Wicked Things by Yolanda Olson
Hollis
I stoppedat the local pharmacy on the way home and bought some gauze.
With each grunt and painful breath, I managed to wrap it tightly enough around my torso that if anything had been broken, it would have a chance to heal better than if I had done nothing to help myself at all.
I leaned back on the palms of my hands to try and relax a bit while I collected my thoughts again.
The cool breeze that trickled in through the open window in my bedroom tickled my skin, giving me goosebumps on my arms and legs.
I turned my face toward the small comfort and closed my eyes as a tiny smile crept across my lips.
I dropped onto my back and opened my eyes again after a few moments of solace in the dark, and turned them back to the world outside.
One of the reasons I liked being alone in my home so much, was that I could walk around naked and not have to care or worry about what anyone would think or say.
The very same thing that would enable rage in an unsuspecting one-night stand,I mused with a bitter chuckle.
I watched as a formation of birds flew by in the distant sky.
I wondered what it would be like to feel so free, to be able to just go anywhere and do anything I ever wanted—all while knowing it was something that just wasn’t meant for a person like me.
Maybe one day I’d be able to fly away from all of the problems that ailed me, but I never really did like running from a fight, so I knew I would stand my ground.
No matter how down-trodden the road could be.
___
“So, sexy girl, are you on your own tonight?”
I ground my teeth together as imperceptibly as I could, hoping that the gesture alone would be obvious enough to get him to leave.
Picking up my drink again, I raised it to my lips while I held his gaze and nodded.
This wasn’t going to end well.
Not with him being as drunk as he clearly was.
“Good. Wouldn’t want to fuck up some guy I don’t know because I took his girl,” he replied with a smug, toothy grin.
“Hm.”
I turned my body back toward the bar, wishing that he’d just take the hint that I wasn’t interested.
“Got any plans for the rest of the night?” he asked in an obnoxiously loud tone.
“Just having a few drinks, then I’m going home,” I responded curtly.
“I was thinking of something more fun.”
I rolled my eyes as I set my drink down on the bar-top and craned my neck to get the attention of the bartender.
Maybe if he saw the look of desperation in my eyes, he’d be willing to step in and get rid of the prick that has refused to take a hint.
But he didn’t even glance in my direction.
Turning to face my unwelcomed suitor, I knew that the only way I’d be able to get out of the predicament I felt looming like a malevolent storm was to do it by myself.
___
I opened my eyes and wiped the tears away.
I didn’t want to remember what happened as vividly as I did.
The memory was so goddamn fresh because it had only happened the night before, but I’d always been able to block those kinds of things out in the past.
This was obviously a pain that wouldn’t be going away any time soon.
