Tabitha gasped for air as the trainers grip tightened around her throat, making her dizzy. It would be so easy, she imagined, to just give up, but she didn't have that choice. In one last ditch effort to free herself, Tabitha swung her legs violently, her remaining boot smashing right into his broken rib. The trainer immediately recoiled, dropping her to the ground as he held his side.
Tabitha gasped for air, but she knew she didn't have much time. Quickly she darted for her make shift mallet, scooping it off the ground. It felt awkward in her left hand, as she was a natural righty, but this would have to do.
Tabitha cast a quick glance toward the exit, should she make a run for it? She noticed 'A' was nowhere to be found and hoped he had run for help. She sighed, glad he wasn't there to see the violence.
“You stubborn fool.” He hissed, slowly cornering her against the wall. Tabitha was no longer in the mood to fight, her arm arched profoundly, and her throat was soar and hoarse, her back was bruising and even her hip was beginning to throb. Still, she had to stand up for 'A'.
“B-bring it on.” She panted. If she was going to win, or make it out alive for that matter, she had to be smart. “His rib is broken,” she told herself, “I need to use that to my advantage.” Tabitha also knew she was quicker that this man, and she bet she was far more limber too, but with her broken arm, she doubted she could do acrobats.
The trainer noticed how deep in thought she was, and took the opportunity to attack. He did a quick charge and managed to grab her busted arm, yanking her towards himself.
Tabitha yelped in pain, desperately swinging her weighted hammer into his un defended ribs. The trainer grunted in pain but refused to release her. He pulled her closer, trying to swing her into a headlock. He somehow managed to restrain her...momentarily.
Tabitha winced at the severe pain shooting through her arm as he roughly pinned it to her back, she wanted to vomit. He squeezed her tight to his side, restricting movement of her other arm.
“He's going to try and choke me again.” She realized as he wrapped his burly bicep around her throat. No way was she going through that another time. Determined to get free, she opened her mouth and bit down into his arm as hard as she could. Adrenaline was coursing through her and it wasn't long before her teeth broke through his skin and she could taste the awful tang of iron.
“Let go!” He hissed, trying to squeeze harder, but she simply refused to give up her hold. Desperate to end the pain, he released her right arm and smashed his fist into her right brow. Tabitha could feel her brain rattling around in her head as a warm liquid dripped down the side of her face. She spat his arm from her mouth, spraying his own blood over his tanned skin. His arm was raised for another blow to her already busted head, and Tabitha knew she wouldn't stand a chance if he hit her like that again.
Temporarily forgetting het broken arm, she swung her hand up and grabbed his oncoming fist just in time. That same blistering pain shivered from her wrist all down to her shoulder, causing tears to tug at her eyes, it was almost unbearable.
The trainer saw the small drops tugging at her eyes, but didn't have time to think of something witty before she was viciously grinding her left elbow deep into his soar ribs. What felt like spark dispersed through his abdomen and a deep hiss escaped him. He yanked his arms away from her, ducking his head down for a second, as if to shield his wound. Tabitha quickly twirled from his side and with both hands gripped on the 80lb mallet, brought it smashing into the back of his head. It happened so suddenly and Tabitha had to stand over his limp body for a minute to realize she had knocked him out cold.
Tabitha immediately collapsed to her knees, the mallet rolling from her grip and spinning across the matted GYM floor. Her head hung as shaky sighs escaped her lips, she watched as her own blood dribbled from her brow and dotted the ground. All the overwhelming pain and aches flooded into her mind and she let out a sob, could she even manage to the infirmary? She couldn't even picture taking the long trek through the facility. She hardly heard the GYM door open, hardly heard the mortified gasp of the scientist before he called out her name.
“Tabitha!” The voice rang through her ears and she immediately turned her head, wishing she had kept her composure just a little bit longer, but it hurt, it hurt so much. She had never been more relieved to see the scientist.
