Peyton

Elicia:

“That’s “Sexy Rex”. I’ll message you when I land and depart. The guys are not far from here if you need anything. Okay, E. One more “Hug”.” He ushered me into another hug, swaying gently side-to-side as he grabbed his plain black carry-on and his flamboyant sparkly unicorn backpack with the next horn blast.

“Hold your “Sexy knickers on”.” He laughed loudly as he semi-jogged out to the silver Audi Q5, clicking the handle smoothly of his carry-on as he tossed it into the hatch.

Waving shyly at the sexy, middle eastern man with tight lines shaved into his short beard and neatly sculpted fade, smirking as he dropped his Ray-Bans ogling Randi’s ass as he slipped into the passenger seat.

“Behave!” He pointed playfully as Rex flashed his sexy ultra-bright smile as the Audi pulled away with a slight tire squeal.

Squealing myself, darting back into the house making sure everything was locked and shut-off, before skipping out to the mini as it chirped to life with a soft hum of the engine.

“God, I love Auto-start.” Sliding into the posh leather bucket seat, adjusting all my mirrors before pulling out onto the quiet suburb street.

“Not for long.” Laughing evilly as Sam Tinnesz “Even If It Hurts” blasted from the custom audio system, laying enough rubber to feel the Turbo B48 kick into action.

Ten frustrating minutes, screaming at idiots who apparently have no “Fucking Eyeballs” to see another vehicle with the right of way, or dodging the lazy delivery truck that decided to turn a traffic lane into a parking space.

Exhaling heavily as the engine went to sleep, skipping up the stairs into the stone structure with the dance studios and rehearsal halls along two long corridors with soundproofing and solid black steel doors.

“Elicia DeWalt.” Signing into the logbook as the blue pixy fade guy, scanned over his computer screen with a Randi megawatt smile as his chestnut brown eyes slid smoothly to my bright smile.

“Studio eight. Down this hall, fourth door on the right. Two-hour reserve.” Nodding excitedly as he pointed in the direction my feet already began to move, catching glimpses of other dancers through the vertical glass panels.

Respiring my nerves, feeling the cool steel handle against my hot palm as it clicked open. Smelling the fresh floor wax as the dark blonde flooring, glistened gently against the industrial styled wall of windows as the gloomy grays and reflective rain droplets, danced playfully along the crisp glass.

Connecting my phone to the audio aux, slipping off my shoes with an exhilarating rush of shivers as the coolness caressed my bare feet, shaking out my limbs with a few stretches.

Pressing play as the opening piano cords strummed “Lions Inside” Valley of Wolves, thrusting my arms forward then back as the beats led me into a place I called “home”. Swaying, turning with each passing beat, feeling all the pain and betrayal leave my body as the sweat rolled and flicked away with each movement.

Forgetting Bain.

My lonely existence replaced with Randi’s megawatt smile, and “The Watchmen’s” unique personalities as the heavens poured its angry tears against the gloomy landscape.

It was strange... like something inside was calling to be released as my body leaped and performed an aerobatic harmony with my feet and arms. Landing in a triumphant kneeling bow as sweat dripped and pooled along the shiny flooring.

Panting for breath, feeling the heat swirling through my limbs as sharp clapping echoed through the room.

Snapping my eyes to the doorframe.

“Peyton.” Hissing his name lowly, strutting over to the audio stand pausing my music as the heavy door clicked closed with hollowed foot falls against the tight glass panes.

“What a small “world”, Elicia.” Peyton’s cold tone sent shivers up my spine, turning around to face Bain’s older brother, who seemed to have filled out more since high school.

His wavy dark locks tossed to the side as his amber eyes studied my appearance with a smug smirk.

Exposing those same dimples that his younger brother yielded as his secret weapon in smooth talking his way out of trouble.

Fucking Trouble is an understatement.

“Yeah. Small “World”.” Snipping the words sharply, gripping the window ledge with tight knuckles as he sauntered slowly towards my sweaty, panting frame.

“Why so “hostile” did my brother not “satisfy” you properly?” His words sliced through the airy atmosphere, clenching my heart tightly reaching for my shoes, unplugging my phone.

