Chapter 61

I dragged Sierra and walked faster towards her car. I cursed at the fact that it was a little bit far. Too far for this situation. I can feel Sierra trembling with fear. She was eyeing me but couldn’t quite utter the words she wanted to say. "Don’t look back and just walk faster with me-" I couldn’t even finish my phrase he grabbed my arm and forced me to face him. My body whipped towards him in a flash. "Let go or do you want another broken arm again." I eyed him threateningly and continued. "and a broken nose." He just scoffed. Sierra on my side whimpered. "Avery..." I looked at her with the amount of bravery and confidence I have. I just wish that she gets it. I didn’t want her to feel scared. I’m here and I’ll protect her. It’s what the look I was giving her. "Ain’t your little friend scared." He said with an ugly sneer. I shrugged his beefy fingers off my arms but he wouldn’t budge. His grin grew wider. His three friends came approaching us laughing. Aside from the two big middle aged guys, and from the looks of it, the other one is a minor. He was watchful and quiet. I didn’t know how this kid feels right now with his huge friends bullying women smaller than them. My eyes narrowed at the culprit gripping my arm dangerously. "I said let go." Sierra held my arm firmly, afraid that I’ll be dragged away by this disgusting lecher. "No, no, darling. After what you did to me and my friend." I never knew this men would have their revenge when I beat the crap out of them when they tried to molest Jenna. I could see the other man behind who also hurt Jenna. Now, they want me and I have Sierra with me. I can’t risk her. Ashton will kill me. He will triple kill me now that he’s going to be a father. I glanced at Sierra. Her eyes were glassy with tears. Her fingers trembled in my arm. If I want to make her run, I need to distract them. Can I actually handle four guys? All I can say is... I was glad I was wearing pants. In a swift, I kicked his crotch. He unwillingly let go of my arm and cupped his crotch in agony. I heard Sierra gasped, surprised at what I did. I turned to her and whispered run. And we run. But one of his friends was able to grab my arm and pulled me as he yelled profanities and called me a bitch. Sierra stopped running when she noticed I was captured. "Just go. I’ll be fine." Her eyes were teary and showed so much fear and concern. I mouthed to her "trust me". She knew what I’m capable of and so she nodded and continued to run. Their leader I assume, the one that I broke his balls, yelled to get her. I kicked the man who was holding me, the same spot, his crotch. He didn’t see it coming. He yelled in pain but he still didn’t let me go. His grip was firmer. "You bitch!" I punched his face and kicked it. He fell on the ground. He’s other friend lunged at me but I was quick enough to dodge it. He stumbled on his own and I kicked his back. I immediately kicked his head for a good night sleep. I noticed in my peripheral view the kid running towards Sierra. I tried to run after him but I was stopped with a knife on my sight. "Oh no you don’t, little bitch. My nephew will get your pretty little friend and we’ll have fun with her." He sneered with such ugliness. He was waving the knife in front of me. My eyes slit him to half. I don’t have time for this mother fucker. Within seconds, I managed to steal the knife from him. I elbowed and punch his face until his eyes rolled to the back of his head. I’d made sure he didn’t have the time to open his mouth again. His face is enough for me to lose my temper and sanity. I was more than happy to punch his sorry excuse of a face. I then ran after the boy. Alarmed that he was already at an arms length, he’d be able to catch Sierra. If there was one thing I’m good at, it was throwing knives. It was the first thing I learned in military school. Back then, I didn’t want to associate myself with the other cadets. Like I said, I was an outcast dealing with depression and withdrawals. I had no friends. "What are you doing here, cadet?" I jumped at the voice. The dart missed the center and hit on the white area. I turned around to see that it was Lieutenant Perry, Lieutenant Ross’ friend. Feeling embarrassed and nervous, I replied with a stutter." S-sorry..." I looked down at the floor scared to meet his eyes. I haven’t even saluted, feeling intimidated by his presence. The man was like a giant and he was extremely intimidating. "Go on. You seemed to be good at this." He nodded towards the dartboard. It was honestly the only thing that drives me off from thinking too much of what happened to Lieutenant Ross. Ever since he’s gone, I distanced myself even more from everyone. As much as I want to ignore their stares, their whispers- it still hurt. The guilt I was feeling doesn’t even help. If I can, I want to get out of here. But there are so many consequences, I can’t help but be stuck here. "I’m sorry." I said again still staring at the floor. It was disrespectful to do that but Perry was different than Ross. He was like those other officers. Strict and always yelling. In short, he was scary. "What are you sorry about, White?" I looked at him with a frown. I displayed a look of curiosity. "You’re good at what you’re doing. Have you ever handled knives? You hit the centre very spot on." I raised my brow perplexed at his intentions. Can’t he see that I skipped on training again and be all emo in here? I was already prepared to be reprimanded. Perry noticed my perplexity. He sighed. "I’m not going to tolerate anyone skipping training and you have an awful record here." He shook his head to show his disappointment. "But you... I don’t see you wasting your time here... for now I guess." He looked at the board once again. I was still confused at what he meant. He then went to my side and grabbed a knife from his pocket. He threw it to the dartboard and landed on the center. Though it was almost outside the center, still it was really good. He didn’t even sighted or measured the distance. He just threw the knife right there and then. Perry then looked at my amazed look. His hands were on his hips as if ready to scold me. "People are always good at something. I think you’re good at that." He nodded to the board. "Do you know how many months I practiced just to hit the center... consistently? I meant the darts by the way. And you... you just stand there without a care in the world throwing darts... hitting  bull’s eye... consistently at that." Is it me or does he sound like he’s jealous? I can’t really defend myself and say that I always play it and I know where to sight and hit it. But I can’t say that cause this is actually the first time I played it. This is my way of escaping my troubled thoughts and probably not be bored while skipping training. "T-thanks." Feeling shy of his compliment. "Tell you what. I’m going to let you skip training but... I’m going to leave that knife to you and you’re going to practice throwing it and hitting the bull’s eye."  My eyes widened, surprised at his proposition. "You mean that?" I asked in disbelief. "But I’m going to check on you weekly. You have a long time for that." He then put his hand on my shoulder. "They’re wrong about you, you know. You’re not worthless or useless. All it takes is for you to trust yourself. You can do it. This is just a phase for you and it’s not going to be forever. And I’m sure you do not want to let that happen. Prove them wrong, White. Prove them that you’re more than that. " I let his words sink in as I stare at his boots now drifting away. I looked up while his back was facing me. "I’m sorry about your friend, Lieutenant. I swear it wasn’t my intention. He was just helping me. I... I’m sorry. " I inclined my head again, embarrassed and ashamed of what I did. "I know, White. He told me everything. He also told me that he believes that you’re more than what they say. They just don’t see it." "Avery..." Sierra whimpered as she looked at me in shock. My adrenaline was still pumping but slowly dying down. I was in mixed emotions but above all, I was completely petrified. I know enough to calm down for her sake. But it’s hard to stay sane when I see the bloodied kid lying on the ground. The knife sticking to his back.