Might use it in another story, but I'm curious to see what you think of it, first
XxxDo
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“I wouldn’t do that, if I were you.”
He stopped in his tracks, his gaze darting nervously from side to side in a frantic search for the source of the confidently spoken words. They settled on the face of the teenage girl that stood in the doorway, then narrowed in distrust. He’d immediately recognized the voice; just not the newfound resilience it was alight with. Clenching his jaw, the muscle in his cheek flexing, he appeared to asses her; contemplating his options. He knew her too well to let such a snide, overconfident comment be disregarded without any further reflection. After all, it was unprecedented that she spoke to him without a hint of fear in her voice and composure.
The fact that it was the first time that she ever managed this spoke volumes about his current situation; and planted a seed of concern in the back of his mind. He could tell that there was a reason, that something had been the cause of the change. Something that may well be a threat to him.
Finally, he spoke, his tone cold and sarcastic.
“Since when do you have the courage to so much as look me in the eye?”
She grimaced at his words, forcing her gaze to meet his with quiet, fearless self-assurance to establish the fact that the tables were, at last, turning in her favour.
Snidely, she spoke. “Since it dawned on me, Michael, that you’re not worthy of the energy I spent fearing you. You don’t scare me anymore. You don’t control me anymore. You’re fighting a losing battle against an enemy who will keep getting stronger. I’m through with the fear.”
He straightened up, his palms seeking the edge of the countertop behind him. He leaned back against it, a malicious sneer etched in his pasty face. His body language radiated hostility; and he was clearly convinced that he would never cease to hold the position of authority he’d thrived in for the better part of two years.
We’ll see about that, Michael, Jess thought, watching him put on a show that would have, in any other situation, intimidated her. We’ll see how much power you’ve got left now that I’ve taken things into my own hands. You’ll come to recognize my resilience.
She could see the thoughts churning through his mind as he scrutinized her with his intensely grey eyes. He was searching for a hint of deceit behind her words, carefully calculating what best to say next. She’d seen him seek for the right words before – countless times – as he was always searching for the most ominous, brutal ways to talk to her. His supremacy was constructed on a solid platform of intimidation and fear, and he’d continuously ensured that both these crucial factors remained present.
He had succeeded; until today.
“Don’t for a second think you scare me.” Jess spoke slowly, taking a step towards him, out of the protective enclosure of the doorway. Amusement tugged at the corners of his lips, then progressed into a clown-like smile.
“Yeah?” He sneered, reaching out towards the block of knives that stood to his right. “What’s to say, Jess, that I won’t just take a knife and kill you? Just like I killed your dim-witted father?”
“The fact that, Michael, you’re maniacal, but not stupid.” She spoke meticulously, her steady tone reflecting the unusual clearness of her thoughts. “Plus… people don’t tend to act out when they’ve got guns aimed at their head.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” He stopped mid-reach, his eyes finding hers again.
“Just saying… it’s in your own best interests to remain as motionless and unthreatening as possible. You haven’t a clue how far beyond your control this situation is.” She held his gaze, a warm sensation of triumph filling up the hollow space inside her heart where her fear for him had once resided.
Watching him grow increasingly unsure of himself, she caught herself smiling faintly. You may be crazy, Michael, but I knew I exactly how you’d react when I came up with this idea. Now that you see that I am no longer afraid, it’s dawning on you that you’re no longer in control of the situation. You’re losing. You’re experiencing something new; something you visibly don’t appreciate...
“You’re lying. You vindictive little bitch.” He said, holding his position stiffly; one outstretched hand resting on the wooden block of knives.
“Am I?”
“Fuck you.” He grimaced, his expression cynical; though simultaneously anxious. “Shut up, Jess. I think you’ve forgotten who you’re dealing with; you should know that I wouldn’t hesitate to kill you.”
“You don’t scare me.”
“You’re in for it, now, Jess. Trust me; you’re going to wish that I’d grant you the relief of dying once I’m done with you.”
“Yea… you know what? I don’t think so, Michael.”
He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again after a few seconds, before sliding the largest of the knives from the block with the blood-curdling sound of metal scraping wood. His expression was the one she’d seen so many times before, whenever he laid hands on her. It was the mask of mindless cruelty - the human representation of a monster.
“Not a single step closer, Michael.”
“Are you on drugs, Jess?” He sneered, the knife dangling loosely from his hand. “Is this a hallucinogenic speaking, or did you have a personality change while you survived on the streets?”
“I never lived on the streets. I moved in with Jason the first night, already. See; that’s what sets us apart the most, Michael. I’ve got friends. You’ve got subordinates. And in the long run, it’s the
friendships that will make or break you.”
“Well, well.” Snide. “I don’t see your friends standing beside you now, do I? You’re alone, Jess. Face it.”
“You fucking bastard.” She said. “I don’t know who the fuck you thought you were; coming into my home, taking my dad’s place. You’re nothing to me. You’re just a lowlife, criminal bastard with an unhealthy obsession with authority and violence.”
“You shouldn’t have fucking said that.” He started towards her, but she shook her head curtly and raised a single hand, her palm turned towards him to let him know he should keep his distance.
“Lynn.” She stated the name casually, knowing that it was enough. Watching her stepfather’s last strands of confidence slip away, she felt amazing. He knew exactly what she meant; he’d met the detective once before, after all, and knew back then that he’d met a woman who truly didn’t fear him.
A split second later the room filled with cops; their guns drawn and aimed at Michael. Lynn sidestepped in front of Jess, then glanced back at her over her shoulder with a tinge of concern lining her brown eyes. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” Jess smiled – sincerely - for the first time in ages as she watched Michael drop the knife and raise his hands above his head in defeat. “Yeah… I’m great.”
