Welcome to Twilight Rising and thank you for stopping by. Scroll all the way down to read Chapter 1, then scroll up to the beginning of Chapter 2, and so forth. After Chapter 3, the archives to your right will help you access the other chapters. For the main page (and the most recent chapter updates), head to http://twilightrising.blogspot.com. Enjoy!

Chapter 3: Average Day

Darren’s paper was the best out of the class by far. Professor Johnson couldn’t find a single thing wrong with it, either grammatical or because of a lack of evidence. Because he hated having a know-it-all student, he had to have a talk with Darren. Just after dismissing class for the day, he spoke up.

“Mr. Kinsley, please stay and talk with me.”

Darren frowned. It wasn’t supposed to happen this way…I wonder…

He shook his head and approached the desk. “Something wrong with my paper, Mr. Johnson?” Good luck finding something to fault…go on, I dare you.

The professor stared at Darren. “Darren, I’ll be blunt. Your paper is flawless. ALL of them have been flawless. I’m beginning to suspect that you’re doing something unsavory.”

Darren put on his best blank face. Must…not…laugh… “Un..savory? What do you mean?”

Johnson frowned. “Are you cheating?”

Darren looked shocked. “No…why would I? You’ve seen my previous grades. With all due respect, I don’t think I could fool all my previous teachers and professors.”

Johnson looked distant. “Very well. I hope to see the same quality paper after this, and if you can, improve on it a bit.”

Darren bit his lip to keep from laughing. “I’ll certainly do my best, sir.” He turned and walked out the door.

“What’d you do this time, put hidden messages pointing to an alien invasion?” Darren turned to see the speaker, shielding his eyes from the powerful lamps dotting the campus.

“Sara! You didn’t have to wait. Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

Sara Williams looked down, letting her long blonde hair hide her face. “Not anymore…”

Darren’s face twisted. “What’d he do?” If he laid a hand on her, he’s a dead man.

Sara immediately looked up after hearing his tone of voice. “No, no, he’s a great guy. He’s just…acting funny. He’s always a few minutes late. Sometimes he misses dates...”

Darren’s sarcasm stopped her. “Yeah, he sounds great. A real heart-throb.” Instantly he regretted his words.

Sara looked hurt. “Well…sorry for bothering you with it.”

Darren shook his head. “No, no…it’s alright. It’s just…I’m a bit on edge lately. Come here.”

She hugged him hard, beginning to sob. Darren wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes. Screw dying, he’s dying SLOWLY.

“Kinsley, why are you hugging my girlfriend?”

Darren opened his eyes to see none other than the rude person from the library. “My name is Darren, and I happen to be comforting her because of your inequities, problems, and failure to act like a decent human being.” So much for being nice to my enemies…

Antonio’s eyes narrowed. “Sara…let’s go.”

Sara let go slowly. Her green eyes still watery, she turned to leave.

Later, Darren would wonder where the anger came from. He would wonder how he was able to control it, to not fly into a blind rage. He would wonder what his second-to-last thought was. But there was no doubt in his mind, from that moment on, what set him off.

The moment Antonio grabbed Sara’s wrist and she let a small gasp of pain, Darren lost whatever sense of goodness he had retained from meeting Antonio.

Instantly he was next to Sara, breaking Antonio’s grip, slamming a fist into his shoulder sending him back several feet. Put distance between the victim and the target. Years of training, just a bit rusty, flooded his mind.

Antonio looked like he was sporting for a fight. He wanted control and he couldn’t get to the person he needed to dominate. At 6 feet, Antonio was used to getting what he wanted. The only way was through this little punk who couldn’t respect his girl.

Darren knew what he had to do. Relaxing, he assumed his preferred method of fighting, open-handed and free-fighter style.

Antonio threw the first punch. Darren quickly deflected it to the side with his left hand, countering with a blow from his palm directly to Antonio’s forehead.

Antonio stumbled back, slightly dazed. He couldn’t quit now. His perverted sense of honor and pride compelled him to lumber forward and grab Darren’s right hand in a vice-like grip while punching at Darren’s head. Darren responded by stepping inward towards Antonio, turning his back towards Antonio, ducking the punch, launching his right elbow into Antonio’s gut, and slamming his right fist up into Antonio’s chin. Antonio could do nothing but fall to the ground.

Darren backed away slowly, dropping his stance, turning to Sara. “Is your wrist alright?”

Sara was worried about the motionless body. “What about him? Did you…kill him?”

Darren would have laughed, but she was too serious about it. She’s too sweet. Even to those that hurt her. “No, it would’ve taken more to kill him. I just made him regret his decision, as well as give him a taste of what would happen next time.”

Sara’s face fell for a second. Darren noticed. Wait…she WANTED him to be seriously hurt? Hmmm…finally some good news.

The disappointment was quickly replaced by slight indignation. “Well, good! Why’d you have to hurt him? He just thought you were-”

Darren wasn’t in the mood for excuses. “He thought you were cheating on me? He thought I was trying to steal you away? No. He knew what was going on, and it made him mad. He was a bit upset that you didn’t run to him right away when you saw him, but furious that you would have friends outside of him, and God forbid you to cry on their shoulder. You know how to stand up for yourself. Why didn’t you?”

Sara looked at Darren, then at the inert Antonio, and then back at Darren. And strangely, instead of crying, or even answering, she turned and walked off.

Darren was surprised and slightly amused. Growing up? Or…not acknowledging the truth? “Where are you going?”

Sara didn’t turn around. “I’m going home! I need time alone from both of you.”

Darren stared after her, deep in thought.

It came as no surprise that Antonio didn’t leave while Darren was there. It didn’t even surprise Darren that Antonio attacked again. But Darren was astounded that, after twice failing, Antonio would throw another punch. A right hook? I thought the big guys were supposed to have bigger brains. Let’s give him something to feel for the rest of tonight…

As Antonio’s right hand flew towards him, once again Darren stepped towards the blow. Turning to his left, Darren ducked slightly to the left and let the punch whistle harmlessly past his ear. Before Antonio could react, Darren grabbed Antonio’s right arm with both his hands, shifted his weight, and threw Antonio over his shoulder into the nearest rosebush. I’ll never complain about the college spending too much money on landscaping again.

Before leaving, Darren made sure to whisper in Antonio’s ear. “Touch her again, even with her consent, and after helping you develop a wonderful relationship with this rosebush, I will bury you beneath it.” He didn’t wait for an answer before disappearing into the night.
- posted by Nick @ 3/31/2004 11:03:00 AM