Foreword: "i think you should make Kari's family show up with evidence that their her family."
TK and Kari will be reunited with their families eventually, but I haven't even come up with any believable way for it to happen. Plus, even if I did, it wouldn't happen for a while.
I should point out that this part gets violent.
"It hurts!" coughed Kari. She had been sick for the past few days and had recently gotten worse. TK held her, not knowing what else to do. It hurt him deeply to see his angel like this, but there was nothing he could do. Nothing other than hold her while they sat on the bed. "Why do I have to feel so lousy?" Kari sobbed.
Why indeed. Kari was one of the kindest people TK had ever known. She didn't deserve to suffer so badly. "If there's anything I can do to help, just tell me," TK whispered and kissed her on the head. Kari rested her head on TK's chest.
"Just keep holding me," she responded in a weak voice, "It feels good to know you're here." TK kissed her again. At least he was helping. Maybe not nearly as much as he'd like, but he was doing something.
"Anything for my beautiful angel," he whispered back. He started to run his fingers through her hair, enjoying the feeling of her in his arms. The two stayed like that for a while until Kari's breathing became even and her eyes were closed. TK laid her down and pulled the blanket over her. "I'll be back soon," he promised and kissed her.
TK hated stealing from stores. It was much harder. But he pulled it off. He had managed to snatch a bottle of tylonel for Kari. If it helps Kari, I'll do it. She's worth it. TK hoped the medicine would help. He wanted to protect her from any harm, but against a sickness, there was only so much he could do.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed TK's shoulder and yanked him into an alley. He was faced with three older kids. One had pink hair spiked straight up. Another had a green mohawk. The third was bald. They all appeared about six years older. A definite gang. Crap.
"We saw what you pulled in there," pinkhair said.
Double crap.
"Why you chose medicine is beyond us," mohawk continued.
"But, we were impressed with how you pulled it off," baldy finished.
Triple crap! This was even worse than security. With a store's security, TK could give some pathetic sob act and escape. But that would never work with guys like these. He had learnt that the hard way.
"We want you to join us," mohawk spoke up.
"You're several years younger than we would like," baldy added, "but you could really help us out." Pinkhair and mohawk moved behind TK, blocking his only escape route.
Great mess I've gotten into, TK thought to himself. How could he get out of this? If it was just one, TK wouldn't have a problem. He had gotten a fair number of fights and was confident he could take one down, maybe even two if he was lucky. They would never see an attack from him coming, and it would give an advantage. But three? Not a chance.
"So whaddya say?" pinkhair finished. TK thought for a second. No choice.
"I say," TK began, and then whipped around to face the other two, "see ya!" TK bolted between them, shoving them into the walls. Not the smartest plan; they'd catch up, but at least he could try to escape. I bet I know this place better than they do.
TK weaved through streets and alleys and eventually came to one near his place. I should stay here just in case they're nearby and decide to go in. I can't let them know about Kari. Who knows what they'll do to her.
He waited a few minutes until he was certain that dumber, dumber, and dumbest were off his back and headed in hoping that Kari was still asleep. The last thing he wanted was to worry her.
TK crept in and saw that Kari was still asleep. He knelt beside his angel and admired her. When she was asleep, all of her innocence shined through. An innocence that was one of the many things about her that TK was determined to protect. My life here took all of my innocence away. I won't let that happen to Kari.
TK gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead. She smiled and muttered his name. She looked so happy right now in her dream world. TK wished he could be like that, but he couldn't remember the last good dream he had. Have I been so hardened that I can't even have good dreams?
There were times when TK wondered how he'd be if he wasn't living like this. If he had a real home, not this burnt out dump. A family. Sure he had the most wonderful girlfriend imaginable; much better than he deserved, but it wasn't always enough. Quit thinking like that! TK scolded himself, This is how I have to live! No matter how much I wish, it won't change!
