InsaneJournal

Cat Fight
Characters: Meg, Susanna, Reece, and eventually Ryan
Setting: Activity Room, midday

Susanna had spent the morning, after having gone to retrieve her small package containing her bracelet, in her room. Reece’s arrival the night before had distracted her from finishing going through the journal entries to try to decide who to vote for. And so she’d gone back to doing that, taking it seriously. She just worried that her votes wouldn’t make much of a difference. The tone of things were making her think that it would be Wu as governor, and that concerned her. She had a feeling that people didn’t fully understand the way the Devil had run his empire, and it would be a decision they would come to regret. And so, she did what she could to try to avoid that happening, voting for someone she hoped might get votes other than her own. She had little faith in Charlie’s ability to lead them, but he was by far the better choice.

She’d sent in her votes and had every intention of getting out of her room when she got a message. Anonymously. The first message was annoying, but the second merely pissed her off, but she was rather proud of the way she’d replied. She was doing a balancing act, she knew, but she wasn’t quite sure throwing Ryan under the bus would benefit her in any way, so she was doing what she had to do. After messaging with Reece about it, and she still wasn’t sure she believed that he hadn’t told anyone what they’d talked about, she’d needed to get out of her room. But where to go? The gym was an obvious choice, but for once she just didn’t want her normally relaxing routine.

Instead Susanna found herself walking around the courtyard before deciding to go upstairs and to the activity room. Unsurprisingly, but no less disappointingly, the room wasn’t unoccupied. The wild blonde hair was a dead giveaway as to who the other occupant was, having seen the woman with Dominic a few times before he’d been removed, the memory of which still giving her a twinge of amusement and pleasure. But did she really want to deal with the girl right now? In the end, she decided that she wasn’t going to leave a room just to avoid dealing with someone, and without a word to the other girl, she went over to the art supplies, intending to poke through them to see what she might be able to take back to her room.

Meg’s morning had actually run along similar lines albeit in a slightly different order. As per Wu’s suggestion, her first port of call had been messaging the administration asking for a name and as much as she doubted she’d get a response, the simple act of messaging them had felt satisfying knowing she was still taking steps towards finding her attacker even if she was holding off the physical search. Her hair was still held up by her makeshift weapons though - even if they didn’t get used on the man who assaulted her right away there was a comfort in knowing she was armed. Then she had voted for the few people she actually cared about getting a position, or not in Kyle’s case, replied to a message from Brady then headed out in search of food and the strange bracelets they’d all been given.

Appearance wise she was less than impressed with it and so had headed of to the activity room to raid the small stash of jewellery making supplies she’d spotted when getting her knitting needles. By the time Susanna entered the room, Meg had laid full claim to one of the tables with chunky plastic beads scattered around her as she threaded them onto a piece of leather thong, the metal QR pendant clinking against the tabletop as she worked. She wasn’t so absorbed in what she was doing that she didn’t notice Susanna enter and made no attempt to conceal her frown on seeing her - she might never have spoken to her but Dom’s descriptions of the times he had had made their mark. Apparently though she was going to be ignored which suited Meg just fine and she carried on with her bracelet, resisting an urge to throw a bead at the uptight older woman.

Susanna wasn’t bothered in the least that Meg didn’t acknowledge her presence. She actually preferred it that way, not really wanting to interact with the child, as she was hardly more than that. Even so, once she’d gathered up a few supplies, paints and a new canvas, and was heading past the table Meg was working at with the intention of going to the elevator and back to her room, she couldn’t help but notice just what Meg was making. Her nose wrinkled in distaste. Could it really be any more tacky? Somehow she thought not. “How lovely,” she commented, keeping her voice mostly devoid of sarcasm. Mostly, but not quite completely.

Really Meg had every intention to ignore Susanna until she was gone having no interest whatsoever in talking to the woman but then there was face pulling and the kind of comment that had been flung at Meg most of her life and she couldn’t help rising to the bait. “Ain’t making it for you ya Yankee bitch,” she shot back though to Meg’s credit she did it with a pleasant smile on her face rather than simple getting up from the table and slapping Susanna. Which was progress given how she’d reacted to slights in the past, clearly she was growing as a person.

Well, two could play that game. Susanna’s smile widened just a touch. “Oh, and a good thing that is! Art is such a subjective thing, and I’m not prone to wearing... well, I do suppose that would be considered jewelry.” She knew very well that she was baiting the younger woman, but she was utterly unapologetic about it. She knew why, too, but what was she to do when she was itching for a fight and the girl just happened to be so conveniently located?

She should have known better to retaliate but with the stress and tension of the past few days it was inevitable that it would find itself an outlet. That and Meg have never really been one for cool headed, rational behaviour when it came to...well anything, least of all run-ins with people who liked nothing better than to look down their noses at her. “You know what it is you condescending bitch,” she said getting up from her chair. “And don’t go putting on airs and graces like you’re so much better than this shit ‘cause you ain’t.”

