Recycled Lives

by Yasmin Hawken

  Glass’ head turned slowly to look at her. A fury burned in her eyes like Ava had never seen. If anything, she would say there was a sense of crazy in those eyes. It seemed the punch had hit its mark both physically and mentally. The two men in the background started to inch closer. Glass threw out her hand, and they jumped back.

  Glass struck out again, and Ava wasn’t ready this time. The shot bypassed her guard and caught her in the chest. The hit was so much harder than it should have been, it forced the air from her lungs, winding her for just a second. That augmented arm was damaging. Now she was angry. Who the fuck did this bitch think she was to come start a fight with her? Glass was messing with the wrong girl.

  Ava attacked. The combat became a flow of punches and blocks, pain blossoming in one place before quickly being replaced by damage in another. Ava hit, Glass blocked, Glass hit, Ava blocked. Ava was glad that this woman was obviously not much of a fighter, otherwise, she’d make better use of that arm, and that would’ve made her lethal.

  Her knuckles were split, and she tasted blood in her mouth, but that was nothing she wouldn’t come back from tomorrow. Feeling confident that she had this in the bag, Ava threw her leg out and swept Glass’ legs out from under her. The petite redhead hit the ground hard, and she could hear the air rushing from her lungs as she hit the ground. The two men looked aghast as they seemed to try and decide what to do.

  “Want to call it quits now?” Ava asked, breathing heavily from exhaustion. This wasn’t exactly the end she had planned for her shopping trip, but it was what it was.

  “Quits? This isn’t finished, street bitch,” Glass sneered.

  With unimaginable speed, Glass was back on her feet, and before Ava could get her block up, a heavy punch hit her chest. The pain forced her to back up a little. She grabbed her chest, fighting for breath as another quick blow caught her in the kidney. How had she gotten behind her? Glass’ movements were suddenly so quick that she couldn’t keep up.

  Blow after blow connected with her already battered body. She raised her forearms to try and protect herself from just one attack, but she just wasn’t quick enough. What the hell was happening? Had the woman just been feigning before? Ava took a chance throwing a punch that should have caught Glass in the stomach only for it to just graze cloth. The movement opened her up to a blow to the shoulder.

  A heavy kick to the back of the knee forced her to the ground, and pain exploded through her knees as she hit the hard sidewalk. No, she couldn’t let this woman take her down. She went to push herself up when a heavy black boot connected with her face. The strength of the hit forced her flat out on the ground. She lay there on the ground gasping for breath. She was channeling all her remaining strength into her arms and legs. She needed to get to her feet.

  “You’re just not going to stay down, are you?” Glass said as she crouched down in front of Ava. Ava could barely make out the boot before her. Her eye was already swelling shut.

  “No!” Ava said.

  A surge of energy rushed through her as she lurched forward. She grabbed Glass and pushed her to the ground. Glass overbalanced and fell onto her back. Ava didn’t have the strength to get to her feet; instead, she grabbed Glass’ right leg and sank her teeth in deeply. If nothing else, Ava would leave her mark on the woman. Glass shrieked before kicking out and catching Ava square in the face. There was a sickening crack and an explosion of blood as Ava’s nose broke.

  That was it. The combination of pain, shock, and multiple injuries was too much. Ava’s energy gave out, and she slumped to the floor. The pain emanating from her face was intense, and with the battering the rest of her body had taken, she wasn’t sure she would ever be able to move again. That was as long as Glass didn’t kill her here and now.

  “You know that not all augmentics are visible, right?” She tapped her head. “Adrenal gland enhancement—you’ll never beat me, bitch. Now. I’ll tell you again. Stay away from Jacques, stay away from my Father, and stay away from the Casket. This is just a warning; if I catch you near there again, I will kill you!” Glass sneered as she knelt over Ava.

  When Ava didn’t respond, Glass grabbed her long hair and pulled her head up. Ava was forced to meet her eyes. The look on Glass’ face was nothing short of psychotic.

  “Did you hear me?” Glass asked.

