Kas opened her eyes for the first time in the morning as she woke up for the day. She snuggled into her blanket as she curled into a ball on her bed. A loud yawn echoed through her room. Her comfort was abruptly interrupted by three hard knocks. A long, annoyed sigh slipped from her mouth as she threw the blanket off and stood up from her bed. The knocks repeated in another set of three, echoing down the hall outside her door.

“Hold up, Mate! I’ll be there in a minute!” She yelled back as she pulled up her tight black pants. She reached for her charcoal grey shirt and slipped it over her head. Lastly, she wrapped her hair into a tie and left her room to answer the door.

The knocks seemed to have stopped as she approached the door. When she opened it, Charlotte and Dako were waiting outside. Her eyebrow raised but a smile found her lips at the surprise.

“What brings you two ta me front door? Jacko tell ya how to get here?” Kas asked.

“Yeah, something like that,” Charlotte answered. “Can we come in?”

“Sure thing. Come in, take a seat.” Kas replied as she opened the door wider and stepped back. Charlotte and Dako stepped inside. Dako quickly found a spot on the couch as Charlotte stood still as she admired the living room.

“You gonna sit down there, Pixiedust?” Kas asked as she sat down on the large comfy chair near the couch.

Charlotte stopped staring and sat down next to Dako. “Yeah, sorry. This place is nicer than I expected, that’s all.” She answered.

“So… What’s up?” Kas asked.

“I told Dako why you haven’t been to classes all week and he asked if we could come check on you,” she answered but Dako scoffed in annoyance. “He also hates your nickname for him. I, on the other hand love it.”

“Awe poor little, spoiled rich kid, Dako dunt like the name I gave him?” Kas mocked. “Well to fuckin’ bad, Mate. Its stuck now. Don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll come up with something better later.”

“Why did you let me talk you into this, huh Char?” Dako asked. “This is what I get for being nice to the new kid.”

Charlotte smirked as she turned her head back to face him. “Because underneath that tough guy exterior is a big ole softie and you know it.” She answered.

Dako scoffed as he glared at Charlotte. “Whatever...” He said as he turned his head away.

Kas stood up from her chair and stretched. “You guys want coffee? I’m about to make a pot,” she asked.

“Yeah, sounds good.” Charlotte answered.

“What about you, Dako?”

“No… Thank you, I’m good.” He answered as he stared back at the TV. Kas smiled as she turned and walked into the kitchen.

She started the coffee maker but sat down at the small dining table. Kas tapped her fingers on the table as she stared forward blankly. The coffee pot began to steam and bubble as it finally started to brew. Her mind drifted into nothingness as she sat there, continually tapping her fingers.

The mind-numbing silence broke as a voice echoed around her. “Hey, Kas,” Charlotte greeted as her crimson eyes met Kas’. “So, you want to tell me how you are really feeling?”

“I’m fin—” Kas answered before being cut off.

“And don’t say you’re fine. We both know that’s bullshit.” Charlotte said as she sat down across from Kas.

“What do you want me to say huh, Pixiedust?” Kas asked as she sat back in her chair. “You want me to sit here and complain about every little inconvenience or every little pain I have? You should know this now… That ain’t gonna happen.”

“Then I guess I’ll just hafta check ya out myself then.” Charlotte answered.

“House rules… No Magic in the house.”

“Okay fine then. How about a physical then? I am in the med corps, after all.”

“I’ve been awake all of five minutes, mate. No pokin’ and proddin’ before me coffee.”

“Alright, alright. I probably shouldn’t be poking and prodding before I’ve had coffee either.”

The coffee pot beeped as the bubbling and steam finally stopped. Kas stood up and grabbed a couple of mugs from the cupboard. She placed them on the counter and looked over to Charlotte.

“How do you take it?” Kas asked.

“Just a splash of milk.” Charlotte answered.

“Then come over here and make your own.”

“Sure,” Charlotte said as she stood up and grabbed the milk from the fridge, pouring a bit into her mug. Kas topped off both of their cups with fresh brew coffee and both of them sat at the table once again.

She sipped her hit drink and stared down at the newspaper spread out in front of her. “Ah, yeah. A nice hot cup of coffee in the morning does the trick.” She said after a long sip.

