It started to sound like maybe others had spoken to Sophia that way, and as the remarks became more offensive, Tina ran out of what to think. The one thing she did know was that Sophia was deeply troubled, and more dangerous than she ever thought. She tried to keep her expression unchanged as Sophia continued on with her comments, but she snapped as Sophia rested a hand on her hip.

“Don’t fucking touch me! …” Tina panted, shoving Sophia off of her, shocking them both. But with a deep breath in, she held her confidence. “Don’t touch me, and don’t touch my wife. Do you understand me? – I will NOT. Stand for this.”

“No … you won’t be standing,” Sophia snickered, lowering her head momentarily to keep hidden all those troubling details a person might be able to analyze. Perhaps Tina had seen a glimpse of her troubles, but she wouldn’t let that happen again. Still, Tina was proving quite the worthy adversary. She had followed after Sophia, and then stood her ground even in the face of danger. Sophia’s lips twisted into a smile, and she crossed her arms to watch the blond shift and breathe.

“If you hurt Bette-”

“What? You’ll hurt me, too?” Sophia interrupted with rude laughter, balling her hands into fists and dipping her head down for effect, exhaling passionately. There was a kind of pent up energy expressed within her tone that gave her words energy and vicious intentions: “Oh, you have no …” she craned her neck and her lip twitched instinctively, “Idea … the destruction I’m capable of. I … will ruin you.”

But as Sophia closed her eyes with enjoyment of her scenario, Tina took off running. Once she opened her eyes again to the sound, that much was evident. And just to torment the blond, Sophia stepped out after her, and pulled at her leg as she was climbing back over the fence. She grabbed Tina’s shoe, and tickled her foot.

Tina screamed with the unexpected nature of the gesture, and fell over the side of the fence.

Sophia chuckled to herself, and went inside to pack her things. It wouldn’t be long, she knew, until the police were knocking at her door. Everybody had conspired against her to keep her from the woman she truly loved. But nothing would keep her from Bette. Nothing, she repeated in her head, Nothing, nothing, nothing.