I follow their line of sight to see Gabriel straddling Austin’s chest as he delivers punch after punch to Austin’s face. I flinch with each hit Gabriel lands, a part of me wishing he’d stop. Deacon is only a few steps away, squaring off with Parker and Gregory and blocking their path to the exit.
“On it,” Felix says, sprinting into the fray.
“You okay?” Julio asks, concern coloring his voice. He pulls out his phone and dials a number.
“There’s been an attack,” he says into the receiver. “PacNorth University. Campus pool. A girl was almost drowned.”
He pauses to listen.
“Yes— His name is Austin Holt.”
Another pause.
“Six three, white male. Blond. Blue eyes. Two accomplices. Yes.”
He grimaces. “Parker Benson and Gregory Chambers.”
A bang sounds behind us and my stomach drops when I see Gabriel lift Austin from the ground only to slam him back into the concrete.
“Fuck,” Julio curses. “Just get someone down here.” He hangs up and drops his phone beside me. “Are you good?” he asks me again.“Cecilia, I need an answer. Do you need me to rush you to the hospital? Are you okay?” He curses again. “He’s going to kill him.”
Wide-eyed, I nod my head, chest still heaving. “I’m good,” I tell him. “Go. Don’t let him kill him. He can’t—” As much as I’d like to see Austin dead for all the things he’s done to me, I don’t want Gabriel going to prison because of it.
Julio doesn’t hesitate, rushing for his friend. I look away and take the opportunity to catch my breath, taking stock of myself. My head is dizzy, heart still racing, but I don’t feel like I’m going to pass out anymore.
Julio rips Gabriel away from Austin and shoves him back, keeping him away from Austin’s unmoving body.
Shit. Is he too late?
“Enough!” Julio roars, shoving Gabriel again. “He’s down. You have to stop.”
Gabriel doesn’t look like he wants to listen.
I contemplate getting up but decide against it. I don’t think my shaking legs can hold me right now. There’s more shouting and commotion as campus security comes in, followed quickly by two officers.
They assess the scene and decide Austin is the first person to approach. One of the officers checks for a pulse while the other talks to Deacon, and then everything happens so fast.
Parker and Gregory are arrested.
Paramedics arrive a few minutes later, and Austin is carted out on a stretcher. He groans as they move him, so he’s still alive.
Part of me is relieved, but another part of me is wholly disappointed.
Felix and Julio manage to keep Gabriel in place while the officers and paramedics move around to work.
Seeing Gabriel like this, all riled up and angry on my behalf, it twists something inside of me. Makes emotions bubble up inside my chest that I don’t want to examine too closely.
My fingers gently probe at my cheek, and I wince. The skin is split and blood stains my fingertips.
A paramedic crouches down in front of me, and I stumble back on my hands and knees.
“Whoa. It’s okay. I just want to check you out,” he says.
Shaking my head, I flinch when he reaches toward me again, and the next thing I know, Gabriel is beside me.
“Give her some space,” he snaps.
“Hey man, I’m just doing my job.”
