The Ten of Them – Chapter 27

Adult story: The Ten of Them – Chapter 27

by Hard93

In our last chapter, we unfortunately lost Sylvia, Cindy’s mother sacrifice the remainder of her life to protect her daughter and her friend. Kara wounded and yet managed to protect Cindy. The family came together, not only the Meyers, Thurgoods and Edwards, but also JJ’s adoptive family, all came together to help Kara and Daniel make it through the traumatic events.

Kara released two days later, under strict doctor’s orders not to exert herself. Nevertheless, she told the doctor she was going to attend the funeral of her friend Sylvia, come hell or high water. Sylvia had no other family, so our family arranged for her funeral. Funerals are never for the dead, there for us living to say goodbye. That was a difficult goodbye. Reverend Akins did a very good job with the eulogy. We had a chair brought to the graveside for Kara although she insisted on walking to it. Daniel actually carried a sobbing Kara away from the grave after the funeral.

Life always has its difficulties, and this definitely is one of the worst times. If you hold on long enough life always turns around, things get better. Occasionally you cannot see that for the mist that obscures your vision at the bottom. Eventually even that clears, sometimes the road ahead is difficult sometimes it fills with family and joy.

We all held on to each other, we let the love for each other comfort and console us. It did not take long for Cindy to become her Mom’s best nurse, Sam and Crystal would always help too. When Kara would become frustrated and want to move around, one of the girls would bring her something for her to read to them. Reading a story to them usually kept Kara in bed for a little longer until Daniel would be there to keep her company. Kara and Daniel stayed with us for a few weeks during her early recovery. Even the Coach and Helen slept in my house to be near their daughter we had almost lost.

After two weeks Kara’s Doctor released her to go back to her normal activities, but warm not to be over strenuous with her exercises. They left for home that afternoon with the three girls going along to help where they could. She was going to need some physical therapy but her wound healed nicely, they used a small incision and she had just a small scar on her mid-thigh of her left leg.

Daniel had taken the dime the doctor removed from Kara’s femur, along with an x-ray taken of her leg, a certified statement from the surgeon who removed the dime, a copy of the police report, he compiled all the evidence if needed for Kara’s defense.

Several of the tenets of the apartment building where Sylvia lived, made a YouTube video and they spoke of what they witnessed. One even had a cellphone video showing him breaking in, leveling the shotgun and moving it as he aimed and fired. From the angle outside, you see bits of lamp that Daniel hit him with fly through the door. He step further in when he attacked Daniel, only moments later to be flying back out the door and struck his head on the banister of the walkway. His head pops forward into his chest that stops his backward momentum and he slides down the railing onto the walkway. I am sure that was what contributed to his death. If he had landed flat, he probably would be still alive today.

The next thing you see is the shotgun placed under his chin, and Daniel standing over him in the doorway. From the look on Daniel’s face, he realizes that he was dead, before he turns back to the grisly scene inside.

Sylvia’s neighbors speak out against the DA who was attending to investigate if Kara could have used less force in subduing her attacker. Many in the apartment building claim Kara as a hero to the community. The video goes viral, even without Kara’s face seen on the video. The State Attorney General releases a statement saying it had become clear that because of the way he fell Kara did not intend for his death to occur, releasing her of all wrongdoing.

The family breathes a collective sigh of relief upon learning what the statement says. Charles chuckles and says, “If they tried Kara, it would reverse the right for self-defense in the state. That is something they are not willing to do. Politically it would be suicide, and look like the state was pro-crime.”

It was a few weeks after everything settle down when Kara finally was able to return to school and the martial arts class. When she walked into the room, followed by Kathryn, Sam, Crystal and Cindy she got a standing round of applause. This had an effect on her that I did not expect. Kara almost broke down into tears.

“JJ can I address the class before you start us up” asked Kara. I had a feeling something was on her mind so I gave permission to proceed.

“Guys I want to thank you for your support, however this incident I was involved in has taught me many things. First watch how much force you use when taking someone down, too much force and you can seriously hurt someone, only use what is necessary. A few weeks ago, I killed a man. I reacted, I did not think, my body was on an adrenaline rush; in a rash bit of self-defense I killed a man. I was lucky that if I had been more knowledgeable of martial arts skills I could have been charged for manslaughter, so please guys watch what you do and how you use what you learn.”

