Mind Reading 101- Part 13
Mark walked into the bungalow carrying the unconscious Swan, with Jason not far behind him. They walked in quietly with their heads lowered.
Looking up, they saw Tiny and Keyop's sun burned, smiling faces.
Tiny and Keyop were about to brag about their successful fishing trip, when they saw the solemn trio walk through the door. Their jaws dropped, though, when they saw Princess, unconscious and bundled up.
Keyop rushed over to them. "What happened? Is she…is she…?"
"No, Keyop, she's not dead…but she's unconscious, and badly hurt…" Mark's eyes welled up. He looked away.
"How did it happen, Mark?" Tiny leaned forward on the couch.
Jason spoke up. "She was drugged, and attacked by the football players… they tried to rape her…" He was still fuming.
"Where was Brian?" Tiny asked.
"He was there…in the middle of it." Jason balled up his fists.
Both the Owl and the Swallow angrily stampeded toward the door.
Jason held one hand out to stop them. "No need, guys…it's already been taken care of. They won't be bothering her any more…"
Tiny observed the Eagle and the Condor in their blood-spattered bird styles. "Yeah, I guess you guys did take care of them."
He and Keyop sat back down.
Keyop was still worried. "Is she gonna be ok?"
"I think so, Keyop…I'm gonna take her to her room…" Mark choked out the words, and plodded back to Princess' room.
He gingerly laid her on the bed, brushing the hair out of her eyes. Other than a few slight bruises on her face, one wouldn't have thought she'd had such a horrific evening. She looked as though she was peacefully sleeping.
He decided to lie down next to her. He cradled her in his arms and listened to her shallow breathing. There'd be no sleep for him tonight.
As he lay there holding Princess and watching the moonlight peering through the window, he heard Jason's voice calling to him.
Mark…Mark? You awake?
Yes, I can't sleep…Mark answered.
How is she?
Breathing is shallow…weak pulse…but I think she'll pull through…Mark looked down at her.
I couldn't sleep either…listen, I picked up a cup from the football players' cabin…I think it was Princess' cup… I'm thinking they drugged her with GHB… a date rape drug…they must've given her a lot to knock her out like that…hell, it must've been a huge amount…most girls would've probably been killed…Jason sat on the edge of his bed, examining and sniffing the cup.
It's a good thing she has the implants then, they probably saved her life…Mark's eyes welled up again. You know, this is all my fault…I shouldn't have let you talk me into getting to know those girls…if I had it to do all over again, I would've gone to the beach that day with Princess…then none of this would've happened…
Jason propped himself against the pillows and defended himself.
Listen, we've gone over all this before…look, I'm sorry, ok? I just thought it would be good for you to get to know other people for a change…how was I supposed to know this would happen?
You're right, Jase, we didn't know this would turn out to be such a disaster…I just hope she's gonna be ok…if she's not, I'll never forgive myself…Mark pulled the bundled up Swan closer and stroked her long, silky hair.
