Chapter Three

Two years ago

Saradonyx

It was ten minutes to the end of the History class, the only class Storm and I didn't have together.

Mrs. Kyle was talking about World War II, but I couldn't listen to her because of Storm.

It was her second day in this school and I knew how she was with new people.

And I knew very well how people at this school work.

I looked at my phone again, still no notifications. I texted her twenty minutes ago, but she didn't answer me ever since then.

"Would you stop that? It's really annoying," Zara complained, looking at my leg.

I didn't even realize I was bumping it against the desk. I stopped and flashed her an apologetic look.

"What are you so nervous about, anyway?" she whispered as best as she could.

Mrs. Kyle already warned us about talking at least five times today, so we had to be extra cautious.

I didn't want my mum to find out another thing I'm failing to do.

"Storm isn't answering my texts."

Zara sighed and rolled her eyes. She took my hand and I could already sense the drama act she's about to perform.

"I know you may worry if she will survive, but I have to inform you that it isn't most likely," she stretched the words, barely containing laughter. "The dragon, oh the dragon-"

"The fuck are you talking about?" I interrupted her and pulled my hand away.

She crossed her arms on her chest and smirked. "That's called acting, bro."

"That's called being untalented."

"Mr. Reyes, Miss Stone, what's so interesting you two have to talk about in my class?" Mrs. Kyle asked politely, looking at us with annoyance.

Zara and I were sitting in the back of the classroom, so everyone turned towards us, their eyes piercing through me.

I caught Lawrence's glance, who was laughing at me like an idiot. I looked to his right side where was Drew, also mocking me.

Lawrence was sitting in the front row since last year because we talked so much that Mrs. Kyle had to move him away from me, along with Drew.

I rose my eyebrows and he showed me a paper, on which he wrote: "If your mum finds out, you're a dead man."

Well, he wasn't far from the truth.

"It's nothing, we apologize," Zara said with a polite tone. I nodded in agreement.

She was only polite when she knew my mum will kill me if she found out. Other times, she is Zaraella.

She kinda has a bad reputation.

"You two will stay here after class for a couple of minutes. And Miss Stone, put your feet on the ground," she warned us and continued talking about the causes of World War 2.

Drew and Law chuckled and bumped fists, turning back to the board.

Zara put her feet down from the desk, which is a habit she tends to do very frequently.

When the bell rang, I almost headlessly ran out of the classroom, completely forgetting about "the talk" Mrs. Kyle wanted to have with us.

Zara grabbed my leather jacket, pulling me back into the classroom.

"We have to stay here, shitface," she insulted me quietly.

I nodded and turned around, facing Mrs. Kyle.

"Saradonyx," she started. "Zaraella," she continued. "I don't want to call your parents. That's the last thing on my mind right now, trust me. But if you keep acting like this, I'm afraid that will be the only possibility left for me. Do you understand?"

We both nodded in sync and she smiled, nodding herself.

"I'm glad we agreed on that. Have a good day," she smiled, allowing us to leave.

"Thank you, Mrs. Kyle," I flashed her a quick smile, turning towards the door.

"You too, Mrs. Kyle," Zara agreed, following me and closing the door behind us.

I searched the hallway for any sign of Storm, but I couldn't see her. Where the fuck is she?

"Calm down, cuz," Zara commands, appearing next to me. She put her hand on my shoulder, giving me a reassuring smile. "Let's find her."

We started walking through the crowd, looking everywhere. Zara headed into the ladies' bathroom and I even peeked inside the janitor's closet.

She wasn't here.

"Sar!" I heard Lawrence calling me from behind.

I turned around and he approached me with Zara by his side. She had a worried look in her eyes, almost like she knew something and didn't want me to find out.

"Law, do you know where Storm is?" I begged, looking around me.

"Yeah, follow me," he grabbed my hand and I dragged me with him. Then Zara stopped me.

"Look, I need you to stay calm, okay?" she begged. "Just don't freak out."

I snorted, rolling my eyes.

