(Previously posted elsewhere under my old name - “MedicineMan”)

Jack entered his apartment and went into the kitchen to get a drink. It had been a long morning, and the Doctors office wasn’t his favorite place to be. The other patients annoyed him. And the shot he got was making him a little tired and groggy.

It wasn’t actually “his” apartment, the lease was actually in Karen’s name, and she handled all the financials. But she was “his girl”, and he was happy.

Karen was only 19. Her mom and dad had helped her get the lease on the apartment here a year ago, and it was ideal since the college was so close by. They really appreciated that Jack was living with her. They praised his protective nature, and often bought him little gifts.

He liked them a lot. But he LOVED Karen.

Karen’s mom was a little strange about him sleeping in her bed, but Karen was grown now and this was “Karen’s House”. Mothers couldn’t decide on such things for their daughters forever. But she still proclaimed that SHE would never do anything like that.

Jack had come to live there about a month after Karen moved in. Karen’s dad thought her moving was because he would have never allowed this in his house, but he kept it to himself. But, after a few months, Jack kinda grew on them. And soon he was just a part of the family.

Jack had even stayed with Karen in their house whenever Karen came home for Christmas or other holidays. But he wasn’t allowed to sleep in her room with her.

After his thirst was sated, he went into the living room and laid down on the couch. He was tired and wanted a nap.

Before long she was bustling about, Jack groaned as he rolled over as she was gathering her purse and things. Karen told him she was going out for a while, and he was fine with that, it would give him a chance to sleep a while.

She kissed his forehead, then grabbed her keys and opened the door. “You be good while I’m gone now.” Jack just stared at her for a moment, and then she giggled in her sweet way and closed the door.

At 5pm, the winter darkness was quickly replacing the light. Jack heard Karen in the hallway outside the door and got up off the couch. But her voice was strained and sounded different, scared.

“I’m trying.” She was saying. “Please, I know the keys are here in my purse. I’m not lying to you. You can take what you want, just don’t hurt me.”

Then Jack heard the man’s voice, and it sounded angry and threatening. He immediately went to stand nearer and to the side of the door.

As the door opened, the man shoved Karen into the room. Jack saw RED and his blood boiled at how Karen was being treated, and at her fear of harm.