Warnings: implied domestic abuse.
After All
"The wound is the place where the Light enters you." – Rumi
Hot tears fell from her eyes and rolled down her flushed cheeks. She bowed her head, her fingers clenched, entangled in her light blonde curls. Her elbows rested on her knees, shaking from the cold and trembling with despair and anger.
The reflection of white lights and street lamps flickered in the freshly fallen snow. She closed her eyes and tried to piece together the last hour of her life. Another wave of anxiety washed over her, only to melt into and white hot pool of rage and contempt.
"What are you doing out here in the cold, Clearwater?" A male voice encroached upon her thoughts and she buried her face in her hands, ignoring the words. "Are you insane, it's freezing out here?" She heard the heavy thud of his groceries bags as he sat down beside her on the cold concrete steps. "Hey, are you alright?"
She sighed, realizing that he wouldn't go away until she answered him. Annoyance got the better of her as she spat, "What's it to you, Flint?"
"Hey, I was just trying to make sure you're okay." He retorted, clearly abashed by her attitude.
"Don't act like you care about me. You felt no mercy toward me in school, why should you care now?"
"I don't remember saying anything to you in school, Penelope." His tone was flat. "I'm sorry that I actually cared if you were okay. I'll make sure I don't let it happen again."
She raised her head for the first time, started by the hurt in his voice. Why should Marcus Flint care if she – Penelope Clearwater- was alright?
"What happened?" His dark eyes were fixed on the large bruise forming on her left cheek.
She quickly bowed her head, shame washing over her. How did she get herself into this mess? "Nothing," she lied.
"What did he do to you?" She felt both fearful and appreciative for the anger behind his tone.
"He was just upset," why are you defending him.
"Then he can be angry, he can yell, he can punch a wall but, he should never lay a hand on you." He didn't skip a beat, he didn't worry if it made her angry, he simply force-fed her the truth. Of course she knew it, she had always known it but, who was he to preach to her?
"It's none of your business." She wrapped her arms around her waist, shivering.
"Maybe; but, what kind of man would I be if I stood by and let him do that to you?" Marcus took off his leather jacket and draped it around her shoulders. "Stay in my apartment tonight. Think it through, please?"
"I should go back." She shuddered at the thought of how angry her boyfriend would be if she didn't return that night.
"He can't do anything to you if you're with me. I won't let him hurt you. It will give a night to really think." I know we've never really been friends but, I want to help you." His tone was soft.
And she began to understand that maybe the big, bad Slytherin prince might just have a heart after all.
She nodded, "Thank you."
{an} this went a little bit over the five hundred word limit. I'm sorry Bex.
Connect the Characters – Penelope/Marcus.
Monthy Het Drabble – lights.
Disclaimer – seeing how that creative writing class paid off – for no profit.
I kind of wanted to continued this, to write more, but I don't know.
