Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ A Matter Of Choice ❯ Let the Games Begin ( Chapter 37 )

Let The Games Begin

 

Tegan walked along the street, head down in thought. It had been weeks since the battle with Marina and somehow since then, there had been a strange tension in the air. It was subtle, but every time Torin came back from the mansion she felt it in him, and it was bothering her more and more as time went on. She had questioned him gently, but there didn't seem to be a specific cause. She had for a fleeting moment considered if he was keeping something back from her, but quickly discarded the thought. They had no secrets, and yet the not knowing only seemed to add to the growing background tension.

 

She took a deep breath and picked up her pace. Despite the early hour it was cold, autumn fading into winter, and she was determined not to brood over matters. As usual she had headed out shopping before the sun had set. A sensible precaution as getting caught with her hands full would put her at a dangerous disadvantage. Strange how for even the mundane tasks she had to plan and be prepared for the worst, but such was her twisted existence. The setting sun reflected gold in the glass of the buildings around her as she kept to the busy streets. Soon she approached the favourite part of her route.

 

She paused in the park as she always did. She stood enjoying the green of the trees, and somehow it reminded her of the best of home. The memory was tinged with bitterness at what she had been forced to leave behind but the longer she was with Torin, the more the bitterness lessened. Though their relationship was far from simple, it could get quite volatile at times. Tonight she stood deep in thought just enjoying her surroundings for a while, the sun sinking behind her. She wasn't sure what eventually roused her from her thoughts, but she realised that she had lingered too long. The last of the sun's light left the sky and its protection was lost.

 

Silently she admonished herself for letting so much time pass moving quickly now. She weaved purposefully through the people crowding the sidewalk, deliberately keeping to busy route now that it was dark. She knew that her adversaries valued their privacy enough for it to be unlikely that they would try to jump her in so public a place. As the darkness started to close in, night falling Tegan started to feel uneasy. She was nearing her destination now when suddenly, she felt with absolute certainty that she was being watched.

 

She didn't change pace, and no longer cared as she walked right past her intended destination. She unbuttoned her coat allowing her access to her blades should the moment come. Yes even for this simple task she brought them with her, she never went anywhere without them. And she still slept with a blade under her pillow, though whether that was despite of or because of Torin's presence she didn't rightly know. She felt her heart begin to race. Perhaps she was being paranoid but her gut feelings had never been wrong yet. But surely they wouldn't attack here? She found herself assessing her surroundings, the positions of the people around her. She was choosing her moment and when the crowd thinned she turned on her heel, stopping dead to see him a few metres behind her.

 

Demetriov stopped as their eyes met. He laughed quietly at her obvious ire, though he was impressed. She had quickly picked up on his presence and had obviously chosen her moment to face him down. The two stood while people made their way past them, Tegan not daring to turn away. She just didn't trust him. She stood tense and ready to fight as he approached her slowly.

 

“No need for that.” He chuckled as she reached behind her. “Not here.”

 

“Forgive me for not taking your word on that.” She replied evenly.

 

“Certainly.” He smiled at her predatorily. “I have to admit, I am impressed. You were aware of me from the outset weren't you?”

 

“I've learnt the hard way.”

 

Demetriov laughed heartily, Tegan sneering at his amusement.

 

“So to what do I owe this dubious pleasure?” She asked, anxious to reach a conclusion to this meeting.

 

“So forward, you know I've always liked that about you.”

 

Tegan rolled her eyes at his playful banter.

 

“Well I think you have had enough training. You should make a formidable opponent. Now the fun really begins.”

 

“So this is it?” She now knew what the background tension was due to.

 

“Not tonight, but now you need to watch your back.”

 

“Don't worry, I always do.”

 

“Till next time.”

 

With that he smiled and turned away. She stood and watched him until he melted into the crowd. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. At least now everything made sense, but now an already dangerous existence had become more perilous.

 

* * * * *

 

I was predictably agitated when Tegan told me of the encounter, but what could I do? I had my feelings running riot, Tegan preventing me from doing anything useful, and Demetriov was impossible to approach. She coped with it much better than I did; she seemed calm, almost resigned. But in truth she had known that this day would come, and in the years that followed Stuart's death, I think she had come to almost look forward to the chance to perhaps avenge him, pointless though these feelings might be.

 

I suppose everything that was to follow was inevitable but I refused to believe that then. I stupidly believed that I could prevent it from happening. That belief would actually make things worse in the end. If I had not tried so hard, then perhaps she would have been spared some pain. But those events are in the past, and no amount of questioning my actions will change anything. Suffice it to say I regret my part in events, but what is done is done.

 

* * * * *

 

Tegan ran. She knew Demetriov was behind her, she had known from the moment he started shadowing her again. She knew that he could catch her at any time but he was toying with her. Rather than let it bother her, she was using it to her advantage. She would face him down yet, but in a place of her choosing. She powered down an alley and up over a fence and out of his line of sight. Once there she turned to where she knew he would enter, arming herself in preparation for what was to come. Demetriov slowed. He she had brought them to her chosen spot. Smiling he relished the anticipation of facing for the first time.

