Older

by Jennifer Hartmann

I lunged at her. Pinned her against the cushioned wall by the wrists. Halley struggled, ducked, tried to rotate under me. “Elbow over my forearm,” I instructed. “I…I can’t do it,” she croaked out, cheeks flushed bright red, arms quivering in my grasp. “Wrong answer.” I pressed harder, and she flailed her legs on instinct. “Use your shoulders. Drive your hips. Your power lies in your upper body.” “Reed—” “Do you want to die today?” I shot back, holding firm. “I’m the bad guy. I’m the monster. I’m your low-life, son-of-a-bitch father here to finish what he started. Try. Fucking. Hard⁠—” Halley growled, the sound rumbling up her chest, into her throat, and hitting the air like a thunderous battle cry. In a burst of movement, she drove her hips and shoulders toward the inside and pried out of my grip, rotating quickly and escaping my hold.