CHAPTER 4: FISTS AND TAPPING

Seraphina wasn’t sure how she let herself get dragged into this.

The thumping bass vibrated through the air, and people were packed into the house -turned -dancefloor.

Each and every corner spilled over with noise, laughter, and the thick aroma of weed and alcohol.

Mia had convinced her to come out for the night, but Seraphina was already feeling out of place.

The flashing lights, the strangers brushing past her and bumping into her, some with sweaty skin—it all felt too much.

She did her best to try to blend in, leaning against a nearby wall and giving Mia a half-hearted smile.

“Come on, Sera!” Mia shouted over the music, beaming as she handed her a drink.

“You look like you’re about to bolt. Loosen up! You’ll have fun, I promise!”

Seraphina forced a laugh, taking the drink nervously.

“I’m trying,” she said, scanning over the crowded room with a trying look on her face.

It wasn’t her scene, but Mia looked so happy, and she couldn’t bring herself to squash her friend's bubble.

For the next half hour, she tried to go along with the mood of the environment around her, swaying a bit to the music and laughing when Mia twirled her around.

But it was all too loud, too…full, the smell of sweat, and the densely loud music felt like the were pressing against her chest;

She just felt like she didn’t belong.

Mia poured more drink for herself, looking over the room just as a tall, muscular guy caught her eye from across the room.

She shot Seraphina an excited grin, winking, “I’m going to dance.”

“Promise me you’ll stay here and enjoy yourself? Just for a little while?”

Seraphina nodded, giving a small, encouraging wave as Mia sashayed to the guy, leaving her alone.

She hugged herself, feeling the loud room get even bigger and emptier without her friend by her side.

Just then, a young male stepped into her space, and she recognized him from earlier at the entrance door.

His name was Jared, she remembered, how could she not; he was a popular kid and a rich one, most students knew his name before they ever saw him in the flesh.

And now he was standing in front of her with his signatury cocky smile and confident swagger.

“Hey there, wallflower,” he drawled, sweeping his gaze over her.

“Looks like your friend abandoned you.”

“Just went to dance,” she said, smiling politely.

“Too bad for her. That means I get you all to myself.”

Jared’s eyes twinkled, as he dropped his drink on a table behind her, practically trapping her between his arms.

“You look like you need some company, someone to show you how to loosen up.”

“No, I’m fine,” she murmured, hoping he’d get the hint.

But instead, he slid an arm around her waist, pulling her closer, choking her with his poor choice of heavy cologne.

At least to her that is.

Most campus girls would jump at him and drink in the smell of his rich cologne but it was too heavy for her liking and just needed her space now or Mia, not him.

Bending his head to the side of hers, he whispered in her ear, “You sure about that? I'll show you how to have fun, we'll have a good time.”

Where were his fans?

Now was a time she wouldn't mind their squeals and screams.

She felt so uncomfortable and tried pulling away from him but he only slid his hands down to cup her ass, drawing her closer till she felt his hard on while she gasped and pushed at him.

His lips kissed at the side of her neck then her jawline, making its way to her lips.

It was then that she perceived the drenching smell of alcohol from his lips.

No wonder his cologne seemed so heavy; it was mixed in with the alcohol he had drank.

He was drunk!

Starting to panic, she pushed at him, her voice starting to hiccup in fear.

“Jared. Jared please let go.”

He ignored her,---- or maybe didn't hear her at all— pushing her up unto the table and pulling up her dress.

“Stop!"

No one could hear her, the music was too loud and everyone was absorbed with themselves.

She opened her mouth to scream or something, then felt a tall shadow loom over her.

Then Jared was off her.

Looking up, she saw Vnox, he was gripping Jared’s left shoulder.

“What the—”

The popular kid was barely getting out the words out when Vnox’s fist collided with his face.

There was a sound of a crack as Jared’s head snapped back, blood spraying from his nose.

He stumbled, clutching his face, but Vnox followed him.

“You dare touch her?”

He drove his fist into Jared’s stomach, and the boy doubled over, gasping for breath.

As more blows landed on Jared, he raised his hands to cover his pretty face.

But Vnox’s fists broke through regardless.

Blood poured from Jared’s broken nose, his mouth, and his cheek, splattering onto the floor.

Someone shouted and hands reached out to grab Vnox’s shoulder, but he shrugged them off.

With his impressive height, the intervenes swung off his arm to the floor some meters away, one flew backwards into the crowd that had gathered.

Gasps broke through the room but his attention was on the boy beneath him on the floor now.

Another punch, and Jared’s lip split letting blood drip down his chin.

Vnox grabbed him by the collar, lifting him up only to slam him down again.

Jared’s face was bruised and smeared with blood.

By now the hazy effects of the alcohol were totally beaten out of him.

His eyes were glassy as he held onto Vnox's hands holding his collar. “Please…stop…”

More people tried to pull Vnox back, some pleading, others just watching.

Some college students tried to bring out their phones and record the whole show but found their phones were missing.

“Enough!” someone shouted.

“You’re going to kill him!”

More blood spattered across the floor, staining Vnox’s hands, and still he showed no sign of stopping.

The crowd drew back even further, no one could muster courage to go closer.

He drove his knee into Jared’s ribs and a crack sound filled the room.

Fear clutched at Seraphina’s throat at what she was seeing.

She’d never seen anything like it— she was glad she wasn't raped in front of a crowd but— this, it definitely didn't look like he was defending her.

Goosebumps filled her skin so she did the only thing she could think of;

She fled, pushing her way through the crowd.

The night air whipped her face with her hair as she ran, not bothering to brush her hair aside or pack it up.

She didn’t stop running until she reached her home, slamming the door behind her and locking it.

Her whole body shook.

She looked at the door behind her and ran her hands up in her hair, brushing her hair backwards as she did.

What had she just seen? What kind of person was Vnox?

She got into her room, collapsing onto her bed and burying her face in her hands.

Her breathing was beginning to slow and she was starting to calm when she heard a tapping sound on her window.

Dread seeped into her veins and she began shaking, having mini bouts of hiccups, as the tapping continued.

“Seraphina,” his was low and muffled through the glass.

“Open up.”

She shook her head, even though he couldn't see her through the curtain-closed window, and pulled her bed covers up around her, covering her head as well.

Her body coiled up under the bed covers as she listened to the tapping, keep going on.

It didn't seem like he was going to go away very soon.

She was so scared and clutched the covers tightly.

¿_- What have I gotten myself into? -_¿