Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds
Tourniquet
By Lucky_Ladybug
Notes: The characters are not mine and the story is! TRIGGER WARNING. I finally found the heartbreaking and out of print doujinshi God of Reborn Death by Nekori Tatsuki and found out it's completely different from what I thought it was. The plot involves Kalin being attacked and gang-raped by some of Malcolm's Crew. Radley finds him later and tries to comfort him. I ended up getting an idea to write a role-reversal fic, but one where the victim is rescued in time. Still, this is about attempted rape, a very disturbing subject, so if this is a trigger for you, please don't read! I'm using prompt #7 - Morals and Values from the abandoned 5Ds_100 community on Livejournal. The title is another Evanescence song and Radley references one of the lyrics. The suicide element of the song doesn't fit this story, but some of the song's other themes fit very well.
Radley sighed quietly as he locked the diner and turned to head for his motorcycle. Part of running a business was the unfun stuff like taxes, reports, and inventory. He had just spent hours filling out the latest reports on dyne output. Everyone had gone home now; even Billy and Scotch and Biff, who had lingered the longest, had finally called it quits an hour ago.
Radley frowned to himself. He didn't like the silence of being all alone. But what was even eerier right now was the sensation that he wasn't alone, but that people were watching him from the shadows. That couldn't be good.
"I know you're there," he commented. "Come, come, what's all this? Are there Peeping Toms about?"
The cruel laughs filled the night air. Several members of Malcolm's Crew stepped out of the alley, sneering at him with twisted grins.
"So you're all alone tonight?" one rough man mocked. He pushed Radley back against the wall. "Not so tough without your little tykes to protect you, are you?"
Radley glowered at him. "They're not my bodyguards."
"You probably need some, though," the Crewmember said. "Don't he, boys?"
The others guffawed and leered in agreement.
The one pinning Radley to the wall started looking him up and down with a glint in his eye Radley didn't like one bit. "You know, it's really too bad we're enemies, because you've got a right nice body. In fact, being enemies don't change that one bit."
Terror started to grip Radley's heart. He was only one person and there were at least half a dozen Crewmembers here. If they all liked this line of thought, he would have very little chance of getting away.
Still, he just rested his head back on the wall and smirked at the creep. "Look, but don't touch," he said.
The Crewmember leered at him. "Oh, but I want to touch," he replied. He gripped Radley under his chin and then started running his hand down Radley's neck.
Radley grabbed his wrist and gave it a painful twist. "Well, I don't want you to." He ducked under the thug's other arm as he snarled in pain and tried to run for his motorcycle.
Two more Crewmembers jumped him from behind and started to drag him into the alley. "Malcolm wants to kill you the normal way," one of them hissed in his ear. "We started thinkin' that killing your spirit would be much more fun."
Radley struggled, jabbing his elbow harshly into one's ribs and kicking at the other with his foot. From the resulting cry of agony, he had hit a very painful spot. He sneered. That was deserved.
He pulled away in time to trip a third man coming at him and managed to dodge a fourth. "Really, now, is this all you can muster?" he mocked. "You weren't expecting I could actually fight, did you?"
A fifth Crewmember glared at him. "You're cocky. You won't be able to hold out against us forever."
That was what Radley was afraid of. But he just laughed. "You've always underestimated me."
It was the sixth one who suddenly grabbed him from behind and wrapped an arm around his throat. "Got ya."
Radley gasped, desperately gripping the arm with shaking hands. But this time he was caught. The other five ganged up on him before he could try to get away again. They dragged him to the ground even as he kicked and struggled against them. One slammed his legs down and viciously sat on them to hold him in place. Two more seized his arms.
"Oh God, no," he whispered into the pavement. "Please no. . . ."
Am I too lost to be saved?
Another grabbed his hair, violently pulling his head back. "You can quit your shaking," he sneered. "You're not some pure thing. You've probably done this kind of thing yourself."
That put a bit of fire back into Radley's heart. He jerked his head away despite the pain and tried to force himself up. "I would never do something like this to anyone!" he spat. "I can't even think Malcolm would approve of this! Does he know?!"
He was quickly forced down again. "What he doesn't know won't hurt him," was the leering reply. "And he won't believe you if you try to tell him later."
That was likely true. Radley shut his eyes tightly, shaking again. Not caring about looking vulnerable right now, he finally just screamed. "Help! Someone, please . . . please help me. . . ."
