Firefly Light

Chapter 29

The weekend's concerts had been a success, as was the norm for the orchestra's productions. It was Saturday night and after Keika walked out of the women's dressing room she met Seth, who had been waiting on her near the exit. He wasn't much of a soldier, but he was a talented violist and she loved to hear him play. She was in a good mood, as was always the case after a successful stage performance. Smiling broadly at her boyfriend, she kissed him and then slid her arm around his waist as they exited the building, he placed his arm around her shoulder and they walked away into the streetlight interrupted darkness.

He took her to Barbarella's and they danced and partied with friends. The night wore on and slowly their friends left for home by ones and twos. By closing at 2:00 AM they were the only ones remaining of their group. When they finally departed she expected to turn left, for him to take her home, but instead he steered her in the other direction. She let him lead, the night had been a good one. They stopped in one dark spot along the streets and kissed for a time.

"Let's go someplace else." he whispered. "Aren't you tired? Its past 2." she asked. "No. I want some more time with you." he responded. She kissed him and smiled, "Ok, you lead." Leaning on his shoulder she allowed him to take her back to the park. The streets were deserted and quiet. There were very few lights on in the houses. Everything seemed so peaceful. For once she was content, her mind at peace.

She had not been paying attention and was mildly surprised when she found herself back at the same dark spot in the park he had lead her to before. Not wanting to spoil things, she did not protest and lay down beside him in the cool grass.

They started kissing again and, at first, she was enjoying herself, but then his kisses started to become rougher. Suddenly, he was on top of her, pinning her to the ground. She wasn't in a combat mode; this was a date near home. Her normal combat reflexes were disarmed. She was totally shocked and frozen in surprise. He looked down at her and said, "I'm tired of waiting for the right time for you, babe. We've been dating for four years now and I'm finally making you my real girlfriend tonight." He was already aroused. She could feel his hardness through their clothing. Keeping the weight of his chest on top her hers while rotating his hip to one side; he reached back and pulled up her dress and grabbed her panties, ripping them. His other hand tore open the top of her dress, exposing her breasts.

Keika had never, ever, displayed any of her physical abilities around Seth. She had always been afraid of what it might do to his ego, or that it might make him afraid of her. He certainly had to know, however, just like everyone else, what her reputation was and what she did. She was essentially the national heroine and sweetheart. Was he mad, or did he think that she would just lie there and allow him to rape her?

That thought galvanized her. She put her hands against his chest as he struggled to rip more of her clothes off and pushed hard. Seth suddenly found himself hurtling through the air. His trip was interrupted, with a smack, by a large, very solid, tree. He moaned as he slid down to the ground. She was sure there were bones broken, that was the intent. Picking herself off of the ground, she reassembled the tatters of her clothing to cover herself as best as she could. Walking up to him, groaning on the ground, she suppressed the urge to kick him. She leaned down and looked him in the eyes, "You and I are done. You are an egotistical asshole and a prick. Come near me again and I will kill you.... by ripping your arms from your body and beating you to death with them....and that is not an idle threat."

With that, she left him lying on the ground moaning and walked away. He could lie there and die for all she cared. The walk home alone in the dark was a blur. The guards at the gates came running for her when they saw the condition her clothes were in, and covered her with a towel. They wanted to know what had happened, and where her attacker was, so they could arrest him, or kill him, if she wished it. She told them that she had dealt with the situation, and she was alright, but thanks. Then they were going to call her father, and tried to talk her into reporting the crime, but instead she convinced them to not say anything. One of them, Sergeant Freeman, a huge black man, escorted her to her room. She turned to him, "Thanks so much, would you mind waiting here for a few moments?" "No, of course not. I am at your service my Princess." he responded.

Keika entered the darkened room and closed the door. Anubis was with her immediately, sensing something was very wrong. She then slipped out of the rags that Seth had left of her clothing and, standing behind the door, opened it and handed the remains to the guard. "Please burn those... and say nothing, please." He looked back at her for a moment, deep concern in his eyes, and he started to say something, but then stopped and finally responded, "If that is your wish, my Princess." "Thank you, I will not forget this." she said. He nodded and left.

She closed the door, naked except for her shoes. The feeling of being dirty became overpowering and the need to take a shower and scrub herself became urgent. Keika turned the shower on as hot as she could stand it, which was quite hot, and, in the steam filled space she scrubbed her skin everywhere on her body with soap until it was red. Finally, she turned off the water, dried off, wrapped her hair up in a towel and put on her robe.

Entering the dark bedroom, she turned off the light in the bathroom. Darkness seemed soothing, the light too harsh and revealing. She went to the nightstand, trailed by Ani, picked up her phone and called the hospital. Seth had managed to scream loud enough to get help and was now in the hospital with a broken left arm and left leg. He would be there for a couple of days, and after that be sent home in casts. Thanking the nurse for the information, she then called the duty officer at the front desk and told her that she would be reporting in late the next morning. Hanging the phone up she stood motionless for a few moments.

There was no one to talk to. She didn't really want to tell her father. There was so much on him already. It was hard to tell what he would do. Edmund and Valerie were both on duty and away from town. She felt so alone. Anubis nuzzled her and she bent down and held him for a while. He whined and licked her, knowing his mistress was in pain, but not knowing how to help.

Keika unwound her hair from the towel and dried it off as best she could. Her light sleeping gown replaced the robe and she sat down and brushed her long black hair. She brushed for a long time. It was comforting somehow. After a time her hair dried and she laid down in her bed. She rested there for a while, her eyes open, staring into the darkness. Then she began to weep, softly at first, but soon she was sobbing, clutching her pillow to her face and soaking it with her tears. Curling up into a fetal position, she cried like she had never cried before......and she cried for a very long time.