As the assailant smashed in the window framed in Brad’s door, Elaine quickly sprung to her feet. Which was a mistake, as she had put too much pressure on her hurt shoulder while trying to stand up.

No time to worry about that right now.

Elaine quickly looked around the office. Shockingly little space was available to possibly hide. Nothing like a nightstick or a baseball bat to defend herself with. Her sidearm was on the table next to her. Not ideal in case they wanted to detain their assailant and see if this one was more voluntary in his or her assault than Jolene was.

Elaine cast her eyes about the office in search of an easy escape route. Nothing sprung to mind, but thankfully, as part of the office’s layout, the desk provided a decent amount of cover, and if she needed to she could hide in Brad’s room. No doubt her assailant would spot her if she made for the bedroom, though. She’d have to make her stand here.

Casting her eyes about the room again, trying to find some way of determining her assailant’s location in the room once the smashing ceased and he made his way into the office, Elaine quickly looked up at the window to the outside of the building. She squinted, just barely able to see that the assailant, definitely a man this time, armed with an iron pipe, was making his way to the computer terminal at the desk she had been seated at moments ago.

You’ve gotta be kidding me.

Elaine paused. Wait, the computer? Did he not see me scramble to hide behind the desk? Does he not know I’m here? The lights were off, but the computer definitely looks like it was recently used. Whatever, he’s focused a bit to the side, this is probably my only shot.

Elaine sprang to her feet and took aim with her handgun. “Hold it right there. Hands up!”

The man did as he was told, quietly putting the pipe down.

Elaine pressed further. “Easy now, one wrong move and Brad’s gonna be cleaning bits of you out of the carpet.” Elaine quietly thanked her lucky stars that at least her mouth still worked properly.

The man, tall, Caucasian, slight stubble, matching the description of Brad’s stalker, smirked. “You can’t do anything of the sort. Something about my rights as a citizen.”

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“I’ve caught you red-handed breaking and entering with possible intent of assault and battery. I’ve been having a rough day. You really wanna be a wiseass? What are you doing here?”

“Your buddy Asher stole something that belongs to a friend o’ mine. I just want it back. Along with a little redecorating of his office so he knows to keep his nose outta business he’s got nothin’ to do with.”

Play dumb. Can’t let on what I know, maybe I can get some more info out of him. “And what is that? If you feel like making a formal complaint, I’ll talk to him about it. I’ve been waiting for him to get back anyway.”

“Let’s just say he stole something important from my buddy Vince.”

“And that is?”

“And that is none of yer damn business. Let’s just say it’s important, and my friends and I are gonna be needing it back.”

“Unfortunately I can’t help you there, buddy. Brad’s out. So is whatever you’re trying to bury, probably. Looks like your employers are gonna be a little upset with you. Now, be a friend and get down on the ground.”

The man slowly did as he was told. Slowly. Agonizingly slowly.

Then, in an instant, he pounced on Elaine, pipe in hand. He was fast. Too fast. Almost as if, in one fluid movement he’d grabbed the pipe and lept, clearing the desk.

Elaine quickly took aim and squeezed the trigger. Three shots. One grazed his cheek, one hit his shoulder, and one went completely wild. He winced in pain, but nothing was there to stop the momentum of the large man crashing into her, pinning her on the ground, somehow on her bum shoulder, intentional or not.

He shoved the pipe against her throat, slowly choking her.

“Unfortunately I ain’t into leaving a huge mess of the place as part of my redecorating, but I can’t have you trying anything funny. Just go to sleep. That’ll send him the right message.”

Elaine, trying to force her way through the sea of stars, tried to lift her hand that was holding…nothing. When had the gun been knocked from her grasp?

She scrambled. Surely, with her training, she could get out from underneath this guy. She silently cursed. Maybe if her shoulder wasn’t hurting her so much.

Slowly, her senses faded, before the silence was broken by…an explosion? Were her ears ringing from her gunshot, getting knocked to the ground, or…

Before she finished this line of thought, the man slumped to the side, a large, bloody hole in his neck. He gasped and gurgled for air for a few seconds, looking angrily at the door before he lay still, breathing and movement ceasing.

Stars still in her eyes, Elaine looked towards the door, as the kid, what was her name, right, Jolene stood, pistol raised, smoke billowing from the barrel.

Too much of this for one day. Elaine closed her eyes, slipping into unconsciousness.