Falling for the Veterinary Pathologist

Chapter 2

After our meeting at the dock Ray and I head back to our "base" of sorts. It's just an abandoned power plant that we're using for the time being.

First I went to the sink and cleaned my face up and then I cleaned my guns. And prepared myself for the run. I dawned my black clothes and packed my backpack. I wore black ripped jeans, a black tight tank top and all black vans. Then we waited for Jackson's team to arrive.

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"Alright so we've hit up a couple of zoos before. We found what works best for us is a two- pronged assault. So four of us are going to go in here. Four of us in here." Ray explains our plan to the new team before us.

Anissa starts explaining our past hits now, "toss in a couple of flash-bangs and the rent-a-cops won't know what hit 'em" I smile brightly at the thought of the flash-bangs.

"Flash-bangs? Seriously?" The woman who I've learned is Jamie asks. I personally love the flash-bangs but hey we're working with a new team.

"The etymology of the term "gung ho" comes from the Chinese meaning "work together" but I can also find it means excitable moron groping for a cause." Mitch says. He did not just say that! I tense and clench my fists.

I was about to say something but Ronnie beat me to it, " you kidding me, man?" Ronnie walks around the table towards Mitch.

This time Abraham gives advice, "My friend, I wouldn't if I was you." The two look at each other for a moment. I stand up to walk around the table also but Ray pushes me back down in my seat. I am tired of him bossing me around like I'm a child.

"Who are these guys again, Ray?" It seems Anissa is tired of them too.

"These are some old chums of mine," I let a small laugh escape my lips. He glanced at me but continues, " who are presently of the mind that animals are uniting against us." Seriously are theses people crazy.

I stand up to leave and add, " which we deserve by the way." With that I walk toward the big window to cool down. But I was close enough I could still hear the plan.

The groups continue to talk about the plan and who gets what and where. I was doing good holding my temper until Mitch spoke up again.

"Yeah like the one where we don't break into the zoo to free the animals" he says it with such venom and anger that I can't help but my let my anger rise again.

"What, you think this is funny?" Anissa asks.

"Oh there's nothing funnier than adrenaline junkies trying to mask their thrill-seeking in altruism." Mitch says. That's when he really got onto my nerves and I snapped.

I stormed over, "zoos are an idea that have come and gone." I snap at him. I would've went and hit him but Ray and Anissa were holding me back. I felt so small everyone was taller than I was and Mitch didn't even flinch when I went to hit him.

"Tell that to the dozens of endangered species who benefited from captive breeding programs." He had a point and it only angered me more. I was fitting with my thoughts inside.

"All right, relax, relax." Ray tries to calm me down. But that angers me more too. I'm tired of him bossing me around!

Finally I break. I punch the metal table and stand still. Everyone jumped when I hit the table. Except for Mitch and Ray, who was used to my behavior. I loudly exhale and leave the room.

In the other room, I go over to one of the punching bags I set up when we first got here. I started my routine of punching and kicks on the bag. Right hook, left hook, right kick, left kick, and so on.

I didn't even bother to tape my hands. Which is coming back to me now as I sit for the first time since I started. I drink some water and examine my hands. They're covered in blood.

I lie on the floor with my eyes closed and let my breathing slow down. I let a few stray angry tears fall. I was so angry and upset that it was causing exhaustion of my body.

I hear the door open but I don't move. I feel a presence near me and say, "Go away. I wanna be alone" I tell the unidentified person.

"Afraid I can't do that." Ugh it was Mitch. Why did he come in here. Can he not tell I don't want to be with people at the moment or ever. I'm not a people person I can't relate my emotions to them.

"Why can't you leave?" I ask still with my eyes closed and still lying on the ground.

"Ray sent me in said you probably hurt yourself when you stormed out all angry like." I laugh Ray sent him out. He does really know how to get on my nerves. If he weren't my brother I would've punched him in the face a long time ago. "And by the looks of your hands Id say he was right." He continues.

"Ya well I don't need help. So you can leave. Tell him you patched me up and I'll take care of it myself." I sit up and look at Mitch for the first time. He's standing not far from me and is looking at my bloodied hands.

I push myself off the floor and stand up. As I stand I wipe the last tear that was stuck on my cheek and hope Mitch didn't see. I walk over to the water bottles. I grab two bottles and a first aide kit.

Then I sit on the chair and start to clean my hands. I start by pouring the water over one hand. It burns so bad but I wasn't going to look weak in front of someone who already thought low of me.

After having them rinsed out I opened the first aide kit and grabbed some antiseptic. I apply the gel and then grab the bandages. I manage to grab one end with my mouth and pull it to a start. Then I wrap my left hand. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't my best either.

When I started on my right I dropped the tape roll. And just my luck Mitch was standing there watching me. I leaned over to pick it up but Mitch beat me to it.

He takes the tape in his hands and starts to unravel it again. But instead of handing it back to me to finish he kneels and then he takes my right hand in his.

He holds it so gentle and with so much care you would think he actually likes people. Then he starts to wrap my hand. His taping is much better than mine I will admit. But in my defense I am self taught.

He doesn't say anything throughout the whole process. He just looks at my hand and the tape. Every once in a while I'd see him peak up at me to make sure it didn't hurt. Which it did. It hurt like hell but I wasn't going to let him know that.

He ripped the last piece and handed me the tape role. Then he stood up, "there now when I tell him I helped you I won't be lying." With that he walk back into the room everyone was in discussing the plan in.