Steve McHugh - Born of Hatred

"Hades, when I find the people who arranged all of this, I'm going to make sure that everyone remembers exactly what it means to cross Hellequin."

"Good. Because you'll only get one chance to make sure people remember what it used to mean to cross you." And then he was gone, leaving me to my thoughts.

While I was having a lengthy sleep, someone had what was, quite frankly, the wonderful idea of getting me some clean clothes to wear. Being able to don fresh clothing once you've been in a hospital gown for any length of time is one of life's little pleasures.

On the ten minute journey to Tommy's office on the top floor, there I was helpfully informed of the fact that Tommy was looking for me twenty-something times, along with receiving more than a few cautious or nervous glances. The news that Hellequin was back had travelled much faster than I'd expected.

When I reached Tommy's office, I paused for a moment and took a deep breath, reluctant to intrude on a family moment, especially after what they'd been through. I breathed out as I opened the door and stepped inside.

I'd been in Tommy's office once in the months since regaining my memories, and that was only to say I'd arrived, after which Tommy hastily ushered me out without giving me time to take in any of the details. Now finally having the chance to look around the massive office, I figured out why. One full side of the room, the one opposite an entire bank of windows, had a dozen shelves on it with photos of Olivia and Kasey, while the wall adjacent the door I'd walked through held several beautiful works of art, including many from an artist named Kasey, aged six, seven or eight. Tommy hadn't wanted me to know he had a daughter because he was concerned exactly what Nate he was getting. If I'd been in his office for more than five seconds his entire effort of security would have been pointless.

Olivia sat on the desk at the far end, watching me as I scanned the office. She stood and walked toward me, and before I knew what was happening, she'd embraced me in a tight hug as tears wet her cheeks.

"Thank you," she whispered into my ear. "I can never repay what you've done for me… for us." She kissed me on the cheek and moved away, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

"You never have to repay a thing," I told her. "Where're Tommy and Kasey?"

"Kasey went for a coke; Tommy went to deal with his issues."

"He's hitting something, isn't he?"

"In the gym. He's having more trouble dealing with what happened than Kasey is."

"He was almost beaten to death. That's going to screw with anyone's head. Besides that, he's a wolf who in any other life would be the alpha of a powerful pack. It's probably a lot for him to take in that he couldn't help his daughter. I'll talk to him, if you like."

Olivia nodded as Kasey walked in, can of coke in hand. "Nate," she shrieked, as she saw me and ran over, hugging me tightly.

"I like the artwork," I said.

Kasey pulled away and glanced back at the pictures on the wall.

"I'm a big fan of the rocket picture."

"That's an aeroplane," she corrected.

"Oh, so what's the slug thing underneath it?"

"That's a mountain with eyes."

I raised an eyebrow in question.

"I was six," she said, explaining everything.

"He hurt my dad," she said after a moment's silence. "I couldn't do anything to stop it." And Kasey was enfolded into her mum's arms the second the tears began to fall.

I let them have their moment together, until Kasey pulled away and glanced up at me. "I'm sorry I couldn't stop him from hurting you either."

I've seen many things in my life that have pulled at my heart in one way or another, but that? That damn near broke it. "Kasey, you stood up to a monster that most adults would have run from. You have nothing to be sorry for. Neither I nor your dad would ever think any less of you for being unable to stop the lich. We think more of you for trying. It's not your job to fight monsters, it's your job to enjoy being young. Maybe one day, you can be the big monster killer, but right now we don't want you to put yourself in danger. Not even to protect us."

Kasey sniffed. "My dad is angry."

"I'll deal with your dad," I told her. "Some people are more stubborn and proud than they should be. I'll go get him for you."

Finding Tommy was easy. I heard the grunts of pain, and the sound of the punch bag's reinforced chain straining to take the blows, before I'd even reached the gym's entrance.

I stood at the door and watched Tommy go to work on the bag with a combination of savage blows. Two previous bags lay on the floor nearby, their contents spilling out across the floor.

"You know, if you're going to be breaking every single punch bag, it's probably a good idea to start buying ones that are made for a werewolf."

"Go away," he said and continued punching the bag.

"You're not healed," I continued, ignoring him. "You keep that up, and you're going to end up a long-term resident for Doc Grayson to look after. I saw your wounds, Tommy. That silver can't be anywhere near healed yet. You're only doing more damage by being a stubborn pain in the ass."

"I'll be fine."

I walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Tommy, stop it."

He shook me off and planted a hand in my chest, shoving me back. "I said, go away."

When I didn't move, Tommy growled and threw a punch at me this time, but he was still injured and the punch lacked power and speed. I deflected it, causing him to lose his footing and fall forward.

"Don't be an ass, Tommy."

He sprang up to throw a second punch, but a quick kick to his injured leg ended that plan before it started.

Unfortunately, it didn't deter Tommy so much as it pissed him off even more. He charged at me, so I stepped into the attack, grabbed his arm and spun him up and over my shoulder. He landed with a loud thud, crying out with pain as the silver wounds struck the floor.

"Enough," I said one more time. "Don't make me hurt you."

I stepped back to give him some room and he charged again. I tried to avoid him, but he grabbed my t-shirt and tackled me to the floor, where he quickly found himself in a triangle choke hold. He tried to use his strength to power out of it, but I had it locked in, and he wasn't at full health. So the question became which would give out first, his remaining strength or his oxygen supply?

As it turned out, it was his strength. He sagged against my legs, his fight gone, and I released the hold, pushing him onto the floor next to me as I panted with exhaustion. Apparently, Tommy wasn't the only one who hadn't fully healed yet.

I sat up. "You feel like telling me why you're being a dick?"

"He forced Kasey to watch as he beat me," Tommy said, clearly upset. "I begged him to stop, to let her go. And he just laughed and kept on hitting and cutting me. He screamed at Kasey to watch, forced her to see me bloodied and helpless on the floor. I couldn't protect myself, let alone my own daughter." He started to cry as the rage and helplessness overwhelmed him, and we stayed like that for several minutes.

"How do I help Kasey get over what she saw?" Tommy asked me finally.

I got back to my feet and offered my hand to Tommy, who took it, allowing me to help him up. "Tommy, your daughter is one of the bravest people I've ever met. I don't mean bravest girl, or bravest twelve-year-old, I mean bravest person. She stood between me and my quite probable death, and she stared that son-of-a-bitch down without blinking. And when I got to see her a few minutes ago, she apologised to me for not being able to stop him. I don't think you're going to have much to worry about with her in the long term. She'll have nightmares, she'll be a little short with you and Olivia, maybe a little withdrawn, but she'll see her friends, and so long as you're both there for her, she'll be just fine. I'm more worried about you."