Vincent Kane's Rise From Ash

8: Damsels In Distress

Vincent ran towards the scream he'd heard, and even Gary couldn't keep up with that speed and agility. When he reached the top, strange faces greeted him with mockery and scorn.

 Thugs. There were about fifteen of them holding spiked clubs and daggers. A few of them had guns holstered at the hip. But the only thing Vincent noticed was the beaten girl laid next to the wall, crying weakly.

“Tamar!” He called out to her.

He wanted to run to her and pick her in his arms but the men surrounded both of them- and he doubted the Glock 19 Gary held up at the biggest guy would help them in that very moment.

“She's really precious to you, isn't she?” The biggest one of all the thugs asked, his husky tone drenched in sarcasm. “Aww,” he added mockingly, “shame we had to do what we've done to her, right boys?” 

Vincent lunged forward in a futile attempt to attack the man. He was struck across the face instead, the force pulling him to the ground.

They laughed. No pity. No remorse. Just callousness. One of the thugs- with a face tattoo and much smaller in size- came forward and spat on Vincent. 

Vincent was too far gone to think now, the rage was maddening. His finger tightened on the trigger as he pointed his gun towards the smaller thug. 

“I'll break every bone in your body and make you count.”

Laughters erupted.

“Vincent…” Tamar called out weakly before she coughed out blood. But just when he moved a step closer towards her, a fist found its way near to his jaw. The attacker was too slow. Vincent caught the hand and twisted it, breaking the knuckles with a squeeze. The man screamed in pain as other thugs rushed forward with their weapons. 

Gary got caught in between his boss and a different gangster, a bullet to the knee was fired then. Vincent fired his own gun at the gang leader but failed at the aim when someone else was used as a body shield.

In the middle of the fight scene, Tamar struggled through tears to free herself from the tight rope that bound her hands together. Before she could stretch her body towards a sharp stone laying a good distance away from her, someone stuck the metallic end of their heel into her already blistered hand. She screamed in agony and hot tears rolled down the sides of her face.

Vincent looked to see Regina standing over Tamar, inflicting pain as she smirked devilishly. 

“Did you really think you'd get away with all those stunts you pulled, you son of a wretched whore?” Regina laughed.

Vincent tried his best to fight his way to Tamar but the thugs outnumbered them, and they were pinned to the ground. He was forced to watch his sister in pain as a thug firmly pinned his head to the ground. Vincent saw streaks of tears flow through Tamar's bloodshot eyes and sobbed in defeat.

“I think I'll let you live this time boy,” Regina said thoughtfully, as if that was the most human thing she could have ever done. “But as for her, I'd rather put her to good use.”

With those words, the big thug hauled Tamar over his shoulder and walked out, Regina sashaying away immediately after. 

Where were they taking her to? What was she planning to do with Tamar?

Vincent struggled and cursed himself for letting them take her. With a strike of their clubs, the thugs knocked the two of them out and left the scene.

*

When Vincent woke up, he was in the bed of his master room having the maid treat his sore wounds. He didn't remember getting back to the house and grimaced in pain when the elderly woman applied liniment to the bruised side of his face. He looked around in disarray, until memories came back in painful details.

“Where's Gary?” He asked the maid and tried to sit up. The pain was too much and he let out a groan through clenched teeth.

“You need to rest sir, the injuries are minor but they need time to heal,” she said wisely.

“I asked where Gary is” Vincent insisted stubbornly.

She sighed and finally gave in to his request.

“He sustained less injuries but he's now resting”

“Tell him I need him now,” he ordered.

She bowed and left, and moments later, Gary walked in limping. Vincent paused, a fresh realization washing over him as he saw the person standing in front of him. Gary had never left his side, even when times were tough. Even after his retirement, the man had chosen to be by Vincent’s side regardless when he returned his badge. 

“Thank you, Gary,” he said and his assistant simply stared in confusion. 

He wondered if Vincent had finally made the decision to let him go and his forehead creased with agitation. “I'm sorry sir, I should've known it was trap. I should've done more to-”

Vincent shook his head even though it still throbbed with immense pain. “No, no… that's not why I….” He paused and reflected on something momentarily. “If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't know what's happened to Tamar. But now I know, and I know the culprit…. So I'm grateful.”

Gary nodded.

“I need you to do something for me. Call Watson. Tell him now's t

he time I need him”

Gary, speechless but understanding, nodded and bid to do what had been instructed.