TK hated wishing for things to change. It was pointless. Sure things were bad, but it could be worse. He could have no idea how to survive out here. He could've had to survive without this building. I could still be alone. But instead I have my angel who's far greater than anything I deserve. I'd say I got off lucky. TK felt a bit better. Sometimes all he needed was to remember what he did have, rather than focus on what he didn't.
Kari started to stir. TK snapped out of his thoughts as she woke up. Her eyes opened and met TK's. "What're you doing here?" Kari asked in a tired, yet happy voice.
"Just admiring the beautiful angel who made me so happy," TK answered and smiled at how deeply Kari blushed.
"You say the sweetest things," Kari responded and then followed with a kiss. TK removed the Tylenol from his pocket. Kari looked at him questioningly.
"It's some Tylenol," TK told her, "I thought it would help you feel better." Kari smiled at him.
"Let me guess. You waited till I was asleep, went into a mall, and managed to swipe it without being caught, taking that risk just so I'd feel better." TK nodded. She gave him the smile he loved so much. "You spoil me."
"Nonsense. I only do my best to treat you the way you deserve to be treated." TK was answered with a big hug which he gladly returned.
TK kept his arm around Kari as she held on to his chest while they walked through the streets. Kari had told TK that she was tired of just sitting around and wanted to go for a walk. TK didn't like the idea of her going in her state, but she wanted him to come with her, so at least he'd be there if something happened. Okay, I'm getting a little too worried here. Kari's not stupid. She would never do this unless she was sure she could handle it.
Kari had taken some of the Tylenol TK had, and the next day, she was starting to feel better. "Thanks for letting me do this," Kari interrupted TK's thoughts, "It gets so boring in there doing nothing."
TK was about to answer, when a pair of arms grabbed him and pulled him into an alley. He immediately saw the three bozos that chased him yesterday. But then he saw a terrified Kari in baldy's arms. "Hiya kid," he said, "we never introduced ourselves. I'm Max."
"I'm Frank" the mohawk said.
"I'm Bob," pinkhair finished.
"We're in a forgiving mood," Max spoke, "so if you agree to join us, we'll forget the way you ran from us before." TK narrowed his eyes. These idiots were still trying to get him to join? Well, forget it.
"I'm not joining your gang," TK told them, "I only steal to survive."
"He rejected us," Bob said.
"We'll have to punish him," Frank spoke. They advanced. TK got ready. He could ram one into the wall and then focus on the other. But then he saw Max pull something shiny out a pocket. A knife! He put it at Kari's neck. A tear rolled down her cheek.
"You wouldn't!" TK exclaimed, trying to hide his fear. Even though TK wasn't afraid of getting hurt himself, he couldn't bear the thought of losing Kari. Max could kill her without TK being able to do anything to stop him!
"You try to run or fight back," Max warned, "and I will."
"You would threaten her life just to get me?" TK asked.
"We don't like it when people cross us," Max responded, "We're trying to build a reputation here and letting little punks like you cross us is not a good start. Show him what happens." Frank drove his fist into TK's stomach. TK doubled over and was tempted to fight back, but remembered the knife at Kari's neck.
Can't make them do anything harm Kari. I have to take this. TK struggled to straighten up, but Bob grabbed his collar and slammed TK into a wall. TK felt his back teeth rattle and his legs grow weak, but he tried to stay standing. I may not be able to fight back, but I won't give them the satisfaction of knowing how badly they're hurting me.
Kari watched in horror as Bob held TK against the wall. The Frank went up and started punching TK in the stomach. Blood flew out of his mouth with each blow. Kari wanted to help, but what could she do? Max had that knife against her throat and there was no way she was strong enough to resist him. Tears streaming down her cheek, Kari silently cried to herself.
Then Frank stopped and Bob let go. TK fell to his knees, but managed to struggle back up. Kari thought that they might be done with him. But then the two jerks went to a couple garbage cans. "What say we show him what we do to the real bad ones?" Frank asked. Kari felt even more worried. She didn't like how that sounded.
"Good idea," Bob answered, "Using the weapons is way more fun anyway." They pulled out a couple crowbars. Kari was real scared now.
