Atonement (Travis)

[Matrim Gallagher]

Matrim went to a different park that day. It was around the time the sun would start to go down a little. It looked nice, it looked peaceful. It looked calm, but Matrim knew this was coming, he knew it would happen sooner or later. Still, he didn't know if Travis knew what happened between Matrim and Sara, he just knew that Travis had wanted to hurt Matrim, to kill him even. Matrim wasn't so sure if he was against the idea of dying. He just knew he needed to make things right, or else he truly would become his father.

Matrim had Travis' cell number, he had it and called him the day that Sara was at the restaurant, so he'd use it now. He texted him, telling him where he was, telling him that he was alone, and he ended the text with.

....if you want me, come and get me.

Matrim would toss the phone off to the side. He was wearing shoes, a pair of chucks to be exact. A zip-up hoodie for the cooler evening if he was out late, and a pair of jeans. His t-shirt was a shirt that read "Kane Hodder" on it, it was red and the lettering was blue. It was some underground band he didn't know much about, he lucked out finding the shirt and he just happened to like it.

Matrim would stand in a clearing, visible to anyone who should approach, waiting for Travis to show up.

[Travis]

The text come rather unexpectedly. Matrim was the last person that wanted to see Travis at this moment. After all, he now knew what had taken place apart from the burns he had given her. Matrim had had sex with Sara, and ultimately.. Matrim was part of the reason that he was no longer seeing her. Matrim was a big part, indeed. And as soon as he had gotten that text message Travis had dropped what he was doing and made his way as quick as he could to the specified location.

It was a park, and Travis would park his motorcycle just outside of it, and then wander down the path. He was wearing a black and orange fleece jacket, unzipped to reveal a black t-shirt beneath it. A pair of simple black track pants adorned his lower body, and those regulator boots carried him down the path, toward the center of the park. Soon enough those icy blues would catch sight of him and immediately they narrowed slightly, and the anger was clearly present on this senior's face.

"You know.. I said I'd kill you next time I saw you.. But instead I think I'll just hurt you real bad, and keep you alive for more fun later on.."

Travis would continue to move towards him, stopping a few feet from him, within arm length. But he wouldn't swing just yet. He wanted to see if Matrim actually had anything to say about it. After all, what if Matrim had a girlfriend, and Matrim's girlfriend had cheated on him with Travis? How would Matrim feel then? Probably much like Travis was feeling now. The only difference was that Matrim would never be able to do to Travis, what Travis could do to him.

[Matrim Gallagher]

"You know.. I said I'd kill you next time I saw you.. But instead I think I'll just hurt you real bad, and keep you alive for more fun later on.."

Travis walked closer. Matrims face was rather blank, but his eyes told of sadness, regret. All the other emotions he had been feeling. He was completely sober, so he knew this would hurt. A lot, still he didn't do anything. He helled out his arms, shaking his head, breathing in and out with his nose, letting the air out. He looked away, "Have at it. You deserve it."

He didn't know if Travis knew about what he and Sara did, but it didn't change the fact that they did that. And even if Travis wanted to hit him for the wrong or right reasons, the fact was that right reasons did exist. So he'd let Travis hit him. He had no reason to hit Travis, hell. He never did.

Fights shouldn't be personal, but this isn't a fight. This is punishment....

[Travis]

Have at it. You deserve it.

..What..?

Travis only stared at the male for a moment. He wasn't completely sure if he was serious or not, or if this was some kind of strange plan. He'd glance around, but he couldn't pick up anything out of the norm. Travis' eyes locked upon Matrim's for a short moment, and that was when Travis would take a step forward on his left foot, his right foot lifting as he'd aim to slam his heel against Matrim's midsection. He wasn't going to hit him as hard as he could, at least not just yet. But the Varsity Captain was definitely going to feel it, that was for sure.

What he did next really depended on what happened with Matrim next. If he remained standing, Travis would simply step forward once again on his right. This time that right foot would plant, and Travis' right hand would shoot forward to connect with Matrim's forehead. Slightly stronger then the blow before.

If Matrim ended up falling to the ground after Travis' Sparta worthy kick, Travis would have stilled stepped forward, but his attack would have changed, because as he stepped forward, that left leg taking the lead would stomp down, and Travis would aim to crush Matrim's heel between his boot and the ground beneath it. Either way, this wasn't going to just be a quick little beating. Travis was going to make sure he took every bit of hatred he had for Matrim, out of his system so he'd never have to deal with this again.