"Zara, you need to stop doing that. I'm fine," I reassured her, walking past them.

And that was when I saw Storm.

I found myself standing in the middle of the hall, looking at her with surprise. It almost instantly turned into anger.

She was pressed against a wall, with an uncomfortable and frightened look in her eyes, and there was he.

Colson fucking Embers.

He was standing only a few inches from her, with an amused smirk plastered on his face. He was saying something that made her blush and look away, which followed with his hand gliding to her upper thigh.

I slapped myself from the trance I drowned in, jumping on him.

I grabbed the collar of his shirt, punching him in the jaw.

He turned his head to me with surprise and pain reflecting in his eyes. He grabbed his jaw, rubbing it in the hope the pain will fade.

As he was about to say something, I punched him again, this time harder. And I kept going, giving him what he deserved.

The pain I put him in will never fade away.

His face made my stomach turn into knots, hence why I just had to beat the shit of him. I waited for this since we were in Middle School.

He was always bullying everyone and trying something with girls who had no interest.

He was a rapist.

And there was Storm. I was sick when I saw what this little fuck was doing to her. I wanted to scream and beat the life out of him.

She was scared and alone, with enough trauma in her life already.

She didn't need this.

She didn't need me and my troubles.

I stopped when I saw his face become purple and his nose bleed, staining his and my clothes.

He coughed blood all over my face, laughing like a maniac. His white teeth were now red as the blood poured from his mouth.

He wiped off his face, straightening his back so he could be the taller possible.

It's not like I was six feet tall.

"That's the only thing you got? Where is the famous Reyes temper?" he spat out, challenging me. I shook my head, not wanting to talk about it.

"C'mon, Reyes, I heard what people said about your little girlfriend. Did they say she was slut or a hooker? I think both," Colson wondered, looking me directly in the eye.

"You don't want me to hurt you," I warned him, trying to suppress the negative feelings I felt grew stronger with each second that passed by.

I held up so good for all this time. I had my temper under control. So what changed?

Did Storm change me?

His provocative smile turned into a mischievous smirk and this time I knew it was gonna end up bad.

"That's actually funny. Storm said the opposite thing to me when we were in bed yesterday," he chuckled. "Did you know she was into choking?"

As soon as the words came out of his dirty mouth, I grabbed the collar of his shirt with my fist in the air. "You fucking liar!"

"Saradonyx! What the fuck are you doing?!" Law yelled, grabbing my hand.

"Get the fuck away from me," I fumed, pushing him far away.

And then I punched that smirk on Colson's face.

Again.

He fell on the floor, but that didn't stop me. I kept hitting him until there was blood everywhere and someone finally pulled me away from him.

"You piece of shit!" I yelled, trying to snatch out of the hands that were holding me away from him.

"Hey, this isn't you!" Law reminded me, trying to restrain me. I couldn't even hear him, with this anger consuming me.

If I had any common sense of what I was doing, I would quit it right here and now. But that was my curse, I didn't have it.

"Sar, stop it!" he yelled again.

When he realized I wouldn't stop breaking out of his firm embrace, he pushed me away, his eyes locked on me. If he didn't have a serious expression on his face, I wouldn't stop.

And I knew if he was serious, there was something wrong.

"Saradonyx, they called your parents," he informed me seriously, with words that made my stomach tie into a knot.

Oh, fuck.

My eyes opened wide in shock as I stood there, looking at what I've done.

Everyone that could fit into the hall was earlier watching and cheering. Now, a deathly silence appeared, with all eyes on me.

Storm was standing a few meters in front of me, her eyes following the school nurse taking Colson away.

Then she ran towards me, hugging the shit out of me. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah."

Then I thought about the consequences.

My mother will be fucking furious.

"Saradonyx Reyes," Principal called out, looking down on me. He did not look happy. "Come with me."

Storm stepped away, wishing me luck. I think I'll need it.

I groaned and followed him as Law tapped my shoulder in support. I'm so fucking lucky to have him as a friend. I did everything he could've hated me for, but he stood by my side instead. Through it all.

