As I glimpsed the familiar figures in the distance, a rush of adrenaline flooded my veins, setting my heart pounding against my ribcage.
My breath hitched, catching in my throat as an unmistakable wave of panic surged within me. It was them-my other tormentors, approaching from afar.
My muscles tensed involuntarily, and my mind raced with memories of the torment they had inflicted upon me, the scars both visible and hidden.
The air felt thinner, suffocating me as I grappled with the sudden onslaught of fear and distress. Every nerve in my body seemed to vibrate with an alarming urgency, warning me of the impending confrontation.
My hands trembled, and a cold sweat formed on my brow despite the mild night breeze that whispered through the trees. I fought to control the rising tide of panic, but it was an uphill battle, a war against the haunting memories and the raw emotions they evoked.
I desperately sought an escape, my instincts urging me to flee, to hide from the impending confrontation that threatened to unravel the fragile calm I had meticulously built over the months.
The familiar surge of vulnerability and helplessness overwhelmed me, threatening to engulf my resolve.
My breaths came in shallow gasps, each inhalation a struggle against the invisible shackles of fear. My pulse thundered in my ears, drowning out all other sounds as I grappled with the overwhelming dread of facing them again.
Yet, even in the midst of this encroaching panic, a simmering defiance stirred within me. I clenched my fists, especially as Adam was still holding me, willing myself to stand firm, refusing to succumb to the crippling fear that threatened to paralyze me.
With trembling resolve, I steeled myself for the inevitable encounter, bracing for the storm of emotions that awaited me at the impending confrontation.
What was the worst that could happen?
Rape. My mind taunted me.
I shook my head, realizing then that Adam’s hands had fallen away from me on seeing his brothers.
Was it because of shyness or what? I didn’t understand, but I didn’t care to know either. My heart was doing enough drumming to make me care.
“Are you okay?” Adam asked again, turning me around to face him. “You seem to be having some kind of melt down since a few seconds ago. Does it have to do with them?” He asked, furrowing his eyebrows, as he darted glances between me and his brothers who, seeing us, increased their walking paces.
I shook my head, and shook myself away from his arm, taking a few steps back, while maintaining some distance between the two of us, four now, as Daniel and Noah joined us.
Seeing the confused look on Adam’s face, then remembering that he had asked me a question, I nodded my head. “I am fine, just a bit out. I think I have had enough of fresh air. I think I will head inside.” I muttered, praying whilst turning away that I wouldn’t be stopped this time around.
But of course the goddess seemed to be partial when it came to these boys even though they are the reason why I struggle with panic attacks intermittently.
A hand grasped my arm, and even before I turned around, I knew it wasn’t Adam. It was Noah, and he was glaring at me. Daniel was by his side, smirking, rubbing his hands together.
My heart flew to my mouth again. What now?
“Where are you going, stranger? You were all cozy with my brother for god knows how long, maybe he has shacked you even, and now you see us and you want to run? Crowd turn you off? Cause I assure you, we three can make you feel so good. And why are you so strong headed? Did we perhaps offend you in a former life, or maybe in the past?”
Annoyed, my anger simmering from being called a slut, I shook off his hand. “You are really a pile of shit.”
My anger faded into panic though when Adam broke into fits of laughter.
“Is that the only insult you know? Shit?”
I huffed, and Daniel snickered. “She called you that too? I thought you managed to snag her. What is taking you so long this time? You were waiting for us?”
I wanted to vomit on their faces, I wanted to disappear. I hated being here.
I looked around again. There was no one in sight, no one to save me in case they tried to get physical, sexually, against my will.
What should I do? I thought, looking around. Who would save me? I pinched myself intermittently when I felt the panic attacks coming again.
Noah came to stand behind me, and I gulped in salva. My hands were beginning to shake. They had surrounded me.
“Don’t worry, we won’t beat you. We just want to know your deal with us. Why are you so hateful toward us? What did we do? Tell us, and we will let you go.” Daniel mentioned, folding his arms across his chest, donning a serious face look.
“If you wait long enough, we might be tempted to remove your mask. I, for one, am very curious to see the face behind the sassy kissable mouth.” He added.
I wetted my lips, feeling parched and dried. I can’t believe this was happening. It was a bad idea coming to this party as powerless as I was now.
When would I learn?
See, even with a mask, I was still attracting trouble.
“Stop doing that.” Adam was speaking now. “You will make one of us kiss you, and then you will call that rape. I don’t want to be accused of rape.” He said, his eyes furrowing the next second as they concentrated on something behind us.
I swiftly turned, hoping that I would see a savior, smiling out tears uncontrollably when I saw Diana standing there, with her arms across her chest.
She was angry. No. That she was filled with rage would be the most appropriate.
“What are you three doing?” She asked, when she noticed that she had gotten our attention.
“Just talking with your cousin.” Adam answered, but already I was walking, stepping around Noah, happy when no one touched me, till I got to Diana.
Her eyes asked me if I was okay. I nodded, deftly wiping the tears that were rolling down my cheek, tears that I was sure didn’t go unnoticed by the triplets.
They were looking at me strangely, they couldn’t understand my deal. Good.
“I see. Well, as you can see, the talks are upsetting, so don’t bother again in your miserable lives to start another with her. Am I clear?” Diana asked, her voice on a higher range.
The triplets nodded, and I was amazed at what a six years old witch could command. They must have read off her energy.
Diana turned aside, and took my hand in hers. “Scums. Idiots.” She muttered, before walking away with me.
I smiled. I was sure that they heard her.