“C-Clay.” Her voice was a relieved sigh as the tears and blood dripped down her face. Clay was horrified, practically leaping over the wall to get to her. The sight of her bruised and battered, kneeling like a defeated soldier in battle, wrenched at his heart, and he ran to her. 'A' was right behind him, struggling to keep up with Clay.
“Tabitha, are you okay? What happened? Is he dead?” Questions spewed from his lips as he fell to his knees beside her, staring concerned into those glistening green eyes. Tabitha bit her lower lip, her heart swelling with relief. She leaned into him, exhausted, her head resting on his shoulder.
“It hurts.” She sobbed, that wasn't what she wanted to say, but it's what rolled off her tongue. She knew she needed him to take her to get medical help, but that was all she could manage before she was swallowing the cries that wanted to rise out of her.
Clay felt his heart skip a beat, he had never seen her so...broken. He wrapped his arms around her, but quickly withdrew them, not wanting to hurt her anymore.
“We...we need to get you to the infirmary.” He suddenly exclaimed, feeling her shake and shiver against him. “Can you stand?” He asked. Tabitha nodded, inhaling sharply as she slid her knees up, her hip was killing her. Clay carefully slid his arm around her, slowly leading her towards the GYM exit. He cast a concerned glance down at 'A' who was watching Tabitha carefully. The experiment wiped a stray tear from his eye, turning his attention to the exit, he couldn't stand to see her so miserable, and it was all for him.
Clay let his guard down as he tried to figure out how they would get Tabitha over the hip high wall, there was no way he was strong enough to cary her. He didn't hear the muffled groan of pain behind them, or the shuffling of heavy feet.
“You thought it would be so...easy!?” The words thundered out of the trainer like growls of an angered beast, sounding less like human speech. Neither Clay nor Tabitha had time to turn around as she was suddenly ripped from Clay's grasp and dragged back into the GYM. Tabitha shrieked from shock as the trainer grabbed her messy tangled bun and yanked her roughly backwards towards the thick rope that dangled from the ceiling.
“Hey! Broady!” Clay hollered, chasing after Tabitha as she was dragged kicking and squirming over the mats. “LET HER GO!” He demanded, but the trainer ignored him completely.
“You sure are persistent for a simple mechanic.” The trainer rumbled as he held her up off the ground, still clutching a fist full of her hair. Clay pounded his knuckles into the trainers broad back, what was wrong with this guy?
“Put her down, I'm warning you! You're hurting her you stupid idiot!” He shrieked. The trainer cast a glance over his shoulder, completely immune to Clay's feeble attempts.
“I thought you scientists were smart. You have a job to do, so get back in your lab and mind your own freaking business. She knew what she was getting into when this all started, but she dumbly agreed, now there are consequences.” He sneered, turning his attention back to Tabitha. His face was met with a weak kick to the chin, despite the immense pain shooting through her, she was still determined to fight back.
“It's pointless, you fought well but still...you lost.” He laughed, acknowledging in the back of his head that she had been a somewhat worthy opponent.
“Ok, we get it you won, put her down before you kill her!” Clay was practically begging him, he pulled and tugged at the mans tank top, but he wasn't budging.
“She knew this would happen before we fought!” Broady bellowed, reaching for the rope that dangled behind her.
Clay's eyes widened, he couldn't be serious, was this man insane? Was he really planning on hanging her over a small fight? And right in the middle of the GYM where cameras practically lined the wall.
“ARE YOU MENTALLY CHALLENGED!!??” Clay shrieked, leaping wildly onto Broady's back, clawing for his neck desperately.
“Let go!” Broady huffed. Dropping the rope he reached behind himseld, grabbed the scientists lab coat and hurled him over his shoulder like he was nothing more that a doll. Clay yelped, surprised by his brute strength. Panic swallowed him as he made the grave realization that he was no match for the trainer, he was going to kill Tabitha.
