29
Grace
Kennedy and I make our way over to the movie theatre again to try our second attempt at that car movie from my first week here.
Apparently, it's been bugging her that she hasn't seen the ending.
I don't mind though, it's nice to just spend time with her.
Hopefully, I don't get calledout for work again.
I have half a mind to silence my phone but I don't. There's too much that could happen right now. It's too volatile a time.
I teach her how to hustle air hockey and she totally beat some jock asshole's ass. Earned herself twenty bucks too. I'm quite proud of the degenerate she has become. Her words.
"I gotta run to the bathroom. Will you grab the food?" She asks.
"Yeah, no problem." I would usually go with her but we only have five minutes until the movie starts so divide and conquer is the name of the game.
The kid at the counter looks familiar but I can't place him. He looks a bit out of place. He has some serious ink too.
"Here, babe. You wanna hang out later?" He asks handing me popcorn.
"Normally, I would but my dance card is full at the moment." I shrug in a what can you do manner.
"Ah well. Let me know if that changes." He smirks and I watch him like a hawk as he pours our drinks.
No funny business so I smile and take our stuff and head over to wait for Kennedy.
It shouldn't have taken her this long. Something doesn't feel right.
I head over to the bathroom and my blood boils.
I throw our food against the sink and pull the tall skinny man off the crying girl with pink hair he has pinned against the wall.
"Ken, you okay?" I ask holding Fuckwad against the wall with a knife at his offending weapon. His dick. Which is out by the way. This guy is going to die.
"No." She whimpers.
"Go to the manager. Take care of yourself.
I'll find you when I'm done with this guy.
" I seethe rage clouding my vision. He laughs but it's cut short by the pommel of my knife to the bridge of his nose.
I swipe his feet from under him making him crash to the floor.
Pressing my foot to his throat to keep him down grabbing his boxers from the floor and placing them into his bloody mouth.
I watch Kennedy leave shaking as I straddle his upper body.
I wish I could go with her but I've seen too many of these scumbags go free even when the evidence is stacked against them. Men and women. Not this time.
"You think that's okay?" I sneer down at him.
"Forcing yourself on someone?" I flip my knife into a better hold for drawing.
After all, my message needs to be crystal fucking clear.
"Well, I'm willing to bet that you won't like what I force on you.
" I smile viciously. "Shhh... it'll be over before you know it.
" I coo leaning over as I carve into the skin on his forehead.
He thrashes and sobs beneath me but I hold strong.
He passes out at the letter "P" in "Rapist." Pity. But I will make sure he can never do anything to anyone ever again. Everyone will know what he is.
I finish my gory crime of passion and view my work.
The "S" is a little off but it's legible.
I think people will get the point. I wash my hands in the popcorn-filled sink and look for Kennedy.
I find her in the lobby. She looks so small and she's shaking.
I sit beside her and she looks at me like she doesn't know me. Fuck .
"Kennedy? Do you need anything?" I ask softly.
"I want to go home."
"We should probably go to the hospital," I suggest. "Report it."
"No... it's not worth it." She says in a small voice I recognize. This has happened before to her. Suddenly, I am so glad I did what I did to that fucker but I still want to go back and kick the shit out of him. But I don't. Kennedy needs me here more.
"Actually, can we go to your place instead?" she asks. "Please?"
"Of course." Not even a question. I will do whatever she needs right now. I herd her out the doors and hear a horrified scream as the glass door closes behind us.
"Grace?" She whispers as we climb into her car and I start driving us home.
"Yeah?"
"What did you do to him?" She asks looking at her hands.
"I can't tell you but let's just say everyone will know what he is just by looking at him," I admit.
Her face pulls into a frown but her body relaxes.
"I will always have your back. He didn't get away with it even if you don't report it.
" I reach over and squeeze her hand in reassurance.
"Oh shit. Liam is coming over! I forgot!
" I call his number and set it to the speaker as the red light turns green.
"Hey, babe. Girl's night over already?" He greets.
"Sorry, Liam. No. Something came up. Kennedy's staying over at my place tonight."
"Everything okay?" He asks voice low, dangerous, and sexy.
"No, but I took care of the immediate issue," I admit.
"Okay. Let me know if you ladies need anything." He offers.
"Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow." I say with a soft smile.