Crowbars? Against TK who's not even fighting back? Kari desperately tried to think of something to help. Nothing. There was nothing she could do. She simply wasn't strong enough.
"Our secret supply," Max commented. Kari looked at TK who appeared calm. Frank walked behind TK and struck him in the back with the crowbar. TK cried out and recoiled back. Then Bob hit TK in the stomach with the crowbar. TK doubled over and more blood came from his mouth.
Kari couldn't believe this was happening. TK didn't deserve this! He protected her! People like him should never have to suffer like that! "STOP IT!" she shrieked over and over.
As if the fists weren't bad enough, now TK had the crowbars to worry about. He struggled to get up when another blow met the side of his head. Stars exploded in front of his vision and the pain was unbelievable. He put his hand to where he was hit and it came away bloody. Very bloody. He could hear Kari shrieking at them to stop. Her terrified tone made TK feel even worse.
Then another blow on his back. Then one of the two, TK couldn't tell them apart anymore, yanked him up and smashed him across the face. TK went down and had to spit out more blood. Then he felt a series of impacts all over his body. As long as they don't hurt Kari, I'll take it and more. Kari continued shrieking at them to stop. She was crying too as TK could hear. He couldn't see. Blood was covering his vision.
"I think he learnt his lesson," Max stated, "Let's find some new hangout now." TK heard them walking off. One of the best things he heard all day.
"TK!" he heard Kari cry and heard her run up to him. Then he felt her hug him and cry into his chest. Mustering his energy, he hugged her back. Kari didn't let up, not that he could blame her. He did get messed up pretty badly.
"I'm okay," TK wheezed out. Okay, maybe not perfectly okay, but he was still concious and nothing was broken, and considering what just happened, he was in terrific shape. He hugged the sobbing Kari as tight as he could. "Nothing's broken," he assured, "In a few days, I'll be back to normal."
"I was so scared," Kari muttered into his chest, "I thought I was going to lose you."
"It's alright. I'm still here." TK hoped his words would make her feel better, but he doubted they would.
"I was so helpless," Kari continued, "I couldn't even defend myself and you got beat up because of me. If I wasn't so helpless, you could've fought back and-" TK put a finger to her lips. As he exptected, she was blaming herself.
"It's not your fault," TK whispered, "It's their's. They're the ones who did this. Blame them. Not yourself." TK forced himself to get up. "Let's go back home." Kari nodded, not letting go.
As the days passed, TK healed. Parts of him were still sore, but he ignored it. Right now, he just wanted to stretch his legs before Kari woke up. Not only that, but he also wanted to make sure that he could avoid stumbling across those jerks anytime soon with Kari. Seeing me unable to defend myself without putting her in danger hurt her severely. I can't expose her to that again.
A strong burst of worry exploded from inside. Kari! She was in danger! He didn't know how, he just had this strong feeling. He raced back, hoping that he was just being paranoid.
Her head throbbing, Kari was shoved into the old parking lot by the three jerks, with their crowbars, who attacked TK. "What do you want?" she demanded, trying to sound angry, but came off just scared. Which she was. Be brave! TK wouldn't let these guys scare him, so neither should I!
"We want you, girlie," Max answered, "We need another member. You're young enough for us to mold you, too weak to do anything about it, and because you have no family, no one will try to stop us."
"And once you get older," Frank said, "We may find other uses for you." They all started laughing, but Kari was suddenly paralyzed with fear. She remembered the last person who had "other uses" for her. That Evil Man who raped her.
The fear of experiencing anything remotely similar to that was beyond terrifying. Kari began to panic.
Frantically running through the streets, TK looked for Kari. She wasn't back home. He was too late. Now TK didn't know where she was. What if those guys got her? TK hoped that wasn't true. They were ready to kill her before. Who knows what might happen now?
TK came to a part of town that was almost always empty. "NO!" Kari's voice shrieked, "PLEASE DON'T! PLEASE!" TK darted in the direction her voice came from, his rage building. Kari continued her shrieks.
