Blood is Rare and Sweet as Cherry Wine

A/N: Yes, each chapter title were lyrics to Cherry Wine by Hozier, I was listening to it while the idea struck and I was all "well, might as well commit." And here we are.

Sandy awoke to screams. Her own as her body twitched and ached with phantom blows that never landed. She wasn't aware Static had come into the room until she heard his voice.

"You're fine, it's okay," he mumbled, reaching out to touch her and deciding against it. He sat next to Sandy as her screams subsided into hyperventilation and finally silence.

"I thought," Sandy started, holding herself. "Val was—I don't wanna go back." She confessed, her voice suddenly small and reminding Static of the first time they saw each other again.

Back then, she had just lost her first fight and expected either Hopper or Rufus to come get her. Instead, it was Static, fresh out of college, and tangled up in this mess.

"Sandy," he started, pausing as she shook her head and got out of bed.

"I jus'," she clenched her fists, "I jus' need some time alone right now."

Sandy headed into the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water out of the fridge and taking a swig from it. She had to calm down, it was just a dream. No matter how real it felt, it was just a dream.

"What are you doing up?" Eli asked, walking out of the guest room with his phone in his hand. "I heard screamin' so—."

"Couldn't sleep," Sandy interrupted, topping her water bottle up and putting it back in the fridge. "Sorry if I woke ya."

Eli shook his head, moving to stand next to her. "I should be the one apologizin'. I know ya don't wanna do this and I got us both in this mess." He paused, frowning. "So, if I can, I'll get us out."

"Eli," Sandy replied. "Yer only eighteen, I got this. I'm fine, goin' back for a bit won't hurt."

It would, but she couldn't tell him that. She couldn't tell him everything she had faced before in and out of the ring. Watching someone get drugged right in front of her and wondering if she was next. Watching someone be beaten and nearly killed for losing a fight and deciding she'd never lose after her first mistake.

It was just until Eli could pay back Rufus and Hopper. Valen. . .she didn't even want to think about him. The way his gray eyes looked into her in false love, the way he coddled her for his own gain. Sandy would only go back for one reason and one reason only.