Chapter 40: Recovery
James's POV:
I wake up on a couch in an unknown house. I look around and see three girls sitting in front of me.
"Oh thank God, you're awake!" Emma says in relief.
"Are they gone?" I say in a panicked voice.
"Yes, they won't hurt you anymore." Violet says.
"Where am I?" I ask.
"You're at my place." Violet says. That's when I notice that the third girl was Tory.
"Tory! What the hell are you doing here?!" I ask in shock.
"Relax, I'm the one who called Emma and Violet. We helped you here." Tory says. I'm unsure about all of this. I attempt to sit up, but it's too painful. "Hey, you should get some rest." Tory says. I nod.
Third Person POV:
"I can't believe you! Why were you out there in the first place?!" Chase's dad shouts.
"Dad, Cobra Kai attacked me. They pulled me out of the house when I answered the door." Chase explains weakly.
"I don't want to hear it. Don't talk to me for the rest of the day." Chase's dad says. Chase nods as his dad storms off. Chase pulls out his phone and calls Emma.
"Emma, are you safe?" Chase asks.
"Yeah. Why do you ask?" Emma asks.
"Cobra Kai attacked me…twice." Chase says.
"What?!" Emma shouts.
"Yeah. Aaron assaulted me and then kicked me down a hill." Chase says.
"I'm so sorry." Emma says.
"How come you didn't tell me he was in Cobra Kai?" Chase asks.
"I'm sorry, it just slipped my mind. I was in shock seeing him out of juvie." Emma says.
"Now, Aaron wants to ruin my life." Chase says. There is a pause before Emma speaks.
"Chase, James was assaulted by Cobra Kai." Emma reveals.
"What? How bad is it?" Chase asks.
"It's pretty bad. They did a number on him." Emma says.
"I'm coming over." Chase says.
"You can't. I'm in Cobra Kai, remember?." Emma points out.
"I don't care. I want to support my friend." Chase says.
"We can't risk blowing my cover. I'm already taking a risk calling you." Emma says.
"Shit…you're right. I'll let you go now." Chase says before hanging up.
James's POV:
Emma and Tory were in another room. Violet remained next to the couch where I was.
"Why did you guys bring me here?" I ask.
"Tory didn't want the police to get involved." Violet says.
"Yeah, that makes sense." I say.
"I'm so sorry James. We didn't see the Cobra Kai group texts until too late." Violet says.
"It's okay. At least you three didn't assault me." I say. Violet smiles briefly.
"James, there's something I need to ask you. Why did you hurt the Cobras at the arcade?" Violet asks.
"They challenged me and I fought back. However, I lost control and went too far. I'm sorry." I say.
"I understand." Violet says.
"Sorry you have to see me like this. I'm usually not all bruised and bloody." I say. Violet laughs.
"You look…nice, despite everything." Violet says.
Third Person POV:
James and Violet continue their conversation, unaware that Emma and Tory were watching.
"Should we join them?" Tory asks.
"Nah, let them have some more alone time." Emma says while smiling.
Later…
Steve Turner steps out of Juvie and breathes in the fresh air. Detective Alfonso found evidence that James's brother's soda was drugged, making Steve's testimony reliable. Steve immediately spots his parents and approaches them.
"Hey!" Steve says. However, both of his parents look down. "What's wrong?" Steve asks.
"It's your brother. He was assaulted in our house last night. He's in the hospital with a broken nose." Steve's mom says.
"What? Who would do such a-" Steve says before realizing. Only one person could have done this, James Evans. That bastard was gonna pay.
Later…
Steve approaches the flagship Cobra Kai dojo in awe. It looked amazing! Steve quickly enters and sees all the students.
"Steve! My man!" Kyler says before high fiving his friend.
"It's good to be back." Steve says. The Cobras turn their attention to Steve as he approaches Terry.
"Sensei, I'm here to rejoin Cobra Kai." Steve says.
"What makes you think you deserve a spot after what you did?" Terry asks. Steve is shocked.
"Sensei, it's me. I'm one of the strongest students in Cobra Kai." Steve says.
"You were a strong student. But now, you're no longer a part of this team." Terry says.
"Is this because I broke James's arm? I only followed the Cobra Kai philosophy! Strike first, strike hard, no mercy!" Steve shouts.
