Chapter Twenty-Three: Bonding

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Alicia fearfully threw the men the keys as she crouched down by Chris's unconscious side. The pig from earlier just laughed merrily, "You sure you ladies won't join us?"

Marty glared at the man hatefully as gripped her bat harder and swung it lowly, "Don't take another step, destruiré tus malditas cojones, cabrón!"

The dark-skinned man eyed Martina and her abdomen to the scared teenage girl not-so-subtly moving behind her as she dragged Chris's unconscious body closer, before rounding on his companion, "Man leave 'em alone. Come on, let's go, fucking geeks are crawling everywhere. Get this kid outta the way." the man stated as he headed for the driver's seat.

The second all of the men were in the car, she quickly helped Alicia drag Chris towards her SUV before the soldiers peeled out of the garage. As soon as the men were out of her sight, she dropped the bat and cradled Chris to her chest. Alicia looked like she was close to hyperventilating, not only from the encounter with the men but for every second longer that Chris remained knocked out. When Alicia's breaths started coming out more haggard, Marty placed a hand on the younger girl's arm comfortingly.

"Breathe, Alicia. In and Out." Marty commanded softly before gently tapping Chris's uninjured cheek, "Wake up, come on, Chris. Up, get up, buddy."

Chris let out a small groan, but his eyes remained stubbornly shut.

"I-I can't bre-breathe." Alicia gasped out as she squeezed her eyes shut and began digging her fingernails into her arms.

"Alicia, touch your fingers to your thumb and count them out loud for me." Marty instructed as she continued to gently shake Chris, "Chris, Chris. Wake up, Chris."

"Wh-at is countin' gonna do?" Alicia shrieked raspidly under her breath.

"Just do it, Alicia." Marty stated firmly before encouraging her, "Come on: one, two, three..."

Alicia breathed in shakily as she started counting on her own. With every number slipping from her lips, her breaths deepened and evened out until the younger girl was no longer hyperventilating on the floor. With one teenager cared for, Marty turned her complete attention to the one still unconscious in her arms.

"Christopher something Manawa!" Marty whisper-shouted in his ear as she tapped his face, "Get up!"

Chris stiffened in her arms as a groan escaped from his lips before he began blinking rapidly up at her. His mocha skin flushed slightly as he gaped up at her. A wide, grateful smile bloomed on Marty's face as she pet his cheek.

"There we go!" she praised.

"I-I wha-what happened?" he asked before sitting up and grabbing his forehead in pain before seemingly remembering all at once, "Shit, those assholes! Are they gone?"

"Yeah," Marty reassured him before admitting, "they took the SUV. Are you feeling better, Alicia?"

The female teen had stopped counting when Chris sat up and was now just watching them quietly, "Yeah." she whispered almost hoarsely, hugging her knees to her chest.

"Good." Marty stated before pulling both of the younger teens into her arms for a hug, ignoring the two squeaks of surprise, "Thank God, you're both okay! It scared the shit out of me when those pigs dragged you out of the car." She let them pull out of the hug before helping them both onto their feet and gesturing to her car, "Come on, let's get into my car, we'll be safer inside."

"I-Is there enough space?" Alicia whispered.

"We'll make space." she stated firmly before opening the back door, blocking Pingu from getting out before turning to look at the teens, "Who wants to sit next to the dog, or up in the front?"

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