The Crutch's Sister

Rebound

Kicks' POV

Rain was pouring down when I woke up. I frowned and started my morning routine. 

"You sure you feel fine to work today, kid? I still feel like you should take a day of recovery." Specs asked. I chuckled.

"My longest recovery time was one day. I'm fine." I assured. "Besides, I heal fast. It's one of my many hidden talents." I joked, nudging him. He chuckled and we started walking down the street and we separated once Specs reached his selling spot. Once I reached mine, I stood under an awning and started selling. 

There's not that much business on rainy days.

When it was time to leave, I looked down at my half-full bag and sighed. I glanced down the street and saw the theater. "Maybe Medda or someone inside will buy a pape?"  I shrugged and walked up to the back of the theater and looked backstage for Medda. 

"Kicks!" she greeted. I turned around and she wrapped me in a tight, warm hug. "I just heard yesterday that you had a little run-in with the folks at the Refuge. I immediately went to get you out, but the men said you and a couple other kids escaped and I didn't know where you'd gone, but I knew you were with your boys and that you were safe." I smiled.

"Thanks Medda."

"Don't mention it. You're like family to me and family is the most important thing to me." She brought me in for another hug. "Why, you're soaking! Were you outside all day?" she asked. I nodded. She grabbed my arm and brought me into my dressing room. "Get yourself in here and dry off. Stay as long as you want and you know where to find me if you need anything." She walked out of the room and I changed out of my wet clothes into a clean pair.

After I was fairly dry, I heard voices from outside.

"Listen lady, I know she's here." a gruff voice said.

"Sir, I have absolutely no idea where she is." I heard Medda's voice reply.

"This is her work. ain't it? So she has ta be here!" a second voice replied. I opened my door just enough to see who Medda was talking to. I quickly closed the door when I saw.

Mother and Father

"Why are they here?" I panicked. "Haven't they put me through enough? They destroyed my childhood, and now they have to ruin the one thing I have to myself?" 

"As they say in South Hampton, you're shit out of luck. (Chicago reference) She ain't here." Medda said. "And you two are invading on my property, so get out and stay out." I could hear a small struggle. I paced around my room.

"Okay Kicks. Are you gonna stay in here like a little pansy and let them push around your friend, or are you gonna get payback for the ten years of hell that they mercilessly forced you through?" I thought. I took a deep breath and threw my door open. "Don't worry, I'm here, Medda. Would you mind giving us minute? This is between me and my folks." I said, walking up to Mother and Father. Medda nodded and walked away.

Medda's POV

"OoOoH! My little girl's bouta kick their ass!" I thought as I left the room.

Kicks' POV

I stood facing my parents, staring them down. An intimidation technique I learned from Jack.

"Katie..." Mother started.

"Kicks. My name is Kicks." I said.

"Bull." Father scoffed. "We know you have money. Times are tough right now and we need it. Much more than a thirteen-"

"I'm fifteen." I growled.

"Fifteen year old." he continued. "So we could get it the easy way, or the hard way. Choose." he demanded. I looked down and sighed. Race's voice rang in my head.

"Anything you do is a gamble. If you're in a tight spot, one of my tricks is to make it look like you're going all in on their trap. Every time I've done this, I've won the jackpot."

"You win." I lied. "Let me just get it." I reached into my pocket and once my hand came out, I punched my father. He stumbled back.

"Katie!" Mother exclaimed.

"Don't play the victim here! That was just a small payback for the living hell I went through with you two. I don't know how you keep finding me, but no matter how many times it takes to get it through your thick skulls, I'll keep singing the same tune! YOU GET NOTHING! You're not getting a cent out of me! And it's your own faults for having no money. You wasted it all!" I shouted.

"Katie-" Father tried. He reached out for my shoulder.

"Don't try to be good parents now! You threw away your shot! ( ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ) Get out of here! Get out of my hair! Get out of my city! Get out of Crutchie's life! Get out of my life! Get as far away from me as humanly possible! I never want to see you're disgusting hides here or anywhere near me or my family ever again!" I screamed. 

I was breathing heavily now. They were halfway out the door when they both looked back at me. I felt like a lion, guarding my territory and my pride from hyenas or other vicious scavengers. "GET OUT!" I roared. I charged at the door and they went running. I slammed the door and locked it. 

I sat down against the door and Medda came back from wherever she went to.

"That was amazing, kid." she smiled. I grinned and shrugged.

"I'm not a force to be reckoned with." I sighed.

"I'm the apex predator."