I flashed him an apologetic look and glanced at Storm, only to find that she wasn't even here anymore.

What the fuck have I done?

×××××

I was sitting in a luxe, leather chair. I was on the opposite side of the Principal's desk, facing a window that looked on the town.

He wasn't here yet, but that didn't bother me. I had time to panic about getting fucking murdered by my mother.

And that doesn't even bother me as much as Storm.

Have I just lost her?

Storm was the best thing that happened to me. What the hell was I thinking when I almost beat that guy to death in front of her and the whole school?

She never saw me like that. I tried to put it in the past, but how could I? Anger is a part of me. I can't really forget about it, no matter how hard I tried.

What will she do now?

She must be terrified, I probably looked like an animal that should be locked in a fucking cage.

Suddenly, the door opened and I automatically jumped to my feet. My heart was beating so fast that it could easily jump out of my chest.

At that moment, it stopped beating and I felt my face going pale.

My father marched inside the office, looking at me with disgust and disappointment.

He sat next to me, inhaling deeply.

Oh, fuck. I would rather have my mother here.

Please, bring my mother.

"So, Mr. Reyes, I guess you know what the word is about here," Principal begins, sitting behind the desk.

I closed my eyes, praying that this ends as soon as possible.

"Yes, I am informed," he growled, not even looking at me. The Principal nodded, opening a yellow folder with my name on it.

I couldn't believe what was happening.

How come I was getting punished when Colson was obviously harassing Storm?

"With the information I have collected by multiple witnesses, Saradonyx stroke first and did not stop until Colson Embers ended up with a broken nose and several physical injuries," he informed us, writing something inside of my folder.

I looked at my father, whose jaw was clenched and his whole body was uptight.

I was so screwed.

"Saradonyx Reyes is suspended for a week and will go to detention every day after school for the rest of the year," the Principal announced my punishment, looking at my father who sharply nodded.

"Understood. If that's all, we would like to leave," father excused us and looked at me.

He didn't have to talk, I already knew what was about to happen by his look.

And I also knew there was nothing I could do about it.

"Yes, it is. Have a good week," Principal dismissed us and stood up, shaking hands with my father. Then he looked at me.

"Every action you perform has consequences, Saradonyx. You should remember that," he advised me, walking us towards the doors.

When we exited, father was in front of me, walking through the empty halls. The class has already begun, hence why there was no one here.

That was probably for the better because I would collect some hate looks.

We walked through the main doors, walking into a parking lot. Father pulled out the keys, unlocking his black Range Rover.

"I think I'll walk home," I suggested when we approached the car. "To clear my head."

His serious eyes landed on me, the corner of his lips twitching into a creepy smile.

"You're stupid if you think I'm going to let you go," he chuckled, gesturing me to get inside.

I sighed, sliding into the back seat.

Once we both got in, he locked the doors and started the car.

"Do you know what, son?" he asked me, looking at the rearview mirror.

"I thought I couldn't be more disappointed in you. I really did. I mean, you did everything wrong there had to be done," he pondered, looking at the road.

"I even tried to teach you a lesson, but you're just so fucking stubborn."

"Look, father. Colson was sexually harassing my friend. I couldn't watch that," I argued, leaving out the part about her being my girlfriend.

Honestly, I didn't even know if she was anymore. I didn't dare to look at my phone and ask her how was she while talking to him because I knew what was his reaction last time I did that.

"I don't give a fuck what was he doing, you broke the school's, and mine, rules. You know what happened last time."

I sighed, not even wanting to remember it.

"This was different. This time I had to help her," I clenched my jaw, trying to stay calm.

I didn't want to think about what would happen to Storm if I didn't step in.

And that was why I don't regret it.

But now, I have to face the outcome of my actions. I will lose the love of my life and take a beating from my father, just as I did every time something didn't turn out as he wanted it to.

"You see, son, that's what you don't understand," he scorned. "You could've solved the situation differently."

