Alone Awaken

Chapter 13: Remi

Trying to leave Colton's house was more difficult than I anticipated. I was fuming from my encounter with Tori, that I just kept walking. I didn't look at anyone. Even when I bumped into people trying to leave the massive crowd, I just gave a stern "sorry" to each one of them. I had just made it to the street, when someone didn't think my "sorry" was good enough.

Josh had clearly been drinking. His drink sloshed around in his cup with every movement he made. I was surprised that the whole thing didn't spill out.

I told him to let me go multiple times and with every no, his grip got tighter and tighter around my wrist. As if it was a challenge for him to get me to stay. I didn't want to stay, especially not with him.

With every second that lasted, my panic grew and grew. I didn't know what Josh was going to do to me and the crowd didn't seem to notice my struggle. With every party I've been to in the past, nothing like this had ever happened to me. To actually fear a person the way I feared Josh and for no one to help me. To feel stranded with no hope. It was sickening.

I didn't see Colton run up to us. All I saw was Josh being hurled around and his grip letting go. Colton punched him so hard, that josh's head snapped to the right. I saw blood spat from his mouth, as if I was watching the movie Rocky live.

I was shocked and frozen. I wanted to run into Colton's arms, to take me away and thank him for saving me when no one else would. I saw Colton's lips move, but I didn't hear anything come out. Everything was muffled from my adrenaline pumping through my veins. I was slowly coming down from it when Josh tackles Colton. I still couldn't move. With every punch, I held my breathe. I couldn't tell if Josh was making contact with Colton's face. I could hear every thud of a hit, but I was motionless. I wanted to help Colton, but my body told me no.

Colton was quick to throw Josh off of him. He waited for Josh to get tired, an opening he could take and was quick to his feet. Colton's stance was predatorial. His back curved with both fists clenched. His legs stood wide with his left foot forward, giving dominance to his right arm. He could strike at any moment. He was ready to keep fighting, he was ready to fight for me.

When a group of guys came running towards the fight, that's when Colton changed. He knew he couldn't take on an entire cluster of drunk guys. When he put his hands up, he gave himself up to them. But instead, they took Josh.

I couldn't believe what just happened. A part of me thought I deserved what might have happened if Colton didn't save me from Josh. That karma was finally catching up to me. But no person, no one, deserves whatever intentions Josh had.

I owe Colton more than he can imagine.

I came-to when Colton grabbed my hand. I agreed to let him take me home because frankly, I couldn't move.

He helped me move, he gave me the strength and support I needed to get away from what happened.

The adrenaline wore off when I sunk into Colton's car. My body gave away and felt like a ton of bricks were holding me down.

When Colton started the car, the music played. I don't remember what was playing, but the music was keeping me grounded. I stopped Colton from turning it off because I needed it. But his touch, I needed that too. I kept his hand in mine. His calluses, every time, made me feel. I focused on that feeling. I needed it. I didn't want to let go of him. When he asked me to walk me to my dorm, I didn't hesitate to say yes. I didn't want him to leave me.

When I got out of his car, Colton was by my side in seconds. I reached for his hand without thinking and headed towards the Main Center.

The air was cooler and I felt the sun setting behind us. Our shadows dancing in front of us.