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CHAPTER EIGHT:
"ALEX!" screamed Isabel.
Outside of the limo, Alex heard Isabel's scream. That yell was like a battle cry in Alex Whitman's mind, calling forth his strength to do anything necessary to help Isabel. He turned around and saw large rocks surrounding a nearby hedge. Alex ran over to the hedge, grabbed the decorative stone, then ran back to the limousine. He raised the rock and smashed it into the window, breaking the glass. He quickly reached into the car, unlocked the door, and opened it.
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF HER!" yelled Alex, his eyes filled with rage, and his fists balled up by his side.
Rick used the leverage of his sitting position in car to throw his legs out and kick Alex hard in the stomach. He fell back to the ground, but recovered quickly, in time for Rick to jump out of the car and grab onto Alex. But this time, Alex was the one who threw the kick, pushing Rick off of him with his legs, then using leverage to throw a kick into Rick's chest. The latter fell backwards against the car, as Alex threw himself at Rick.
Alex pulled Rick up off of the ground and shoved him against the back of the car. He raised his fist and punched Rick in the face, sending him sprawling back against the trunk of the limousine. But Rick recovered from the blow, and sent his fist reeling into Alex's cheek. Alex staggered backwards, but his anger strengthened him against the blow. He came back and punched Rick again with even greater force than before, knocking Rick to the ground with a resounding thud.
He reached down to pick Rick up to hit him again, but the latter tripped Alex's feet out from under him, sending Alex down to his hands and knees. Surprisingly, Rick didn't try to take advantage of the move to hit Alex. Instead, he got up and tried to run away.
"I don't THINK SO!" yelled Alex, as he grabbed Rick by his right arm and threw him back against the limo.
Alex then grabbed Rick by the scruff of his collar, and began to punch him several times in the face. After punching him five times, Alex pulled him up by the scruff of the neck.
"What did you DO TO HER!" he screamed.
"Rupees," said Rick, weakly. "In her punch."
"A DATE RAPE DRUG!" yelled Alex. "You BASTARD!"
He punched Rick once again in the face. This time, Alex knocked Rick unconscious. In one final move of vengeance, Alex threw Rick's limp form onto the ground next to the car.
Alex breathed heavily, the rage inside of him dissipating a bit. "Isabel," he said.
He came around the corner of the car and gently pulled Isabel out of the back seat. She was barely conscious, mumbling something Alex couldn't make out. He sat down on the ground, his back leaning against the car, with Isabel cradled in his arms.
"Its alright, baby," said Alex, as he kissed her forehead. "He won't hurt you anymore."
Though she couldn't respond, Isabel could hear Alex's soothing, gentle voice. She could feel his strong arms wrapped around her, and knew that she was safe.
"Alex!" a girl's voice cried out.
He looked up and saw Tess and Kyle running up to him. "What the hell happened to her?!" asked Tess, as she knelt next to her friend.
"Rick," said Alex. "He gave her rupees."
"The date rape drug," said Kyle. He looked over at Rick's unconscious form, sprawled out on the ground. "That son of a BITCH!"
"Kyle!" yelled Tess. "Run and get Max! He can heal her! But be subtle about it. We don't need the wrong audience watching when he heals her."
Kyle turned and took off running back towards the building. Several minutes later, Kyle came running back out the door with Max, Liz, Maria, and Michael, following close behind him.
"What happened?!" yelled Max, as he threw himself onto the ground beside Isabel.
"Rick gave her rupees," said Alex. "She keeps slipping in and out of consciousness."
"Let me have her," said Max, taking Isabel from Alex's grasp.
Alex stood up and let Max concentrate. Liz walked over to Alex and put her arms around him, comforting her friend and seeking comfort from him at the same time. Maria and Tess watched helplessly as Max attempted to heal Isabel. Meanwhile, Michael and Kyle were standing near Rick, making sure that he didn't regain consciousness while the healing was going on.
Max's hands glowed as he touched Isabel. He closed his eyes, and let his powers flow through his sister, healing the damage done to her system by the drug. In a few moments, Isabel opened her eyes, as her strength seemed to return to her.
"Max," she whispered. "Where's....Alex?"
"Right here," said Alex, kneeling down beside Isabel on the ground. Max sat backwards on the ground, drained from the healing. Liz went over and held him close, while Alex took Isabel into his arms once again.
"What happened?" asked Isabel.
"Rick drugged you," said Alex. "He was going to hurt you. Don't worry, you're safe now."
"I know I am," said Isabel. "You're here. I could hear your voice, when Rick had me. I called out to you...you came."
"Shh," said Alex, as he kissed Isabel's forehead and stroked her hair gently.
"Folks, we have a decision to make," said Michael. "What do we do about Rickie boy?"
Just then, Rick started to come back to consciousness. "Well, speak of the devil," said Kyle.