That resulted in a vicious kick. "No one will come to help you," the first Crewmember sneered. "Your little fanclub left hours ago. They're all back in the residential area. Kalin is who knows where. You're all alone."
Radley clenched his fists. That was no doubt true. But he still wasn't giving in to them. He struggled and squirmed as much as possible while they were fighting to get his belt and his pants undone. They laughed at first but quickly grew annoyed, hitting and kicking him to try to force him down. When five of them pushed him down all at once, the sixth was finally able to unbuckle his belt and start pulling his pants down.
"Oh God, help me," Radley whispered. "Please . . ." He shut his eyes tightly. Their touch was vile. He could feel this one tugging on the elastic of his boxers now.
"Infernity Doom Dragon! Infernal Flame Blast!"
Radley gasped as what felt like actual fire sliced through the night. It didn't touch him, but all six of the lecherous Crewmembers screamed as it burned them. They fell back, their clothes and their very skin smoking.
"Get away from him. Now."
Now they were the ones shaking in terror. They stumbled up and ran down the alley out of sight.
Radley looked up, stunned. "Kalin?"
Kalin stood silhouetted at the head of the alley. He folded his Duel Gun and let the dragon's hologram fade into the night. He came forward as Radley pulled his pants back up with trembling hands and fumbled with the belt. "Are you alright?"
"Y-Yes," Radley stammered. "They . . . they hadn't actually done it yet. . . ." He stumbled to his feet, still shaking. Right now, he honestly wondered if he could ever stop shaking. It was over, but would it happen again? Would he have to fear every time he stepped outside? Would they corner him in his house?
"You're in no shape to drive," Kalin said. "But you probably wouldn't want me to drive since you'd have to hang on to me." He turned away. "I saw this happen in the Satellite once. I wasn't fast enough to stop it then. The victim wouldn't let anyone touch him for weeks."
Radley shuddered. He liked physical contact, and whether or not it was usual or normal, this hadn't soured him on it. Right now he really wanted to hug someone he trusted and not let go.
"No," he said. "Let's . . . let's do that. I . . . I need to go home. . . ."
Kalin turned back. "You're sure," he said.
"Yes," Radley said. "Please." He took out his keys and gave them to Kalin.
Kalin took them and went over to the motorcycle, revving the engine. As he climbed on, Radley shakily got on behind him and gripped his shoulders.
". . . You might fall off if you just do that," Kalin said. "Especially in your condition."
"I know," Radley said. He slowly curled his arms around Kalin's waist. It wasn't really like a hug, he supposed. This was out of necessity. That was the only way Kalin would allow it, he was sure. "Thank you . . . for saving me," he said quietly.
"I'm just glad I was in time tonight," Kalin said. He pealed off down the street.
". . . The person from the Satellite," Radley said slowly. "Was he your friend?"
"I didn't know him well," Kalin said. "But what happened to him was part of what made me determined to clean up all the gangs there. No one should have to experience that kind of terror and violation."
"No," Radley said. "They shouldn't." And his expression hardened. Even if it wouldn't do any good, he was going to talk to Malcolm about what had happened. It was unacceptable.
The ride was silent the rest of the way home. It was a relief to get there and see that all looked well, but Radley wasn't convinced. He got off the motorcycle, trembling again. What if they were in there, hiding in the dark and waiting for him? He didn't think he could take it happening again, whether or not it would be stopped in time.
Kalin handed him his keys. ". . . Do you want me to go in with you?" he asked.
Radley closed his eyes. He did, but he didn't like to ask. Kalin didn't like him and he hardly wanted to impose. But . . . what if they were in there?
"I . . . I don't know if they might be waiting for me," he said at last.
"I doubt it, but I can check," Kalin said.
"Thank you," Radley said quietly.
He went up to the porch and fumbled with the keys before finally unlocking the door. As he opened it and turned on the lights, everything looked normal. He cautiously stepped inside and Kalin came in with him, shutting the door after them.
Radley was grateful that Kalin went with him through every room, helping him check behind the furniture and in the closets. Finally they were satisfied that there was no one else in the house.
"I'm going to take a shower," Radley told Kalin. He needed to wash their touches off of him. The memories would linger forever, but at least he had to rid himself of all physical traces of what had happened.
"Fine," Kalin said, not surprised. Radley was fond of showers; he certainly would want one after a horrible experience like tonight's.