I'll kill whoever's doing this! TK came to some large parking lot to some old factory or something. Not that it matters. All that matters is that Kari is there with...those three guys! And those crowbars they liked so much! Terrified of what they might do to Kari, TK started to run over so he beat them into submission and rescue his angel.
"Shut her up!" TK heard Max shout at the other two. Frank slammed his crowbar into Kari stomach. She cried out and blood sprayed from her mouth. The Bob slammed his crowbar into the side of her head. Kari went sprawling, landing on her back, with a huge gash in her forehead, curled up and sobbing. TK cursed himself for not being faster.
Frank and Bob approached Kari and started pounding at her with their weapons. Max laughed. "That's what happens to anyone who doesn't treat us with respect! A few more minutes of that and her lesson should be learnt!"
I'm not giving them a few more seconds! TK thought as he finally got close enough to attack. He leapt at Bob, the closer of the two, and tackled him to the ground. Bob dropped his crowbar and TK grabbed it. Bob struggled to get up, but TK slammed him in the head with his new weapon. Bob went sprawling and landed on his back. TK charged after him and started to pummel him.
"LET'S SEE HOW YOU LIKE IT!" TK screamed, blinded by his rage. Kari was in bad enough shape already, and these jerks had to beat her so viciously! Well, now they're on the receiving end.
TK suddenly felt a brutal impact on his back. He fell to his knees and the pain washed over, but TK ignored it. Instead, he turned his attention to Frank, only to be struck in the spot on his head that just healed. Felt even worse the second time. TK fell to his side, but rolled and managed to stop on his knees. He then took a blind swing in Franks direction. He felt it impact. Frank howled and fell over curled up. TK immediately realized that he hit Frank in the "weakspot" of all males. But TK wasn't done. That one hit would not equal what he was doing to Kari. TK started to pummel him until he was unconcious.
Feeling a little more calm, TK faced Max, who had a look of pure terror. "You're next," TK growled. Max turned as white as a sheet.
"Calm down, man," he begged. TK was glad he was so scared. That fear could be used to TK's advantage.
"Calm down? CALM DOWN! YOU KIDNAP MY GIRLFRIEND, YOU HAVE THOSE TWO BEAT HER WITH CROWBARS, AND YOU EXPECT ME TO CALM DOWN!"
"We'll never bother you again! Honest!" Perfect. Just what TK wanted. He set the crowbar down.
"Fine," TK growled, "I'll let you go. But if you bother us again, you'll be in even worse shape than those two! I've gotten into fights with guys tougher than you so you better remember this!" Max would never have had to fight for his life like TK had to in the past, and TK met plenty who were tougher than Max.
Max took one look at Frank and Bob. Then he bolted. TK turned his attention to Kari who was curled up and sobbing. He suppressed all of the anger that boiled up. It wouldn't do any good now. Instead, he went over to her and cradled her in his arms. "I'm here, my beautiful angel," TK whispered, using her pet name so she'd be sure to realize it was him, "You're safe now." Kari opened her eyes and looked at him. Then, with a cry, she buried her face in his chest and cried some more. "Just let it all out," TK whispered. All his anger left him.
"It hurt so much," Kari muttered after a few minutes. TK kissed her on the head.
"Well, don't worry," he assured, "They won't be bothering us anymore."
"How do you know?" Kari asked with a slightly worried tone. TK explained what happened. Kari gave a weak smile. "My hero." Lifting her up, TK began to carry her back home.
"You just rest," TK whispered, "I'll protect you. I promise." Kari fell asleep in TK's arms. TK stopped in front of the crowbar he used earlier, knelt down and picked it up. Just in case something like this happens again. TK hoped he'd never have to use it, but knowing his life, he would. He didn't even like using any kind of weapon, but for Kari, he'd do it. The next person to try and hurt Kari will share a similar experience to what Bob and Frank did. The next one to hurt my beautiful angel is really going to get it.
Afterword: Had some trouble ending it.
