He hit the ground hard, stars scattering beneath his fall. Logan hung back, still filming with trembling hands. "Get her! " he shouted, voice cracking. She's just one girl.
Jake and Chase attacked together this time. Ariel breathed deeply, centered herself. Jake's punch whistled past her ear as she weaved. Chase's grab met empty air. Her counter strikes were controlled, precise.
A knife hand block followed by a front kick that sent Jake staggering backward. Stop moving, " Chase bellowed, charging like a bull. Ariel pivoted, using his own force against him. A simple hip throw sent him flying into the wall of lockers. The crash echoed through the empty hallway behind her.
Jamila gasped. Logan finally dropped his phone, pulling something from his pocket. A small canister. Pepper spray. His hand shook as he aimed it.
I'll blind you, he threatened. I swear I will. Ariel moved before he could blink. Two quick steps closed the distance. Her hand shot out, gripping his wrist.
Pressure on the right point made his fingers spring open. The canister clattered to the floor and she kicked it away. "That's assault! " Logan screamed, trying to pull free. "You're attacking us.
" "No, " Ariel said calmly. I'm defending. She twisted his arm, not enough to break, just enough to control, and guided him face first into the carpet. Jake had recovered, wiping blood from his nose. "You're dead, " he snarled.
"When my father hears about this, "When everyone hears about this, " Ariel corrected. She could see students gathering at both ends of the hallway now, phones raised. "The truth this time. " He charged again. All technique abandoned in fury.
Ariel met him with textbook precision. Block, strike, sweep. Movements she'd practiced thousands of times. Jake landed hard beside Logan. The wind knocked from his lungs.
Chase was the last one standing, but his confidence had crumbled. He looked from his fallen friends to Ariel's steady stance, fear replacing arrogance in his eyes. Stay back, he warned, raising his hands. I don't want to hurt you. That's new, Ariel replied.
She held her position, ready, but not aggressive. 3 years of watching you hurt people. Now you're worried about it. He glanced at the growing crowd, then back to her. This isn't fair, he protested.