  Ava nodded. She wasn’t sure she could even manage words right now. But as she heard Glasses’ footsteps retreating, she vowed to herself that she would have her revenge. She lay there on the sidewalk, her body broken, bleeding, and bruised, but she would heal, and she would make sure that Glass paid for this.

  Chapter Ten

  Lucinda had had a lot on her mind since her issue with Sawyer. Zane had talked to her about the issue, and Sawyer had apologized, but Lucinda couldn’t help worrying that the girl was mad at her for telling Zane. Sawyer was so quiet all that time that Lucinda had a problem sensing her mood or what was on her mind. Every time Lucinda had been in the house since, she had kept her stuff tucked away in Zane’s room just in case. The kids never went in there unless they were invited.

  Today had been a hard session at the gym. At least one day a week, she made sure she worked out with Zane. It was useless learning all of the self-defense skills if her body wasn’t strong enough to use them effectively. The training was hard, but there was always a sense of euphoria when she was done. With each week that passed, she could feel herself growing stronger. There was the added plus that she got to watch Zane workout while she trained. She would never that turn down.

  As they reached the doorstep, Lucinda couldn’t help but wonder what they were going to find when they stepped inside. In the few short months since she had been dating Zane, she had walked in on a mixture of compromising moments involving the various members of the family. The twins desperately trying to fix a mirror that they had broken when fighting, Blair plaiting all the boys’ hair, Caspian watching adult channels on the main room’s AR; that last was one that was sticking with her against her will. Caspian either had very interesting tastes or was really curious.

  Zane walked up to the stoop, scanned his chip, and headed inside. He was so used to the craziness in the house that he didn’t even falter. Lucinda followed inside more cautiously. There was no screaming, which meant either today was a calm one or everyone had died. In the living room, Caspian and Dare were sitting on the couch watching some cop show on the AR. Zane clapped Caspian round the back of the head. The teenager exclaimed a little at the sudden pain.

  “What’ chu do that for?” Caspian asked, rubbing the back of head.

  “I’m sure I’ll find a reason,” Zane joked, holding his fist out. Caspian bumped it.

  “Morning, Luce,” Caspian said.

  “Morning. Did you have a good night?” she asked, perching on the edge of the couch.

  “Yeah. Went out into town, played some laser tag before picking the kids up. They need feeding, by the way. Zane said I could only order them pizza once a week, and I already did that twice,” Caspian said.

  “Damn right. They deserve to eat well,” Zane said. “I’ll take a shower, and then I’ll cook dinner.”

  “It’s alright, I’ve got it. I took a shower at the gym,” Lucinda said.

  “You sure?” Zane asked.

  “Yeah, it’s no problem. Caspian and Dare are going to run down to the shop for desserts, ain’t you?” Lucinda said, smiling to the boys.

  “We are?” Dare asked.

  “Yeah, you are. Head down to Tayvian’s and get something sweet for us,” she said, holding her hand to Caspian. As he clutched it, she transferred him some cash. She then whispered, “There’s even a little left for you to get something for yourself.”

  “No problem, Luce,” Caspian said, eagerly getting to his feet. The two young men basically ran out of the front door.

  “You spoil them.” Zane chuckled from the staircase.

  “I can’t help myself. When I come back, and the living room isn’t a warzone, they deser
ve the reward,” Lucinda chuckled. She put down her workout bag and headed for the kitchen. “Now go and shower, you stink.”

  Zane laughed again and headed up the stairs. As she stepped into the kitchen, she jumped a little as she saw Blair sitting at the dining table in the kitchen. The littlest member of the family was sitting so quietly that she hadn’t even noticed she was here. She had assumed she was either in her room or out playing in the yard.

  “Good morning, Blair,” she said with a smile as she sat down next to her at the table.

  “Lucy,” she said excitedly, jumping up to hug her. Lucinda pulled the six-year-old onto her lap and gave her a hug.

  “Are you doing your homework?” Lucinda asked.

  “No. I finished that, I was drawing a picture,” she said, pointing to the AR screen she had been using the paint program on.

