AllFreeNovel
Share Us
As she pulled the car over to the side of the road, the evening sun cast long shadows across the quiet, tree-lined street. The air was heavy with the scent of blooming flowers, and the distant hum of traffic provided the only hint that they were still within city limits. A few brick buildings nearby stood tall, their windows reflecting the orange glow of the setting sun.
"That's it," Sheila muttered under her breath, putting the car in park and stepping out without another word. Star looked at her with confusion, her eyes narrowing. "What are you doing?" she asked, still with a hint of defiance.
Sheila ignored the question and stood by the open car door, arms crossed, waiting for Star to get out. Her heart raced, but she maintained her composure. She knew she had to be strong, not just for herself, but for this girl who clearly needed guidance.
With a huff, Star reluctantly pushed the car door open and stepped out onto the sidewalk. She tried to maintain her defiance, but the puzzled expression on her face betrayed her uncertainty.
"Think you're so tough, huh?" Sheila asked, her voice steady despite the emotions churning within her. "Show me."
Star hesitated, taken aback by the sudden turn of events. "I'll go to jail if I hit a cop," she said, a note of caution creeping into her voice.
"Didn't stop you from hitting Officer Attleton, did it?"
"Whatever," Star muttered dismissively, rolling her eyes. She turned away from Sheila as if to get back into the car, but in a sudden burst of rage, she swung her fist toward Sheila's face.
Sheila was ready. She swiftly raised her arm to block the strike, her muscles flexing with the impact.
"Really?" she asked, maintaining her composure. "Is that all you've got?"
Star didn't hesitate to attack again, this time aiming a kick at Sheila's midsection. But once more, Sheila was prepared. She shifted her weight, using her leg to deflect the strike with practiced grace. The frustration building in Star's face only fueled her determination to break through Sheila's defenses.
"Fight back!" Star yelled, her anger boiling over. She launched a flurry of punches, each one blocked or evaded by Sheila's deliberate movements.
Left hook, right jab, another left hook, Sheila thought to herself, recognizing the patterns in Star's attacks. She could tell the girl had some fighting experience – perhaps picked up on the streets – but it was no match for her own extensive training.
Sheila kept her cool, her mind racing through potential moves and counterattacks. Yet, she held back. She knew that retaliating would only escalate the situation, and that wasn't what she wanted. This was about showing Star that there was a different way, a better way to handle her emotions and frustrations.
The orange-tinted sky of early evening cast the quiet city street in a warm glow, reflecting off parked cars and the occasional shop window as Sheila stood her ground. Star's face was twisted with rage and frustration, sweat beading on her forehead as she launched another swing at Sheila.
With a fluid movement, Sheila blocked the punch, her muscles tense but her expression calm. She'd been trained to handle situations like this—both physically and mentally. Yet, as Star's attacks grew increasingly desperate, it was clear that the girl felt cornered, her anger finding no outlet.
"Fight me! Why won't you fight me?" Star screamed, her voice hoarse and broken.
Sheila watched as the fire in Star's eyes flickered and died, replaced by tears that streamed down her cheeks. Overwhelmed by the weight of her own emotions, she sank to the ground beside the car, cradling her head in her hands. Her shoulders shook with quiet sobs, and Sheila could feel her own heart aching for the young girl.
"Why…why won't you fight me?" Star asked again between sobs.
"Because I don't want to hurt you, Star," Sheila replied, her voice gentle but firm. "This isn't about proving who's tougher or stronger. It's about showing you that there's a better way to deal with your feelings."
Star sniffled and wiped her face with the back of her hand. "Why don't you want to hurt me? I'm just a stupid, angry kid who talks trash and gets into fights. You should hate me for what I did to Officer Attleton."
Sheila shook her head, her expression softening. "No, Star. I see someone who's hurting and needs help. My dad and I care about you because we believe that everyone deserves a chance at a better life. We want to help you find that."
"Nobody's ever cared about me like that before," Star muttered, her voice barely audible. "Why? I don't deserve it."
"Everyone deserves to be cared for and supported, Star," Sheila explained, crouching down to the girl's level. "We care about you because we see your potential—the person you can become if you're given the opportunity to grow and heal."
A brief moment of silence settled over the street, punctuated only by the distant hum of passing cars. Star's tears glistened in the fading light as she wiped them away with her sleeve, leaving faint streaks on her cheeks. Sheila watched onlookers curiously, staring at the pair, their expressions a mix of concern and confusion.
"Bet I look pretty silly right now," Star mumbled, self-consciousness creeping into her voice.
"Doesn't matter what they think," Sheila said. "The important thing is what you think about yourself, Star."
Star nodded slowly, taking in Sheila's words. With a deep breath, she pulled herself together, pushing herself up from the ground and standing tall once more. The shadows cast by the streetlights danced around them, making the scene feel surreal.
"Ready to go home now?" Sheila asked gently, her eyes meeting Star's.
Star hesitated for a split second before nodding. They climbed back into the car, the door closing with a dull thud. As Sheila started the engine and began driving, the world outside the car window shifted through various shades of twilight. Buildings loomed above them as they passed, their brick facades darkening as night approached. Streetlights cast pools of warm light on the sidewalk, illuminating the faces of pedestrians who hurried by, heads down against the chill in the air.