Holding in a laugh, Susanna tilted her head as she studied the necklace. “Hmm, yes, I suppose I do know what it is. But I have to disagree. I am much better than - to use your words - that shit. I would never wear anything so tacky, but it should suit you just fine,” she said, friendly tone at clear odds with the words spoken. She couldn’t help but want to get Meg all riled up, and if it made the girl come after her? Even better. For once she wasn’t actually clearly focused on putting on as good of an act for the cameras.

“That’s the best you got?” Meg retorted, coming round the table to square up to Susanna. “You think I ain’t been called tacky before by girls like you who think cause they wear diamonds and designer clothes means their shit don’t stink? Come up with something clever, then I might actually be insulted.”

Susanna actually did laugh at that. “Oh, darling, if I were wanting to insult you, I would have. I was merely pointing out the obvious. Now, there’s no reason to get all defensive about it. You should embrace who you are. I do,” she replied, keeping up the pleasant tone. As she spoke, she set her canvas and supplies down on the table, turning to face Meg since she’d come around the table.

Meg bristled at that, hands clenching into fists at her sides, the faux nice tone in Susanna’s voice already grinding away at what little control she had. “I do embrace who I am ya sanctimonious whore,” she snapped. “You think I couldn’t look like you if I wanted to? I’ve had money, I just had better shit to spend it on than fancy haircuts and overpriced clothes.”

Shivering mockingly, Susanna said, “Oooh! A big word. I’m sure your daddy would be so proud!” A girl that young already married and leading a life of crime? Yeah, she was guessing daddy issues. And then her eyes narrowed. “I am no whore. Tell me, just how quickly did you spread your legs for the rich boy looking to rebel against mommy and daddy by playing in the trailer park? Seems to me, you’re the whore here.” And it was taking all of her control not to throw Dominic being removed because she’d fucked Ryan, either. She wasn’t supposed to know about that.

Susanna had no way of knowing just how sensitive a subject Meg’s father was and that it by itself would have garnered the reaction she was looking for. Unfortunately for her she then followed it by bringing Dom into the mix and Meg’s expression turned thunderous. “First off, my daddy’s dead on account me putting a bullet in his head so proud don’t really come into it,” she said, voice dangerously quiet. “Secondly, you don’t ever talk about Dom and me unless you’re looking to join him in the ground. Now get the hell away from me.”

Oh yes, definitely daddy issues there. The dangerously quiet voice didn’t scare her, nor did getting a small window into just what Meg was capable of. Guns were so impersonal. Knives now, you had to get up close to use those, you could feel the flesh giving way, feel the heat of blood pouring out of a body dying from your own hands. Now that was power. “Ooh, hit a sore spot, did I? I’m so sorry,” she said sarcastically. “Did you ever find out why he was taken out of here? It was so sad, seeing the way they tasered him and dragged him into that elevator.” Self preservation was clearly not at the top of her list of priorities as she continued to poke verbal sticks in Meg’s ribs.

For all the information she had learnt about the reason for Dominic’s removal, Meg had never heard the details of how it happened and to hear it put so bluntly from Susanna of all people, who couldn’t have sounded less sad about being witness to it if she’d tried, was enough to derail her for a moment. “They did what?” she said, the animosity she felt towards the administration ratcheting up even further than it had been before.

Susanna’s eyes widened a touch, mouth parting as a little ‘oh’ sound escaped it. “You didn’t know? Carmel and I were having a lovely lunch, and Dominic came in. It all happened so fast. The elevator doors opened, guards came out in full riot gear, and they tasered him. I’m not sure he even saw it coming. They dragged him out, and that was that. It was quite a shock, and I’ve been trying to figure out just what horrible thing he must have done to get such treatment.” And if it weren’t for that gleam in her eyes, she might have even sounded just a little concerned about it all.

“He didn’t do anything!” Meg blurted out, the instinct to defend Dom coming before any thoughts of what her statement might inadvertently reveal. “And get that goddamn look of your face you smug bitch.”

“Nothing, hmm. So then it must have been something you did. What did you do that got your precious Dom taken away?” she asked tauntingly, intentionally using the nickname for added kick. She ignored the demand, not quite in control enough to control her expression just now.

Reeling back like she’d been slapped, Meg shook her head. “I didn’t,” she said though there was far less conviction in her voice then there had been defending Dom. “And don’t you call him that, don’t you ever call him that!” Hearing her say his name in that insufferable voice of hers was just another twist of the knife and Meg was already dangerously close to losing the last semblance of composure she had left.