Radley slipped into the bathroom and shut the door. He paused, debating locking it. He trusted Kalin, but what if they really did break in and Kalin couldn't fight them off this time? Or what if they attacked Kalin? He shuddered at the thought. He would leave the door unlocked. Maybe he would be able to help if something happened and Kalin needed it.
It was easy enough to get out of his clothes and into the tub this time, unlike when he and Kalin were attacked and got into a regular fight with several Crewmembers. He could balance alright; there wouldn't be any mortifying spills into the tub now. But the longer he stayed there trying to get clean, the more his thoughts spilled over each other and the memories of what he had just gone through hit him full force. Whenever his hand touched a newly forming bruise, he thought of how he had acquired it. Most of them were from that last horrible struggle, fighting so hard to get away but in vain. They had kept striking him, trying to force him to hold still so they could . . .
He always tried to be strong, to never break, to never cry. He had so many he looked out for and who looked up to him. And Kalin . . . he hadn't wanted to break in front of Kalin either. But now he was alone and all he could think about were all those hands on him, the bodies holding him down, the violations of his privacy and the attempted violation of worse than that. He slowly sank down until he was sitting in the tub with his knees drawn up to his chest and he sobbed.
He had thought the shower was loud enough that it would conceal the sounds. Maybe it was and he was just taking too long. But after a while he heard Kalin on the other side of the door. "Are you alright?"
He looked up, stunned. He had thought Kalin would have left. Quickly he swiped at his eyes. Not that it made much difference; with the water beating down on him, his face was wet anyway. "Yes," he said. He knew his voice was shaking; there was no disguising that.
If it was one of the Bunch, they would have likely come in anyway. Kalin didn't, of course. Radley drew a shaking sigh and reached to shut off the water. He had rinsed off several times over by now. But somehow he still didn't have the strength to get up and come out and face the world outside this room. He crossed his arms on his knees and rested his head on them.
He didn't know how long he'd been sitting there like that when he heard Kalin again. "You didn't fall again, did you?"
". . . No," Radley said. "I'm . . ." He shut his eyes tightly. Could he let his guard down? He didn't really want to be alone. He wanted someone to be there for him. It was foolish to think Kalin could be that person, but . . . he hadn't left. . . . Why had he stayed when he didn't even like Radley?
Unfinished business, perhaps? Wanting to do what he hadn't been able to do for his acquaintance in the Satellite?
Yes, that must be it.
"I'm not alright," Radley said at last. "I'm not. . . ." He dug a hand into his sopped hair. "I was almost gang-raped and I'm not alright."
A hesitation. "Do you want me to come in?"
". . . Yes," Radley said at last. "I need to talk to someone and I don't want to be yelling through the door."
Kalin slowly opened the door and stepped inside. The shower curtain was drawn between them, but Radley pushed it aside a bit, just enough for him to look out while keeping it mostly drawn in front of his body.
"It's ironic," he said quietly. "They said I wasn't pure. They even thought I probably raped people myself. . . ." He shook his head. "I would never dream of doing anything like that! The Bunch would never! We're not like that!"
"I know," Kalin said. "People with their minds in the gutter often think everyone is like they are."
"I'm still a virgin, like I told you before," Radley said. "But modern society doesn't like virgins. I let people think I've been around, that I'm worldly, all to keep from being hurt. But maybe that's why I got hurt tonight."
"I don't think so," Kalin said. "If they knew your secret, they would have been just as interested, if not more. It's about control and power. You're the opposing force in Crash Town and they just wanted to bring you down."
". . . I hate for the Bunch to know what happened to me," Radley said. "But I need to tell them so they can watch out. None of us are safe with those monsters in town."
"I've seen how much they love you," Kalin said. "And you know they all came from rough backgrounds. They would understand and want to know."
"I know," Radley said. "But it's because of their backgrounds that I hate to burden them now. They should be free to laugh and be happy, not be faced with any more of the ugliness of humanity. I wanted to take them away from all that. Instead, I plunged us all into more of it."
"You can't ever escape from it," Kalin said. "It's all around us."
"It sure is." Radley sighed in resignation. "I think I'd like to get up now. The tub . . . isn't very comfortable."
Kalin stepped back. "I'll go."
"Just out of the room or . . . ?"
Kalin paused. "Do you want me to stay?"
Radley hesitated. ". . . I know you don't want to be here," he said quietly. "But thank you for putting up with me anyway."