He and Michael reached down and picked Rick up off of the ground. "You know what," said Kyle. "My truck isn't far away. I say we throw this asshole in the back, take him out to the desert, and teach him what REAL pain feels like!"
"Good idea," said Michael. "What says everyone else?"
"What's going on?" said Jim Valenti, as he ran up onto the scene. "What happened here?"
"Rick gave Isabel rupees," said Max, as he was helped off the ground by Liz.
"It must have been in her drink," added Alex. "I found them in the limo. Rick had Isabel in the back. She was unconscious and he was about to rape her."
Jim looked at Rick, and saw the young man's beaten up face and ripped clothing. "Who beat the crap out of him?"
"Alex did," said Maria. "He found them out here."
"I was pretty out of it, but I managed to call out to him," said Isabel, as Alex helped her up off the ground. She kissed his cheek. "He saved me."
"Apparently Rick put up a fight," said Tess. "Kyle and I came out after Alex had already knocked Rick out."
"Sheriff," said Liz, forgetting momentarily that Jim Valenti wasn't the Sheriff anymore. "Um, Mr. Valenti, you don't think Alex could get into trouble for this, do you?"
"Probably not," said Jim. "Isabel called for help, Rick drugged her and tried to rape her. I'd say a clear case of self-defense if I ever saw one. Its Rick who is in trouble. I'll call Hanson, and get him down here to take this bastard in."
"Whoa, time out for a second," said Michael. "Look, I want to see this guy behind bars just as much as anyone. No, I take that back, I'd like to send this guy to the morgue instead. But my point is that if Rick is arrested for this, there will be a trial. Evidence will be needed that Isabel was drugged."
"That means a blood sample," said Jim. "I get what you're saying. Plus, her injuries have been...treated." He said that last part looking directly at Max. The latter nodded quietly in response.
"Michael and Valenti are right," said Isabel. "We can't risk it."
"We can't just let this guy OFF!" yelled Maria. "He tried to RAPE you, Isabel!!"
"I know that," said Isabel. "But I won't risk exposing us for this."
"So what do we do?" asked Kyle.
Max walked over to Rick, and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck. Part of Max wanted to rip this guys head off for what he did. But he tempered his anger just enough to keep himself from doing that. He didn't get rid of all of his anger, however. The anger was needed for what he was about to do.
"Rick," said Max, his voice filled with anger and hatred. "You are getting a free ride this time, though I can see that Alex didn't exactly let you off scott free. A fact I am personally glad of."
"Let the rest of us have a turn at him, Maxwell," said Michael. "You first, because Isabel's your sister. Then me. Kyle, you want a turn?"
"Hell yeah," said Kyle.
"Wait, guys, I can explain," whimpered Rick.
"No, let ME explain how things are going to be!" said Max. "You will never date another girl at West Roswell High until you graduate. That way, you won't be able to do this to anyone else. We will all be watching you! If we hear that you have even asked a girl out, we will deal with you! GOT IT?!"
"Yeah," said Rick, weakly, as Max put his face right up to his.
"One more thing," said Max. "If you EVER go near Isabel again, or Liz, Maria, or Tess...well, let's just say Michael, Alex, Kyle, and I, will take you to the desert, and beat the living shit out of you! It will make the beating Alex gave you tonight seem like a slap on the face! UNDERSTOOD?!"
Rick only nodded.
Max shoved him backwards onto the ground. "Get out of here," said Max.
Rick got up and ran across the parking lot towards the road, not looking back once. Max turned to the others. "We should get back to the party, before anyone starts asking questions."
"I'll take Isabel home," said Alex. "Liz, could you handle Leeana, tell her I'm sorry."
"I'll figure out something," said Liz. "Just get Isabel home safe."
"Wait, what am I going to say to Mom and Dad?" asked Isabel.
"Just tell them Rick was a total jerk, and that Alex offered to take you home," said Maria.
"Good idea," said Max. "Come one everyone. And Alex...thank you, for what you did."
Alex shook Max's hand. "My pleasure," he said.
Michael and Kyle both came over and shook Alex's hand, and the other girls of the group hugged Alex one by one. Alex felt like a conquering hero back from a war, as he led Isabel through the parking lot to his car.
He helped her into the passenger's seat, and then climbed in behind the wheel. Isabel smiled at him. "Alex," she said. "Don't take me straight home. Let's go somewhere and talk."
"Are you sure?" he asked. "You've been through a lot. Can't it wait..."
"No," said Isabel. "We've waited too long already. Please, Alex."
"Okay," said Alex. "I know just the place."
End of Chapter Eight. Chapter Nine coming soon.
Okay, the action is over, but the drama isn't. Where do Alex and Isabel go from here? What will they talk about, and what will come of the discussion? Stay tuned for the next chapter to find out. In the meantime, please keep those reviews coming. Feedback is always welcomed and appreciated.
