Civilized

-Corrine-

“Aw, aw! Andrew! It hurts!”

Andrew continued to squeeze my hand for a few seconds before releasing me. I ran away, then turned around and set up a stance. My hands were clenched, ready to hit him.

“Your enemies won’t let you go when you scream in pain,” he said. “Instead, they will continue to twist your hand until it breaks.”

My jaw tightened. “I know,” I said, unsure of what Andrew was trying to tell me.

“You’ve always said you know but never experienced it firsthand.” He glanced at my hands, clenched into fists and pointing forward. “Lower your hands.”

“No,” I refused firmly. “You’re going to hurt me again.”

He stared at me and then smirked. “Smart girl.”

Then, with a speed that barely caught my eye, he darted and, before I knew it, he was standing behind me. His hand clamped around my neck and he whispered, “Dead.”

“I still can—“

“I can twist your neck in less than a second and you’ll be gone.” Then his other hand slips under my T-shirt, creeping along my back and stoppi