Charlotte raised her neon blue eyebrow at her and smiled. “Yes, yes it does,” she replied. “Especially after a long morning of training.”

“You an’ Dako training first thing, huh?”

“No… Jackson trains me actually.”

“Jacko?” Kas asked. “Well I guess that makes sense. He does seem to like teaching one on one.”

“Well, he is the reason I’m even in The Hunter’s Guild at all. I wandered the streets until he found me.” Charlotte explained.

Kas sighs after another sip but looks up at Charlotte. “On the streets… I guess none of us have a happy story. Its not like any of us become hunters because we want to,” she replied.

Charlotte smirked as she stared back. “So how about that physical?” she asked.

“Alright, alright. Just let me finish this up first.” Kas answered as she gulped down the last of her coffee from the mug.

“Dako! Stay in the living room, alright!” Charlotte called out.

“Yeah, yeah. Sure thing,” he answered back quietly. Charlotte stood up from the table and Kas sighed, standing up as well.

“Okay. So, what do you need me to do?” Kas asked.

“Nothing just yet. I’ll just start my examination,” she explained. She grabbed Kas’ wrist and checked her pulse. “Nothing out of the ordinary there.” She quickly placed her hand on Kas’ chest and listened for a moment. “Alright, I need you to lift up your shirt. I need to check the wounds on your torso.”

Kas grunted as she glared back at Charlottes crimson eyes. “For fuck sake, Mate. Do we really need to do this?” she asked.

“Kas… I know it’s hard, but I need to check on these things. I need to make sure its all healing well. You have a lot of wounds and they are all healing at different rates.” Charlotte answered, raising an eyebrow at her. “On top of that, it’s been about a week since I’ve last seen you. I need to see what’s going on.

“God fucking damnit. Fine!” she relented as she took a deep breath, sighing loudly. A moment later Kas lifted her shirt, pulling it over her head. She tossed it on the table and crossed her arms over her chest.

“Thank you.” Charlotte replied as she traced her fingertips over the many wounds scattered on her body. The blacks, blues, reds, and yellows created an incredible painting with her skin as the canvas.

Kas scoffed as she closed her eyes. “why are ye wasting time thankin’ me. Just do what ya gotta and be done with it,” She snapped.

“It won’t take long, I promise.” Charlotte replied as Kas flinched with each wound or scar Charlotte touched. Before long she pulled her hands away from Kas’ body and smiled. “You are healing up nicely. It seems like you are taking bed rest seriously. I hope this continues.”

“Can I put me shirt back on now?” Kas replied.

“Sure, I’m done here for now. If things keep going well, you should be able to come back sooner rather than later. Just remember rest is key here.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know. Jacko has been stoppin’ by and houndin’ me to take it easy but thanks Dr. Pixie.”

“Good. You need someone to stay on your ass. We can’t have you getting hurt while in recovery.” Charlotte replied as she smiled at Kas. “Well, my check up is over. Dako and I should probably get back. Our classes will be starting soon.”

“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea. Izzy should be dropping by soon enough for lunch. She tends to drop off my homework from my classes. So, that keeps my mind busy at least.”

“Oh, that’s good. I was wondering how you were planning to catch up, but it seems Izzy has you covered.” Charlotte said as she turned and walked out of the kitchen as Kas followed her out.

“Alright, Dako. Time to go. We need to get back before classes start.” Charlotte said as she stared at him on the couch.

He looked over to her and smiled at her words. “Finally. We can get out of here.” He answered as he looked back over to Kas. “I’m glad everything is going well for you. Keep recovering. I wanna face off against you in class one of these days. So, you better get well soon. That way I can kick your ass.”

“Yeah, yeah. Keep talking tough, richboi Dako.” Kas teased as she walked over and held the door open for them.

Charlotte and Dako both walked toward the door, but Charlotte stopped and faced Kas. “Later. I’ll be by for another check up soon enough. Take care. I know Jackson worries about you,” she said as she walked out the door.

“Alright. Get well soon, I hope to see you back in classes soon enough, and all that shit. Later.” Dako said as he follow Charlotte out.

