Page 80 of Grace of Spades
He passes out at the letter "P" in "Rapist." Pity. But I will make sure he can never do anything to anyone ever again. Everyone will know what he is.
I finish my gory crime of passion and view my work. The "S" is a little off but it's legible. I think people will get the point. I wash my hands in the popcorn-filled sink and look for Kennedy. I find her in the lobby. She looks so small and she's shaking. I sit beside her and she looks at me like she doesn't know me. Fuck.
"Kennedy? Do you need anything?" I ask softly.
"I want to go home."
"We should probably go to the hospital," I suggest. "Report it."
"No... it's not worth it." She says in a small voice I recognize. This has happened before to her. Suddenly, I am so glad I did what I did to that fucker but I still want to go back and kick the shit out of him. But I don't. Kennedy needs me here more.
"Actually, can we go to your place instead?" she asks. "Please?"
"Of course." Not even a question. I will do whatever she needs right now. I herd her out the doors and hear a horrified scream as the glass door closes behind us.
"Grace?" She whispers as we climb into her car and I start driving us home.
"Yeah?"
"What did you do to him?" She asks looking at her hands.
"I can't tell you but let's just say everyone will know what he is just by looking at him," I admit. Her face pulls into a frown but her body relaxes. "I will always have your back. He didn't get away with it even if you don't report it." I reach over and squeeze her hand in reassurance. "Oh shit. Liam is coming over! I forgot!" I call his number and set it to the speaker as the red light turns green.
"Hey, babe. Girl's night over already?" He greets.
"Sorry, Liam. No. Something came up. Kennedy's staying over at my place tonight."
"Everything okay?" He asks voice low, dangerous, and sexy.
"No, but I took care of the immediate issue," I admit.
"Okay. Let me know if you ladies need anything." He offers.
"Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow." I say with a soft smile.
"Why didn't you tell him?" She asks.
"It's not my story to tell. But you should tell someone. Trust me, it's hard at first but it's worth it. And I understand the feeling ofuselessness when the bastards get away with shit." I explain my hands squeezing the life out of the steering wheel.
"You too?" She asks finally looking at me.
"Yep. There are more of us than it feels like. It feels like you're all alone especially when no one listens. I'm always here if you need me... for anything." I vow. She nods and we fall into silence for the rest of the drive. We head upstairs to my room and I watch Kennedy curl up on my bed making herself as small as she can. I head to the bathroom and take out my bloody artist's blade when Kennedy comes in. I admit it, I freeze like a dumbass.
Her eyes go wide at the blood in the sink she looks at me and then back at the mess. She nods and turns on the shower before stripping out of her clothes and stepping in. I grind my teeth at the bruises he left on her. I should have killed him.
My heart breaks as I hear her sob and scrub violently at her skin.
"Do you need anything?" I ask.
"Could... could you grab a morning-after pill? He- he didn't...finish. I would just feel better if I had it." She stammers.
"Of course. You don't have to explain. I got you. I'll even grab some food for us."
"Thank you, Grace." Her voice is still quiet but I know she'll be okay. Maybe not right now but Kennedy is so strong. She will be and I will be right beside her every step of the way.
I don't want to leave her alone for too long so I look for Richard. I know he'll keep it to himself and get what she needs.
I find him waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Like he's waiting for me. That can't be good.