“Satisfy, you’re fucking funny. No one “uses” me.” Kneeling to tie my laces, keeping an eye on his movements because Peyton was worse than Bain with a serious control problem.

“Oh, Elicia. Still so naïve.” The dark rumble that rolled from his lips, spooked me back a step as his muscular frame blocked my exit with a stiff arm across my chest.

Fear was a trigger with the DeLois brothers, so finding the inner calm as his amber eyes bore holes through my face tilting my chin so I could return his murderous gaze.

“Remove your arm.” Looking down at his arm twitch and flex against my vibrating chest as my heart unleashed a strange rhythm behind my ribcage.

Gasping as his strong hand clasped tightly around my jaw, lifting my face up so his nose was inches away from mine, smelling his sickening aftershave he always bathed in.

What was that saying, “Cheap French Whore House”.

Yep, Peyton Delois was the “Cheap Whore House” on steroids.

“My baby brother is “so” devastated you left. Had no idea where you went, until your name appeared on the new student registry. How interesting?” Choking on the ball of spit that collected at the back of my throat as his fingers pressed into the soft flesh along my neck.

Clenching against his wrist as my nails dug angerly into his flesh, drawing the sticky crimson to the surface as his eyes swirled with a sinister glint.

“Let her go.” A dark growl echoed from nowhere, snapping my eyes over my shoulder as Chris stood in the doorway, soaked and fuming pissed as steam lofted slowly from his drenched torso.

Fuck! I could eat him alive. Focus!

“Fuck Off. This has nothing to do with you.” Peyton’s grip tightened around my jaw, feeling the heavy pressure against the bone as tears slowly slipped down my cheeks.

“It has everything to do with me. Now, put...her. Down!” Chris growled darkly, slamming the door closed behind him as his soggy sneakers, squeaked and groaned with each footstep as Peyton turned with an amused expression.

“Fine, you want the whore. You can have her.” Peyton shoved my trembling body into Chris’ strong grip, smelling like a freshly made cinnamon swirl mixed with rain as he spun me around setting me against the wall.

Reaching for Chris’ hand as he spun around with a strange snarl, lunging at Peyton as their fists connected against each other’s jaw’s with a sickening crunch and bloody mucus stringing against the floor.

Standing in shock as they threw fists, kicks, headbutts causing their faces to bruise and split with sticky crimson. Chris moved with a deadly stance as his hits landed onto their target like a trained fighter as Peyton fought back with the same intensity.

“What’s the matter “Bear”?” Chris goaded Peyton as he dodged a few jabs and upper cut on light feet, sparking a dangerous snarl from Peyton as he shouldered rushed Chris.

Gasping as they collided into the mirror wall with a loud shattering explosion, scattering mirror shards across the waxed flooring in a haunting dance of rainbow specks and bright flickers of reflective light.

“Stop.” Crying out between gasps as their fists and knees collided in a stomach knotting collision of thuds and crunches.

“STOP!” Rushing at Peyton as he managed to slam Chris’ head off the broken wall with a thunderous crack.

Jumping onto his back, slamming my knees into his sides as he thrashed and spun around to break me free from his back, latching onto his head with my nails.

“AHH! YOU FUCKING BITCH!” Peyton catapulted forwards, throwing my body over his back into another mirror wall with a cracking crunch.

“ELICIA!” Chris shouted panicked as my body slid down the wall, feeling the hot sticky ooze drip freely down my back as it screeched between the friction of my body and the shattered mirror.

It was like a deathcore vocalist unleashed its demonic roars as the two growled and snarled loudly, slamming each other around on the floor as my head throbbed and spun heavily with the blood loss.

The door slammed open with a loud crashing clank.

Elias appeared beside me with cold eyes, feeling his hot palms run along my neck and knees as he scooped me into his chest with a soft whimper of pain.

“I’m s-sorry.” Whispering into his chest as more snarls and grunts echoed behind Elias’ back, quickly rushing me out of the room into the hallway.

“It’s not your fault.” His normal calm coldness, faltered with a shaky tone as he lifted his hand from my neck, feeling the sticky ooze drip from my burning flesh.

“Hang on, Elicia. Mom will help.” His voice faded with the swirling haze as the earth dropped from underneath, leaving me suspended in a cold, wet darkness.