"Those people don't deserve my generosity," I protested. I wasn't gonna pat Colson on the back and ask him to step aside.

He was gonna rape my girl.

He deserved what happened to him. And I didn't feel sorry one bit. If I had to do it again, I would.

As soon as father heard my words, he parked the car by the closest dead-end street.

"Get out of the car," he ordered me, avoiding to look in my direction.

"Look, I-"

"I said, get out of the fucking car!" he yelled, this time more determined.

I opened the door and got out on the street. I looked around, hoping somebody, anybody, would be around.

Nope, we were alone.

There wasn't a soul nowhere near. Which meant I was left with the mercy of my ruthless father.

I had to think my way out of this. I had to stop him from doing the same I did to Colson.

Karma, such a bitch.

He got out of the car, heading towards me. The leather jacket he wore earlier wasn't on him now, which meant he wanted to be more flexible with his arms.

That really didn't help.

His short, black hair was slicked behind and black eyes were piercing through me as he came closer. He was double my size, with tattoos covering 80% of his body, so I had no possible chance against him.

"Let me show you how the poor guy felt when you broke his nose," he growled, suddenly swinging his fist towards my face.

I stumbled behind, a burning sensation consuming my face. My sight was suddenly blurred as I tried to look at him like he never hurt me.

"You think you are so tough, right?" he snickered, his silhouette coming closer.

"I'm fine," I gritted my teeth, pain spreading in my chest as I talked.

"I don't think so," he objected, throwing another punch at me, and with that, I ended up on the ground.

Warm, thick liquid poured down my face, covering my sight.

After that moment, I couldn't think straight. All I knew was he didn't stop until I looked like Colson. And that felt like an eternity.

×××××

My eyes fluttered open, which was followed by a loud groan. I felt like shit, with every part of my body in pain as if I was stabbed over and over again.

When my view finally cleared out, I realized I was in a car. But not any car, it was the father's Range Rover.

Fuck.

I was laying in the backseat while he kept driving who knew where!

I had to get out of the car and I had to do it now.

I grabbed the front seat, lifting my head and glancing through the window.

We were near Zara's house.

This is my chance.

If I don't do it now, who the fuck knows where will I end?

"Good, you're awake," he noticed, turning his head towards me.

Now, Saradonyx! He's not expecting it!

I grabbed the doorknob, opening it.

"What the fuck are you doing?" he demanded, reaching his hand to me.

I dodged it and as soon as I collected the strength, I jumped out of the car, my body crashing on the hard ground.

I groaned as I felt my right arm cracking under my weight.

Well, wasn't that's just fucking peachy.

The car stopped, my father approaching me soon afterward. I have to get up and run.

I didn't do all of this for him to catch me again.

I got up, running like a headless chicken. I looked around, trying to orientate myself.

Alright, so I was a few blocks away from Zara's house. If I pull my shit together and run as if my life depended on it, I might be there before my father.

I looked behind, searching for him. He was a few feet behind me. If I keep this up, I could be in the house before even gets on the porch.

In a couple of seconds, which felt like hours, I felt the adrenaline wearing off, leaving me alone with lots of sweat and a heavy breath.

And a lot of broken bones.

C'mon, asshole! You can do it! Just a couple of seconds more and you're there.

And that's what happened.

Thanks to Law and our boxing workouts, I was able to hold it together, although my father broke my nose, my arm, and possibly a couple of ribs.

I pulled out the spare key Zara gave me with my healthy hand, unlocking the doors.

As soon as I came in I closed it, leaning on them.

I shut my eyes, concentrating on not falling unconscious.

I stood in that position for some time, trying to assimilate my breathing. My head was pulsing and I knew my legs will give up on me soon.

I finally opened my eyes, catching my reflection in a mirror.

"Fucking hell," I gasped, looking at the mirror.

I couldn't even recognize myself.

My hair was greased up, falling on my forehead in light waves. It looked as if I washed it in blood. My face was covered in dried blood and my left eye was completely purple and swollen. My right arm was colored like a fucking child's drawing, with dark blue and purple bruises. I winced at the sight of it bending in unnatural places.