Knowing what she knew, even if she didn’t know what Meg remembered of it all, Susanna had been well aware that her words could touch a nerve, in fact she’d been counting on it. “You didn’t? Really? Then why did they take him away? You had to have asked,” she pointed out, pushing relentlessly. A part of her wanted Meg to have to admit just how much of a whore she actually was, even if she was aware that it wasn’t actually a consensual thing that had happened. “Why not? It is his name, isn’t it. Dom, Dominic, what’s the difference,” she said, feigning ignorance even if she was quite aware that there was a difference.

“Shut up, just shut up, you don’t know anything!” Meg was verging on frantic now, her own guilt and insecurities battling out with the rage still coursing through her though now it had lost its focus with Susanna, the administration, her unknown assailant, even herself all demanding its attention and leaving her looking every inch the lost young woman she was.

Oh, the temptation was great to tell her just how much she did know, but Susanna couldn’t. She wouldn’t throw Ryan under the bus that way, no matter what those damned messages said. They would play the game, get out of here, kill those bitches who had screwed him over, and then flee to France. That was the plan, and she forced herself to take a deep breath and remember it. “No, I don’t,” she agreed calmly. “But you do. The guilt is clear on your face. You did something and lost him because of it.” Though her voice was calm and level, it didn’t change the fact that she was still taunting the younger woman.

Unlike everything that had come before it, that statement from Susanna, said without any kind of emotion? That was what broke Meg for the simple fact that it was the truth and regardless of what she said or did, nothing could change that and, with a wordless cry, she charged at the older woman, the weapons in her hair forgotten about for the moment instead ready to tear at her with her bare hands.

Finally! Susanna thought with some satisfaction when Meg charged her. She brought her hands up in a defensive stance but otherwise did nothing to stop the assault. Sure, she may have instigated it verbally, but she would have enough of a case for self defense if Meg touched her first, which had been the whole point of this.

If Meg noticed the lack of defensiveness on Susanna’s part, it did nothing to deter her as she raked her nails down the brunette’s face, her other hand pulling at the front of her dress with the intent to drag the taller woman to the floor.

The hand on her dress was far less of a concern to Susanna than the nails raking down her face, which were sure to have broken the skin enough to draw at least a little blood. With a soft sound of anger, her own hand came up to grab the hand on her face, bending it back hard and fast at the wrist away from her face.

The sudden jarring movement sent pain shooting through the barely healed fracture and Meg let out a scream but rather then let go of Susanna, she used the pain to her advantage, letting it fuel her anger like it had done so many times in the past and yanking Susanna forward, she slammed her own head against the older woman’s delicate looking nose.

If there was one thing that Susanna knew, it was that you couldn’t always anticipate what your opponent would do, and this was no different. She’d been caught completely by surprise by being pulled forward, stumbling and bending a bit, which gave Meg the perfect angle to headbutt her nose despite their height difference. The pain shot through her, and she let out a strangled scream as her own hands lashed out, barely able to see past the blinding pain. One hand caught around Meg’s throat, and she pushed forward, hoping to unbalance the girl enough to take her down and pin her to the ground.

It was an effective move and Meg did actually stumble backwards however she’d been in more than enough fights for it to actually incapacitate her. Instead she grabbed hold of Susanna’s wrist and let the momentum send them both to the floor, twisting so they landed next to each other rather than with Susanna on top. Then she lashed out with her foot towards the brunette’s legs, wishing she’d put on her boots that morning the moment bare toes connected with an unyielding shin bone.

The only thing keeping Susanna from crumbling under the pain was the rage coursing through her. She didn’t care that her move hadn’t worked out like she’d planned, and the kick to her shin didn’t even phase her yet, though it would probably be sore once the adrenaline wore off. Rolling, she swung her leg over Meg’s tiny hips to straddle her, her fist swinging down to connect with the blonde’s cheek bone.

The punch landed with more force than Meg would’ve given Susanna credit for, so much so that Meg’s head snapped back and connected to the floor beneath her. Her hair offered some buffer but with the metal needles still tucked through it, it didn’t stop the impact from hurting or from sending her reeling for a moment, her grip on Susanna slackening.

Reece was headed back towards his room when he heard the shouting. It was more like one scream, but it was enough to get his attention with everything going on, his first concern was getting there and finding out what was wrong. When he got to the activity room though, the site was something else altogether. “Hey!” he shouted dashing forward and reaching for Susanna’s arm before she could throw another punch. “What the hell are you two doing?”

There was so much satisfaction to be had in the way Meg’s head snapped back, and Susanna pulled her arm back with every intention of punching her again. The little bitch had no idea who she was messing with, and she would love to show her. Only then there was shouting in a familiar male voice, and someone was grabbing her arm, keeping her from knocking out the whore, and she screamed, jerking her arm to try to free it while her other hand went down to close around Meg’s throat. If she couldn’t punch her again, maybe she would be able to strangle her. “She fucking attacked me, the little bitch,” she said fiercely.

