Who’s Been Breakin In My Dojo September 28, 2513

Estes slowly crept down the stairs, gun drawn. Reaching the bottom he peered into the darkness, listening for the sounds he heard earlier. The noises were not typical Rae noises; she was normally done with her routine and asleep by now. There was the noise again, the front seemed clear. Noise came from the back area! He slowly crept in that direction; the ambient light his only guide. Reaching the hallway he stopped again and listened carefully. The noise had stopped and there was light coming from Rae’s small room and her door was flung wide open. He stayed in the shadows as he crept closer, watching for any signs of danger. Sensing none, he holstered his gun and quickly checked the back door. It was closed. Going back to Rae’s room he says, “Rae what was that..?” Before he could finish he spots her splayed on the floor, blood pooling on her face.

“Rae!!” He swiftly crouched down beside her and checked her pulse, but if the blood on her face was any indication she was still alive. She was out cold with a scalp wound, always looked more serious than it usually was with those. They bled a lot. Still, she was out cold, and was not responding to him. He quickly did a once over for any serious damage. There were abrasions and raw spots on her bare thighs and legs, her mouth was swollen and her face looked raw, but the head wound seemed the worst of it. She gave them an argument whoever it was. There would be hell to pay if he found them. He left the room and quickly came back with a first aid kit. He first applied pressure to her left temple area to stop the bleeding, then, with his other hand he carefully wiped blood off her face as best he could. Once the bleeding was controlled, he placed butterfly bandages on the wound, figuring he’d get her to the doctor and have it fixed correctly. He then placed ointment on the worst of the abrasions on her legs and thighs, leaving some areas for her to do herself. He grew angrier the longer he worked on her; he should not have let her stay down here in this closet. Should have known it was not safe. Should move her to my place from here on out! She’s not ready yet, stupid punk kid, thinking to take on the ‘verse. He carefully picked her up and put her on the bed and covered her. He got up and went to secure the door and bring a chair to sit on.

She woke up frantically clawing at the air and her face as she tried to escape. She let out a panicked sound when a dark shadow loomed over her. It reached down and trapped her hands in its own and it was a while before the pounding in her head allowed her to realize it was Estes. She gave him a trapped look for a moment before she was able to calm down and stop struggling against him. He asked her, “What happened Rae? Do you know who did this? Why?” She rolled slightly onto her side and peered around the room, as if to check it was just the two of them. She bit her slightly swollen bottom lip to keep from crying, knowing her necklace was gone. “Noo, noo.” She cried out, and he took her comment to mean something else. “You don’t know who it was? I’m going to call the police.” He looked at her, unsure if she was ok to be left alone. She attempted to push herself up and her eyes rolled back in her head and she sagged back onto the bed. He sat next to her and cuped her face in his hands, angry again. “Rae, open those eyes Rae. I’m going to take you in to the hospital if you don’t.” Her eyes fluttered and opened, she reached up to hold his wrist clumsily. “No, no hospital, rest, be okay tomorrow, please.” She said drowsily. He gave her a stern look of concern but as always, gave in, figuring she would feel better tomorrow and not much could be done for a head injury anyway. “Fine Rae, if you’re not better tomorrow, we go in though. You want I should call the police?” She blinks slowly at him, fighting back a touch of nausea. “No, didn’t get anything from the shop, you interrupted I think. Gonna be sick.” He swiftly reached down and shoved a bucket over to her just in time. Her hands shook as she wiped her mouth and her vision danced with black spots. She gave in for a moment, hoping it would fade enough that she could escape and get her necklace back. “Thanks, Es. Just need some rest now, you go back to bed.” She closed her eyes and waited. He let out a sigh and said, “I’ll be in the front, keeping an eye out. If you need me, just call.” He wandered out, seriously debating calling the police, but either way determined to put word out on the street to find out who had done this.

It was several hours before she was able to sit up, and a long time after before she was able to stand and get dressed at a turtles pace. She was determined to get her necklace back and put some fear into Matthew’s heart though, and she doggedly continued to get her things together. She holstered two guns as she leaned against the wall heavily, fighting still to stay upright. She tried to be as quiet as possible so as not to disturb Estes in the front. He would never let her do this. Gotta be quiet, shi gotta stay awake, gotta stay up. Get this done, get out, never see him again. No killing.