Page 85 of Shadows Within
“It makes you think that I’m relatable and not too expensive—or else I would’ve been out of reach.”
“I never wanted you.”
“Oh, but you did. You showed me without ever needing to tell me.” The confused look on my face pushes him to go on. “Your curious face always told me you wanted more.”
“I wanted tolearn.” I spit from between my teeth. He’s created this illusion in his head.
“You wanted more than that. No one is that interested in psychology, Scarlett. You don’t need to lie.”
“You must be an idiot to believe that consideringyouspecialized in psychology.”
“You believe whatever you need to tell yourself, to play the victim.” He takes another step. “It’s too bad that you didn’t finish that drink. I think we could’ve had a lot of fun.” His lips come close to mine.
My body tries pulls away and my right jab lands on his cheek. He’s not going down without a fight, not this time. He touches his face as I step further back.
“Jesus, Scarlett, you don’t need to hurt me.”
“Isn’t that what you’re trying to do to me?” He lunges for me and grabs my hair, pulling me back. My fists try and connect with his head, but he holds me too far away.
“It didn’t have to be this way, Scarlett.” He says, trying to dodge my next punch that connects with his shoulder. He grips my hair harder and drags me toward the back of his desk.
He slams my body against the ground and crawls on top of me.
I claw at his skin, trying anything to distract him. Nothing seems to slow him down.
“I’m going to enjoy this. You have no idea how many times I’ve thought about—”
Just then, he’s pulled off from me. Callum holds him by his hair on his knees. He wears a leather glove on the hand that squeezes Elliot’s face. He stares deeply into his dark eyes.
“Finish that fucking sentence, I dare you.”
Garbage Day
Callum
When I spot her underneath him, everything comes flooding back in. Although she still doesn't know that I intervened that night, I’m ready for her to find out. About that night and everything since then.
We were in high school together briefly—she was in grade nine while I was in grade eleven. Most would call the colour of her hair light brown, but I’ve always thought of it as a mixture of darkened autumn leaves, faded from their bright fall colours but not crisp yet.
From the first time I noticed her, I became utterly obsessed. I was at the Burger Bar with a couple of my friends. When she walked in, time stood still. I’d seen her before, at school and around town, but I never recognized her beauty until that day. I was instantly curious about her. She sat at a booth by herself and read a book about the brain’s functionality. She seemed so consumed by it. After that day, I began to gather little bits of information about her. I watched her from time to time, but not too intensely. I convinced my grandfather to donate a bunch of money to the university that went toward scholarships for psychology majors. I may have tweaked her application. If I didn't, she probably wouldn’t have been able to go to Langford.
My obsession didn’t escalate until her name came up during initiations. She didn’t deserve what was going to happen to her. Braden, a third-year pledge, wanted to drug and rape her. She caught his eye at the gym. Usually, townies are off limits, but she didn’t have anyone to protect her. Until she had me.
I tried to convince Braden to pick someone else, but he wouldn’t listen. I couldn’t tell him why it couldn’t be her, but then I saw him slip the roofie in her drink, after I warned him. I sat by the pool and watched her. She briefly caught me looking at her. How I wish she could’ve seen the warning in my eyes.
At The Society, initiations are conducted to pledge one’s allegiance. What they don’t tell you is that they’re also used as something to hold against any guy that wants to leave. The Society holds people captive against their will—that’s why once you’re in, you’re in for life. Unless you kill someone and try to frame someone else in The Society, like Elliot. That’s how you get kicked out, and what he did was a strict violation of club policy. Elliot was asked to step back, so he involved Braden in his initiation task. And when the time was right, he decided to commit the crime.
I watched her walk upstairs, staggering all over the place. Shortly after, Braden, Mack, and Elliot went up as well. I stood by the pool, knowing that something wasn’t right.
I slipped my gloves on and made my way up the stairs, unsure of what I was about to see. All I knew was that I couldn't let her become a victim. I’ve seen how pain ruins people, how it rips them apart, and I didn't want that to happen—especially not to her.
I opened the door and saw him on top of her. I could hear her whimper before I saw her face. Lava flowed through my veins. I grabbed him from behind and pulled him off of her. Before I knew it, I was on top of him, my fists smashing into his face in swift motions. Braden called my name, begging me to stop. He didn't want the blood on his hands. Elliot should’ve never fucking been there.
I stood and threw Elliot toward Braden. “Take him. Far away from here,” I said. Elliot reached for help as he tried to stand. Mack helped him up and they left the room. As the dooropened, the light from the hallway reflected against Scarlett’s face. A beacon of light, shining on someone so innocent, someone who needed my protection—an angel.
I walked over to her with caution. I didn't want to scare her. For the first time, I felt the need to comfort someone. I saw the pain through her closed eyes and stroked my cool gloved hand over her porcelain skin.
“Never again,” I promised. She didn't hear me.
