Stepbrother (Sequel to Stockholm Syndrome)

50

As I was walking to the house, it was clear that someone was following me. However, I was wrong in assuming it was Luke. Eventually, the footsteps cut around and in front of me, and a man a bit shorter than Luke emerged from the woods. It was like a scene from a horror movie went off in my brain.

I sensed some familiarity in his frame, but I did not piece it together for a long time.

Then, a sudden remembrance shot into my brain. I had memories clear enough that it felt as though I could feel his hands on my skin. I remembered running from Luke and getting lost in the woods. This was the man I had come to. I'd come to him for help and all I got was complete and utter betrayal.

"Don't panic." He held his hand out as he stepped closer and it wrapped around one of my wrists; he was prepared if I tried to lash out.

But he only grabbed one arm. With my right hand, I punched him as hard as I could, screamed bloody murder, and backed up in a hurried fashion as he clutched onto his now-bruised jaw. I was about to turn to start running when I ran into another person. I screamed again and tried to run around the second person, but strong arms held tight to me. I recognized his leather jacket before I recognized Luke. When I matched his face with his body, my reaction did a complete 360 and, instead of yanking myself away from him, I dug my face into his chest in fear. While I huddled close to him in distress, I could feel the rumble in his chest as he began laughing.

"I see you've met Billy once again." He said, his voice deep. Billy rubbed his jaw where I had punched him. Luke looked up to and said to Billy: "After she and I started getting along, I taught her some self-defense, so she wouldn't get kidnapped or something." He said sarcastically. I ripped myself out of Luke's grip.

"This isn't- this is the man you-" I glared up at him. Luke stepped away, as to avoid his own punch to the face. "You- this is- why did-" My stuttering ended on: "This is Billy!?" I yelled. "Billy the blinking bully? Billy your cousin?" My voice rose. So-called-Billy snorted in laughter. "Oh, you shut up!" My lip curled in disgusted anger, giving him a quick once-over. "You have no right to laugh at this; you helped him put me through hell." I pointed at Luke as I spoke. "And you;" I turned to Luke, "Is this some way of getting back at me for flipping out?" I accused.

"This is what I meant when I said we weren't out of hearing range for everyone. He was hanging out in a guest house for the weekend to get out of his parents' way for a bit and he overheard our argument; he didn't know whether you and I had reached a peaceful living agreement yet."

"Oh, great," I spit out. "So, you decided to follow me, so you could drag me back to Luke's couch if he needed you to?" I called him out.

"This one's got a fire lit inside of her." Billy cackled. My jaw tensed, and Luke sensed my pulsing anger. Before he could interject, I spoke freely.

"Talk about me like I'm not right here when I am again, and I'll make that bruise on your jaw seem like child's play." I growled out through gritted teeth.