  “Can I see?” Lucinda asked.

  Blair nodded enthusiastically as she turned the AR screen to Lucinda. The picture was of a group of people standing in front of a house with a big green garden and a big yellow sun. Lucinda had an idea of who this was, but she wasn’t the artist, so she better clarify.

  “That’s lovely, Blair. Who are the people?” Lucinda asked.

  “Well, this is Vincent and Ryker. They are arguing over a snow cone. Dare and Caspian secretly drink beer when they think Zane isn’t looking. Here is Sawyer, she’s being all moody on her own over here, and that’s you and Zane watching over all of us,” Blair said proudly as she pointed out each member of the family. Lucinda felt moved that she had made it into the family portrait that she had drawn.

  “Where are you, Blair?” she asked, trying to hide the slight lump in her throat.

  “I haven’t drawn me yet. I was gonna do that next,” the child replied.

  “It’s an amazing drawing, Blair; you have a real talent. Maybe someday I can show you all my paints,” Lucinda said with a smile. The thought of teaching her how to paint with oil paints and watercolors thrilled her. She couldn’t wait to share her passion with the little girl who had stolen her heart.

  “You can? When?” she asked excitedly.

  “Not just yet, but I will. I promise,” Lucinda said.

  “Please, don’t go away,” Blair said suddenly, wrapping her arms around Lucinda tightly.

  “Blair, why would you think that I would go anywhere?” Lucinda asked with a slight chuckle.

  “Zane is worried you will. I heard him talking to Cas,” she said as she snuggled back into Lucinda.

  “Don’t worry. I have absolutely no plans to go anywhere,” Lucinda responded, kissing the top of Blair’s head.

  “Okay. Are you going to come and live with us all the time?” Blair asked. The question seemed so innocent from the six-year-old’s mouth. It would be so easy to tell her yes, but the decision was so much more complicated.

  “I don’t know yet. Why? Do you want me to live here?” Lucinda asked.

  “Yes. If you are here, then Zane won't be so sad and cross all the time. He’s always happy when you’re here,” she said completely innocently as she played with the ends of Lucinda’s short hair. “Also, if you live here, we can get a chocolate fountain in the garden.”

  Blair’s statement confused Lucinda. She struggled to recall any mention of a chocolate fountain in any of their conversations. She was a little worried that maybe she had made a promise to the young girl, and that was certainly something that she didn’t want to break.

  “So why does me living here mean you can have a chocolate fountain?” Lucinda asked, eager to hear what story the little girl was going to come out with.

  “Well, if you ask Zane, then he won’t say no,” Blair answered innocently.

  “Well, I can’t promise that will happen,” Lucinda responded. She was sure there was no way she could convince Zane that that permanent fixture should be a thing. The kids had enough energy and really didn’t need full time access to sugar.

  “Oh, okay. Well, when you get married can I be your bridesmaid?” Blair asked.

  “Thinking a little ahead there. Now cheer up and go and play with your brothers while I make dinner, okay?” Lucinda said, trying to subvert that conversation as quickly as she possibly could. That was something she certainly wasn’t explaining to the six-year-old.

  She watched with a smile on her face as Blair nodded and went running out of the kitchen. The little girl’s sentiment really filled her heart. She was overcome with a happiness and a sense of belonging that she had never really felt. Originally, she had worried how each of Zane’s siblings would take to her. They were a very close family, and she was sure they wouldn’t have liked the interloper, but she had been wrong. Pretty much from the first day, the kids had been nice to her. The younger ones mainly. It had taken her a couple weeks to win Caspian over, and she was still working on Sawyer.

  She was glad that she was being seen as part of the dysfunctional little family. Even though only a short time had passed, she couldn’t imagine what she would do without them. With a smile on her face, she went to the fridge and started gathering what she would need to make dinner for her little tribe.