"Why didn't you tell him?" She asks.
"It's not my story to tell. But you should tell someone. Trust me, it's hard at first but it's worth it. And I understand the feeling of uselessness when the bastards get away with shit." I explain my hands squeezing the life out of the steering wheel.
"You too?" She asks finally looking at me.
"Yep. There are more of us than it feels like.
It feels like you're all alone especially when no one listens.
I'm always here if you need me... for anything.
" I vow. She nods and we fall into silence for the rest of the drive.
We head upstairs to my room and I watch Kennedy curl up on my bed making herself as small as she can.
I head to the bathroom and take out my bloody artist's blade when Kennedy comes in. I admit it, I freeze like a dumbass.
Her eyes go wide at the blood in the sink she looks at me and then back at the mess. She nods and turns on the shower before stripping out of her clothes and stepping in. I grind my teeth at the bruises he left on her. I should have killed him.
My heart breaks as I hear her sob and scrub violently at her skin.
"Do you need anything?" I ask.
"Could... could you grab a morning-after pill? He- he didn't...finish. I would just feel better if I had it." She stammers.
"Of course. You don't have to explain. I got you. I'll even grab some food for us."
"Thank you, Grace." Her voice is still quiet but I know she'll be okay. Maybe not right now but Kennedy is so strong. She will be and I will be right beside her every step of the way.
I don't want to leave her alone for too long so I look for Richard. I know he'll keep it to himself and get what she needs.
I find him waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Like he's waiting for me. That can't be good.
"Is she okay?" He asks immediately.
"As good as she can be. Can I ask you a favour? Keep it on the down-low?"
"Of course."
"I need to get a morning-after pill but I don't want to leave her for too long." I can see the rage and violence seep into his eyes.
"I trust you took care of the issue?"
"He's still around but he has a nice souvenir that will let everyone know." I shrug. "I figure I can let him walk around like that for a while before I finish the job."
"Good." He nods harshly before walking away. He's such a good guy.
I walk back upstairs to find Kennedy curled up on herself again on the bed. I snuggle up next to her and let her cry. I hold her as she lets it all out. We don't talk. We don't need to right now. We'll talk when she's ready and not a moment before.
After a long night of comforting Kennedy through nightmares and tears. We wake up and head downstairs. Ruby is waiting for us with a breakfast feast which we happily gorge ourselves on. I've noticed I'm starting to eat more which is nice. I'm also gaining a bit more muscle.
I feel Kennedy freeze beside me and I'm instantly on alert.
"What's wrong?" I ask she doesn't say anything she just points to the TV that is broadcasting the news.
"A school teacher was viciously attacked and mutilated yesterday at the movie theatre on Grand.
Police have reason to believe there is more to the story than he is telling.
" The announcer provides. "If you have any information about the event please call.
.." I let the rest fade away as a picture of him and my handiwork make its way on the screen.
That "S" is going to bother the crap out of me.
"Did you do that?" Kennedy asks.
"I told you, everyone will know what he is," I state not looking at her. I'm kind of afraid to see what she thinks of me. I feel a large hand come down gently on my shoulder. I look up to see a proud Richard smiling at me before he hands me a brown paper bag.
"Thank you." I smile before discreetly passing it to Kennedy.
"Thank you... for everything." She whispers before hugging me tightly .
"Anything for you." I smile. After storing my bike in the back of her SUV, I take Kennedy home to change and receive a call from Ray.
"Hey, Little Mama. I heard some interesting news over in your neck of the woods." He greets.
"Whatever do you mean?" I ask innocently.
"Apparently, some guy got carved up."
"Huh, there are some real psychos out there," I admit. He chuckles.
"Be careful."
"Yes, sir." I sass. My chest hurts a bit at pretending, but I know it's for the best until I know what's going on with him. We hang up and I call Gabe to see how our plans are progressing.
"Hey. I was just about to call you. I need you to come in for a tattoo appointment at lunch." He explains in a hard tone. Shit.
"Okay, I'll see you at noon." I nod even though he can't see me. We hang up without fanfare just in time for Kennedy's return.
"Alright! Ready to fight another day." She mutters as we pull out of her driveway and make our way to school. I still think she should have stayed home or at my place today but my girl is stubborn.