Getting Wilder ✔️

issue twelve: mashed nugget

"That's....a hickey," she lied.

"You know you can't lie to me, why the fuck do you try?" I reached for her hair and pushed it back. My stomach turned uncomfortably when I saw the dark mark on her neck. Like someone, something had tried to strangle her. "What the fuck?"

For a second, her eyes glistened. Then she blinked and they were back to normal. She shoved me away and took a step back and quickly started placing the containers back on the shelf.

"Kay, Kay?" I called again and again. My heart raced, my skin crawling. I knew something was very wrong. Lead filled my insides. "Kay, what happened? How did this happen?"

I tried to reach for her, to stop her from her frantic movements and she lashed out like a wild cat.

"Fuck you! Get the fuck away from me!" she whispered hoarsely, tears spilling out of her eyes as I gazed, bewildered. I grabbed her arm, forcing her to remain still and studied the grotesque mark as realization dawned on me. A wild beast seemed to unleash in my chest, its veins weaved with wrath and skin crafted with vehemence.

"Matt. Matt...did this to you."

Her lower lip trembled as more tears welled up in her eyes. My heart fell to my stomach. I couldn't believe that vile creature was physically abusing her.

"It..it was a momentary lapse." She shook her head, pushing me away again as she finished placing all the containers back on the shelf. She had a tiny bottle in her hand that I recognized as an antiseptic. I felt sick to my stomach, wondering what else he had done to her.

"He...he just lost control. That happens...sometimes," She shook her head again, her eyes sparkling with forming tears. I was sure at this point, she was only trying to assure herself. "Just...don't tell mom about this."

"Kay," I began, anger writhing in my insides. "Kay, you don't have to hide this. You don't have to tolerate this. You need to-"

She shrieked and shoved me roughly, her eyes wild. She looked shocked and gazed behind me as if making sure no one had heard her before she spat. "Do not try to be a fucking hero, Nico. Leave me alone!"

She turned and stormed away into her room, shutting the door behind her. I gazed after her, my heart sinking. I balled my fists, my brain incoherent from rage. How dare he touch her? How dare he hurt her? The fucking sick, twisted bastard. 

A resolution formed in my mind. 

Mathew Browning had finally gone too far. 

                                                                                                          *

On Monday in school, my mind was made. I spent the entire day planning a tactic and avoiding a forlorn-looking Marien who shot me sad looks with eyes that looked unnaturally droopy and a pout that looked uncharacteristically theatrical. It made my insides writhe with guilt. 

I waited outside the building after classes, my eyes trained for Matt and his gang. It would perhaps have been prudent to bring Cam and Ray along, but the visage of pride in me wanted to fight this battle on its own. 

Soon enough, I saw Matt laughing his disarmingly charming smile as he emerged from the main gates, flanked by two guys I didn't know nor did I care about.

I took a deep breath, my stomach twisting in anxiety and walked over to him. His cold eyes met mine and widened momentarily in surprise. 

"Matt, I need to talk to you." I kept my voice even and impassive.