us nervously stare at the objects on the table: A knife, a liter and a package of cigarettes.

I know what he is about to do and I bet the others know too. There was an eerie silence hanging between us as my father enjoys our fear to his fullest.

He lays his arm around my shoulder and says: "We have some unfinished business going on." Then he waits a few seconds. "I hate unfinished business!"

Again he waits a few seconds then he adds: "So, what are we gonna do about this?"

No one answers.

Suddenly he hits the back of my head with his bare hand. The hit wasn't unexpected but still caught me off guard. Another hit follows just a few seconds later, this time hitting my cheek.

"Answer me!" he yells and hits me in the face again.

I try to protect my face with my hand, but for some reason, I can't. I just sit there, letting him hit me and not saying a single word.

Finally Ben says: "What do you want to hear from us?"

"Suggestions..." father answers while he takes out a cigarette and lights it. Then he takes my hand and lays it on the table. I nervously look at Platz, still unable to move.

"We're for sure not going to tell you how to torture us!" Wayne states, still holding his nose.

My fathers' answer is simple. He takes the cigarette and presses it against the back of my hand. I let out a whimper, I don't want to give him the satisfaction of a scream. At the same time, I recoil, withdraw my hand and bend forward, trying not to let the tears fall out of my eyes.

A few moments later, a hand grabs me by my collar and brings me in an upright position again. He takes my now shaking hand and lays it on the same spot as before, pinning it down with one hand.

"Why the hell did you do that?" Ben shouts out, not knowing that it makes everything worse.

Just seconds later, the cigarette hits my hand again. This time, I can't withdraw it due to the tight grip of my fathers hand. I bite my tongue to keep me from screaming and press my eyes together to keep the tears back.

"Okay, okay," Platz says, shooting me worried looks. "Please, just give us time."

"You've had enough time!"

"Please, just put the cigarette down. Maybe we can talk this out?!" he now starts a weak try.

I already prepare myself to get burned. I tilt my head away and press my eyes together. Just a few seconds later, the cigarette hits my hand again. But I refuse to scream. I'm not going to give him that satisfaction! Not today!

"Don't ever tell me what to do!" he growls.

"Look, I'm sorry. We're just not really good in finding ways of how to torture our friends..." Platz states.

"Your big mouth is going to kill your friend!" this time without burning my hand. Suddenly he lets go of it and I quickly pull it back again.

"But since no one of you has any idea, we're going to play a game!" he declares with a wicked grin.