  Chapter Eleven

  Jacques had been walking for hours; God only knew how far he had wandered. By the time he’d gotten back to his flat, his feet ached, and he was soaked to the skin. He’d taken a quick shower and settled into his bed, hoping that a good night’s sleep would help to wipe the slate. Hopefully, it would banish all of the difficult emotions that had been rattling around in his head all day. He was just drifting off to sleep when he was disturbed by a notification from his gauntlet. He was tempted to ignore it, just roll over and sleep, but something told him that he should check it. An uneasy feeling twisted in his gut.

  ::Need you down the Casket ASAP::

  Jacques sat up, his eyebrows knitting in confusion as he looked at the message from Hamish. Hamish never summoned Jacques, not unless it was important. He sent a reply asking what was up, so he could prepare himself, but when he got no response, he threw himself out of the bed and pulled on some clothes. He checked for messages once more, but when he saw nothing, he headed out of the apartment, slamming the door behind him.

  Normally he would just take the bus or walk as it was cheaper, but today he opted to take a cab. He was more concerned about speed rather than the contents of his bank account. He was on the edge of his seat the entire ride as his brain walked through every scenario that could have happened to have Hamish summon him like this. His stomach was twisting and turning with anxiety as the possible outcomes became more and more ridiculous.

  When the cab stopped outside the bar, he paid the fare without even looking at how much it was. He was on the way down the steps before the cab had even had a chance to pull away. He was analyzing every detail of the place to try and figure out what had happened. The guards were on the door, and no sign of Seattle Security, which meant it wasn’t a raid.

  “Morning guys,” he muttered to the mercs on the door without stopping.

  As he stepped inside the bar proper, he looked around, seeing a few of the regular clientele, but other than that, it seemed relatively quiet. No out of control bar fight. That was another one ticked off the list. The longer it took for him to find out, the more serious it seemed to get in his head. He stepped up to the bar. One of the younger male staff, Keith, was manning the bar solo at the moment.

  “Y’alright, Keith? Where is Hamish? He called me.” Jacques said, forcing himself to remain calm. He didn’t want to seem anxious or on edge.

  “Yeah, he’s out the back. Go on through,” Keith said.

  “You know what’s going on?” Jacques asked as he headed towards the door.

  “Just get back there, man,” Keith said as he picked up a glass to fill.

  Jacques shook his head as he made for the door to the back room. All of the staff of the Oaken Casket knew not to spread information of anything that went on in the venue. The clientele paid for the privacy, and most of them for good reason;
a lot of hidden demons and life destroying secrets were hidden in the walls. His past was light and airy fairy compared to some of them.

  He pushed the door open, a cool breeze coming from the stores raising the hairs on the back of his neck. Part of him was expecting to find a dead body wrapped in tarp and Hamish waiting for him to help move it. When it came to this place, there was little that could surprise him.

  “Hamish, you here?” Jacques called out.

  Hamish appeared from the back storeroom, a look of worry on his face. That concerned Jacques even more; the man wasn’t known for showing his concern much. That was when Jacques knew something bad was happening.

  “Gonna tell me what’s going on?” Jacques asked.

  “Now you’re here, yeah. It’s Ava; she’s hurt,” Hamish said. Jacques’ stomach dropped; what the hell had happened? Had one of the mercs got handsy, maybe one of the punk kids from one of the gangs? He was equally worried and angry. He was already plotting how to hurt whoever had touched her, and maybe that was a giveaway to how he really felt. Then a cold fury rolled over him. Glass. He should have thought of her first.

  “Why are you calling me and not a damn medic?” Jacques asked angrily as he headed towards the back room where Ava was living.

  “Cause she won't come out, and isn’t answering the door. Thinking that you might actually be able to get through to her,” Hamish said as he followed closely behind him.

  “How hurt is she? What the fuck even happened?” Jacques asked. As he reached the corridor to the bar’s private rooms, he saw Sherrie, another member of the bar staff, standing beside Ava’s door.

  “I was working when she came in. She was a beaten mess. I don’t know how she was even walking. I tried talking to her, but she ignored me,” Sherrie said with concern in her voice. The staff here were hardy and could take a lot of shit, but it affected everyone when one of their own got hurt.