Kas watched them as they walked up a shiny, blue 1967 Shelby Mustang. The two white stripes lined the center of the car as Dako pulled a set of keys from his pocket and unlocked the driver side door. Before long the car pulled out of the driveway, turning on to the road. Kas stared as they drove away, admiring the car.

“I knew he was a spoiled rich punk. How the hell else is that loser gonna get a ’67 Shelby?” she asked. When they were out of sight, she closed the door and found her way back into the kitchen. Her phone notification chimed but Kas ignored it to pour another cup of coffee. She sat down at the table and took a nice long sip before she felt the need to check her phone.

[From Izzy – Yoooo, Kas. I’m comin’ home a little early today, like maybe 11:30 instead of noon. Plz try to have the living room vacuumed at least……..]

[To Izzy – Yea yea, keep ur panties on. I’ll clean up a bit before u get here, mate.]

[From Izzy - *Thumbs up Emoji*]

A few hours later, Kas sat in the living room watching TV. One of Kas’ favorite programs played a rerun but lucky for her it was one of her favorite older episodes. As the show shifted into commercials, she checked her phone and saw the clock read, 11:47.

“She ain’t early. Stupid, bitch. Always warning me for no goddamn reason,” she grumbled but a moment later, the front door swung open and Izzy stepped inside.

“Miss me?!” Izzy asked as she dumped a bookbag on the ground next to Kas.

“As if. I was hoping you wouldn’t show ya ugly mug around here again.”

“You know ya love this mug,” Izzy replied with a cocky grin. “Ya hungry? I brought us some lunch.”

Kas’ mouth began to water as she realized she hadn’t eaten all day. “Fuck yeah. I’m starved. What did ya bring, Iz?”

Izzy placed a greasy paper bag down on the coffee table before flashing a grin. “I stopped at Zach n Dave’s Burgers on the way home. Thought I’d get ya a treat.”

Kas ripped into the bag and stared back at her friend with wide eyes. “I you were a bloke, id marry ya, Iz.” She said, pulling out a greasy paper wrapped burger.

“Yeah, Yeah I know, silicone ain’t good enough for ya.” She smiled as she snatched a burger from the bag.

Neither of them spoken much. In fact , the sounds of chewing and crunches filled the air around them. Before long there were three crumbled up wrappers tossed next to the bag.

Kas belched after she ate her last few fries and finished off her drink. “Holy fuck, mate. That place is fuckin lit. How do they make it so damn excellent.”

“Got no idea but I heard the owners use magic. I mean what else explains the heavenly greatness of everything produced in there?” Izzy answered as she crumbled her wrapper up. She panicked slightly when she checked her phone. “Ah fuck me! I'm gonna be late! Jackson is gonna kick my ass.” She scrambled to get her things as she bolted out the door. Kas slouched back as she watched her friend. A wide grin found her at the thought of Jacko pounding her in combat training.

She picked up her phone and dialed. Kas stood up and gathered her trash as the phone rang. A moment later, they picked up.

“Hey, Kas. Whats up?” A deep voice asked.

“Hey, Dad. You want to hit up the arcade?” she asked.

“Of course! Its been ages since we hung out…. Wait. Aren't you supposed to be in class right now?”

Kas sighed and rolled her eyes. “Yes, Nate-o. But I went a little too hard in combat trainin' and got hurt. They sent me home to recover. Now do ya wanna keep gnawing my ear off, or are ya ready to get ya ass handed to ya, old man?”

“Say no more, I'll you there ya little shit.” Nate replied and the phone clicked as he hung up.

She stood up from the couch and picked up her keys. Kas giggled to her self as she locked the front door behind her. Her pace down the sidewalk quickened the closer she got to the garage but she tapped the button on her keychain and the door’s mechanical hinge slid up. She pulled the tight cover off her bike and hopped on, starting the engine. It hummed to life. Kas' hand rested on the throttle as she revved it a few times before speeding out of the garage. She tapped the garage button once again before she got out of range. The wind through her hair and against her face were things Kas cherished and reveled in. She rarely wore a helmet and today was one of the many where she did not. Riddleton was beautiful, and Kas had no regrets about moving here, even if she did regret the circumstances.