Completed flash fic. UNEDITED DRAFT. Content notes apply only to this part.
Fenrir
My lungs burn from all the exertion, but I reach Mel ahead of Ares and Kratos. She’s struggling against a larger man.
I see red, not even thinking before I punch him in the back of the head. He cries out and stumbles against the bleachers.
“Are you all right?” I ask Mel.
She wipes her eyes and nods. “I’m okay,” she says quietly.
She looks so different in the large hoodie and jeans. Yesterday, she’d been wearing an elaborate gothic outfit that had drawn my eyes to her immediately.
I still don’t know why Pandora had been such a bitch to her, but I know better than to pry into family matters.
“Come on,” I say. “We need to get going.”
Mel hesitates, like she wants to continue her job as ‘lookout.’
“Everybody! The front doors are open. Evacuate now. Don’t stampede! But get the fuck out!” Anastasia’s voice rings out over the speakers.
Fuck.
That’s not the plan—but what even is the plan? It was always vague and tenuous, with Pandora keen on her revenge and not much else.
“Ares, Kratos,” I say into my small mic. “I’m with Mel. I’ll keep her safe,” I say.
“You’d better,” Kratos snarls.
I extend my hand to Mel, and this time she takes it without complaint. I lead her toward the exits, but despite Anastasia’s admonishments not to stampede, everybody is crowding.
We won’t make it out in time like this.
Mel steps closer to me. “How…”
I glance around. Unlike the crowd of rich douchebags, I know the warehouse and its layout. “This way,” I say to Mel, tugging her towards one of the side hallways.
Mel follows without complaint.
She trusts me.
Fuck. She doesn’t even know me.
This exit is farther away, but we’ll be out faster than if we have to wait for all the crowds.
We’re halfway down a dark hallway when Bobbi’s voice filters through our comms. “You want to get the fuck out. Ezio set bombs. Anastasia and I found one of them, but there’s more. And we aren’t exactly a bomb squad.”
Mel gasps loudly. “Fenrir—”
“Come on!” I speed up my gait, and Mel runs along beside me, her hand warm in mine. The air is chillier around us without all the bodies to warm the place.
We’re nearing the doors when the entire world rumbles around us. Mel screams, and I pull her into my arms and cover her body.
Debris falls down around us. I grunt when debris pelts my back, but I don’t let go of Mel. I need to protect her.
I can’t watch anyone die in front of me ever again.
“Fenrir,” Mel says in a quiet whimper. “I… I’m scared.”
“We’ll be fine,” I promise, even though my heart is pounding so hard I feel it in my throat, and I know I have no way of guaranteeing anything.
The rocking around us slows. I keep holding Mel, until the entire world is still again. I take in a long breath and very slowly stand up.
The walls have cracks in them, and I notice a large piece of concrete only a few feet ahead of us.
If we’d been even a little faster, that would have hit us. Shit.
“I think it’s safe,” I say. I release Mel and take a step forward.
Mel doesn’t move.
“Hey,” I say, taking hold of her hand again. “We need to go.”
“I…” Mel breathes shallowly. “I can’t. I…”
I grimace. She’s in shock.
“Okay. It’s fine. I’ll take care of you,” I promise. I don’t ask for permission before I scoop her up into my arms. She’s lighter than I expected.
Mel immediately wraps her arms around my shoulders and buries her head against my neck.
“Just hang tight. I’ll get you out.” It’s harder to navigate while carrying Mel, but I move slowly and make sure to test my footing before putting weight anywhere. The doors leading out are askew, and I nudge them with my shoulder to push them open.
We step into the cool air of the parking lot.
I take us all the way up to the fence before I set Mel down. She doesn’t want to let go of me.
“Shh,” I soothe, petting her hair. “You’re fine. Nothing happened to us.”
Mel slowly looks up at me. Tears streak her face.
My face heats up, and for a split second I think that she’s beautiful.
I immediately shut that thought down. Mel is off limits. She’s my sister’s age! And Pandora would kill me if I got close to Mel.
“I… I…” Mel’s teeth chatter. “Thank…”
Before she can finish, somebody calls her name.
“Mel!” Ares shouts as he rushes over. He pushes me aside to pull Mel into his arms. “Fuck. I thought you were trapped in there.”
“Melly. Fuck! Don’t do that again!” Kratos says.
I reluctantly make room so Kratos can hug Mel too.
This is my cue to disappear. I wander away, occasionally glancing back at Mel. When I’m back at my car, I pull out my phone and dial Silvano.
He picks up after two rings.
“Fenrir? What’s up?” he asks.
“Hi, Dad. Nothing’s up.” I reach up and rub my temple, grimacing when my hand comes back bloody. “Had kind of a weird day and wanted to hear a friendly voice.”
“Well, I’m always happy to talk with you,” Silvano answers. “Do you want to tell me what happened?”
“Nah. It’s not a big deal,” I lie. “But how’s stuff back in New Bristol?”
I let him ramble at me. My heart slows, and I let talk of Wren and Kyran calm me.
I hope Mel’s family can help calm her down, too.
I wonder what it would be like to kiss away her tears.
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