[Matrim Gallagher]

First up, a boot to the gut. Matrim felt it hard, he knew Travis had hit harder then that. But this was still painful for him. He lurched forward, taking a step back to keep from falling over. He wanted to vomit, but didn't. He just regained his composure and stood tall to look as a hand shot forward connecting with Matrim's forehead. The hit hurt like hell, and Matrim wasn't sure the extent of damage being done, but he was woozy from that hit. He fell back from the force, skidding backwards a bit against the ground. The friction brought Matrim to the ground.

I wonder.... I wonder how I'm gonna look when this is over.... are we talking full body cast or.....

Matrim's thought process was all screwy as he pushed himself into a standing position, he was now a little groggy, and a bit unsteady. But he lifted his head up, and said nothing. Did nothing.

[Travis]

Each blow Travis threw was going to be harder then the last. He was slowly but surely going to make his way toward the peak of his strength, and he was going to make Matrim feel it like he never felt it before. The boy got back up after Travis had kicked him in the stomach and landed a solid punch against his head. He almost felt like Matrim shouldn't hold back, but then again he was right when he said he deserved it all.

His left arm would snap out, and he'd aim to hook it into Matrim's stomach. He'd wait for the boy keel over a bit and that was when his right arm would shoot forward and he'd aim to grasp Matrim by the throat once again, much like he had done the other night at the apartment complex. He would hoist him into the air, but he'd only hold him for a brief moment before Travis would snap his head forward, and look to slam his forehead against the Varsity Captain's face, his hand releasing if it hit.

"How could you sleep with Sara.. When you knew I was dating her?"

It was a simply question really. Travis just wanted to know what was going on in this males head. No matter what he said, Travis wasn't going to stop beating him just yet. No, he was definitely interested in keeping it going for a bit longer. He would make once choice though, after he was all said and done he'd call 911 for him. Because of the way he was presenting himself here maybe. He knew he did something wrong.

[Matrim Gallagher]

The hook to the stomach caused Matrim to cough up something he could only guess was blood by the taste of pennies. Then he was gripped by the throat, not choking as much as being lifted up. In came Travis head, crashing against Matrim's own. Matrim was beginning to see a pattern here.

One to the gut... one to the head..... really going for the knock out aren't we chief.....

"How could you sleep with Sara.. When you knew I was dating her?"

Matrim was free know. He was coughing, on his knees now, hands holding his throat as he coughed up a lung from the feel of it. Travis knew apparently, and he had no excuse. He had no reason, no great statement he could make, so he'd tell it how it was. "It just happened..." He said, his voice was a bit scratchy, "It was a mistake, and we hurt you, and I know you won't accept an apology, so I guess this is the beginning of what I can do...."

Since day one Matrim had been up front with Travis, so he wasn't going to lie to him now. He wasn't going to be a jerk and spit it back in his face. If there was one thing Matrim could at least honor, it was that Travis was strong. Strong people deserved respect, and in truth Matrim was at Travis' mercy right now, ready and willing to make this up somehow. He didn't want to be his friend or anything, he was just looking to be settled. As Emily once told him, it's best not to let things go unfinished. So Matrim was now on his knees, right hand on the ground, left hand over his throat.

[Travis]

It just happened... It was a mistake, and we hurt you, and I know you won't accept an apology, so I guess this is the beginning of what I can do....

Travis couldn't help but feel angry when he spoke. It just happened? Things like this didn't just happen for no reason. One of the two could have stopped it if they really wanted to, they knew it was wrong. Travis didn't feel bad for anything he was about to do, and while he was going to hurt Matrim real bad here today, he would leave him alive. Why? Because Travis didn't believe he was worthy of dying just yet. He wanted to make sure he lived his life, and Travis would make sure to make the life he lived, hell.

Matrim was on his knees, and Travis' left hand snapped out. From right to left, he sent it in a hard back-hand, with more then enough force to knock the boy sliding feet away from him. Travis wouldn't make any quick movements to get over to him either, instead he walked casually. He would move toward the boy, and let him get to his feet, or if he couldn't get all the way up, on his knees again. This would be over shortly, Travis wasn't going to waste his whole night here with a guy he could barely even stand to look at.

"You showed me just what kind of person you were, and you also showed me what kind of girl Sara was.."

What did he mean by that? She was a cheater. He was no better then her either. Travis honestly felt betrayed by what had taken place between his girlfriend and Matrim. He had never done anything to deserve it, and he had always did his best to keep Sara happy. Hell, they rarely had problems apart from this little incident. If this hadn't taken place, then he probably would have spent the rest of his life with her. But now, now he wasn't sure about anything. Sara was no longer the girl he thought she was. Travis would shift slightly where he stood, turning his head to look away. It was hard for him to think about her right now. It always brought him to the brink of breaking down.

