-Chapter 4-
"H-Hey, please! Seiya! I'm sure we can work this out! You know? Like normal couples?" Serena pleaded.
"Nothing to say, is there? You were late, and here I was kind enough to come get you!" Seiya answered in a frighteningly deep voice.
Rapidly, Seiya grabbed Serena by the neck and lifted her up into the air.
"Seiya... Stop this... Please..." Serena choked out.
"Why?" Seiya tightened his grip.
"Uck! P-P-Please... I don't want...to die!"
"Who says I'll kill you? You are completely worthless! I don't think you quite get that yet!"
"No...one...can ever...measure...up to you...Seiya... I can't...breathe!"
Seiya loosened his grip a little bit. But he still didn't let go of her neck.
Instinctively, Serena grabbed Seiya's wrist with her own two hands.
"HEY!!! What do you think you're doing! Put her down and leave her alone!" a heroic voice shouted at Seiya.
Seiya turned to see Darien. "Why should I?!" he shouted back.
"Do it!"
"Whatever!"
Serena was released from her grip that could've possibly killed her. She was thankful that she'd been released, but she was furious because now Seiya would be more liable to hurt her. She dropped to the ground, not bothering much to get up. You know, maybe if Seiya thought she was dead, he'd just go away! Yep! That was it! She could play possum! No... It'd never work...
Seiya walked off, expecting Serena to follow him.
But she couldn't. She hated Seiya's guts. But did she really have a choice? He literally forced her to live with him. Didn't that alone mean she really was worthless?
A single teardrop fell onto the sidewalk. She was worthless. There was no more avoiding the inevitable.
If she could be treated like that, and then it was called 'okay' to do so, then she must be worthless...
"Serena! Are you okay?" Darien ran up to her after he was sure Seiya wasn't coming back.
"I have to go after him! He's gonna kill me if I'm late!" Serena got up and tried to run after Seiya, but Darien grabbed her arm and held her back.
"No, Serena! You aren't!"
Serena was left speechless. Why did Darien, of all people, care about worthless Serena?
"Anyone who treats you like that doesn't give a rat's rear end about you. And you should've told someone about this!"
"Like you'd care! Now let me go!"
"NO!!! You've been doing this for too long! You're going straight home! Right now!"
"...I can't... Seiya will find me and take me back..." Serena sobbed.
"...Seiya...will find you? Like a stalker?!"
"Yes!"
"..." Darien mulled the situation over in his head for a few minutes. "Then... Then you'll come with me!"
"No way! You're aweful!"
"REALLY, SERENA?! AM I MORE AWEFUL THAN MR. BEAT-YOU-UP-EVERY-SINGLE-DAY OVER THERE?!" Darien furiously pointed to the direction Seiya went.
"..." Serena was once more left speechless.
"I didn't think so. Now, you're sleeping with me! At least for this night!" Darien ordered.
It sounded like Darien was mad at her... And Seiya? Snubbed. But why would Darien be mad at her? Of course... All guys were alike, just as she'd suspected. Meaning...he was capable of hitting her, too.
Serena yanked her arm back. "You're just like him!" she frustratedly said.
Those words pierced Darien's heart like a knife. Did she really believe he'd hurt her?! That would be an absurd thought.
"Don't you EVER compare me to Seiya again!" he growled.
Serena flinched as a response.
Then, realizing what was really going on, he hugged her. But she only struggled in return.
"No! No! No! I'm sorry! I won't do it again! I swear! I'll be good! I'll be good!"
"What are you talking about? I'm not going to hurt you..." he answered, realizing she was terrified of him.
'T-That's exactly what Seiya said!!!' Serena thought.
Darien felt himself being shoved away. Then he saw Serena trying to run. Again.
'Did he really treat her this badly? He must've been one of those guys who thought of girls as possessions instead of people...' Darien thought.
The only reason Serena hadn't run off yet was because of Darien's hug, which by now was more of a grip.
Then Serena stood up and tried to drag Darien across the ground. Well, trying wasn't really the right word... Unintentionally doing so would be the right words. Poor girl was really only trying to get away. Not trying to hurt anyone.
"Why're you so scared of me?" Darien curiously asked her.
Serena hit him with both her fists at the same time. Over and over she did this, a desperate but futile attempt to get away.
Darien looked down at Serena. He felt horrible that she'd be scared of anyone. Innocent little Serena didn't ever do anything to deserve this kind of treatment. She should be treated like an angel, like royalty. Like anything other than something bad. And this was Darien thinking! He didn't even care that much for her. But...then he found out where all those bruises were coming from and a feeling of pure regret and grief formed in the pit of his stomach. But now she'd probably never date again, for fear of being hurt again. Didn't she realize not all men were like Seiya?