The Heart Of You ♚ Jim Moriarty

Four

Jim couldn't help the smirk tugging at his wet lips. He peered below him as Travis dug his nails into the ground. He scratched the cement, molding his fingers into raw nubs. Jim curled his lip and Alaina turned away. Tears no longer watered her cheeks, her skin tightened as they dried.

"I think it might be best if I walk you home." He suggested smoothing his coal hair.

An electric current tickled under the flesh of her arms, surging through her limbs and up her neck. She glanced at Jim through a curtain of brown locks, and unlike Travis his eyes never wondered to the hem of her dress. He didn't sneak a bashful peek at her exposed collar or even gaze at the curves of her hips. Jim saw her, and only her. It was nice to be noticed for more than what she was wearing.

"That's a good idea," she agreed. "But what are we going to do about him?"

She flicked her head to Travis, still writhing at their feet.

"Don't worry. He'll be taken care of."

When he said this, a black car turned down their empty street. It glided the road, shining as it caught the light through the trees. It veered towards them, slow and quiet. Pins pricked along the back of Alaina's neck, the sensation enough to make her shrink. She stepped behind Jim, spying over his broad shoulder as he hid another cheeky grin. The car stopped a few paces ahead of them, its headlights illuminated Travis crippled and wheezing. Jim turned to Alaina and grabbed her hand.

"Let's go," he said with a voice wrapped in silk.

He pulled her down the sidewalk and away from the car, their shadows were like giants in front of them. A door opened followed by a shuffling of hurried feet. Alaina's curiosity rumbled like a starved stomach and against better judgment she fed it. When she tossed her head back, knots twisted between her shoulders. Two men had stepped out from the sleek car wearing dark suits and sharp jaws, they wasted no time grabbing Travis who thrashed and howled as he was hauled to the vehicle like garbage. Alaina winced. They stuffed him in the trunk but he fought against them, his raw hands reaching out as if he had the audacity to plea for help. The largest of the two men reeled back his fist before plundering Travis like a training bag. Each hit held incredible force and Alaina wondered how many teeth he would end the night with. The man stopped punching when he was sure Travis wouldn't fight back, which in this case meant he was gurgling his own blood and blind from ruptured corneas.

Jim brought the pads of his fingers to Alaina's chin to guide her stare away.

"Don't look." He whispered leaning towards her delicatable ear. The knots which nuzzled between her shoulder blades loosened when he stepped closer.

Jim pressed his hand to the small of her back to encourage her forward. Alaina tried to stop her quivering jaw by grinding her teeth but they only clattered.

"Here," Jim slipped his navy jacket from his large arms and covered her exposed shoulders. His heart sputtered like a forgotten engine as she looked up to him with her round doe eyes.

She thanked him and they continued on their path.

A door slammed.

Travis screamed.

 

                             .     ♚     .

"I don't know what I would have done without you." Alaina smiled.

Jim adjusted his gold watch and Alaina straightened his jacket which hung loose over her frame. They walked in rhythm and didn't apologize when their arms brushed.