"I understand, but you attacked James in a stupid way. You got caught and put the reputation of Cobra Kai into question. I had to do a lot of work to convince the public that Cobra Kai was a good influence on kids." Terry says.
"You can't do this! I…I need to train!" Steve says.
"Sensei, we need Steve. I saw him take out five guys in juvie all by himself!" Aaron says.
"Steve's been loyal!" Kyler shouts.
"It doesn't matter. Mr. Turner made a stupid dession, and now he must accept his consequences." Terry says. Steve stares at everyone in the dojo before storming out.
James's POV:
"It's getting late. I need to start heading home now." I say.
"Here, I'll help you." Violet says before helping James off of the couch. However, before we can get to the front door, someone knocks on it. Emma goes to open it and Brian is standing outside.
"What? What is he doing here?" Brian asks.
"Well, after you guys decided to beat James to a pulp, we wanted to help him." Violet says. Brian's eyes widen.
"Wait…you saw the texts?
"Of course I did! We're both in Cobra Kai, remember? I know that you initiated the attack." Violet says.
"I'm sorry. I regret doing that." Brian says.
"Why did you want revenge on James anyway?" Violet asks.
"Well, I originally just wanted revenge on James for bullying me." Brian says. Violet turns to James.
"You've been bullying him?" Violet asks in shock.
"It's…It's true. I hurt Brian in ways that I shouldn't have." I say.
"Are you serious?" Violet asks.
"Well…um…yeah. I tried to apologize for everything but that's when Cobra Kai jumped me." I explain. Violet immediately backs away from me.
"What the hell? I thought you were a good person!" Violet screams at me.
"I'm so sorry. I was just so mad at Cobra Kai." I say.
"That's no excuse! You shouldn't be bullying people because you're angry!" Violet shouts.
"Violet, why are you getting so heated?" I ask.
"Becuase Brian is my brother you dumbass!" Violet screams. My jaw drops. Brian looks completely embarrassed.
"I…I didn't know." I say.
"Get out of my house! Don't even come near me or Cobra Kai again, or we'll make you suffer." Violet says before pushing me outside. Brian enters the house with a sad look on his face.
Later…
I struggle to walk over to my house, but I eventually make it. When I enter the house, I find Chase, Demetri, and Eli waiting for me.
"James! You're okay!" Chase says before moving over to me.
"I'm not sure that's the word I would use." I say before hugging Chase. I then turn my attention to Demetri and Eli. "I'm so sorry. I never should have gotten that aggressive at the arcade. I'm sorry for snapping." I say.
"It's okay." Demetri says before all three of us hug.
"Okay, so how are we gonna deal with Cobra Kai?" Eli asks.
"I'm not sure. I don't think I'll be ready to do anything any time soon." I say.
"Don't worry man, I'm sure things will get better." Eli says.
"Really? I got my ass kicked by twelve Cobras and learned that I had been bullying the brother of the girl I have a crush on." I say. Eli and Demetri look at each other.
"Well…it could be worse." Demetri says. Suddenly, a rock flies through the living room window.
"James! Get your ass out here right now!" Steve shouts. My eyes widen and I begin breathing heavily again. I flashback to the moment Steve broke my arm.
"Don't worry. We got this." Eli says before he and Demetri go outside.
Third Person POV:
"I asked for James, not a freak and a nerd." Steve says.
"You better leave right now, or we'll kick your ass." Eli says.
"Really? You wanna test that?" Steve says.
"Did you forget that James beat you during the All Valley? And I'm the one who beat James." Demetri says.
"And I'm the current All Valley champ. Not to mention, I beat Kyler 3-0. What makes you think you can take both of us at the same time?" Eli asks. Steve looks between the two before responding.
"You can't protect him forever." Steve says before walking away.
James's POV:
I'm still panicking as I watch Steve walk away.
"It's okay. He's leaving." Chase says. I nod and begin breathing easier. "Don't worry. Remember, you're stronger than him." Chase says. Eli and Demetri then enter the house.
"Cobra Kai is gonna strike soon. We have to be prepared." Eli says.
Author's Note: The Alfonso family seems to grow larger every day. Yep, Detective Alfonso has two kids, Violet and Brian. With Steve out of Juvie, how will the rivalry between him and James develop? Especially now that James assaulted Matthew.