“I-I'm begging you. You've got to let her go!” Clay pleaded, resting on his knees before Broady. “I...I can get the CEO's to raise your pay!” His mind was racing with some way to save her. When the trainer didn't even acknowledge him with a glance, Clay angrily leapt back up and threw himself at the man again, kicking at his knees, fists flailing against the arm that gripped Tabitha.
“You sick BASTARD! I'll...I'll freaking blast your brains out if you don't put her down!” Clay reached for his belt, horrified to find that yet again, he had left it back in his room. Tabitha was stubbornly kicking and wriggling for her life, hearing Clay fight for her was enough to give her hope. Clay knew he couldn't waist anymore time, despite how much it pained him, he ran from the scene and jumped over the wall, not daring to look back for fear she was already dead. He had to get help, or a weapon or something to stop the lunatic trainer from murdering his dear Tabby-Cat.
Clay didn't even make it to the GYM exit when the doors swung open and two burly figures raced past them and...was that 'A'? He quickly spun on his heels, recognizing Simeon and Leanne, his two Zoologists. They were shouting and yelling like crazed apes as they pounced over the wall and galloped towards Broady. Simeon alone was roughly the same size of the trainer, Leanne not much smaller. Broady didn't see what hit him as Simeone collided his massive fists against the trainers head. Leanne whipped her elbow down against the arm that held Tabitha up. And then there was A, who had leapt onto the trainers shoulder, claws digging into his skin like little knives, overcoming his own fears for the sake of Tabitha.
Clay darted back towards the fight as he saw Broady finally release Tabby from his grasp. She fell to the floor in a defeated heap, her left hand holding her head protectively. Clay scooped his arms around her, shielding her from the fists, kicks and elbows that practically flew in every direction. Clay had to look away when Broady's crazed expression caught his attention, he was completely swallowed by rage. The trainer wasn't even trying to defend himself, his blood shot eyes never leaving Tabitha's limp form on the ground. It was like watching a mad dog trying to break through a fence so he could tear open a cat on the other side.
Simeon and Leanne finally had him pinned before Leanne slipped him into a sleepers hold. It felt like an eternity before Broady's body finally stopped fighting and he passed out for the second time.
“That sick freak, what was wrong with him?” Leanne muttered, standing as she wiped herself off.
“I'm not sure, but we've got to get Tabitha to the infirmary!” Clay pleaded, his eyes never leaving the motionless form of the trainer, dreading that he would jump up at any moment, ready for round three.
Broady didn't bother to ask and quickly scooped Tabitha off the ground. She hissed in pain as her wounds were jostled, she just wanted to sleep on the floor.
Clay grabbed up 'A' hurrying after Simeon as they all raced for the elevators. 'A' fought back tears as he bitterly ripped up shreds of Broady's tank top that had gotten stuck to his claws. The poor experiment was battling the storm of emotions in his chest. He wanted to cry and sob while hiding his face in the crook of Clay's neck, but he also wanted to curl up beside Tabitha and kiss her cheek, overjoyed she had defended him and lived. Yet at the same time he was still angry and bitter that his trainer had hurt her, and somewhere fear still lingered in him, after all, she could have died. Instead he just picked at the shreds of fabric and brooded in Clay's arms.
Tabitha closed her eyes, wincing at every step Simeon took, even the slightest bump sent aches across her body and shiver down her spine. She wanted to hide, to escape the overwhelming embarrassment she felt from losing to that brute of a man, but her desperation to have Clay near her stopped her from sending him away.
When they finally arrived to the infirmary, Tabitha was taken away by the Hyperion doctors almost immediately, and everyone else was sent away.
“You'll get a call whenever she is free for visitors.” The nurse had told Clay, and he was forced to leave the small hospital, head hung low.