 

Tegan stood waiting, catching her breath. He was drawing it out as she knew he would. The open space was deserted with many exits. She had no intention of getting trapped in a tight space with him. She stood ready, blades in hand, now in that haze of adrenaline fuelled calm that she had become used to falling into during her confrontations. She felt the inevitability of the situation weigh heavily on her as he entered the space. When she looked into his eyes she realised there would be no exchange of pleasantries tonight. He approached her slowly, both poised to strike, waiting, watching, unsure who was going to make a move first.

 

As one they struck at each other, Tegan landing the blow in his left side as he knocked her off her feet. She rolled as he roared, Demetriov the more hurt at this moment. She was on her feet and on the offensive quickly kicking him hard and scoring another deep laceration forcing him to his knees. She went for him again with a kick aimed at the chest, but he caught her ankle in both hands, pulling her off her feet. She yelped as she landed on her back on the ground. Demetriov made it to his feet backing off, letting his wounds heal for a moment. That and drawing this out was much more fun than a quick brawl.

 

“First blood Tegan, but who will be the victor?” He chuckled.

 

Tegan rose, trying to ignore the pain in her back. The two faced each other again, circling slowly, both letting their pain ease, watching for the slightest hint of an attack from the other. Again as one they went for each other, this time Demetriov being the one to land his blow. Her face exploded in pain as the blow connected sending her staggering backwards, but he quickly followed with a blow to the other side of her face and a punch to the stomach. In a flash of pain and breathlessness she found herself sat on the concrete her mouth bleeding. He backed up allowing her to get to her feet.

 

“Touché.” She growled, wiping the blood away with the back of her hand. “But I think we should stop messing around.”

 

She knew that he was toying with her and it annoyed her more than she could say. It was reckless to invite his attack, but she would rather that this be over sooner rather than later.

 

He grinned wickedly. “As you wish.”

 

They went for each other no holds barred, blows parried on each side, a few landed. Tegan caught Demetriov across the face, but he grabbed her by the wrist, twisting her arm back making her cry out in pain. As he forced her backwards he grabbed her by the throat with his free hand. Tegan retaliated, slamming her free blade point first between his ribs. He roared with pain and flung her away hard into a wall. Tegan shrieked involuntarily as her head hit the wall, the pain suddenly making her dizzy.

 

Demetriov stormed over, dragging her upright as she started to buckle at the knees. He kneed her in the abdomen causing her to double over in agony. Angry as hell she retaliated, head butting him, forcing space between them and kneed him in return. Demetriov was not so nearly as hurt by this as she was and kicked her feet from under her. She let go of the blades to take the force of the fall on her hands. Demetriov smiled to see her unarmed and saw an opportunity to have some fun.

 

As she rolled to her side Tegan found herself roaring in agony as his foot connected with the small of her back, the pain exploding up her spine, her back already hurt from her earlier fall. She writhed on the ground as it blocked out everything else, Demetriov laughing. As the pain ebbed a little she whimpered gently, her tormentor letting her have a moment's respite. As she reached for her fallen weapons he kicked her again, this time higher up, the resulting scream louder than the last. She lay twisted and sobbing at the excruciating pain, tears running down her face. He stood over her, watching her twisting in an attempt to ease her torment.

 

“I could go on like this all night Tegan, we both know it.” He cooed softly in her ear. “I could also let you go on killing the others and learning, but you would still be outmatched by me, we both know that.”

 

He could see the anger in her eyes as she started to recover and kicked her again, her scream echoing in the darkness. He crouched down beside her as she sobbed and groaned. Hmm, he could take her know as she lay like a helpless babe, but where was the fun in that. He wanted a real hunt, and he had barely begun.

 

“I think that is enough for now, so I will end the lesson for this evening. Till next time.”

 

With that he rose, smiling cruelly at the pitiful figure at his feet. He thought to himself for a moment then with a last parting shot took great pleasure in making her scream one last time. He had rather enjoyed bringing her down a peg or two. He had put her in her place, reminding her forcefully who she was facing and what she was up against. Yes, her fate was inevitable. Tegan barely heard him leave over her involuntary whimpers. She lay trembling as it seemed to take an age for the pain to ease enough for her be able to think. Slowly she struggled to her hands and knees. She crawled to reach her blades before rising painfully to her knees.

 

It took her a long time to get to her feet, moving in any way, shape or form hurt so much, the movement jarring her hurt back, and it seemed to take forever to make it home. Thankfully the elevator was working when she got to her apartment block, she wasn't sure that she could have managed the stairs. When she got through the door Torin was waiting for her.

