Coming From the Shadows Series
A Friend in Need
The Blackpool wind whipped Eliza’s hair across her face as she stood outside the college gates; the grey sky mirroring the unease swirling within her – it was October of 2014, and the seaside town was already bracing for the long bleak winter, but the chill in Eliza’s bone wasn’t from the weather; it was the growing concern she had for her friend – Sarah.
Eliza Wright at the age of twenty-two was a force of nature, years of dedication to Tae-Kwon Do, she had honed her body and mind, forging a steely determination that had propelled her to international competitions to represent Great Britain – her confidence was a natural extension of that discipline, a quiet assurance that rarely wavered.
But, as of lately, even Eliza’s resolve was being tested by the unsettling changes she had been witnessing in Sarah.
Sarah had once been a bright, vibrant and bubbly; but, she had now become withdrawn, her laughter less frequent, and eyes holding a shadow of something Eliza couldn’t quite decipher.
This change had coincided with Mathew’s arrival into her life – Mathew was five years older than Eliza, he was brooding and intense, a possessive glint in his eyes that sent a shiver down Eliza’s spine.
One afternoon Eliza managed to catch Sarah alone in the college library “Sarah; can we talk?” she asked as she pulled up a chair beside her
Sarah looked up, she was startled by Eliza and had a flicker of apprehension cross her face “About what?”
“About you” Eliza answered softly “You’ve not been yourself lately; is everything okay?”
Sarah hesitated; picking at the loose thread of her cardigan “I’m fine Eliza…, just…, busy”
“Busy doing what?” She pushed gently “You’ve not been meeting up with us lately.., and you barely speak; you don’t even come to class to train anymore; you loved training”
Before Sarah could answer though, Mathew materialised, his presence instantly filling the space “Everything alright ladies?” his tone laced with a possessiveness that grated on Eliza
“Just catching up” Eliza replied, her eyes narrowing and voice tight “Sarah and I haven’t had a proper chat in ages”
Mathew placed a hand on Sarah’s shoulder; his grip a little too firm “Sarah’s been busy helping me with a project; we should get going babe”
“But…” Sarah began, her gaze landing to Eliza with a pleading expression
“Later Eliza” Mathew said as he cut Sarah off; pulling her away, his back radiating a silent warning
Eliza watched them go; her anger simmering, she knew something was terribly wrong, Sarah would never willingly ditch her like that.
Days turned into weeks and Sarah’s absences became more frequent; excuses piled up – family commitments, coursework deadlines, Mathew’s needs – every meet up Eliza tried to arrange, there was always a reason to decline, concern gnawed at Eliza, a persistent worry that refused to be ignored.
Finally, she confided in Tyler; her boyfriend; Tyler, like Eliza, was a Tae-Kwon Do athlete as well, he had represented Britain with pride alongside Eliza; he was grounded and perceptive, his calm demeanour a perfect compliment to Eliza’s fiery spirit “I’m really worried about Sarah” she told Tyler
She was pacing around her bedroom as Tyler rested on the bed, he knew of her growing concerns, this though would be the first she brought it up directly to him “She’s completely isolated herself; I haven’t seen her smile in weeks” she told him
Tyler listened patiently, his brow furrowed “Have you noticed how Mathew talks?” he asked thoughtfully “I’ve overheard him in the cafeteria a few times; he’s got some pretty archaic views about women, all that ‘A woman’s place is in the home’ kind of nonsense”
Eliza stopped pacing; a chilling realisation dawning on her “He’s deliberately isolating her isn’t he?” she shifted her gaze to Tyler “Cutting her off from friend, making her dependent on him” the thought sent a surge of rage through her “And…, if he’s doing this to her friend, he’ll be doing this to her family before long”
“Probably” Tyler agreed grimly “He’s trying to control her, Eliza, make her completely reliant on him”
Eliza knew she needed to do something; to act – this wasn’t just a friend drifting away, this was about a young woman being systematically manipulated and controlled; she wasn’t going to stand for that.
The next day, as college ended – Eliza waited outside of Sarah’s classroom, when Sarah emerged, Mathew was by her side, his arm possessively around her waist “Sarah” Eliza called “I need to talk to you” her voice was firm, unwavering
Sarah flinched, she looked nervously to Mathew – Mathew glared at Eliza, his eyes narrowed “We don’t have time for this Eliza”
“This is important Mathew; it’s about Sarah” Eliza responded with a push
“Sarah doesn’t need you interfering in her life” Mathew snapped “She’s perfectly happy”
“Happy?” Eliza scoffed; her voice rose “Is that why she looks like she is carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders, why she is avoiding all of us”
“You’re being hysterical” Mathew shook his head, his grip tightening around Sarah “Sarah knows what is best for herself; now leave us alone”
Eliza refused to back down “Sarah; please, just tell me your okay; tell me you’re happy”
Sarah opened her mouth to speak, but Mathew cut her off “She doesn’t need to tall you anything; you are nothing but a bad influence”
“A bad influence?” Eliza repeated her voice was laced with disbelief “I’m her friend; I care about her, you’re the one isolating her, controlling her” she stated firmly “You’re the one trying to turn her into some kind of Stepford wife!”
Mathew’s face contorted with rage; pushing Sarah aside, he lunged for Eliza, grabbing her firmly and pushing her hard against the wall that it knocked the wind from her, it had caught her by surprise “You little bitch!” he snarled “I’ll teach you to mind your own business”
Witnessing this; Tyler rushed over – grabbing him from behind, he yanked Mathew back with a protective ferocity before moving in front of Eliza “Get you fucking hands off her” he roared
Mathew, fuelled by anger and a deep-seated misogyny, didn’t hesitate to come back at Tyler; he threw a punch, landing squarely on his jaw
The fight was on.
Eliza quickly moved to pull Sarah aside; away from the escalating violence; she knew Tyler could handle himself, but she didn’t want him getting hurt.
Tyler, despite being caught off guard quickly regained his composure; he was a skilled fighter, he’d been trained from a young age in martial arts; his movements were precise and powerful; his made movements to evade Mathew’s wild swings, making quick counters with swift kicks or punches when presented an opportunity.
Mathew relied on brute force and his rage; rage leading to blind movements, it was pretty clear early on into this fight as people began to gather that Mathew wasn’t a match for Tyler’s technique; he was becoming increasingly frustrated and his attacks more reckless.
Finally, Tyler saw an opportunity; as Mathew lunged forwards, Tyler executed a perfectly timed spinning kick; his heel connecting hard against Mathew’s head, dropping him hard to the floor.
As Mathew crashed down to the ground he let out a groan of pain; slowly, pushing himself up he saw drops of crimson liquid on the floor where his nose had hit the floor.
A stunned silence fell over the crowd; Tyler stood over Mathew, his chest heaving – his eyes filled with a righteous anger.
Eliza quickly moved to Tyler; checking him carefully which caused Tyler’s lips to curve into a warm smile “Are you okay?” she questioned with a tone of worry
“I’m fine” he answered; his eyes then landed on Sarah, she was staring at Mathew – a mixture of fear and realisation was dawning on her
Eliza then turned her attention to Sarah, her heart aching “Sarah…, are you alright?”
Sarah nodded slowly, tears began to fall down her face “I…, I think so” she whispered “Thank you Eliza…, Tyler…, Thank you”
Eliza pulled Sarah into a gentle hug; but held her tight when she felt Sarah wrap her arms around her; it was very evident Eliza wasn’t going to let someone manipulate Sarah – she really could rely on Eliza and Tyler.
Written By: Westley H.
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