The Space Between

Chapter 8

All hell broke loose.

A sickening crunch echoed through the holding room as Carter's fist slammed into Mikhail's nose. Blood spurted across the walls as Mik's head was thrown to the side. The large man stumbled back as he worked to steady himself. Everything was still for a moment as Mikhail studied Carter's panting, raging, bloodthirsty form as he clutched his most likely aching fist. Then Mikhail lunged, slamming Carter into a wall before punching him in the gut. I raced over to the two boys, hoping to pull them apart, while Connor helped a gasping Nicholai sit up and breathe.

Just as my hand touched Mik's shoulder he turned, tossing Carter to the ground as he jumped on top of him, fists swinging. I tugged at the big oaf, trying to pull him off a bloodied, bruised Carter.

Noised filled the room as Carter yelled for Mikhail to stop and I yelled for Connor to help me pull them apart. Tugging at Mikhail's arm, I motioned for Connor to grab the other. Together we pulled the large man off of Carters limp form. Sweat dripped down my face as I focused on holding the struggling Mikhails body still. The glazed over look in his eyes showed how out of it he was as he pulled against Connor and I's grasp, desperate to return to beating the crap out of Carter.

A sharp whistle called us all to stop and turn to Nicholai. He used one arm to prop himself upright as he yelled out, "Enough Mik."

At his words the big oaf stopped. Stopped moving, stopped fighting, stopped everything.

Seeing he was done, Connor left his post besides a limp Mikhail and ran over to Carter. As Connor slowly tended to the idiots bleeding face, I led Mikhail over to one of the benches. He sat there panting; blood dripped down his chin as he panted while his eyes stayed locked on the cement flooring.

I walked over to Nicholai, making note of the prominent bruises along his neck. "What the hell was that?" I muttered to Nic, our eyes both locked on Mikhail.

"What are you talking about Dax?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about," I harshly whispered back. "I'm all for a good fight but that wasn't normal, Mik totally zoned out and beat the shit out of him."

"He deserved it." Nicholai responded tensely.

"Not denying that man but what Mikhail did, that's not normal seemed psycho for a second there."

Nics eyes moved from Mikhail's shaking form to meet mine. "He's not crazy, he's just been through some shit like the rest of us." Seeing the pain in the cheerful blokes eyes, I decided to drop it for both Nicholais and Mikhails sake.

Leaning against the wall, I watched Nicholai sit next to his sibling. The two muttered together quietly as Carter gasped awake, rapidly coughing out both blood and a tooth or two.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, drained from the violence as fears for Briella seeped into my mind. It hurt to think for a brief time I forgot about her, I was focused on hanging out with the guys. While I felt guilty, it was kinda nice to not think of her for a bit. We both have stuck together through thick and thin but it would be nice to interact with someone besides her. To take a moment to breath instead of making sure the Briella is too. My time in this cell has actually offered that, despite Carter getting the shit beat out of him.

We all jumped at once as the cell door slammed open and two police officers rushed in. I wanted to roll my eyes at their poor timing, but knew that would not be wise, all things considered. Instead of glancing my way, the officers quickly ushered Mikhail and Nicholai out, ignoring Connor, Carter, and I completely.

"See ya suckers," Nicholai called, sending a cocky wink to Connor who stiffened at the action. Mikhail merely nodded my way as he was tugged out, and for a brief moment, I swear I saw a flash of gratitude go through his cold gray eyes.