 

“Where have you…?” He stopped as he saw the bruise already evident on her face as she stood panting before him.

 

Wordlessly he crossed to her, going to take her into his arms when she stopped him.

 

“Don't!” She hissed.

 

Torin was alarmed, following her as she limped to bedroom.

 

“It was Demetriov wasn't it?”

 

She nodded, before sitting gingerly on the bed. He headed to the bathroom, getting a glass of water and fetching painkillers out of the cabinet. She smiled gratefully, swallowing back the much needed relief. They wouldn't kick in for a while so she had best get the worst over with. She began to try to undress, crying out at the sudden spike of pain.

 

“What did he do to you?” Torin asked, helping her to her feet.

 

“He liked making me scream.” She replied through gritted teeth.

 

She stepped out of her jeans and sat back down. She braced herself to take off the t-shirt knowing this would hurt. Torin saw her trepidation and knelt on the bed behind her. Gently he got her to raise her arms, and slowly lifted the t-shirt over her head. He gasped as he saw the state of her back, the bruises already well developed. Well it had taken her a good while to get home. By the morning he knew that they would be horrendous. He sighed and placed his hands on her shoulder gently, kissing the back of her neck softly.

 

He loosed her hair from the ponytail and helped her out of her bra. She swung herself gingerly into bed, taking a while to find a position which didn't hurt too much. Once she had settled he sat beside her stroking her face gently. He hated to see the woman he loved so marred by bruises, but knew it was something that they had to live with. It hurt more because it was Demetriov doing this to her.

 

“Are you okay?” He asked seriously.

 

“Under the circumstances yes.” She smiled at him, a little weakly, but never the less genuinely. “You mustn't let it bother you too much. We both knew this would come. I accepted it a long time ago.”

 

He put on a brave face, but he couldn't deny that it worried him. Yes they had known, but did it have to mean so much pain? He sat with her until she began to drift into sleep, before climbing in beside her. Despite the dawn sleep did not come easily to him, and he would get very little rest that day.

 

* * * * *

 

If I am honest I found myself terrified that night. Hurting her like that had just been a game to him. It took her a week to get out of bed the injuries to her back were so serious and another couple of weeks until she was strong again. I did all I could to stop her going back out onto the streets, but it went too far. When she hit me and I nearly hit her, I backed down, both of us horrified at how far our arguments had gone. I just could not convince her of the danger. She was helplessly outmatched and it seemed to me that she wouldn't admit it. To the contrary she had just come to terms with it all so much better than I had. While I had known for longer than she had, it seems that I wasn't ready to accept it.

 

I suppose it was inevitable, when she went back out again it was a repeat performance. While Tegan lay in pain I went to Demetriov in my anger and we fought. I threw everything I had into that fight, but it ended in stalemate, neither of us besting the other. There wasn't much I could do but be there for her. It seemed that I couldn't stop either of them; they were equally determined to play out their dreadful scenario. Now she had healed once more, I wasn't about to let her just go to him.

 

* * * * *

 

“You can't be serious!” Torin yelled.

 

“What do you expect me to do, sit here and wait? Even if I did, that wouldn't stop him coming for me and what then? Will you protect me?”

 

“I would do anything!” He rallied.

 

Tegan laughed bitterly.

 

“That isn't the issue and you know it. We both know we are only holding back the inevitable.”

 

“But…”

 

“No!” She sighed, her head in her hands. “Look, even if you could protect me you know I couldn't live like that. I won't spend the rest of my life any more scared than I have to be.”

 

He hung his head. He knew there was nothing he could do or say to put a stop to this. Most of his anger stemmed from the helplessness he felt.

 

“At any rate, I won't be going to face him. I'm going after Adam.”

 

“What!”

 

“You know what Demetriov is like. He likes his games. He's not going to attack me while I am fighting Adam. Like it or not he wants me for himself.”

 

“Adam is an evil psychopath, barely kept in check by Demetriov, you know that. How in hell could you contemplate facing him?”

 

“He's the youngest Torin, think straight will you. Both Daniel and Alicia are nearly Demetriov's age, and we both know how me facing Demetriov is going. Do you really think I would put myself in that much danger? I am doing what I have to do and you know it. If you don't like it you know what you can do!” She spat at him.

 

Torin's emotions boiled up inside him and he just couldn't take it any more and stormed out. The truth hurt. He knew that it would make her angry, but when she next went out he would o all that he could to keep her safe.

 

* * * * *

 

Demetriov sat quietly. He had a feeling that Tegan would be back out soon, but when? He smiled, he would know soon enough. He had Torin as her barometer. The way he had been behaving he was certain Torin would come and try to keep them apart. He was so predictable; his emotions always got the better of him. No matter, arrangements had been made to deal with him and soon he would taste her again.

 

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Author's notes:

Aha, here we go again, and viva la escalation. This time Tegan is not getting it all her own way, far from it! And so the tide turns….