Kalin would be haunted later by the sadness and resignation in Radley's voice. But for now, when he was still so deeply caught up in his self-hatred and depression, he wasn't that affected.
"I can stay if you want," he said. "I'll just leave so you can get a towel."
"Thank you," Radley said. "I . . . really don't want to be alone right now."
He climbed out of the tub when Kalin stepped into the hall and took out a large towel from the cupboard. He wrapped it around his waist before stepping onto the carpet. Kalin had gone into another part of the house, leaving the hallway empty. Radley quickly slipped through to his room and dressed before coming back out.
Kalin was in the living room now, staring off into the distance. But he snapped to attention when he heard Radley approaching. "What is it you want me to do?" he asked.
Radley looked a bit taken aback by the question. "Just . . . be here, like you have been?" he said at last. "I just want some company. . . ."
Kalin nodded. "Alright."
Radley sighed and sat down on the other end of the couch. ". . . How did you even happen to find me in time?" he asked.
"I was just walking around town," Kalin said. "I heard you scream."
"I didn't think anyone would have," Radley said in surprise.
Kalin shrugged. "I pay attention to things like that."
"I need to tell Malcolm what happened," Radley said. "Will you come with me?"
"If you want. Do you really think telling him will make a difference?" Kalin frowned.
"I really couldn't say," Radley said. "He probably won't believe it. I wonder . . ." He hesitated. "I wonder if I should tell it publicly at the duel tomorrow. If the whole town heard me, he surely couldn't ignore it then."
"You would stand in front of the entire town and say you were almost gang-raped?" Kalin stared at him. "Why would you risk that kind of ridicule?"
"If there's a chance it could save the Bunch and anyone else who might be potential victims, it would be worth it," Radley said.
Kalin shook his head. He really didn't know what to make of Radley much of the time. He had developed an image of him as a greedy, power-hungry man who was willing to do anything to make money. He had needed to adjust that image upon realizing that Radley had a kind side. Now this. . . . Kalin didn't even know what to think of this.
"If it ever happened to me, I would keep it to myself," he said.
"Yes, but you're not looking after people and trying to be responsible for their well-being," Radley said. "I have to think of them, not myself."
Kalin grunted. "You make it hard to dislike you sometimes."
"Well, thanks . . . I think," Radley retorted.
Kalin would tell himself later that had he been in his right mind to meet Radley, he would have processed more of the good things in Radley's personality much sooner. That didn't make him feel better at all about the hurt he had piled on Radley for two months. But at least he could be grateful that he hadn't ignored Radley's pleas for help that night.
". . . There must have been people closer than you were who heard me screaming, but none of them came," Radley said quietly. "People never like to get involved."
". . . I knew something had to be drastically wrong. You'd never scream like that for help if it wasn't." Kalin stared off at the opposite wall.
"I'm lucky you were close enough to have heard me," Radley said.
Kalin hesitated. ". . . I wasn't close enough."
". . . Huh?!" Radley stared at him. "What are you talking about?!"
"That's why it took me so long to get to you," Kalin said, still not meeting his shocked gaze. "I wasn't anywhere near the diner. There's no logical reason why I should have been able to hear you. But I did."
Radley slumped back into the couch, stunned. ". . . Then . . . how?"
Kalin just shook his head. "I tried to rationalize that voices carry far in the desert, but I don't think that was it. It must have been fate. I was meant to save you."
"Fate," Radley mused. ". . . I was desperately praying for help. . . ."
". . . You believe in God?" Kalin said in some surprise.
"Sure, I believe in God," Radley said. "I just never thought . . . He believed in me. . . ." Now he stared off at the wall. "A situation like that . . . you kinda grasp at any straws you can, even if it doesn't seem like a real possibility. My family told me I was a disgrace not just to them, but to God, and He'd never help me. For a while it seemed like that was true. But tonight . . ." He finally looked to Kalin. "Just maybe . . . He guided you to me."
Kalin looked at him, then away again. "Maybe."
"So you believe in fate, but not God?" Radley asked. "Or . . . do you think He hates me too?"
Kalin shrugged. "I don't know why God would have let Zero Reverse happen and tear Domino City apart. I don't know why He would have let the people in the Satellite be oppressed for years. Or why He allows any of the other horrible things to happen around the world. I don't know if I believe in Him or not."
And no, I don't know why He would save you, of all people. But . . . why would fate want me to save you either? What could be so important about you?
