The Degenerates - Under Edit

t h i r t y

I could barely register my own movements by the time I reached my car. The cold air bit at my bare skin as I sat down, slamming the door to shut out the cold. I reached for my parka I left yesterday, ripping it on to stop the cold from eating me alive.

I reached the bushy track and I parked my car, glancing at the window above to ensure he was home. There was a light on, and I had hoped that he was in there.

Despite everything I promised myself, I forced my legs up to Trey's unit.

I knocked on the door, bouncing from ankle to ankle, trying to keep warm. Goosebumps rippled my entire body, even my arms that were hugged under my parka.

I went to turn and walk back down when the door opened.

"Hi," I said hurriedly, "I need your help, but first can I come in?"

Trey said nothing as he opened the door. My heart sank when I thought about the last time I had seen him, but it managed to soar at the sight of seeing him again. If he were angry with me, he didn't appear so. He had his usually poker face on.

"There's a party, a frat house on the edge of campus, I can't go alone, I can't let the girls go. The last time we went out someone was shot." I cried in a panic.

"That explains the lack of pants," was Trey's first comment, "who else is going?"

"Trey I don't know!"

"Okay, alright." he answered, "wait here."

Trey left the living room in a pair of sweatpants and a tee shirt, remerging minutes later in jeans, his cargo jacket and boots, "Let's go then."

"Wait, what are you doing?" I asked him.

"You go, have fun. Do whatever girls do. I'll keep watch."

"You're not going to be able to do that on your own," I told him.

"Who says I'd do it alone?"

I looked at him quizzically.

"Do you want someone else to die?" he demanded.

"No," I answered.

"Okay, well, take that off," Trey reached for my parka and began to slide it off.

"Are you kidding it's freezing-"'

"You can't wear that to a party; just stick it out 'til you get there."

"Trey, no, I can't, I'll freeze-"

Trey raises his hands, slamming them back down on the kitchen bench, "Jesus, Neijla. Will you just listen to me?"

I stayed silent as I watched his anger bubble to the surface, "For once, just do as I fucking tell you."

I grit my teeth but did not disobey. I took my parka off and dropped it on the lounge. Trey looked away as my body became exposed in my dress. He couldn't even look at me.

"Get in the car," he said and motioned to the door.

I did as I was told and left the unit, stepping hurriedly down the stairs, as I had many times before. I got in his black car, waiting for him to join me. He was on the phone when he got in.

"We'll pick up Theo, and then I'll drop you off, okay?"

"Theo?!" I exclaimed, "Theo? What the fuck?"

"You asked for help and I'm helping you." Trey spat, his eyes filled with annoyance.

"Not with someone who has tried to kill me, twice, might I add." I cried, reaching for the door handle.