[Matrim Gallagher]

The smack came hard, and for a smack it hurt a hell of a lot. Matrim's face was sent in a spin hitting the ground he slid a bit. He brought his hands to the ground, lifting his face from the dirt as Travis spoke, "You showed me just what kind of person you were, and you also showed me what kind of girl Sara was.."

Matrim laughed a little, mostly from the pain, and the situation he was in. He wasn't the one who was hurting, it was Travis. Yet here it was, him looking like he was doing the most damage, "Please, Sara's a good girl," Matrim said, rising up to his knees, not quite able to force himself completely upright. His body slouched back a bit, his hands dangling at his sides, not trying to attempt anything, "What happened that day was me practically forcing myself on her. But the girl's probably an addict like me..."

He sat there still, not moving any more then he had already, he wasn't going to run away, "I'm not trying to piss you off more, but you should really consider focusing all that hatred on me, and taking some of it off of her."

Hell, he's probably not mad at me and her so much as he's probably mad at himself for being powerless to stop what happened... I've been there. Can't believe I'm 'that guy'. I hate 'that guy'. Of course, I don't think 'that guy' would ever offer himself up as a punching bag. That probably makes me more of an asshole in Travis' eyes....

[Travis]

Please, Sara's a good girl, What happened that day was me practically forcing myself on her. But the girl's probably an addict like me...

Travis shook his head. He knew Sara was a tough chick, and he also knew that if it had come down to being raped, or something along those lines then she would have gotten away from it. No, he believed that Matrim here was only trying to covet her. To make sure that she didn't catch any of the blame, or at least only a small amount. It was already too late for that though. Travis was no longer with her, though he had no intentions of telling that to Matrim at this time. It really didn't need to be known.

I'm not trying to piss you off more, but you should really consider focusing all that hatred on me, and taking some of it off of her.

Travis' head would finally stop shaking as he stared toward the male that he really despised. He wondered how things would turn out if he really did end up killing him tonight. Had he told anyone? Travis would easily be able to hide the body.. No, his thoughts shifted immediately. Death was too good for him. He'd rather let him life and suffer the pain Travis would send his way every once in awhile. That is if he wasn't able to sedate his rage toward the male tonight.

"Don't bother with all that nonsense. I don't want to hear it."

He was nearing the end up this beating though. In fact he wanted to drop the guy right here and now. He was getting sick of talking to him, and he didn't want to hear anymore of what he had to say. It was hard to stare at him and avoid thinking horrible thoughts of murder. His torso would twist to the right slightly, his knees bending as he pulled that right arm backwards. If you've seen street fighter, he totally knew what Travis was going to do next. The only difference would be that as soon as Travis began swinging his "Shoryuken" around and up to slam against Matrim's chin, his Qi would ignite, that greenish wind-like aura whipping his hair around.

If it connected the was no doubt that explosion would sound out, and Matrim would be lifted straight up into the sky as Travis followed through with his spin to the uppercut. He'd land with his back facing Matrim's plummeting body, and he'd begin to walk away. He'd keep those ears open for a sickening thud, and as he began to walk from the scene he'd pull his cellphone out and dial 991. He didn't like the male, but he didn't know how bad that punch and fall would hurt him. He didn't need to die just yet.

[Matrim Gallagher]

"Don't bother with all that nonsense. I don't want to hear it."

"What happened to her chest, the scar I gave her, it weakened her. And after that bar night you know damn good and well that me and her are both---" And the fist came with the Qi, connecting with Matrim's chin, sending him flying up into the air. He went up, arching backward from the force of his chin getting hit and sending his head back. He wasn't sure how high he went, given Travis' QI he imagined it must have been pretty high. Still, the knock rattled his brain, and he was definitely on the brink of passing out. His vision faded to black, he only had sight of what was in front of him.

First a view of the sky, then a view of some tree tops that were upside down, then his vision moved further to a view of the ground. Then of his arms moving in front of his face... and then pain as he crashed down. But he managed to open his eyes to see Travis walking away.

You call this a beating.... I've been beaten over a four story building by a Dragon... I was poisoned as a child... I was gunned down in an alley and you call this a beating? How dare you.....

Matrim's vision slowly returning, he pushed himself up, coughing what he could only imagine was blood. His chin was shattered and each movement hurt. His head wasn't right, he should be knocked out by all accounts but not before this, not before he stood up. Not before he talked, "I will.... beat you... one day." And then Matrim was out. He was standing for give or take a few seconds. His mouth filled with blood, his mind completely messed up by the hit to the head, Matrim was knocked out.

And he had a dream.

Somehow, he managed to have a dream before he would come to....