But he frowned a bit. Even in his current mental state, he felt a bit guilty for that cruel thought. Radley had been kind to him, whether he felt he deserved it or not. And to actually be willing to risk the cruelty and ridicule of everyone in town to admit what had happened to him was not a small thing. There was a good person here.
". . . Why was your family so against you?" he asked.
"Oh, that's a funny story," Radley said, his voice dripping sarcasm. "Because of this . . ." He held up a lock of his long hair. "And this . . ." He pointed at his earring. "And of course, my motorcycle."
". . . That's awfully archaic," Kalin frowned.
"Eh. People are the same in every time period, pretty much," Radley said. "Motorcyclists still often get a bad rap. And my family is very old school and old world traditional. I never fit in with them. I tried, though. Oh, you bet I tried. They were all I had; I felt like I had to be a part of their world, because back then, it was my world too. But when I went off to college, I found a new world and I liked it better. When I grew my hair out, even when I had my ear pierced, I felt so free. I realized I didn't have to be what they wanted anymore. I could finally be me."
". . . You still try to fit in where you are," Kalin remarked. "I've heard you trying to talk like the locals here."
Radley sighed. "Yeah, well . . . I'm trying to connect with them, you know? I want to meet them on their level. Maybe I'm trying to show I'm not that different from them. I don't know."
"Are you going to tell your family what happened tonight?"
Radley scoffed. "You know what would happen if I did that? They would jump all over me asking what I did to provoke those crumbs. They'd buy into the whole stigma and they'd blame the victim, not the rapists. Or attempted rapists in this case, thankfully." He scowled and slumped into the couch, folding his arms. "They'd probably even have trouble believing it happened to me at all. They're the types who think it can't happen to guys." He gripped his arms. "There's people out there who do it to guys. And we're not rocks. It hurts us too."
Kalin silently agreed with that.
". . . Looks like it's gonna be light soon," Radley said. "I've kept you up all night."
"I've pulled all-nighters before," Kalin said.
"We should get some sleep. We won't be in any shape for the duel tonight." Radley sighed, staring at the ceiling.
"Do you feel like going to sleep?" Kalin asked.
"No, but I should try," Radley said. "You should too. You can have the guest room."
"I'll do that," Kalin said. But he kept sitting there, not sure what to do when Radley didn't move either.
Radley looked like he wasn't sure what to do himself. ". . . I wonder if I'll dream about what happened."
". . . You might," Kalin said. "Most likely, you will at some point even if not now."
"Then I'll have to relive it over and over. As if having it happen once wasn't enough," Radley muttered. "But I can't put off sleep forever."
"No, you can't," Kalin said.
Radley closed his eyes and tried to relax.
Kalin sighed to himself but stayed. If Radley was going to attempt resting on the couch, he might more likely go to sleep if he knew someone was right there. That was definitely how it had gone with the person Kalin had known in the Satellite.
This experience was bringing back unwelcome memories of that time. Kalin still hated that he had failed to arrive in time. He had tried to help the teen and be there for him in the aftermath, but he hadn't been good at comforting. He had been boiling over with rage at what had happened and he had been impatient to get out there and start getting rid of all the gangs in the Satellite, starting with that one.
He probably still wasn't any good at being comforting. But at least he had the patience to stay and try to listen now.
Radley's breathing deepened. Apparently he had managed to fall asleep even in that position.
Kalin could easily drop to sleep on the couch if he wanted, but he had no intention of dozing off here when Radley was already sleeping on the couch. That could just result in awkward things. He would stay up for a bit longer, making sure Radley could stay asleep, and then he would go on to the guest room.
xxxx
Malcolm was up late at the Red Scarf Saloon that night. When six of his men stumbled in, smelling of smoke with their clothes singed and their skin burned, he leaped up in disbelief. "What is the matter with all of you?! How'd you get like this?!" he demanded.
One of them shook. "It was Kalin," he stammered. "He just up and attacked us with that creepy dragon of his and blew us away!"
"You mean he did that without provocation?!" Malcolm frowned. "I don't believe it. He's too much of a professional. What did all of you do to set him off?!"
The sextet looked at each other, none of them wanting to say. That only made Malcolm more annoyed and determined than ever.
"Well?!" He stood in front of them with crossed arms, tapping a forefinger on his upper arm with impatience. "I'm waiting, gentlemen. What did you do?"
