Tadashi

They didn't speak on the way back to the Lucky Cat Café but Tadashi's mind was not focused on the road. Kate's arms were wrapped tightly around his waist, her face pressed against his back and he had to fight the urge to turn around and make sure she was real. He had been so worried but she was with him now. She was safe. Tadashi stopped the moped and paused before whispering, "We're here". Kate's arms loosened around him and she slid out of the seat. She wobbled slightly and Tadashi put his arm around her, holding her steady. She leaned into him as they walked into the closed café. Aunt Cass was still cleaning up and turned at the sound of the bell on the door. "Tadashi—" She had been prepared to scold him for running out earlier but when she saw Kate, she stopped. Her eyes softened and her mind filled with questions. "Kate."

"Hey Aunt Cass." Kate tried to smile but Aunt Cass could see that it was forced.

"Oh sweetheart, come here." Aunt Cass wrapped Kate into a hug before telling her to sit down. "You just relax. I'll go call the police and let them know you aren't missing anymore." As Cass walked away, Kate turned to Tadashi.

"How long exactly have I been gone?"

Tadashi leaned against the table and sighed, "three days." Tadashi saw her frown.

"I don't remember anything from the last three days," Kate whispered. Tadashi stayed silent. "We were talking about…" Kate paused and closed her eyes, "ice skating. We were talking about ice skating. You didn't want to go. You said you'd fall too much." She grinned at Tadashi.

"And you said that you would take Hiro with you instead. He's small enough that you could force him to go without too much trouble."

"And then," Kate frowned, trying to recall what had happened. "There was a crash. I heard something in the other room…that's it. That's all I can remember." Kate looked at him, frustrated.

"Do you want to remember?" He questioned.

"I don't know," Kate whispered. "I don't like not knowing what happened but I doubt that remembering would feel much better. I'm here now. I guess that's all that really matters." Tadashi disagreed. The person who had taken her was still out there but he didn't say anything, not wanting to scare her.

Aunt Cass walked back in and spoke to Kate. "An officer is on his way. They want to know what happened to you. I asked if they could wait until morning but they want to talk to you as soon as possible."

"Might as well get it over with but I won't be much help."

The officer arrived shortly and was disappointed with what Kate told him. He didn't stay long after he realized he wasn't going to get any answers from her. He left his card with her just in case she remembered anything before walking out of the café.

Kate

Tadashi helped me upstairs to the bathroom so I could shower. I felt disgusting and sitting through the conversation with the police officer had been torture. I couldn't stand feeling that dirty. I scrubbed my body down thoroughly and washed my hair. The hot water loosened my muscles and I delayed turning it off. Tadashi had left one of his t-shirts and a pair of sweatpants in the bathroom for me to change into and picked them up. I pressed the shirt to my face and inhaled deeply. I slipped the clothes on and combed through my tangled hair. I dried it a little with a towel and stepped into Tadashi and Hiro's room. "Where's Hiro?" I asked.

"Downstairs. He just got back from the lab." I heard footsteps as Hiro ran up the stairs and into the room.

"Kate! You're back!"

"Yeah, I'm back." I smiled but Hiro's mouth formed a frown as he looked at his feet.

"Aunt Cass says you don't remember anything about what happened."

"Not really, no."

"Okay well its time for both of you to go to bed," Tadashi interrupted. "Kate, I know you're exhausted." I didn't fight him and just slid under his covers. Hiro didn't try to argue with him either, which was a little surprising. But Tadashi made no move for the bed. I raised my eyebrows at him and Hiro spoke "What? Do you not want to tarnish her innocence or something?" Tadashi rolled his eyes.

"I have a little more work to do. You guys just go ahead and get some sleep," he said as he left the room.

I curled up in bed and whispered to Hiro, "How much you wanna bet he sleeps on the couch?" Hiro laughed.

"I say he falls asleep at the kitchen table downstairs." I smiled and closed my eyes. I did not sleep peacefully.

I was screaming for Tadashi but I knew he was too far away to help me. I lashed out, hitting my attacker and I ran for the door. Before I even got close, I felt his hand grip my wrist. He turned me around I looked up. His face was a blur. Why couldn't I see his face? I kicked at him but he threw me to the ground and climbed on top of me. I couldn't breathe and tears streamed down my face. He held both of my wrists with one hand and I knew he was in control. I stopped fighting. There was nothing I could do. He was too strong. I tried to look at his face again but it was still blurry. The man laughed, "Oh Kate. I can't wait to start playing with you." His face was almost touching mine and I didn't dare breathe. He moved so his face was buried in my neck and my eyes filled with tears. I gasped when I felt him lick my neck and I started fighting again. He laughed again. "You're a fighter. I like that." He went for my neck again but I bit his ear. His grip on me loosened but I saw him draw back to hit me.

"Kate, wake up!" I opened my eyes gasped for air. I saw Tadashi looking down at me, holding my wrists. He let go once he knew I was awake and I sat up, pulling my knees to my chest. I stared at the blankets before looking up at Tadashi, my eyes filling with tears. "I don't wanna remember." I whispered, my voice cracking. Tadashi hugged me, stroking my hair.

"Shh. It was just a dream, just a nightmare. It's okay. I'm here." But it wasn't just a dream. It was a memory. And memories are the worst kinds of nightmares because you can't say they aren't real. You can't just brush it off and think "this will never happen to me" because it wasn't just a dream. It was real, it happened, and it's terrifying.