HER

CHAPTER 4 Bravery (LANA)

I heard it again, it was louder this time. The screams became desperate and chilled me to the bone. I grew furious as my imagination ran wild. I opened my front door and sat on the fence listening to where it was coming from. But of course, deep down, I already knew. I stormed downstairs and made my way to their door. I slammed my fist hard onto the wood. No one answered. All the windows were opened. Odd. I picked the lowest one and crawled in. I was haunted by what I saw.

Marina lay naked on the floor, her husband learnt over her. A gun was shoved in her bloodied mouth. Jesus. I heard him click the safety off. Everything moved so quickly. My instincts kicked in and I ran full force into him. The impact making him reel back. He fired two bullets into the wall. Right above Marinas head.

He smelt of vodka and looked pale and sickly. Was he on something? Disgusted I pushed him aside. He was unstable on his feet and stumbled. I didn't think he would grab my shoulders roughly and shove me into the wall. The force of my back colliding with the wall knocked the breath out of me. His hands wrapped around my throat, they were slick with blood. I kicked and scratched at him trying to escape his tight grip. I struggled for air as my vision blackened. This was it I thought. This is how I go.

Suddenly out of the corner of my eye I saw Marina shove him with all her might, knocking him over.

I gasped for air, shaking as I sank to the ground. He got up and snatched the gun from the floor. I looked at Marina, her eyes grew large. 

He aimed it at me and threatened Marina.

"So this is the slut you pine after, really Marina? After EVERYTHING I did for you?"

"What the fuck are you talking about? Nothing happened?!"

"Don't give me that shit Marina, I know you!"

He looked at me sneering "Are you happy now? Is this what you wanted!"

I wrapped my arms around myself trying to hide from his piercing gaze.

Marina filled with rage swung at him, he grabbed her wrists twisting them as she cried out in pain.

He had stupidly dropped the gun to tackle her to the ground. I sprung into action trembling as I  grabbed it.

I pointed it at his head and ordered him to get off of her. He reluctantly obliged calling me for everything. I couldn't hear him over the rushing sound in my ears. Marina gingerly and painfully stood up. Her legs were covered in scratches, some deeper than others. Fresh bruises littered her arms and back. She saw me staring and looked away, embarrassed. Once Marina was by my side she nudged me to give her the gun.

I gave it to her.

She told me to turn around, I looked at her so taken aback and dumbfounded that she grabbed my hand and turned me away. She shot three bullets into him. Two in his chest and one in his leg. I heard her bare feet slap against the wood then pad softly onto the living room carpet. She kneeled in front of him.

"No ones coming" Marina whispered " you're alone".

I turned slightly, peeping out of half shut eyes to watch. I wish I hadn't.

She spoke softly to him as she dug her fingers into the bullet wounds, blood spilled over her hands. She smiled a sickly sweet smile.

I was torn, I couldn't believe what had just happened. She frightened me. I couldn't stand to be in the same room as her yet something about the way she reached out to stroke my hand made my heart melt.

She was an angel. But then again no one expects an angel to set the world on fire.

We left him bleeding. The blood turning brown as it soaked deep into the carpet.

Marina stood so still it scared me. I dug my nails into my palms as I stared foolishly at her. Finally, running her hands through her damp hair, she washed her hands in the sink. Clearing away any trace of him.

I watched her as she disappeared and returned with a robe. It was tied tightly around her. She grabbed her pack of cigarettes and shakily lit one as she walked outside.

I counted to ten in my head. I felt as though my chest was going to explode. My face burned as tears stung my cheeks. Turning I pressed both hands against the wall. I needed something to hold. Something stable. I couldn't calm down.

This hadn't happened since Larry died. It felt worse, my breaths were shallow and quick making me feel faint and sick. I was all alone. Again.

I felt a cold hand touch my arm. I jumped. I wasn't alone. Marina pulled me into a warm embrace. I clung to her like a child as I trembled. The one thing I truly admire about her is her strength.

Remaining in our hug we went outside and sat on the grass. Sitting looking up at the moon calmed me. Marina ran her hand up and down my back soothing me. She must think I'm crazy. Unstable. Everything that the neighbours feared. But the way that she looked at me made me feel otherwise. Her hair was now dried and surprisingly naturally curly. In the pale moonlight she was divine. She was a murderer I reminded myself, she had killed her husband. But he was killing her everyday. Maybe it wasn't so bad. Maybe she wasn't bad.

I let myself have this moment. Sitting peacefully, listening to chirping crickets and nighttime creatures.

Marina turned to me, licking her lips as she leaned in and kissed my forehead. I blushed as my stomach grumbled with a familiar gnawing feeling.

I tucked her wild hair behind her ear.

"What now?"