Consequences

Another Attack... This Town is Out of Control

Another Attack...This Town is Out of Control

Rae realized that there would be no reason to stop at home, she would just have to head to the Jade. There were so many different scenarios running through her head all at once, and it was becoming hard to concentrate. Of all people, why Duke? He looked f*****g horrible! I hope he will pull through, Roma will not be able to go on. She needed to vent and get all of the thoughts out of her head, she knew there was only one person that could help. Avery would be too worried about herself getting sympathy for a friend that was in the hospital. Xander would listen, but be preoccupied with attempting another stunt in getting into her pants. Rae propped her phone up in the Wildcat and dialed. “What's going on Rae?”, Markus's voice boomed throughout the interior of the car. “Duke is hurt. I don't know exactly what happened. He's... in... the hospital!” Rae could hardly speak a full sentence. “Rae! Where are you? Are you okay?” He sounded as though he was racing to run out the door. “I'm okay just freaking out. I just left the hospital. They seemed more concerned with his citizenship rather then checking on his vitals. I left Roma there, but she's a mess. I wanted to see if you could go...”, before she even had a chance to finish her question, Markus cut her off, “I'm on my way to her. Where are you?,” the tone in his voice sounded impatient. “I'm headed to the Jade. Someone has to run the kitchen tonight. I can't do that to Russ. He's headed to the hospital himself. Markus, I just don't want her there by herself.” The sound of Markus's chopped rumbled in the background, “No need to explain Sweet Pea. I'll keep you posted.”

Pulling into the parking lot of the Jade, Rae could feel the heat burning into her cheeks. The moment she turned the ignition off she could feel her eyes begin to swell with tears. She was awash with her own memories. She had remembered how she and her Mom were when her Dad had passed away. Everything was just a complete and utter blur. Feeling like a shell of a person with everyone around asking, “How are you doing”, “How are you feeling,” “Are you going to be okay”. There was no quiet moment to grieve. This was feeling all too familiar. She was an emotional wreck then, and right now she wasn't any better. Wiping her cheeks she opened the door, but wasn't watching and almost knocked someone over. “Hey! Watch it! Before I...,” a deep voice roared at her. “Sorry, I'm so sorry sir,” she kept her head low, as though in complete shame, worried of being scolded like a child, and most certainly didn't want a stranger seeing her cry. This time she lifted her head to make eye contact, “Truly sir, I am so sorry. My mind is in another place right now,” she tried to walk passed him, but she felt a tug on her arm. “Punk rock girl?”, his tone was now completely different and suddenly much more mellow then just seconds ago. “Huh?”, she was confused until she focused on him. Out of anyone that she could have almost hit with her car door, she never thought that it would be the mysterious guy from the Vortex. His light eyes and looming brows were still just as f*****g sexy as they were that night. He wasn't wearing his leather jacket this time, which was overwhelming trying to concentrate, now adding his chiseled chest and arms into the mix. After her eyes glimpsed him from head to toe, she wanted to make sure to return to just eye contact. “Mystery man... from the show,” she said as she gathered her things and locked her car. His smile seemed to wipe her mind clear, if just for a second or two. “So, you do remember me?,” he hurried after her and started walking with her towards the door.

She could feel his eyes focused on her now, “I almost didn't recognize you. You look... different without all the make up.” Rae wiped at her eyes and cheeks once again, making sure there were no signs of tears left. Her face flushed at the mere mention that she was not wearing make up, and realized that she looked so different from the night he had met her. “Are you okay? Were you crying?,” Rae shrugged her shoulders, trying to ward off the question altogether. So, when she wasn't quick with a response, he grabbed her arm. “Are you okay? Really?” She slowly touched his hand and removed it from her arm, at this moment she glanced at his knuckles which looked recently torn and bloodied. She didn't want to lead into a longer conversation, so she made no mention of his knuckles, “I'm okay. Just, a close friend was hurt last night, and...,” he cut her off, “Are you meeting someone here for dinner? Would you like to have dinner with me?” She couldn't help but think to herself, What a way to change the subject. “Ah, no. Not exactly.” He held the door open for her as they walked in together. “I appreciate the invitation, but I have to get to work. Maybe some other time,” she hurried past him and headed to the kitchen. She took a deep breath before making her way through the kitchen doors. Hoping that she could find just the right words to explain to the staff what exactly happened to Duke.