The day had been easy, too easy and as the night wound down Snake found himself at the bar with his usual drink. In most cases he'd rather be busy but with this job he was glad for the boredom. If he was busy it meant his girls were getting hurt. Even as much as he like to get in fist fights this was not a reason he wanted. He stared at the drink on the bar absently stirring it. The girls had all settled in and even the few new ones who had arrived had gotten a nights business. Snake wasn't used to sitting here alone.
Finishing his drink he headed up to bed. The place was too quiet. He didn't like quiet, especially not here. Suddenly the words he dreaded echoed in the hall. "Get off of her." The voice was strained and even drunk Snake took the steps two at a time. When he hit the top of the flight he could hear the scuffling behind the door. It wouldn't open, it was jammed. Snake growled at the door stepping back. He kicked with all his strength listening to the wooden chair on the other side buckled and shatter.
Snake threw the door open to see something that made his blood boil. There was a girl, a child, on the bed. Her dress was torn down the front. The guy on top of her had her throat and the woman behind him struggled to pull him off the girl on the bottom. Snake couldn't think, only act. The scene sobered him instantly as he crossed the floor.
His hand found the bastard's throat and Snake hauled him roughly against the wall.
"Forgot about me huh?" Snake snarled and he brought his knee up full force into the guy's crotch. Yes, it was a cheap shot but this man deserved nothing but the worst. Snake's eye caught the open window and without thought of the man now begging him to let go Snake jerked the rapist toward it. Plissken hurled him out the third floor window like garbage and stood listening for him to hit the street before he turned back to the girls.
Both women were crying and it wasn't until now that he noticed their similarities. Snake's instincts sent him to the bed. He was a hard, deadly man but everyone had their weakness. He gently touched her shoulder.
"Hey, it's alright." Snake didn't know what else to say. She trembled under his touch and he frowned pulling his hand back. Snake wondered if he should just go. He looked over at the other woman who had composed herself some. In his mind Snake was starting to piece this all together. Older sister brings someone in and he gets the idea to go after the little one. Snake prayed he was lying on the street slowly dying but nothing to Snake would be torturous enough punishment for something like this.
His thoughts were burning with fury and Plissken hadn't even noticed when she started to climb into his lap. The darkness released him when the tears soaked into his shirt. Gazing down at her a far different feeling haunted him. Plissken held her tightly to his chest and whispered to her. Through all of this madness in his life he had still become like his father in many aspects including this one. He had a natural ability to be the comfort and support for a woman. They sought comfort from him sometimes. It was one thing Snake had never needed to learn. It had simply come with age.
"Katherine?" The woman had kneeled down next to the bed and took her hand but she still clung to Snake. He sighed and looked at the woman with her makeup smudged down her face and then at the girl in his lap.
"I should go." Snake tried to move the girl aside to the bed but she screamed. It was like he had forced her to touch hot fire when her body came in contact with the sheets. Plissken looked over at the woman who had Katherine's hand. She bit her lip in distress and Snake felt helpless. He'd never dealt with this situation. The older women were not like this girl.
Katherine's sobs subsided to a whimper and the woman who had her hand tried to pull her away from Snake. He helped because this situation made him uncomfortable. She started to slip away from him and there was a moment of relief. He just wanted to go to bed. Out of nowhere the girl slugged her companion and was instantly gripping Snake's jacket with all her strength. This really wasn't working.
"Katherine?" The woman's voice was gentle and concerned but she didn't even acknowledge it. The woman seemed frustrated to Snake and he just shrugged.
"Would it…." The woman paused biting her lip and Plissken felt dread. She was going to ask him. "Could you keep her tonight? I think she is too shaken up."
You think. Was the first thought in Snake's mind and he rolled his eye at the woman crouched in front of him. She had been raped and was shut down. Completely normal. Snake bit back his sarcastic comments if for no other reason then this girl didn't need to hear a fight.
Snake sighed and reluctantly nodded. "I have a couch she can sleep in the bed."
The woman smiled. "I owe you."
Snake didn't much care. This was his job and tonight was just a tougher day at the office or the whorehouse in Snake's case. Plissken struggled to his feet and soon realized he would be carrying her up the remaining flight of stairs standing between him and his bed. Snake held her in his arms and scowled. Not even his bed was waiting tonight only a couch.
He left the room grumbling profanities under his breath. This was his luck and he cursed himself for sitting around and wishing for something to do. Snake stumbled up the last step and to his door. He grimaced at the handle. Holding this quaking girl left no free hands to open it. The temptation was to kick it open but then he'd have to fix it. He'd rather sleep in the hall then have to fix another broken door. He struggled for a moment before he could maneuver her into position and open the door. On top of all of it she was quickly becoming dead weight as she cried herself to sleep.
Snake pushed the door open with his shoulder and kicked it closed behind him. He turned on the light with his shoulder and carried her to his bed. All he wanted to do was crawl into it and sleep but tonight he was to have no comfort. Gently he laid her in the bed and headed back to the living room leaving a trail of clothes behind.
Plissken reached the couch and fell into it still in his pants and boots. He was too tired to take them off or too lazy. He couldn't decide. He rubbed his eye and reached up switching the light off so he could pull of the patch. Sighing with relief and exhaustion Snake threw his arm across his face.
Snake tossed a little on the couch and finally found a comfortable spot when the weight found his chest and the wet face pushed into his neck. Snake was too tired to do much but grumble. He should have just crawled into bed if he knew this was going to happen. It was too late now. Plissken was too tired to get up again. He slid over and put his arm around her. He would regret this in the morning when his back ached but for now it would do.