"Ow!"
Vincent yelped, clutching the back of his head. Snapping to look at the infuriated Madeline, his eyes watered slightly.
Instead of the stinging from the unforeseen hit, it was from the weight of humiliation.
The police station buzzed with fluorescent lights, low chatter, and also brawls from a few others at the other end of the room. Yet it seemed like everyone's eyes were in his direction.
The room froze. The tension hung thick in the air.
The officer behind the desk raised an eyebrow. Brian, who appeared alongside Madeline, straightened with a quiet grunt of displeasure. Lariette stared in stunned disbelief, then slowly blinked.
"Maddie!" Vincent snarled, "What were you doing?"
"I should be the one asking you that!" Madeline shot back, her hand still mid-air from the strike, "How many times have I warned you? Stay away from Lari and Eddy! Stop bothering them!"
"I just—"
"What the hell is wrong with your head? Too thick? Should I hit you again?""
