Taking advantage of Scarlett’s winded state, Jayden jumped on top of her and pummeled Scarlett. Scarlett tried to squeeze her arms shut as she covered her face but her head continued to whip from Jayden’s forceful hits.
“Scarlett! Throw her off!” Jasper’s shout reached her ears and she remembered a maneuver he taught her. Scarlett jerked her hips up into the air while rolling over and Jayden too caught up in punching, got thrown onto her side.
Scarlett hadn’t touched up on ground fighting yet and now realized she needed to. She couldn’t let Jayden take her to the floor because she’d have the advantage. Scarlett let out haggard breaths and brought her hands close to her face as she climbed to her feet. Jayden got up from the ground and gave her a bloody smile. She sported a busted lip but relished in the fact that Scarlett looked much worse.
The teachers weren’t going to stop them unless they were in grave danger and with the hidden fact that they’re Dreammares with excellent healing; Jayden could give Scarlett all she wished.
Jayden moved towards Scarlett and threw a roundhouse kick to her side before going in with a straight punch and a hook. Scarlett simmered with anger as the hits came her way. Heat began to emanate from her skin.
Moving her hands from her face, Scarlett ducked one of Jayden’s punches and gave her a straight and a hook as she rose off to the side. Jayden hunched over as Scarlett rushed her hits. She turned with a hammer fist aimed for Scarlett’s head but before it could connect, her feet were swept from under. The hammer fist didn’t reach Scarlett and Jayden stumbled backward into the ropes as she found her footing.
Scarlett spit out blood to the side and gave a twisted smile when blinding energy filled her veins. She remembered the feeling and she wanted it to come out. The heat rolled through her and she locked eyes on her target.
Jayden recognized the hunger in Scarlett’s eyes. She knew it all too well.
Scarlett spread her arms to her sides and began to open her palms as Jayden got up from the ropes. Jayden barreled herself towards Scarlett and grabbed a hold of her hands. The two landed heavily on the ring floor and the crowd roared, oblivious to what was about to happen. Pain radiated throughout Scarlett’s back as Jayden’s weight crushed her from above.
“Get yourself under damn control. This fight is over.” Jayden harshly whispered into Scarlett’s ear as she kept her hands pinned to her sides.
As much as Scarlett wanted to fight Jayden, she knew the outcome would be horrific and fought the urge instead. Scarlett groaned and tried to suppress the power that eagerly wanted to break free. She shoved it down and a scream lodged in her throat. Her body burned immensely and grew hotter by the second.
‘Why was it hurting so much?’
Jayden stayed on top of Scarlett and covered her from the crowds’ buzzing eyes.
“Jayden… It hurts.” Scarlett pinched out as she kept her eyes glued shut.
Jayden heard the pain in Scarlett’s voice and swept her eyes through the crowd. She avoided contact with Chad and Jasper when a figure in the corner of the room caught her attention. He blended in with the walls behind him but his grey eyes could stand out anywhere. With a tip of his head to the right, Jayden knew what to do.
“Scarlett, I need you to reel it in and hold it for a few minutes. It’s going to hurt like hell but I’m going to need you to move with me so we can get out of here.” Jayden rushed out as she exhaled heavily.
Searing fire ripped through Scarlett’s chest and she bit her lip to keep from screeching out. A metallic taste filled her mouth and she increased pressure. She needed to appear fine but couldn’t get a grip on what to do.
Chad and the other Dreamers were taking notice that something wasn’t right. Jayden worked quickly and slowly peeled herself off Scarlett. She helped her stand and saw her eyes flutter open and give a little nod.
Facing Chad, Jayden yelled over the crowd. “We tie and do not wish to continue.”
The crowd hushed and whispers broke throughout. Chad nodded and motioned for them to get off the ring. Heading in his direction to get down, Jayden helped a limping Scarlett.
“What happened? Is she okay?” Chad didn’t spare a second and helped them down.
“Girl stuff.” He skeptically nodded his head. Chad didn’t believe it for a second but let it go for their sake. The pair moved through the crowd as Chad climbed into the ring and called for the next two volunteers. As the crowd moved on from Scarlett and Jayden’s fight, they easily parted for them.
Jayden felt the energy in Scarlett bursting to pop, like a volcano with pent up pressure ready to explode and burn everything in its way. Cursing Cain for his ignorance, Jayden took in Scarlett’s pained state. Sweat lined her forehead as blood dripped from the corner of her eye. She had a cut on her cheek and reddened busted lips. Jayden shook her head at the crazy Dreammare before her.
She didn’t know.
Jayden walked Scarlett out into the hallways and searched for Cain’s presence. A sliver of his power reached out to her and led her to an empty theater classroom. Its windows were closed and had plenty of room. Cain stood at the front of the room with his hands in the pockets of his suit.
“Drop her and guard the door.”
Jayden gently let Scarlett down and walked back to the door. She locked it shut and covered it like a curtain with her power before turning back and facing Scarlett who laid on the floor a few feet from Cain.
Scarlett was out of it and numbed to everything else. How she even made it out of the ring to wherever she currently laid, was a miracle.
“Get up Scarlett.” Cain’s clipped words fell short on Scarlett’s ears. She lightly groaned and stayed on the floor.
Cain turned towards her and saw that she started to shake. She was letting go.
“Jayden cover yourself!”
At his urgent words, Jayden made a purple shield that covered her in a bubble. Cain’s power burst from his body and lined the walls of the classroom. Protecting the outside from the energy Scarlett was about to let loose.
Not a second later, Scarlett’s back arched as she let out a bloodcurdling scream and her power exploded from every pore on her skin. Blackness left her like a heatwave and washed over Cain but he held his ground. He kept the shield steady as Jayden covered herself by the door. The fights on the other side of the building wouldn’t have been able to hear their commotion. They were clear. Scarlett’s body convulsed and the power rolled itself through every crevice in her mind.
Her mind watched the scene from above. It was bliss. Peace.
She felt no pain and didn’t want to go back. Sadly, that’s not how it worked.
Scarlett’s body began to lower to the ground and the pull of her power reached out to bring her back. She clawed to stay, but there was no give.
Scarlett opened her eyes to a white ceiling. It was quiet aside from her heavy breathing and that of others. She sat up and everything was covered in black cinders aside from the walls that surrounded her. The once chairs, tables, and cabinets were the black ash covering the ground. Some of it swirled throughout the air, floating downward.
Scarlett coughed as she rose from the ground and faced Cain. He offered her a hand and lifted her the rest of the way. Cain’s hair stuck in all directions and his black suit was disheveled. This was the first she’d seen him unkempt. Even though his appearance wasn’t his best, he kept the same demeanor with his head high and shoulders back. His eyes were steel and shot arrows at Scarlett.