Work was slow only a few costumers every few minutes. I heard the bell ring and saw a lady walk in with long pink hair. She walked up the counter and started browsing the pastries. I couldn't stop staring at her hair. Just then a man walked in with the same colored hair as her.
"Found anything good babe?" He asked, I just stood at the cash register quietly waiting for them to decide. They defiantly weren't from around here. They talked for a few more minutes before deciding on some vanilla cupcakes. I boxed them up, they paid and walked out the door, how weird. I decided to clean the class on the display case. The bell rang and I looked up to see Fionna.
I gasped and was frozen in place. "Oh hey sweetie, how are you?" She yanked me up by my ponytail so I'd meet her face to face. I was tired of being smacked around by the chick.
"Let go of me." She laughed.
"Why would I do that? You're funny Marcy, and guess who's visiting that little bastard right now? You guessed it, Finn's going to put him in his place." I gasped again and started struggling for my freedom. I had to get to Marshall to protect him. I slammed my hands against Fionna as hard as I could and she released me and stumbled back knocking over a table. "Now you're gonna get it girly." She darted towards me but I dodged her attack and grabbed her, I then slammed her onto the floor. I pinned her down and brought my fist to her face countless times.
I ran out the door and got on my bike. I had to get to Marshall's apartment. I drove as fast as I dared. Once I got to Marshalls apartment I saw that the door was cracked open just a bit. I let myself in to see Marshall pinned against the wall with Finn whaling on him. Marshall saw me and threw Finn to the ground. While Finn recovered Marshall go to me.
"Come one let's get out of here." I led him to my bike and handed him a helmet. I started the bike and just drove. I didn't know where I was going I just kept driving. I finally decided on park we passed and we sat on a bench quietly. I looked at his face it was swollen and bruised, he wasn't looking at me. "Marshall, I'm sorry. Asking me out was probably the biggest mistake of your life." He didn't say anything, not even a sound. I felt the tears sting my eyes and I looked down at my lap.
"Marceline, why did you leave?" I let the tears fall and he took my face in his hands, making me look at him. He looked absolutely pitiful with his face all bruised and it was all my fault.
"Because Marshall, I'm afraid. What happens if I get attached, and you turn out be just like Ash?" I saw his face distort and saw tears well in his eyes. I've never had a man cry over me before.
"Marcy I'm not like Ash. I'd never hurt you, and you came back for me, that has to mean you care. You honestly don't think I'm afraid to get attached too? After what Ashley did to me, what if you turned out to be like that?" I heard his face crack and saw the tears fall from his swollen eyes. "If we never try to make new connections though, we'll just live in our own fear. I don't want that for myself." I had never thought of it that way. I always thought that if I just kept to myself then eventually everything would fix itself. I looked down at this man before me, crying and I felt a warm feeling, like I was safe as long as I was with him. "Marceline Abadeer, I love you and I want you to be my second chance at love."
His confession made my heart skip a beat. I smiled up at him and leaned in to kiss him but I heard a very familiar voice that stopped me dead in my tracks.
"Hey babe guess who got out?"
Ash's voice rang in my ears. My heart started beating rapidly, and my palms grew sweaty. How did he get out? How did he find me? Why now? Questions turned into anxiety, and I started shaking, my mouth went dry. I looked up at Marshall who had already stood to defend me. He let go of my hand and touched my hair to try and calm me. "Don't worry Marceline, I won't let him touch you." I heard Ash laugh with mock amusement.
"You think you can protect that little slut? She isn't even yours to protect. She belongs to me and she's coming home with me where she belongs." I gulped and tried to speak, tried to defend myself but the words wouldn't form. Finally I turned my head, slowly, to look at Ash. He was staring at me with lust and rage in his eyes. "Then she will get her punishment." I thought back to the first time Ash had ever hit me. We had been dating for a month and I had made the mistake of not cooking dinner for him. I had had a long day at work and when he came home he found me sitting on the couch watching T.V. He stood in front of the television and glared at me.
"Marceline, where is my dinner?" He growled at me and switched off the T.V.
"I didn't cook tonight, I'm tired." I could see the rage grow in his eyes, I felt my body tense as he reached forward and grabbed my arm. "Ouch, Ash that hurts!" I tried to break free but he held on tight. He pulled me down and slammed me to the ground. I felt the air leave my lungs, and I gasped for air. I felt the hot tears run down my cheeks. I was afraid. "Ash what are you doing? Stop!" I slapped him with all my might, big mistake. He grabbed me by my shoulders and slammed me on the ground. I felt his fist connect with my jaw and I saw stars. He grabbed my hair and dragged me to the kitchen. He picked me up and slammed me into the counter. I felt the pain rip through my lower back and I yelped. I looked at Ash with scared eyes.
"Marceline, listen to me." He grabbed my face in his hands and I could smell the liquor on his breath. I felt his fist slam into my stomach and I crumbled. "Marceline, this is where I want to see you every day when I get home, do you understand me you bitch?" The tears started to fall again, and I couldn't find my voice. I didn't understand why he would do this to me. I wanted to run, I wanted to hide but I only knew that would make things worse. He struck my face again, "Answer me you slut!"
"Yes Ash, yes I understand." He threw me to the ground, and left me there. I curled into myself, and cried.
Marshall's voice snapped me back to my sad reality. "You will not hurt Marceline as long as I'm standing." I saw Ash walk towards Marshall with the same rage filled eyes I've seen one too many times.
"Ok, I'll just have to make you fall. You already look like you're half dead anyway, might as well finish the job."
