Face Down

She was crouched on the ground when he found her, blood dripping from her lips. The bruise on the side of her face stood starkly against unnaturally pale skin. Her eyes flickered upwards as he approached, dark and unreadable, and her body followed quickly after, rising steadily and standing tall. Despite her disheveled state, her chin was held high.

His hands clenched.

“Your face–” She flinched away when he tried to touch her, scowling at him. He felt his jaw tighten in frustration. “He hurt you again.”

“This doesn’t hurt,” she spit out defiantly, eyes glittering. 

“Teras…” She ignored him, casually wiping the blood from her mouth and straightening her clothing before him. Her hair, usually so neat, was wild around her face until she ran her hands gently through it and retied it into the careful ponytail she always wore. Before him, she looked once again like the unassuming clerk that everyone else saw in her. Only years of observation allowed him to recognize the pain and stinging fear cloaked behind that gaze. Only he was privy to the flame that burned inside.

Certain she was back to her normal state of being, she rolled her shoulders proudly, acting as though nothing was amiss. “I’d best get home. It’s been a long night already.” Carefully, she gathered her notes and books that he could only assume had been strewn about during her abuse. “Good night, Ruin. I shall see you tomorrow, as always.” She brushed past him calmly, and Ruin knew all too well in the morning her face would look as though it had never felt the impact of a fist or the rage of a fool.

His hand shot out, catching her gently by the elbow and forcing her to turn. In that moment, he could see her mask waver.

Eyes downcast, she allowed him to draw her closer until his fingers could trace the offending mark. Beneath his hands, she trembled. “I’ve had enough, you know… I’ve finally had enough. But I have to do this my way. I have to stand on my own two feet. I can’t–” her voice broke,” I can’t hide behind you, or anyone else. So, please, just believe in me. Please. Ruin…” Her eyes lifted to meet his own, large and vulnerable, and he had no choice but to bow to her wishes, releasing her with the dread feeling that he would never hold her again. She turned abruptly, clutching her books to her chest and starting to walk off at a hurried pace.

“I’ll wait.” His words stopped her. “I’ll be here, waiting… for you. As long as I have to.”

“…Thank you.”

And then she was gone, swallowed by the night.

~ by eeratka on September 15, 2007.