Makenna made it through the crowd inside and found her escape through the side door. Most of the people had gone inside when the commotion started. She breathed in the cool night air as she walked towards the end of the property. The adrenaline was slowly dwindling leaving her in full body tremors. She was glad there was no one around to see her like this.

Angry and broken.

That fucking bastard!
She thought as his face flashed in her mind. She hated him with a passion. Who did he think he was?

In through her nose. Out through her mouth. Her breath was quick and she closed her eyes trying to focus on anything other than the memories that threatened to break through her defence.

"Please, no." Rachel's cry of plea fell on deaf ears, "No. Please, stop."

Makenna's body shook with weakening tremors as her eyes filled with tears behind her closed lids. She could hear the innocence being stripped away from her. Somewhere in the dark parts of her mind, brutal images flashed. She snapped her eyes open and stumbled backwards looking down at her trembling hands.

She slammed into something and quickly spun around, eyes wide with a look of horror on her face that morphed into recognition.

Atlas was left stunned to speechlessness. The look he'd just seen on her face was not something he'd expected to see. But fuck it if it didn't gut him. He watched as her shoulder rose and fell as if she'd run five miles non-stop. She stepped backwards slowly.

"Hey, it's only me." He put his hands up,

She stopped retreating and the light from nearby caught in her eyes reflecting the sheen of unshed tears.

What in the world happened to her?
Atlas clenched his jaw.

"You're ok." Atlas took a small step close,

"Don't." Makenna's lifted her hand to stop him from coming any closer, avoiding his gaze.

He noticed how badly her hand was trembling. As she lowered her hand, he saw her knuckles were starting to bruise.
"Mac, I need you to look at me."

Makenna was completely disoriented and light on her feet. It felt like everything was closing in on her and she couldn't quite get her breathing under control. She lacked control and she hated the feeling. She hated the position it put her in. But she couldn't do anything about it except let it play out.

"Makenna." Atlas took another step closer, "Look at me." He demanded, needing her to look at him so he could talk her through what looked like a panic attack.

"Kenna!"

Makenna snapped her gaze and glared at him. It took barely a second and happened in a flash as she lifted her hand and slapped him hard. Atlas would be lying if he said he wasn't surprised. But it was Makenna after all.

But dammit, she hit hard.
He clenched his jaw and turned to look at her.

She had warned him not to call her that and yet again, it had slipped out so easily. He was pleased to see that she looked slightly out of it.

"I warned you."

He couldn't help but smile as he gazed into her eyes.
"It was worth it."

"What?" Makenna frowned as he took another step closer, "What are you doing?"

"C'mon. I won't bite." Atlas wrapped his hands around her and pulled her into him but she resisted,

"I will." Makenna weakly tried to push away from him,

"You know you want to."

"Never." She was spent and too tired to resist his soft touch,

"That's it." Atlas placed a hand on her head and brought her head down on his shoulder.

Makenna was tentative at first but as she inhaled, she got a whiff of his subtle woodsy scent that weirdly calmed her. At least it was a much better scent than the smell of alcohol and cigarette that assaulted her with the memory.

Makenna closed her eyes and welcomed the scent. With her head buried in the crook of his neck, soon her breathing slowed to normal. The way he ran his hand down her head also helped.

Atlas hoped she couldn't hear the way his heart was beating fast in his chest as he felt her slow to normal. If he wasn't holding her, he would think the irony of that was funny. But standing there, holding her, being allowed to hold her was not in the least bit funny. If he hadn't walked into this situation himself, he would almost be certain that he was imagining it.

Wait? What did that even mean?
Atlas frowned.

Makenna inhaled, her nose brushing against his neck and he smiled.
"Are you smelling me?"

"I'm trying to breathe, but you're in the way."

Atlas' smile grew.
Always with the smart mouth.

Atlas slid his other hand, which was on her waist, to her back as he ran his other hand down her hair. Makenna blinked her eyes open finally feeling better than she had in a long time. She didn't have control, but she also was carrying any of her burdens. She hated to admit it but it felt kind of good. Letting someone else take over as she relinquished control.

"Atlas." His name fell from her lips softly,

Atlas frowned and immediately leaned back to look at her face. Makenna looked up at him.
"She knows my name."

"I know my friends' names."

The corner of Atlas' mouth quirked in a smirk,
"Friend." He said, "Are you warming up to me?"

"I slapped you. I think you've earned it."

He smiled and he could've sworn he saw the mischief in her eyes.
"Feeling better?"

Makenna nodded and pulled away from him. They both felt the loss of each other but said and did nothing.

"Has that happened before?"

Makenna looked at him,
"I'm not even sure what that was."

"It looked like you were having a panic attack."

Makenna frowned but quickly masked her expression and shrugged,
"Happens to the best of us."

Atlas ran his gaze over her face,
"You sure you're alright?"

Makenna looked at him and smiled,
"Never been better."

"That can't fool me."

Her smile fell faster than the wall of Jericho,
"How's Thea?" She changed tactics,

Atlas knew what she was doing but allowed it,
"Better than you are." He sighed, "But with women, you never know."

"I should go check on her." Makenna side-stepped him,

"No." Atlas got in her way, "You need to get ice for your hands."

"I'm fine."

"Yes, you are." Atlas smiled, clearly not meaning it in the way she did, "But humour your new friend."

"I don't have to do anything." Makenna challenged,

"Makenna, for once, let someone else do something for you." He challenged,

Makenna searched his piercing gaze but the look in them said he was backing down. She looked away from him.
"I can take care of myself."

"After the way you protected Thea, I'd say I owe you."

"You owe me nothing," Makenna muttered and walked away.

I was so happy to see all your comments in the previous chapter. It almost made me tear up to know how much you guys love these characters and this story. I truly cannot put into words what all your love and support mean to me. Thank you.

If you still haven't subscribed to my YouTube channel, be sure to do so because this month's vlog is going up on Friday and I'm so excited. If you would love to see me talk about something in my next vlog or make specific YouTube content, then be sure to drop a comment on any of my videos. I would love to connect with all of you on there as well. (Direct link --->)

Love,
Jane. ♥