A/N: Sorry it's been a little while since I've written - I honestly just didn't feel like writing anything, and plus it was a busy week. And then, after the extremely tiring week, we went to a Metallica concert - it was AWESOME! haha :) They are the greatest! Anyways, sorry about not updating, and enjoy the next chapter :)
Disclaimer: Let's see... nope, I do not own CR or JONAS. Enjoy anyways :)
All was quiet around us. The boys had stopped speaking, and I hadn't felt like pressing the issue. I need time to think - to figure out what was going on. I didn't understand why he was here.... or why the Lucas Brothers were here, either. I had a hutch about what he wanted with me, but them... it just didn't make sense. A sigh escaped from my lips and I ran my hand through my hair, casting a quick glance at the brothers.
"Did you see who... you know, when..." I trailed off, groaning at my horrible attempt at asking them a simple sentence. My head was still fuzzy, and I couldn't seem to form my thoughts into words. Instead I just gave a quiet sigh and shrugged, leaning my head back against the wall, closing my eyes. Why did he have to come back, now, just when....
"Yeah, we saw him." Kevin's voice cut into my thoughts, and my eyes snapped open, resting on the oldest brother. "I mostly just remember his expression..." He shook himself, as if trying to erase the memory, and I couldn't help but agree. I released a shaky breath, remembering the last time I'd seen him.
"He had a scar down his right cheek." Nick interrupted, and I nodded, vaguely remembering seeing the scar before I'd run from him. He was mad - driven by revenge, and filled with hate that he wasn't entitled to feel. If anything, it should be me hating him - I who was seeking revenge. But no, I couldn't. I was so weak.
I must have spoken aloud without realizing it, because suddenly, all eyes were on me.
"What's wrong?" Kevin asked, looking genuinely worried, but I only frowned, shaking my head before pulling my knees up, attempting to shield myself from the curiosity/confusion in their eyes. I didn't feel like explaining everything that had happened over the past three years - everything that I'd been trying to put in the past for all these years. I sucked in a deep breath, holding it as I tried to stop my head from spinning. Just when I thought he was gone forever...
I jumped as the cell's door gave a loud bang, sliding open. Within the span of a few seconds, I was on my feet and backing away, unable to stop the fear that was coursing through my veins. This was the moment when I would know for sure that this wasn't just some nightmare - this was real. I didn't want to believe it - it was too soon to face him, it was too soon for me to face all the pain and hurt that he'd left me with.
And yet, here he was now, standing only a few feet away from me, his eyes surveying my expression. The smirk playing out on his lips told me that he knew - he saw my emotions, and he knew everything. Somehow, this caused anger to rush up. He didn't deserve to know how I felt - he didn't have the right to even remember my name. I straightened, pushing my fear away, and glared straight back at him.
The scar shown clearly on his face, a jagged line down his cheek, and I couldn't help but wonder how he'd gotten it. Probably doing some other horrible deed, when someone had had the guts to stand up to him. I had a feeling that whoever had caused the scar, hadn't lived very long to tell the tale. The thought made me flinch, and I saw his smile grow wider when he noticed.
"Mitch," He nodded towards me, ignoring the venomous shaking of my head. "It's been too long, hasn't it?" I felt myself tightening - he spoke to me as though nothing had happened - as though he hadn't stalked me, or tried to kill me. He spoke as if we were still old friends.
"Hardly." I snapped back, "And don't call me Mitch." I growled, my eyes focused squarely on his. I didn't trust him - I was afraid to look away because I didn't know what he would do. Everyone had always said he wasn't dangerous, but I knew better. They hadn't seen the real person that I had - he'd put on an act the moment anyone else had come around. The difference was that I was on to him.
"Well I see you still have that rebellious spark in you." He rolled his eyes, almost looking bored, and immediately I tensed, knowing he was up to something. I wasn't wrong, either.
In a split second, he'd launched forwards, slamming me up against the wall. The hard, cold brick smashed against my back, and I bit my lip to keep from groaning. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing he'd hurt me.
"Look here, Mitch," He growled, pushing harder, "You've lost, and I've won, you little worthless loser." He snapped, anger flashing in his eyes.
"I know that!" I yelled, attempting to shove him away. "I've already told you that, a million times! Why won't you believe me - do you seriously think anyone believes I won? Don't you understand - I know, you won. So take your stupid trophy and leave me alone. Go find someone else to be your victim." Against my will, tears were clouding my vision, but still I refused to cry. Not in front of him.
Suddenly, his grip loosened, and he released me. I dropped down to the floor, my head shooting up in confusion, and my eyes widening as I saw what had happened. He fell to the floor, Joe on his back, and I shot up, immediately rushing forwards. Oh, please don't hurt him. I sucked in my breath, grabbing at Joe's shoulder in an attempt to pull him off. I couldn't stand to see him hurt Joe - I honestly didn't care what happened to me, but I didn't want someone else getting hurt because he was angry with me.
He shoved Joe away, causing both of us to go tumbling down, landing with a hard thud against the stone floor. Ignoring the pain in my back, I lauched to my feet, stepping between Joe and him. His eyes bore a hole into me as he rose to his feet, glaring angrily at the two of us (mostly me).
"This is far from over." He snapped, sending a chill down my spine, before he turned, walking briskly towards the cell door. "And no food for any of you today because of your little antics." He growled, the door slamming shut behind him.
With a groan, my eyes travelled over to where Joe was pushing himself to his feet, one hand on his back. Quickly, I extended my hand, but he only waved me away before standing up, his eyes flickering over to me.
"Are you okay?" He asked, and I gave a small nod, ignoring the small pain in my back and instead focusing on Joe. I didn't understand why he'd tried to help me - why had Joe stood up against him? Didn't he know how strong he was - and what he was capable of?
"Why did you do that?" I exclaimed, glaring at Joe. Didn't he know that he could've been seriously injured? "Are you ok?" I asked quickly, hoping that he did know I was worried about him. I had some idea what he was able to do, with the flick of his wrist.
"I'm ok. What was I supposed to do - stand there and let him hurt you?" Joe replied, staring at me, his expression hurt. "I don't care, whether I know your name or not - I'm not just going to sit there and watch him call you names and treat you like that." His tone was harsh, but I knew he wasn't angry at me, and instead I stepped closer, cautiously. Watching his expression carefully, I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him into a tight hug, breathing a sigh of relief.
"Thank you." I whispered, and although I'd felt him tense at first, he now relaxed and returned the hug.
And then the silence returned - for now.