One of them finally spoke, but far too low for anyone to distinguish the words.
"I didn't catch that," Malcolm said. "Why won't you just tell me?!"
". . . We tried to rape Radley," one of them finally whispered.
Malcolm just stared at him. "You WHAT?!"
"We thought we could break his spirit and then we'd have to win!" another one said, finally emboldened.
"Well, you thought wrong," Malcolm scowled. "Now you're going to make all of us look trashy! Radley's not gonna let this rest. Kalin might not either."
"It's not like anyone will know," a third Crewmember spoke up.
"Would you like to make book on that?!" Malcolm snapped.
"He'd be crazy to talk about it," a fourth said. "It'll just make him look weak, like he can't take care of himself. That's still the stigma about it."
"We'll see about that," Malcolm growled. "But I don't want any of you to ever do anything like this again! Do you understand me?! Never!"
"If you say so, Boss," a fifth spoke up.
"Of course I say so!" Malcolm boomed. "Darn it, you fools! How could you do something that stupid?! Radley's always saying you don't think with your minds! Now you've gone and proved it!"
He continued to rant at them as the night wore on. Even though he didn't care about Radley, per se, he definitely cared about the repercussions this might have for them. And he would keep talking until he had impressed that on each and every one of them—and on any others who might have such reprehensible ideas.
xxxx
Radley was still sleeping on the couch, apparently peacefully for the moment. By now he had turned over on his side and had fallen over into the cushions. Kalin got up to give him more space and stood looking at him for a long moment. He looked so cold and vulnerable laying like that.
Finally, for reasons Kalin didn't really understand, he slipped out of his coat and draped it over Radley. The other man stirred, pulling it closer still, but didn't awaken.
Kalin frowned as something else occurred to him. The Bunch would be coming over soon, wanting to be with Radley as they always did. Radley had just barely gone to sleep; he shouldn't be disturbed. Sighing, Kalin got up and quietly slipped outside to the porch to wait for them.
It wasn't long and Billy, Scotch, and Biff appeared, the first of many. They stopped, staring at Kalin in amazed bewilderment.
"What are you doing here?" Billy asked at last.
"I've been here all night," Kalin said. "Something . . . happened last night and I was the only one around to help."
"What happened?!" Scotch stepped forward, his blue eyes filled with sickened horror and worry. "Is Radley hurt?!"
". . . Yes, but not like you're probably thinking," Kalin said. He hesitated. He really didn't want to be the one to tell them this, but they needed to know so they would understand.
"He finally just got to sleep, so I doubt you should wake him up," he continued.
"But why'd did he just get to sleep?!" Biff countered. "What happened?!"
Another hesitation, but obviously they were going to demand answers. Kalin would have to give them.
"Some of Malcom's men cornered him last night," he said. "They tried to rape him."
All of them stared at him.
"Is he alright?!" Scotch gasped.
"I saved him, but he's still very badly shaken up," Kalin said. "He could really use your support."
"Of course," Billy said. "But do we know which of Malcolm's men did this?! They need to answer for it!"
"I taught them a lesson they hopefully won't soon forget," Kalin said. "Radley plans to confront Malcolm about it."
"And we'll be right there!" Biff vowed.
"Good," Kalin said. "I'm going to go to sleep too. You can stay up and watch over Radley." He turned and headed back inside.
Radley was still peacefully sleeping under Kalin's coat. Kalin glanced at him for a moment and shook his head. When Radley was asleep like that, he really did look innocent and sweet.
What a foolish thought. Even still being a virgin, he had seen far too much of the dark side of humanity to be that innocent.
Like Kalin himself. . . .
Not wanting to continue that line of thought, Kalin went past him to the guest bedroom. Soon he was collapsing into bed himself. It had been a long night and he was exhausted. Almost as soon as he laid down, he was also asleep.
xxxx
Radley didn't know how long he stayed asleep. When he finally stirred, the Bunch was all over the living room.
"Hey, guys," he said with a weak smile. From their expressions, they knew what had happened. Kalin must have told them.
"Radley, are you okay?" Scotch softly asked.
Radley shuddered at the memories of the past night. "I'm not, really," he admitted. "But I feel better than I did last night. . . . Hey, what's this?" He stared as it really processed that Kalin's coat was draped over him.
"Kalin let you use that," Scotch said. "He's sleeping in the guest room."
