[DN] Guns, Blades, Cars, and Video Games [Matt] [9]

Nine days. Not even a single word had been uttered in this apartment in nine days. Aside from the sound of the video games, and the occasional blaring of the radio it was completely silent. And I will admit, I was nearing my breaking point. This was becoming unbearable.

In all actuality it wasn't really the silence that was so bad. I could deal with the quiet. In fact much of the time back at the old mafia it had been quiet because of me. Too much noise and I'd start bashing people's heads into tables. Not pretty. But it got me my way. So it wasn't the silence that was so bad. Although I was beginning to have a difficult time remembering what Matt's voice sounded like. Matt. That's what was bothering me. My blood boiled in my veins at the very mention of his name. One person had never been able to wreak such havoc on my emotional or mental state before. Seriously. Before now no one had really ever effected how I felt or thought; it had been all about me. My family, yes. At some point they probably had some influence in those areas, but that was a long time ago.

I tried not to glance up from my computer screen as he walked by. I smelled the nicotine from his cigarette; I could distinctly hear each step he took in those boots. In the past nine days I had become hyperaware of his presence. I couldn’t not notice when he moved, where he moved, what he did, anything like that. It was becoming ridiculous. I didn't like not being able to ignore his existence; not being able to tune out my auto-focus on his motions. The worst part was that I couldn't help but actually looking at him now.

Matt, upon examination, was lean and strangely fit for a guy who lived his life constantly playing video games. His shoulders were broad enough to be attractive, but not overly so. My focus became more intense the farther up his body you went. This was getting pathetic. He had amazingly thick and flowing shaggy brown hair. If a normal girl was here in my place, she most certainly would have molested his scalp by now. Honestly the guy had hair most girls would envy. The cigarette always in his mouth constantly drew my attention to his lips. They were slightly down turned, and seemed to assure a promising pout if he ever decided to throw a fit. They also looked soft... And I'm stopping that thought there. I shook my head frowning slightly. Why couldn't I just fucking kill him? I hated paying him so much attention; especially now.

It was almost as though I didn't exist anymore. He seemed to successfully ignore my presence for the most part. Either that or he just didn't care if I was there or not. He never looked at me anymore. He hardly ever acknowledged my existence. And quite frankly it was driving me mad. I was letting this bastard hurt my feelings. Why did I have to be going soft now? And why with this guy?

Really, the answer was in our interactions. Let's start with the obvious fact that he had spared my ass. I had resented him for it. Then, he had seen me crack, and caused it more than once. No one had broken me and lived to tell the tale. And he had the balls to defy me; to challenge me. It wasn't done with a cocky attitude either. Guys never did that; at least not with me. Not to mention his car... yes, that has something to do with it. When I put all the details together, I wanted to deny what I saw. It wasn't just the matter that I was going soft, I had actually grown attached to this guy. That only meant one thing: I had completely lost my mind.

I looked down at my computer screen, waiting for World of Warcraft to load. I was more than certain he was on; and was planning to do something completely out of character.

To MailMan: um, hi.

I glanced up to him sitting in the corner. The computer screen reflected off of his goggles, impairing my view of his eyes. I quickly looked back down.

From MailMan: ShankYourMom? gee i wonder who this could be.

I grimanced. He was hostile.

To Mailman: ...You named yourself after the first set of armor your paladin uses. At least mine has character.

From MailMan: k. think what you want.

Looking back up I found him watching me as opposed to his screen. There was something along the lines of a sneer on his face. I had a feeling this asshole-esque behavior wasn't going to stop any time soon, and to be completely honest I was sick of it. Yes, that was hypocritical. But quite frankly I didn't care. A burning rage was building inside of me like a brush fire in the Midwest. I couldn't keep doing it.

That was when I slammed my laptop shut, and strode out of the apartment. I held my pants up as I flitted down the stairs, trying to avoid tripping over them or my rainbows. I think now would be a good time to mention that I hadn't actually left the apartment at any point before now. Thus I rushed out side only to have my impact with sunlight bring me to a faltering halt. I shielded my eyes, squinting against the brightness of my surroundings. I'm not a vampire, but the first time experiencing sunlight in a few weeks would take it's toll on any person. I adjusted slowly as I began to move along the side walk. The weather was more than bearable, and I enjoyed the fresh air immensely. I couldn't believe anyone was jerk enough to keep someone trapped inside for so long. It was unethical. A small growl issued from my throat as I thought about it. Unforgivable asshole.

