Chapter Eight: Fire

"What are you doing with (Name), Sharrkan?" Ja'far walked towards us quickly, almost slamming the door behind himself.

Sharrkan smirked. "I'm just having a little fun, is all. Why? Do you got the hots for her?" He wrapped his arm around (Name)'s shoulders, and Ja'far almost lost his cool. "If you don't, you won't mind if I do this, right?"

"Watch where are you're putting your hands," Ja'far's voice had a low tone to it, warning the other guy. While maintaining eye contact with Ja'far, Sharrkan stuck out his tongue and slowly licked (Name)'s cheek. He enjoyed the sight of Ja'far exploding with anger. Sharrkan was violently pushed away from the girl, and Ja'far stood protectively in front of her. "Touch her again and I won't be so kind."

(Name) wiped the saliva off her cheek with her sleeve, shivering with disgust.

"Yeah? Let me see what you got, pretty boy." Ja'far stood his ground as Sharrkan advanced. "What's the matter? Is little Ja'far scared?" Sharrkan got closer until he was just an arms length away from the duo.

Ja'far stared bravely into Sharrkan's eyes, and commented "You need to learn some manners." A moment or two later and without warning, (Name) ran towards the door to the school as fast as she could.

A tug on her shirt dragged her back into the scene, into someone's chest with their arms wrapped around her stomach. (Name) realized that instead of her heroic savior Ja'far, it was Sharrkan who had captured her. His chin rested on her shoulder. Too scared to speak, (Name) settled for trying to focus on staying calm. "You can't go running away like that, babe. Stay a while, won't you?"

If he has cigarettes, then he must have a lighter of some sort, (Name) ignored her captor's vile words, and focused on finding the lighter. How can I even search for it if I can't—

"(Name)." Ja'far's voice broke into her thoughts. His voice was firm, but gentle at the same time. "Have no worries, I will protect you."

"Protect her from what?" Sharrkan snorted. "You aren't in any place to do any protecting."

Ja'far took a threatening step forward, but Sharrkan was without fear. In fact, he repeated what did before; sticking out his tongue and licking (Name)'s cheek. "Hey Ja'far, I like this damsel in distress. I think I might just keep her. Hope you don't mind."

"You will not keep her. Stop licking her," Ja'far spoke sharply. Sharrkan licked (Name)'s cheek again to provoke him, and it worked. "Let's make this clear right now. I'm not paying your hospital bills."

"Oh no, I'm so scared." The bad boy's voice had a different ringing to it. It wasn't comforting, nor soft. It was harsh, and sharp like a knife, but his words wasn't stabbing (Name). "You don't have the balls to hit m—"

A blur rushed by (Name)'s face, nearly hitting her. Then, her arm was grabbed and she found herself being dragged by Ja'far. They were running away while Sharrkan held his injured cheek and glaring directly at the duo.

"You know.." Sharrkan let his hands drop to his sides, observing as his prey jingle the door they had arrived in. Unfortunately, the door locked when it was slammed closed earlier. "I would've gotten you sooner or later."

As soon as he realized the situation, Ja'far once again pushed (Name) behind himself. "What are your plans with us, Sharrkan? If you don't answer honestly, I'm afraid that I'll have to harm you."

Sharrkan dug around in his pockets, and then took out his lighter. He lit his cigarette, and tossed his lighter up and down in his hand. "We used to be such good buddies. I wonder-" he paused, and took a few threatening steps towards them. He leaned in close to Ja'far's face, causing him to step back. (Name) stepped back as well. "-what happened."

A silence ensued of Sharrkan and Ja'far staring at each other, and the only noise was the sound of Sharrkan tossing his lighter up and down. Here's my chance! (Name) thought determinedly, and rushed around Ja'far to grab it and then ran to a safe distance. Her plan worked, and the two boys stood side by side and watched her.

"(Name)! What the hell do you think you're doing?! You'll get hurt!" Ja'far called out to her, hoping that she'll just run away around the building. "Just be rational and-"

"So the damsel in distress is more courageous than she looks." Sharrkan held out his hand, palm up. "Now just hand over that lighter."

I have the lighter. Oh shit, I didn't think I'd get this far! "U-Uh, not another step you guys!" (Name) shakily threatened, and reinforced her threat by lighting it up.

"Or what? There's not that much you can do with a lighter," Sharrkan commented. "Someone as fragile as you would never think of hurting nature."

"You think so?" (Name)'s grip on the lighter tightened, and the reality of the situation settled in. She glanced around, spotting a old campus vehicle that no one uses because of how ancient it was. (Name) checked it out once, and noticed that the gas tank wasn't empty. It had a decent amount left. Would that be enough?

The boys followed her gaze. "I know what you're thinking, (Name). Don't do it." As always, Ja'far was the voice of reason, but (Name) didn't listen to it this time. "It's not worth it."

"Not like she can, anyways. There's no gas in that piece of junk."

"Wanna test that theory?" And with that, (Name) threw the lighter at the campus vehicle.