Paxon

Sunday, July 21st, 10:42pm

The parking lot lights shut off as I walk across the lot to my truck. Most everyone else has already gone home for the night, as it's just myself and another manager or two who are walking for our vehicles after working the closing shift tonight.

I check my phone to see that Mila has texted me, but I click it off instead of reading it.

I can scarcely see much of anything in the dark as I get to my truck, the light inside flicking on as I unlock my door. I pull the handle to get in, a weak ray of dark yellow light spilling across the pavement. I can hear something move behind me, like boot steps scuffing on the pavement but I don't move fast enough.

Something hits me from behind, pain flashing through my forehead and jaw as my face is slammed against the frame of the truck. I choke out a yell before I'm thrown to the side, a hand grabbing me by the back of the shirt as they toss me. I drop my phone and it skitters across the pavement the same time a boot comes down on my ribcage.

I yell again as the air is forced from my lungs and my hand snaps up to grab their leg. I slam a fist into the back of their kneecap and they fold forward before I grab them by the shirt and pull them down to the ground with me. A startled grunt escapes them as I drive a fist their jaw.

We roll across the parking lot as I swing blindly at them, arms and hands struggling for the upper hand as I yank their hands away from me. I reach for their eyes, intending to gouge them out as they swat and throw blind punches at my face. A fist finds its way to my mouth and I'm seeing stars as something makes a popping noise and I rock backwards.

I lunge for their throat and squeeze as I climb up onto their chest, pinning them to the ground. A hand reaches up to grab at me before I use my foot to pin their wrist to the ground. The blood is rushing in my ears as I recognize the person I've got pinned to the pavement.

"Give me a good reason not to kill you," I pant, "one reason."

They blink up at me like they don't understand and I adjust my grip as they gasp in a couple breaths of air. I can feel their pulse hammering under my hands and I wonder how easy it would be to crush their jugular until their heart stops beating altogether.

But I can't do that, I deserve answers.

"I know you did something to Derrick," they growl at last.

"Does it matter now, Adam? Does it really matter?"

"So you did do something," he chokes as I tighten my grip slightly.

I take several breaths as I see red. How badly I'd like to get revenge on him. How badly I wished I had done something to Derrick after everything he's done.

But I didn't, and that's the truth.

"No, unfortunately I didn't do anything to him," I mutter at last.

His eyes gleam in the dark as he eyes me cautiously, "The cops think I did something to him, they're pinning the blame on me, I can feel it man."

"Attacking someone in a dark parking lot doesn't help confirm your innocence now does it, asshole?"

"I didn't do anything, you have to believe me," he begs and I can hear every ounce of desperation in it.

"I believe you."

"You do?"

He sounds confused but at the same time relieved.

"Paxon...we gotta stick together on this-."

"We don't have to stick together on anything," I snap and his eyes narrow.

"You're just as guilty as I am when it came to that graduation party," he points out and I shake my head.

"I'm the only one who tried to do anything," I grunt as I start to stand, "but I'm not about to get into it, just do the smart thing and go home."

I reach up to touch my lip when I taste blood as I turn and start walking for my truck. I pick up my phone and check the screen, making sure to keep my ears sharp as I listen for Adam in case he tries to jump me again. I grab my keys from where they're lying next to my truck and get in and lock the doors. I start it, only looking up once to see that Adam is walking away and heading for the department store's parking lot next door.

I pull out my phone to call Olivia.

It rings and continues to ring until it goes through to voicemail.

"Hey, Livy, make sure your doors are locked tonight...I-, I'll explain when I can," I mutter as I watch Adam's retreating form before I hit the 'end' button.

I call Danica next and she picks up on the second ring.

"Yeah?" she murmurs and I can tell then that I've woken her up.

"Make sure all of your doors and windows are locked tonight," I tell her.

"What do you mean?" she asks, her voice suddenly becoming sharp and focused.

"I'll explain later, just be safe, don't go anywhere alone," I warn, "be careful, Dani."

"Paxon, what's going on?"

"Don't worry about it for now," I say and I hang up before she can ask any other questions.

I sit in the darkness of my truck for a long moment as I set my phone in the cup-holder before I pull out of the parking space and start towards home.