"Saradonyx!" Naomi, Zara's mother, yelled in shock.

Oh, great. I didn't even notice her coming in.

"Hey, aunt N," I greeted her nonchalantly as if nothing was wrong.

Her eyes and mouth opened in shock when she saw me. She stood at the end of the hall, completely paralyzed.

"Saradonyx! What happened to you?!" she wanted to know, rushing to me. She hugged me carefully as if I was gonna break under her touch.

Ha, that's funny. Because I'm already broken.

Get it? My hand.

"It doesn't matter," I assured her, although I was in so much pain I could barely talk.

"Saradonyx," she warned me, looking at me with raised eyebrows.

I sighed. "It was my father," I simply said. I didn't want her to worry about it, but someone needed to know.

"Again?"

I nodded, looking at the floor. I admit I was ashamed.

What the hell was I thinking?

Aunt N looked at me with compassion and I was so grateful she didn't ask any more questions.

"Let me see your arm," she stretched her hands forward, lightly holding it. She touched it with the tip of her fingers, examining it, but even then it hurt like hell.

"Ow!"

"I'm sorry, honey. I think I should drive you to the hospital," she finally announced, letting go of my arm.

I nodded, very well aware that it needs professional medical help.

"Aunt N, can I call Zara first?"

"Honey, of course you can. Why would you even ask me that?" she shook her head, laughing.

I pulled out my phone and typed her number.

"I'm just going to get my purse and coat," she informed me, pointing upstairs. I nodded, waiting for Zara to pick up.

"Hello?"

"Zara!"

"Saradonyx? Where the fuck are you?" she asked me, slightly whispering.

"I'm in deep shit, am I?" I exhaled, closing my eyes.

"Well, kind of. Sar, you got suspended, Narathyia will freak out!"

I sighed, shaking my head.

"No, Zara, I'm not talking about school."

A short silence filled the air.

"Then what?"

"Storm," I reminded her. "Where is Storm?"

She groaned, not answering.

"Zara, where is she?" I asked again.

"She went to visit Colson," she admitted uncomfortably. I whimpered, leaning against the wall.

"Are you fucking kidding me? What is she doing there? I'm coming over right now and-"

"Sar, don't. She doesn't wanna see you. What you did was fucking reckless and irresponsible," she stopped me, her voice turning serious.

"I know that, okay?! I feel the guilt eating me from inside and all I want to do is be with..."

My tongue stopped working.

"Sar?"

"All I wan..."

"Sar, are you there?"

The phone slipped from my hand on the floor as I tried to stay on my feet.

I heard Zara calling me, but I couldn't talk. I felt my eyes closing as I fell on the floor, landing on my right arm once again.

My head bounced against the floor, knocking me out.

"Oh, my God! I need to call the ambulance!" I heard Naomi yelling. She fell on her knees, slapping my cheeks.

"Saradonyx, say something!" she continued. "Honey! Wake up!"

×××××

The first thing I heard was the voices.

I couldn't open my eyes or say anything, but I heard them talking about me.

I tried to say something - that I'm awake and I'm sorry. I wanted to ask about Storm and hold her hand.

But I couldn't.

"You said his father did this?" a female voice asked, astonished.

"Yes and we have to do something!" another voice agreed.

"We can't. He has the most powerful lawyers with him. We can't do shit."

"Zaraella Lynn Stone! Language!"

"So, what are we gonna do?"

"We just have to wait for him to wake up and then we'll talk about this together."

With that, everything became blurry, and voices distanced, leaving me with silence.

I stopped trying to open my eyes as my mind drifted into another dream, forgetting all about this.

×××××

Hey, it's me!

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Anyways, what do you think of this chapter? I love Saradonyx, but every person has a dark side. Do you think he reacted the right way? And what about his father? I was so sick in the stomach while writing that part but that's reality. Not everyone has good parents.

Thank you for reading!

Love ya!