Brawl

Dylan, no longer playful, spat out blood and turned to Elias, squinting his eyes. ‘Elias, your woman is a delight, and I like her too. Why can’t I have her? Can’t I like her just because you claimed her first?’ Before Elias could react, Dylan clenched his fist and delivered a punch in return. Elias, still not fully recovered from his earlier fever, stumbled a few steps backwards. Callie remained frozen in place. She recalled that Dylan’s lips hadn’t actually touched hers; his finger had been between their lips. She had hesitated, torn between defending herself and not wanting to burden Elias. But now, as she watched the brawl unfold, she realized the consequences of her inaction. Harriet rushed to Elias’s side, supporting him while shooting an angry glare at Dylan. ‘Dylan, what the hell are you doing? He’s still running a fever. How can you treat him like this? You’re in the wrong!’ Dylan smirked in response and touched his swollen lip. ‘What’s the matter? If he’s allowed to hit me, am