Page 132 of Kaine

I try to slam the door shut, but his arm blocks it before it closes. I turn and push my back against it, my feet sliding on the floor and I can only hold him back for mere seconds before the door flings open, and I’m knocked to my knees.

For a split second I think about praying.

But I don’t have time. I feel him lift me off the ground and throw me onto the bed, his face snarling and panting like a rabid wolf. He kneels down on the bed, straddling me and pulls the hem of my dress up. His hands are rough, clawing at me as I thrash under him.

“Stop moving, I’m not going to hurt you,” he says, and for a moment, I feel relief. “I just want to have a little fun, don’t you?” he snickers, and my entire body floods with fear again.

He leans over grabbing my wrists and pins them over my head. “Such a pretty lady,” he coos and the sound makes my chest heave.

“Get the FUCK OFF ME!” I yell, using my fear to strengthen me. I continue thrashing under him, trying to get a knee free to slam it into his groin. “FUCK OFF YOU DISGUSTING PIECE OF CRAP!” I scream into his face when he grins and tries to kiss me. I squeeze my eyes shut and throw my head forward, slamming my forehead against his. The pain is blinding, and his agonized growl is the only thing that tells me I haven’t passed out.

“You bitch!!” He roars and lets go of one of my wrists and lifts his hand as if to slap me. I squeeze my eyes shut again and turn my face, bracing for the strike, but it doesn’t come. Instead, my body is pulled upward, before his hand slips from my wrists and his heavy, stinking body is dragged off me.

“She said, ‘Get the fuck off her,’ you fucking asshole!”

“Kaine!” I yell, as I watch him throw Earring Man onto the floor.

He’s dressed in his hoodie, thrown over a hospital gown. In the back of my mind I know he shouldn’t be here, but I almost pass out with relief that he is.

“ARGHH!” he responds, as he tries to pin Earring Man to the ground. He’s too weak though, and it takes just a moment before Earring Man reaches out and grabs Kaine’s neck

in a one hand choke hold.

“Kaine!” I yell out again, more worried for him that I ever was for my own life. I slide off the bed and run over, then kick Earring Man in the side, his ribs, trying to get him to free Kaine. He growls and swipes out with his giant hand and almost knocks me off my feet.

“Jade.... run...” Kaine struggles to say as he fights against the hand gripping his neck.

Never.

I run past them and into my living room, looking for something to I can use to help Kaine.

There’s a crash and I run back into my bedroom. Earring Man has flipped Kaine onto his back, both hands on his neck, that evil sneer back on his lips even though there’s blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.

“You sniveling shit. You think you’re so good in your ivory tower. I wonder what your precious girl thinks of you now?” he taunts Kaine, who’s face turns a bright red as he tries to peel away the fingers cutting off his air.

In his cockiness though, he underestimates Kaine’s strength. Suddenly, he grunts and doubles over when Kaine frees a hand and slams a fist into his stomach, causing him to loosen his hold on Kaine’s neck. I take the opportunity to gather all the strength I have left, then swing my arm, knocking Earring Man across the back of the head with the object in my hand.

There’s a sickening crunch, one I know I’ll replay in my head over and over at another time, and it’s followed by the sound of him collapsing to the ground, unconscious.

Kaine instantly pushes the body off him, crawling over to me and pulling me into his lap.

“God, Jade, are you okay?” His hands run all over my body as he looks me deep in the eyes.

I burst into sobs and collapse into his arms, the fear dissipating with every tear. Replaced by an overwhelming sense of safety.

Kaine. Kaine is here. He came for me.

“You came for me,” I tell him, through heavy sobs.

He smiles and runs his fingers along my cheek, collecting tears.

“I’m sorry I was late, are you mad at me?” he asks, and it’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. And in my state, my mouth has no filter, so I tell him.

“Sometimes, you say the stupidest things I’ve ever heard.”

“Hey,” he protests gently, keeping an eye on the crumpled body a few feet away.

“Why would I ever be mad at you for constantly saving my life?”