Snarls suddenly ripped through the air, echoing off the walls of the alley I now stood in front of. I looked on in horror at the sight of two dogs attacking each other. I could tell the features of one of them clear enough without much effort; the one on top was a german shepherd. Vicious sounds of ripping and guttural noises issued from their direction. For once, I found myself trembling in fear. This was all too familiar. I began to step forward despite that. Yes, I was afraid, but not for myself. I was scared for them. Those sounds told me they had no intention of stopping anytime soon. I felt panic take hold.

"...Stop..."

My voice was almost a whisper when I spoke. I now stood directly in front of the pair, which was rolling around in their continued attacks. Tears began to well up in the corners of my eyes.

"Stop... please, stop," I called hoarsely. I wanted to pull them apart, and stop it. But they were both probably stronger than me. I may have been fast, but I never said I was strong. The brief glimpses of flashing teeth struck a fear in me as well. A sharp yelp issued from the german shepherd as the other dog latched on to the area on the side of it's neck. That did it. I ignored the gnashing teeth as I grabbed a hold of the back of the second dog's neck, trying to pry it off of the german shepherd.

"Please, don't do this, please! Stop!" My voice had now raised to the level of full out screams. I couldn't get the dog off the victimized german shepherd that was writhing and whimpering in pain; a sickening feeling bottomed out my stomach. I couldn't think straight as I continued to try to pull the attacking dog away. I didn't realize what was going on when it was suddenly jerked away. I watched in surprise as it lunged back at the injured dog attempting to shuffle off of the ground and did the only thing I could think to; I threw myself on top of the defenseless dog.

I barely felt the pain of its teeth cutting into my arm then, and didn't feel at all when it was pulled away for a second time. A sudden yelp caused me to jerk my head up. Matt stood, holding the dog back by the skin on the back of it's neck. He looked enraged. I had never seen him lose his cool before, until now. Murder was written all over his face; even with the goggles on I could see the anger. I knew what he was thinking.

"Matt, don't hurt it," I said through sobs. "Please, Matt, don't hurt it. Just get it away from here."

I couldn't see his eyes, or much of anything for that matter. My sight had become blurred by tears. I could feel the dog I was still over shaking below me. And a slight throbbing sting was beginning to appear in my arm. I watched as a tense Matt drug the dog to the end of the alley before shoving it along the sidewalk, I was relieved to see it take off in the opposite direction as fast as it could.

In almost no time, he was leaning over me. He took my injured arm in his hands, examining it with his jaw clinched shut. I winced slightly as he moved it. I was definitely starting to feel the pain now. He ripped off a large piece of the bottom part of his shirt, wrapping it tightly and swiftly around my bleeding arm.

"You're going to need stitches, and this needs to be cleaned immediately. I can do those back at the room. There's morphine so we can stop the pain. Let's go," He said attempting to help me to my feet. My legs were far too unstable to support me, so he quickly picked me up in his arms. A soft whimpering came from behind us as he started to walk.

"Stop, Matt. Put me down. Now," I demanded. He looked shocked. I wasn't sure if it was at the sound of my voice, or at my request. I didn't care for the moment though. I squirmed out of his arms before he had a chance to set me on my feet, and stumbled back to the german shepherd who was now limping toward us. I reached it, running my hand gently along its head.

"I can't leave it like this," I said softly. "It's coming with us."

He stared at me momentarily, "You're not Sadie."

I carefully led the dog to the entrance of the alley where he was waiting. I couldn't really blame him for that. I squeezed my hand into a fist as my arm continued to release more pain.

"Let's go back to the apartment. I'll explain it after we get cleaned up," I stated, grimacing slightly at the burning pain I couldn’t ignore. He didn't say anything then, or for the short walk home. Neither did I. But we both knew I had broken my silence, and we both wondered just what I would say next.