Rudy: jack, where is everyone?

Jack: Milton and Eddie are both out of state for spring break, and jerry had to visit uncle in the city this weekend. I don't know where Kim is.

Rudy: figures everyone is on vacation. I'm surprised you didn't go anywhere.

Jack: ya, my parents are saving for a cruise...

Suddenly a piercing scream runs in the air, and jack's eyes widen. It's the familiar, girly voice he hears every day for hours on end. "JACK!"

Jack pov

"Kim!" I yell as I run out of the dojo, Rudy on my heel. When I get outside, I see frank and his thugs holding her against her will.

"How could you leave the black dragons? It's the best dojo you have ever been in," frank said, taunting her. "We gave you everything. You were a champion. But you betrayed us," frank swiftly delivers a kick to her temple as the other dragons hold her so she can't escape.

"Jack! Jack!" I hear her scream in pain.

He continues to deliver karate moves at a painstakingly fast rate, hitting her body again and again.

"Frank, get away from her, NOW." I say evenly, trying to keep my anger from boiling over. Surprisingly he just signals for his thugs to release her, and they amble away, smiling smugly as they leave. Rudy follows them, probably to go have a chat with their sensei, Tai.

"I'll be back soon, got some business to take care of," Rudy says as he leaves.

"Kim!" I yell. "Are you okay?" I go to her where she sits crumpled on the ground, silently shaking, trying to stand. I help her up, and loop my arm around her waist so she can regain balance.

"Kim, say something." I plead. I can't stand my usually extra talkative friend going mute.

"I-I they just…. Came from nowhere. Too many to fight…" she replied shakily. I pulled her to me.

"It's okay, Kim. Their gone now. Hey, look at me." I say softly. She brings her head up, so I can see her face. Her eyes are glassy, and there are tear tracks going down her cheeks. I have never seen Kim cry before- never. It scared me, and I hoped they didn't do anything too serious to her.

"Kim, did they hurt you? Show me where they hurt you." She slowly lifted up the bottom of her t-shirt, and there were some crazy black and blue marks, and the pain she portrayed from small movements told me she had definitely bruised her ribs.

"Why don't we go inside?" I asked pointing to the dojo. We walked inside and she bolted for the girl's locker rooms, probably because she was embarrassed and wanted to get cleaned up. Classic Kim- she hated showing weakness.

I practiced on some of the dummies for a while, then went and showered up. When I got out I packed up my stuff and waited for Kim, I was actually starting to get worried after her being in there so long. Suddenly she emerged with her hair in a ponytail, a fresh outfit and her face with a small smile as if nothing ever happened.

"Wow. You're feeling better?"

"Much. And thanks for rescuing me out there," she laughed weakly. "Those guys are such jerks."

"No problem. Want me to walk you home?" I asked. My house was only 10 minutes away from hers, so it was no big deal.

"Sure, I would like that. Just let me get my bag," she said as went to fetch her bag. I started to lock up the dojo, since it didn't seem that Rudy would be coming back anytime soon. I wondered if he was ok.

"JACK!" I heard Kim yell from the other side of the dojo.

I dropped what I was doing and ran over. "Kim, what's wrong?" I asked, confused.

"Look," she said, handing me a piece of paper.

We aren't done with you

We'll be waiting for you.

Hurry home!

-Dragons

I looked back at her, and her eyes were dilated with fear.

"What do they want from me?" she whispered, her fingers trembling.