While only dimly aware of the male presence that arrived to apparently intervene in their fight, Meg snapped back to full alertness, or at least as much as she could muster with her head still spinning, when a hand closed around her throat. Her own hands immediately flew upwards to try and dislodge it and, remembering a trick she’d heard years ago, she grappled for Susanna’s pinky, figuring if she could get enough of a hold on it, she might be able to break it and force her to let go.

Reece’s other hand went around Susanna’s middle pulling her away from Meg. He could see what Meg was doing, he’d been in enough scrapes himself. “Let the fuck go Susanna.” His words were gruff, an order, as he yanked her away. He could see the blood on her face, the way her nose was already starting to swell. Just what the hell had these two been up to? And why the hell were they fighting?

It was a dirty fucking trick, and as soon as Meg started it, Susanna knew where it would lead. She didn’t want to let go; she wanted to kill the little bitch, but Reece was yanking her, and she didn’t want her finger broken, so she abruptly yanked her hand away from Meg, letting Reece pull her off of the smaller woman.

With Susanna being yanked out of her grasp and her airway suddenly free, Meg gulped down air for a few seconds, as the ceiling above her lurched alarmingly from side to side. She didn’t wait for it to settle before scrambling to her feet though, unwilling to give up the fight just yet and this time she had enough foresight to tug one of the knitting needles from her hair. Clutching the thin piece of metal in her fist, she lunged forward at Susanna’s unprotected stomach.

Reece pulled Susanna a few steps back and he still had his arm around her when the shock of blonde hair lunged. He wasn’t really expecting that, too concerned with keeping Susanna from choking her that it didn’t quite occur to him that the blonde might try and stab her. And with...whatever that was. “What the hell?” He was shouting again, trying to pull Susanna away but not in time.

While Reece might not have expect Meg to attack, Susanna had just been hoping the blonde would be too dazed to do so. No such luck. She barely had time to register the fact that Meg was charging at them before she kicked her legs out. It wasn’t soon enough, though, she realized as sharp metal pierced through her dress and then her stomach. She cried out in pain from it, her legs kicking, flailing harder.

It may have been too late to stop her completely but Susanna’s kick still managed to catch Meg with enough force that her aim was knocked off centre and the needle didn’t slide in nearly as deep as it would’ve done otherwise. A flailing arm then connected with the side of her face that was already starting to swell where Susanna had punched her and sent her sprawling to the floor, the needle left poking out of Susanna’s abdomen. “I told you to get away from me,” she said, voice more than a little woozy and hoarse from her earlier scream. “I warned you.”

Jesus fucking Christ. Reece swore louder, moving Susanna out of the way, trying to get her towards the ground, though this time he was moving in front of her. Once he had her stationary, he pulled the top shirt he had on, pushing it against where her stomach was bleeding. This was all sorts of fucked up. “Hold this,” he told her then it was his turn to reach for Meg. She was smaller than him, which meant he could get to her easily, grabbing both arms in a strong grip.

With her being moved out of the way, Susanna stopped flailing, starting to feel dizzy as all the different pain started trickling into her awareness. She didn’t protest when Reece got her to the ground, but she did cry out when he pressed his shirt against her stomach where the needle was still hanging out. When he told her to hold it, she did just that, ignoring Meg’s words for now.

Reece may have been able to get to Meg easily enough but the moment he grabbed her arms, she started to struggle. It was by no means as forceful as it would have been in normal circumstances but given the pain throbbing in her right wrist and the pounding in her head, she still fought as much as she could, twisting and kicking out in an attempt to make him let go. “Get off me you fucker,” she shouted before bringing her face down to try and bite at his hands.

Jesus, this girl was nuts. He grabbed at her arms more, twisting them slightly, lifting her up. “Right try again. You just stabbed someone. The last thing I’m doing is letting you go.”

“Why not, it’s not like I’m planning to stab her again,” Meg spat, in what in her world probably constituted as sound logic. “‘sides, what do you care? Bitch was asking for it, told me to embrace who I am. How’s that working out for you Suzie!?” She lashed out again with her foot, aiming for Reece’s knee.

He had her up when she kicked out, which kept the contact to her knee minimal. “What the hell? She upset you by who she was so you proved her right by going trailer trash on her ass?” he demanded. Because he knew. He knew what it was like to be from a different world. Reaching up he grabbed for the extra needle in her hair. “Sit,” he demanded, dumping her into a chair, hard. What he needed was help, someone to get Susanna out of here.

In as much pain as she was in, Susanna could still hear them, could still see them even though her nose and the skin around her eyes were starting to swell a bit. Even so, she couldn’t quite tell if Reece was defending her or not. “Working out great,” she bit out sarcastically, pissed off because she knew she would have had a good chance at killing the little whore if Reece hadn’t interrupted them.