CHAPTER EIGHT:
"ALEX!" screamed Isabel.
Outside of the limo, Alex heard Isabel's scream. That yell was like a battle cry in Alex Whitman's mind, calling forth his strength to do anything necessary to help Isabel. He turned around and saw large rocks surrounding a nearby hedge. Alex ran over to the hedge, grabbed the decorative stone, then ran back to the limousine. He raised the rock and smashed it into the window, breaking the glass. He quickly reached into the car, unlocked the door, and opened it.
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF HER!" yelled Alex, his eyes filled with rage, and his fists balled up by his side.
Rick used the leverage of his sitting position in car to throw his legs out and kick Alex hard in the stomach. He fell back to the ground, but recovered quickly, in time for Rick to jump out of the car and grab onto Alex. But this time, Alex was the one who threw the kick, pushing Rick off of him with his legs, then using leverage to throw a kick into Rick's chest. The latter fell backwards against the car, as Alex threw himself at Rick.
Alex pulled Rick up off of the ground and shoved him against the back of the car. He raised his fist and punched Rick in the face, sending him sprawling back against the trunk of the limousine. But Rick recovered from the blow, and sent his fist reeling into Alex's cheek. Alex staggered backwards, but his anger strengthened him against the blow. He came back and punched Rick again with even greater force than before, knocking Rick to the ground with a resounding thud.
He reached down to pick Rick up to hit him again, but the latter tripped Alex's feet out from under him, sending Alex down to his hands and knees. Surprisingly, Rick didn't try to take advantage of the move to hit Alex. Instead, he got up and tried to run away.
"I don't THINK SO!" yelled Alex, as he grabbed Rick by his right arm and threw him back against the limo.
Alex then grabbed Rick by the scruff of his collar, and began to punch him several times in the face. After punching him five times, Alex pulled him up by the scruff of the neck.
"What did you DO TO HER!" he screamed.
"Rupees," said Rick, weakly. "In her punch."
"A DATE RAPE DRUG!" yelled Alex. "You BASTARD!"
He punched Rick once again in the face. This time, Alex knocked Rick unconscious. In one final move of vengeance, Alex threw Rick's limp form onto the ground next to the car.
Alex breathed heavily, the rage inside of him dissipating a bit. "Isabel," he said.
He came around the corner of the car and gently pulled Isabel out of the back seat. She was barely conscious, mumbling something Alex couldn't make out. He sat down on the ground, his back leaning against the car, with Isabel cradled in his arms.
"Its alright, baby," said Alex, as he kissed her forehead. "He won't hurt you anymore."
Though she couldn't respond, Isabel could hear Alex's soothing, gentle voice. She could feel his strong arms wrapped around her, and knew that she was safe.
"Alex!" a girl's voice cried out.
He looked up and saw Tess and Kyle running up to him. "What the hell happened to her?!" asked Tess, as she knelt next to her friend.
"Rick," said Alex. "He gave her rupees."
"The date rape drug," said Kyle. He looked over at Rick's unconscious form, sprawled out on the ground. "That son of a BITCH!"
"Kyle!" yelled Tess. "Run and get Max! He can heal her! But be subtle about it. We don't need the wrong audience watching when he heals her."
Kyle turned and took off running back towards the building. Several minutes later, Kyle came running back out the door with Max, Liz, Maria, and Michael, following close behind him.
"What happened?!" yelled Max, as he threw himself onto the ground beside Isabel.
"Rick gave her rupees," said Alex. "She keeps slipping in and out of consciousness."
"Let me have her," said Max, taking Isabel from Alex's grasp.
Alex stood up and let Max concentrate. Liz walked over to Alex and put her arms around him, comforting her friend and seeking comfort from him at the same time. Maria and Tess watched helplessly as Max attempted to heal Isabel. Meanwhile, Michael and Kyle were standing near Rick, making sure that he didn't regain consciousness while the healing was going on.
Max's hands glowed as he touched Isabel. He closed his eyes, and let his powers flow through his sister, healing the damage done to her system by the drug. In a few moments, Isabel opened her eyes, as her strength seemed to return to her.
"Max," she whispered. "Where's....Alex?"
"Right here," said Alex, kneeling down beside Isabel on the ground. Max sat backwards on the ground, drained from the healing. Liz went over and held him close, while Alex took Isabel into his arms once again.
"What happened?" asked Isabel.
"Rick drugged you," said Alex. "He was going to hurt you. Don't worry, you're safe now."
"I know I am," said Isabel. "You're here. I could hear your voice, when Rick had me. I called out to you...you came."
"Shh," said Alex, as he kissed Isabel's forehead and stroked her hair gently.
"Folks, we have a decision to make," said Michael. "What do we do about Rickie boy?"
Just then, Rick started to come back to consciousness. "Well, speak of the devil," said Kyle.