"Yeah?" Radley smiled a bit. He wished it would mean that Kalin was finally opening up to him, but he supposed that was too much to hope for. Kalin was probably just using Radley to make up for his failure to save his friend in the Satellite.
"We'd like to go pound those guys into the dirt," Virgil spat.
"Kalin did that pretty well," Radley chuckled. He sobered. "I'm going to talk to Malcolm about what happened. It's unacceptable."
"It sure is," Billy said darkly.
"Any time you want to talk about it, we're here," Scotch said.
"Thanks," Radley said. "Maybe later." He sat up and gently set the coat aside. "Right now I'd like to eat."
xxxx
Radley debated exactly what he was going to say and do for the rest of the day. By the time it was sunset and they were riding out for the duel, he still wasn't sure. Kalin was right that publicly announcing what had happened was not a pleasing thought. It was terrifying. But it seemed like it might be the best way.
He wasn't expecting Malcolm to actually look concerned. "How are you doing, Radley?" he gruffly asked. "That's . . . not a trick question."
"I'm as well as can be expected," Radley replied. "Six of your men ganged up on me last night and were very naughty." He drew a shaking breath as he looked out at the stunned townspeople. ". . . If it wasn't for Kalin, they would have all raped me."
Loud, shocked murmurs rose among the crowds. Radley's foreman Klaus swore in outrage, too overcome by emotion to hold it back. Poor West and Ben looked confused, too young to know of such evil. Nico, on the other hand, understood. Horrified tears pricked her eyes as she laid a hand on West's shoulder. Klaus's oldest grandchild, Belle—who had carried a deeply innocent crush on Radley since his arrival in town—was aghast.
Radley evenly continued, "If they would do that to me, everyone is in danger."
Malcolm clenched his teeth. "I know," he said. "They're being dealt with. You'll notice they're not here."
"I did notice," Radley said. "So since we have no law enforcement, Malcolm, and you made sure we can't send for any, how are you taking care of the problem?"
"You just let me worry about that," Malcolm said. "I promise you they won't be bothering you again. Or anyone else."
"They'd better not," Radley said. He wondered a bit if Malcolm had put them to work in the mines. He likely wouldn't say if he had.
"I promise you, Radley, that's not how the Malcolm Crew does business," Malcolm said.
Radley was tempted to say, "Oh, but hitting me in the head with a chair is okay?" But he didn't. If Malcolm was actually upset about something and trying to make it right, Radley would welcome that. All of the townspeople had heard Radley's comments and Malcolm's replies and looked fairly shaken. Maybe more of the people would join Radley's side from now on.
"I'm glad to know that, Malcolm," he finally said. "It certainly isn't how the Radley Bunch does business, no matter what some people think of us."
". . . You're all too clean-cut of kids," Malcolm growled. "It'd probably never occur to you to act out like that."
"You got that right," Virgil said in disgust.
"And now that that's out of the way, let's duel," Malcolm said.
"Let's," Radley agreed.
Kalin brought in another win that night. Radley was pleased, but the victory of the prior night—the victory not on the dueling field—meant the most to him.
As the sunset duel broke up, several concerned townspeople approached him and asked if he was alright. Of course, he said he was. But when it would just be him and Kalin and the Bunch at the diner later, he might let down his guard and admit the truth.
He wasn't okay. He was still shaking inside. Part of him wondered how he had pulled himself together enough for the duel at all. He still wouldn't want to be alone at home, and he imagined the Bunch would take turns keeping him company over the next nights. Maybe, with their support, he would have the strength to pull out of this.
He hoped so.
He glanced back over his shoulder at Malcolm's Crew and his resolve hardened. Yes, he would pull out of this, somehow. He wouldn't let what had happened to him crumble him. Someday he would come back stronger.
But in the meantime . . .
He involuntarily shuddered as the memories of last night surfaced again. Billy looked to him in concern, silently asking with his eyes if it was alright to touch him. Radley nodded. When Billy drew an arm around his shoulders, Radley leaned against his friend and then hugged him close.
It was alright not to be able to be strong all the time. And needing the comfort of his loved ones didn't make him weak.
Kalin stood nearby and watched. His friend in the Satellite had recovered as best as he could. Radley no doubt would as well. As for Kalin, well, he still felt the need to atone for everything he had done in the past. But at least he didn't have the added burden of not having been able to save Radley in time.
He gave a faint smile as he turned away.