Kara stopped and looked at me; I nodded and picked up where she left off. “Listen guys and girls the fact is that martial arts can be classified as a deadly weapon. If a person has high enough skill, if you were to seriously injure or kill someone with your skills, the self-defense excuse may not always work, martial arts is about discipline, and if I find out anyone is abusing these skills you will be kicked out of the class.”

Janet questions, “Does that mean you are kicking out Kara? From what I understand she was acting in self-defense, hell she was shot.”

I looked at Kara and noticed the glare I got back from her, but I picked up where I left off. “No, Kara is not being kicked out of the class she was completely justified, although I am limiting her future activities in class to no contact, no punching or kicking because of her medical condition.”

Kara still standing at the head of the class explains, “Guys what happened was self-defense, I was shot, and I acted. I had to protect Cindy here my new daughter. Cindy was in my arms and we were his intended target, Sylvia jumped between us, she saved Cindy’s and my life at the same time. Sylvia was my best friend. I was so afraid, not just for myself but for Sylvia and Cindy, adrenaline overpowered my kick. It was more powerful then what would have been normal. All I am saying is that we all have to try using common sense when using the skills that JJ is teaching. Now for me, being limited for medical conditions now is open for debate, but I might as well let the cat out of the bag since rumors spread fast anyway. I am pregnant…”

The class was totally silent except for me hearing Kathryn trying to hold back a small giggle, While Sam, Crystal and Cindy just smiled widely until Kara continues, “And it would seem my husband did a real good job with it as I am having twins.”

Janet was the first to say, “Congrats Kara. However Now I have a question. JJ what is the point of learning self-defense if we can get in trouble defending ourselves?”

Using what knowledge I have of the law I reply, “Good point Janet and this is one that is always a sticky one. Everyone has a right to defend himself or herself, however, there is a limit. You cannot intentionally kill the attacker. The objective is to subdue an attacker with the least amount of force, without endangering yourself. Too much force and you can be looking at trouble with the law, but that might be preferable to being dead. Of course there may be other factors and different circumstances, like Kara’s circumstance, but the main goal is subdue your attacker so that they are no longer a threat at the time.”

The debate went on for a while but we finally got back into the lesson. After the lesson was over, I was standing back as I watched a few of the girl students walk up, hug Kara, and congratulate her. I walked over to Kathryn and gave her a hug and a kiss.

I ask, “Is there something wrong with Kara?”

Kathryn says, “Yes but I think it is something that we need to discuss at home. Cindy has told me a few things that she has noticed. I think we should invite Mom and Dad over as well, Kara and Daniel were coming over.”

I say, “Okay sounds good, just let me get cleaned up here then we can be on our way.”

An hour later, we were home and relaxing when Helen and Coach walked in.

Kathryn says, “Hi Mom, Dad.”

The Coach greets Kathryn, “Hay baby, how it is going?”

Kathryn says “Not bad for me, but I need your help. It is Kara. Cindy and Daniel have both confided in me that Kara has been having Nightmares, is hardly sleeping, and is often crying. They are both at a loss of what to do. I am worried that if she keeps going the way she is she will lose her babies, which would be devastating to her. Daniel is going to bring her over so we can sit down and talk to her and try to get things to normal.”

I realize what Kathryn is talking about is posttraumatic stress syndrome, and some of my adoptive family deal with that. It might be a good idea to bring them in on this conversation as well. Perhaps their insight may help Kara, more than anything else at least she will know that she is not alone. I call Ron and Reese, Mitch and Charles; they all agree and come over immediately.

Helen says, “We will do anything we can to help.” A few minutes later Kara and Daniel come in. Kathryn gets up and goes to Kara and hugs her, then leads her by her hand and sits Kara down between their Mom and Dad`. Kara has a confused look on her face.

Kathryn, while holding back tears says, “Kara. We Love you. Please tell us what is wrong. Cindy and Daniel both are concerned for you; it is your nightmares, your breaking down and crying, your lack of sleep. We are here for you.” Kara looked at Kathryn, then her parents, and then she broke down.