He and Michael reached down and picked Rick up off of the ground. "You know what," said Kyle. "My truck isn't far away. I say we throw this asshole in the back, take him out to the desert, and teach him what REAL pain feels like!"
"Good idea," said Michael. "What says everyone else?"
"What's going on?" said Jim Valenti, as he ran up onto the scene. "What happened here?"
"Rick gave Isabel rupees," said Max, as he was helped off the ground by Liz.
"It must have been in her drink," added Alex. "I found them in the limo. Rick had Isabel in the back. She was unconscious and he was about to rape her."
Jim looked at Rick, and saw the young man's beaten up face and ripped clothing. "Who beat the crap out of him?"
"Alex did," said Maria. "He found them out here."
"I was pretty out of it, but I managed to call out to him," said Isabel, as Alex helped her up off the ground. She kissed his cheek. "He saved me."
"Apparently Rick put up a fight," said Tess. "Kyle and I came out after Alex had already knocked Rick out."
"Sheriff," said Liz, forgetting momentarily that Jim Valenti wasn't the Sheriff anymore. "Um, Mr. Valenti, you don't think Alex could get into trouble for this, do you?"
"Probably not," said Jim. "Isabel called for help, Rick drugged her and tried to rape her. I'd say a clear case of self-defense if I ever saw one. Its Rick who is in trouble. I'll call Hanson, and get him down here to take this bastard in."
"Whoa, time out for a second," said Michael. "Look, I want to see this guy behind bars just as much as anyone. No, I take that back, I'd like to send this guy to the morgue instead. But my point is that if Rick is arrested for this, there will be a trial. Evidence will be needed that Isabel was drugged."
"That means a blood sample," said Jim. "I get what you're saying. Plus, her injuries have been...treated." He said that last part looking directly at Max. The latter nodded quietly in response.
"Michael and Valenti are right," said Isabel. "We can't risk it."
"We can't just let this guy OFF!" yelled Maria. "He tried to RAPE you, Isabel!!"
"I know that," said Isabel. "But I won't risk exposing us for this."
"So what do we do?" asked Kyle.
Max walked over to Rick, and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck. Part of Max wanted to rip this guys head off for what he did. But he tempered his anger just enough to keep himself from doing that. He didn't get rid of all of his anger, however. The anger was needed for what he was about to do.
"Rick," said Max, his voice filled with anger and hatred. "You are getting a free ride this time, though I can see that Alex didn't exactly let you off scott free. A fact I am personally glad of."
"Let the rest of us have a turn at him, Maxwell," said Michael. "You first, because Isabel's your sister. Then me. Kyle, you want a turn?"
"Hell yeah," said Kyle.
"Wait, guys, I can explain," whimpered Rick.
"No, let ME explain how things are going to be!" said Max. "You will never date another girl at West Roswell High until you graduate. That way, you won't be able to do this to anyone else. We will all be watching you! If we hear that you have even asked a girl out, we will deal with you! GOT IT?!"
"Yeah," said Rick, weakly, as Max put his face right up to his.
"One more thing," said Max. "If you EVER go near Isabel again, or Liz, Maria, or Tess...well, let's just say Michael, Alex, Kyle, and I, will take you to the desert, and beat the living shit out of you! It will make the beating Alex gave you tonight seem like a slap on the face! UNDERSTOOD?!"
Rick only nodded.
Max shoved him backwards onto the ground. "Get out of here," said Max.
Rick got up and ran across the parking lot towards the road, not looking back once. Max turned to the others. "We should get back to the party, before anyone starts asking questions."
"I'll take Isabel home," said Alex. "Liz, could you handle Leeana, tell her I'm sorry."
"I'll figure out something," said Liz. "Just get Isabel home safe."
"Wait, what am I going to say to Mom and Dad?" asked Isabel.
"Just tell them Rick was a total jerk, and that Alex offered to take you home," said Maria.
"Good idea," said Max. "Come one everyone. And Alex...thank you, for what you did."
Alex shook Max's hand. "My pleasure," he said.
Michael and Kyle both came over and shook Alex's hand, and the other girls of the group hugged Alex one by one. Alex felt like a conquering hero back from a war, as he led Isabel through the parking lot to his car.
He helped her into the passenger's seat, and then climbed in behind the wheel. Isabel smiled at him. "Alex," she said. "Don't take me straight home. Let's go somewhere and talk."
"Are you sure?" he asked. "You've been through a lot. Can't it wait..."
"No," said Isabel. "We've waited too long already. Please, Alex."
"Okay," said Alex. "I know just the place."
End of Chapter Eight. Chapter Nine coming soon.
Okay, the action is over, but the drama isn't. Where do Alex and Isabel go from here? What will they talk about, and what will come of the discussion? Stay tuned for the next chapter to find out. In the meantime, please keep those reviews coming. Feedback is always welcomed and appreciated.