[Author's note]
I broke out of my bizarre trance and faced Theo clearly, completely ignoring his attractive eyes. He blinked cautiously, as if he thought he was going to scare me with the slightest of movements. My head was clearing and I wiped my eyes, where warm tears had stuck.
"Page, are you alright?" Theo asked quietly.
I tried responding but my throat was too dry. I coughed loudly before finally speaking.
"I need to be trained. I can't keep having these awful dreams. You want to protect me from people? Then train me to help protect myself."
Theo only stared before I spoke again, this time with more angst.
"Andre will just keep attacking me when the time is right. Teach me to stop it."
"It's not that simple, Page" Theo murmured.
"I know I'm only human but I can at least try. Please," I added sourly.
Theo gazed at me with intensity as he contemplated the idea. I stared back just as hard, losing focus of everything around me but him. He blinked.
"Fine. If this is what you want. But first, you need to know what you're getting yourself into. This isn't going to be easy. It will probably be the hardest thing you'll ever do in your life."
"I can handle that," I whispered.
"You say this now." Theo chuckled to himself for a moment. "We start tomorrow."
"When?"
Before I could get an answer, Theo walked away without another word. I was left alone in the dark, wondering if this would really work.
As bad as dreams as I thought I was going to have for the rest of the night, I surprisingly had none. I slept quite peacefully in the guest bedroom but my peace was shattered too soon by furious knocking. I slowly tumbled my way out of bed and answered the door.
"Get up, your training starts now." Raina's irritating face welcomed my eyes at the door, making this not a good way to wake up. I scowled at her perfection for the day. She wore the same makeup as last night, smooth without any mistakes, only this time, she exchanged the dress for black pants and a red tank top. The outfit was completed with black pumps. She looked semi dressed up, a step above casual but a step below formal.
"I said get up and stop staring at me," her tone definitely harsher sounding. I turned back into the room and slammed the door in her face, so I could prepare for the day. After changing into more of Raina's clothes, which today consisted of tight blue jeans and a skimpy orange tank, I brushed my hair and teeth. I made the mistake of looking into the mirror during this process. I saw my blank reflection staring back, shallow faced with abnormally large eyes. It seemed like my beauty was fading away with the days spent away from home. Dark circles were beginning to form under my eyes and my lips were cracked and chapped. I licked them suddenly, frustrated at my dull appearance. After pulling my hair into a sloppy pigtail I opened the door to leave but Raina stood in my way.
"Can you move? I thought I had training to do?" I asked annoyed. Raina smirked to herself. It didn't make me any less annoyed. I tried to leave but she blocked me from all angles.
"I thought our conversation last night, made you understand that I don't take bullshit. Certainly not from a foolish human girl."
"What bullshit have I been giving you?" I asked confused. Raina smirked again.
"Slamming the door in my face is rude. Apologize."
"I don't think I have to." The words once again slipped from my mouth before I could stop them. Raina noticed. Instead of trying to hurt me, like I thought she was going to, she rolled her eyes slowly. By the time they came full circle, I was on the floor, wincing in pain as I experienced the worst headache I've ever had. I cried out for help but none came. I was at Raina's discretion and mercy. She kept on attacking me for what seemed like an eternity and then it stopped. I lifted my head from the floor and stared at her. She was still standing at ease, looking like it took nothing out of her to invade my mind. I was about to strangle her when Theo came. He wore a gray thermal and dark jeans and his hair was wet, probably coming from out of the shower.
"Hello Page."
I didn't reply to him because I was too pissed to really say anything. Raina appeared smug and addressed Theo happily. She reminded me of a cat who just killed a mouse.
"Theo, how are you?"
"I'm fine, "he stated happily. His gaze went to me again. I ignored him. Instead I focused on Raina and her evil smile. I can't remember ever feeling such hate in me as I had now. I felt violated, dirty, and insecure. A person just can't invade another person's mind like how she did without warning, with hate, and with cruel intensions. I wanted her to pay for what she did to me. She needed to feel like how I felt. I just didn't know how to go about this. As Theo and Raina conversed, I concentrated on my hate and let it fill me. It consumed me. It ate at me. It was me. I was it. I was hate personified. My eyes focused intently on Raina and no one else…I didn't know what I was doing but I felt something. It was about to pour out of me and I focused it all on Raina. Then it happened. Just. Like. That.
Raina was on the ground, screaming, holding her head, and sprawling around. I was shaking everywhere and I stood to see my work. Her eyes looked at me with surprise and I smiled. I clenched my fists together and she screamed louder. Theo then stopped me. He grabbed me, shook me hard, and yelled at me to stop. I listened and tried to push this hate back inside me, in a hidden place, but I couldn't. I tried but it wouldn't go back. I yelled at Theo, asking him what to do. He shouted multiple things to do but none of it worked. Raina started to struggle less. I was panicking now. Theo released me…I thought he was going to talk more but instead he charged a fist at me, heading directly towards my face. I had no time to shield myself. Theo's hard knuckles hit the right side of my face. I felt bone collapse and me hitting the floor, eyes wide open.