Worry, that was all he did as he sat with Leanne and Simeon in the Hyperion cafeteria. The siblings were talking and cramming their mouths, still high on adrenaline from their fight. Clay, however, could't stomach a bite. He used his fork to push his food around the plate, creating the illusion that he had eaten something. A's appetite wasn't much better, he had swallowed two bites from an apple before abandoning it on the table and curling up in Clay's lap for a nap.
"Good thing we were headed to lunch, or we never would have seen little 'A' here." Leanne thought aloud, "real lucky that was." Clay grunted, thankful they had come in the nick of time.
“That asshole is sure to be fired now.” Simeon snorted as he pushed his empty tray towards his sister. “He was an idiot to think he could get away with it.” Leanne nodded in agreement. Clay didn't respond, he knew the CEO's too well, surely they would count this against him, he was bound to get some reprimand from it.
The sudden ring of his communication device ripped him from his thoughts and he immediately stood from the table.
“Doctor Clay,” a voice stated as he answered the call, “your friend is now free to see visitors.” Clay was too overwhelmed to respond and quickly shut the device off, turning from the table.
“Simeon, Leanne, I can't thank you enough, I really owe you one.” He waved and raced from the cafeteria, 'A' still tight in his grasp.
Clay was quick to the infirmary and demanded Tabitha's room number from the first nurse he saw. His heart was in his throat when he finally entered her hospital room. She was propped up in the bed, hooked to a single IV. Her right arm was in a cast and a white bandage was taped over her right eyebrow. A thick blue ring was beginning to form around her neck and her right eye was a bit puffy. However, it was her hair that caught his attention. Wavy auburn locks rested around her face and trailed down to her shoulders. She looked so...different.
As Clay stepped further into the room, he realized she wasn't alone. Her boss, Everett, sat in a chair pulled up beside her bed, he gripped her left hand in his own while they engaged in conversation. Despite his presence, Clay couldn't fight the emotion that swelled up and overcame him. He placed 'A' on the ground and continued into the room without a word.
“Oh, Clay.” Tabitha smiled, her voice soft and faint as she saw him. Clay couldn't stop the worry that fell on his face. He darted to her bedside and, as if Everett wasn't even there, practically climbed on top of her as he pulled her into a long hug. His cheek brushed hers as he tucked his head into those soft red strands, letting her hair tickle his face.
“I'm so sorry.” He whispered into her ear, refusing to let her go. He needed to know she was fine, that she was going to be ok and back on her feet, but, most of all, he needed to know that she wasn't going anywhere.
“Clay...It's ok, it's not your fault.” Tabitha assured him with a soft giggle, patting his back. The scientist finally pulled away from her, but remained seated on the bed.
“I don't know what I would do without you. You...you protected 'A' when I couldn't.” Clay continued, not realizing he was twirling her hair between his fingers. Tabitha fought the blush that grew on her cheeks, choosing not to think too hard about how clingy Clay was being. It was 'A' who finally broke the silence and leapt onto the bed, forcing Clay out of the way. He wrapped his arms around her neck and planted a soft kiss to her cheek, earning and tickled laugh from the mechanic.
“Aw, A, thank you.” She cued, ruffling his hair. He curled into her lap, letting his head rest on her heart. Everett, growing sick of the scene unfolding before him, finally cleared his throat.
“Well, like I said, there's no need to worry. I'm going to have a talk with these CEO's about the dangerous people they send over here.” He grumbled, raising an eyebrow at Clay, as if blaming him entirely for the state of his prized mechanic. Clay refused to even acknowledge his presence. Everett could plainly see how much the scientist and his experiment meant to Tabitha, but he wasn't about to let them stand in the way. He was going to take Tabitha with him, weather Clay liked it or not.
“I don't want you to worry about that deranged man anymore. I'm going to take care of it.” Everett took Tabitha's hand back, patting it as he promised to keep her safe and from harms way. Then he left, he had a plot to plan.
One day I'll post a 45 minute read chapter and I won't even be sorry (until then enjoy this short one) XP
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