When we made it home, Noodle was practicing karate moves in the living room. Murdoc sat quietly watching with amusement. Murdoc had intrigued me, he was different. He didn't really ever hit 2D anymore. Once in awhile, 2D would get on his nerves and Murdoc would give him a good punch or slap, but nothing too bad. Sometimes they would have small fights, but nowhere near as bad as they used to be. Maybe it was because 2D had also changed. Yes he was still a bit shy, but I think Jeiel gave him a new confidence, and he was definitely happier. I noticed that he didn't take as many pain killers anymore. Murdoc though, had been different since Jeiel had moved in. He didn't get as drunk as he used to, and wasn't as quick to anger as he used to be. This could have been that every time he sees Jeiel, he is reminded how she saved him when he almost killed her and her family. This shit is messed up, but it seemed to make Murdoc a better person.
"We're back!" Jeiel beamed, walking into the living room to have Noodle use her karate moves on her. In one swift move, Noodle flipped Jeiel to the floor head first. Jeiel let out a shriek of alarm at this attack. I watched as Jeiel landed smacking her head on the floor then fell on her back. She just laid there a moment as Noodle brought her hands up to her face in regret. 2D ran over to Jeiel.
"What was that all about?" 2D asked.
"Murdoc bet me that Jeiel wouldn't be able to defend herself on a surprise attack, he was apparently right." Noodle said handing Murdoc a $20 bill.
"Well I didn't want you to hit her to the floor head first." Murdoc said defensibly but still took the $20.
Jeiel began to stir, groaning in pain as she slowly put her hand to her head.
"Why's it always my head." She mumbled.
"I'm so sorry, Jeiel. I didn't mean to hurt you." Noodle apologized. 2D helped her up.
"I feel a bit dizzy." Jeiel said dazed, then tried walking but fell down. This time I grabbed her before she fell. I helped her to the couch.
"Remind me to never get in a fight with you." Jeiel said with a laugh It was amazing how optimistic she stayed even in pain.
Noodle went to get an ice pack from the fridge. When she returned, she gave it to Jeiel.
"You need any'fing else? How do you feel, love?" 2D asked her then affectionately kissed Jeiel on the cheek. What I saw next startled me, Murdoc flashed 2D an angered look. Almost like...jealousy? Then he noticed me watching him and returned to his normal sneer.
"I'm okay, I think." Jeiel said unsure.
"Why would you bet something like that? Have you seen me, I'm not exactly muscles and an expert in self-defense." Jeiel asked Murdoc. I had thought she had blacked-out during that whole little conversation on their bet, but apparently not.
"Well maybe you should be, it's a dangerous world out there. Anybody could bloody mug you, mate." Murdoc said. Maybe I was seeing things, but did his eyes convey some care in them? Strange.
"You know, I could go for some alcohol right now." Jeiel said, still holding the ice to her head. Now I knew she was in a lot of pain, Jeiel never resorted to alcohol, only special occasions.
"Now were talking, what kind you want?" Murdoc asked getting up to go to his alcohol stash.
"Some classy wine please, or you know what, just bring me the one with the most alcohol content." She answered. 2D gave her a strange look. Murdoc returned with a cup and a glass bottle of some form of alcohol.
He handed Jeiel the cup and was about to pour the drink for her, when Jeiel grabbed the entire bottle and gave Murdoc the cup back. Murdoc laughed with a huge grin as he watched Jeiel take a huge swig from the bottle.
"Are you sure you need the whole 'fing?" 2D asked looking a bit concerned. Jeiel nodded and took another swig.
I kept thinking about Darla. I regretted not asking for her number. I wanted to go to the mall tomorrow again and get it. She was the only girl I had connected with, the only when I felt comfortable talking to. My thoughts were disturbed by Murdoc returning with more alcohol.
"Okay, that's 'nough, your gonna make her sick." 2D protested as Murdoc handed Jeiel another bottle.
"Let her have some fun, face-ache." That was the first time in awhile I heard Murdoc call 2D face-ache.
"You should get me more." Jeiel suggested to Murdoc with a hiccup. It was clear she had become drunk. Then she grasped her stomach with a sick expression on her face.
"I told ya you would make her sick. Come on Jeiel, no more." 2D said.
"Not my fault the girl can't hold her liquor, mate." Murdoc said taking a swig at some. 2D then left with Jeiel.
"Where you going?" I asked him.
"To hold her hair back while she vomits." 2D answered, slightly annoyed. With that I decided to go to bed, I thought to myself how when I have a girlfriend, I would definitely care for her well-being.
The next day, I went to the mall first thing in the morning. Everybody was still asleep. At the mall I walked to the food court, my heart raced as I saw Darla. Then my hopes fell as I saw she was with another man. Then I noticed she looked upset, a tall light-haired man was yelling at her. I stepped in, Darla looked like she was about to cry.
"You don't deserve..." I cut the stranger off, "Um, is there a problem?" I asked him. He looked at me as if I was nobody, as if I didn't matter.
"Look this doesn't concern you." The stranger said, his hand tightly grasping Darla's wrist.
Darla winced, "It's okay Russel, this is my..."
The stranger raised his voice in alarm, "Russel? You know this fat, fucker?" Darla flinched as the stranger brought his arm up to her face to hit her. Before he could I grabbed him and pulled him to me with adrenaline pumping in my blood.
"I don't give a fuck who you are, but harm her, and I swear I will fuck up your face so badly, your appearance will finally match your personality, you little shit." I whispered in his ear.
With that he left, but not without a threat. "I'll be back later Darla." Darla began crying hard, I consoled her asking who that mother fucker was. She told me it was her boyfriend. When I asked her why she didn't just break up with him, she went silent. Fear in her eyes. I began realizing that I had just witnessed some kind of domestic abuse violence, and I was going to stop it, even if it killed me...