Chapter 1
Athena POV
Slowly pulling back the curtain I watch the steam billow out and although I crave nothing more than the hot water on my very sore muscles, I desperately need to wrap my ribs and make sure none of my cuts need stitches. Grabbing a towel off the rack I gingerly tie it around myself while walking over to the mirror. With a sigh I wipe the steam off the mirror, listening to the sound of the water I had left running to rinse the remaining blood down the drain. Black eye and busted lip⊠Hopefully that would be all for my face, and nothing more would show itself overnight⊠Those were always the toughest to hide.
Breathe in, Breathe out.
Opening the bathroom door and walking into my room, I make my way over to the window. Call me paranoid if you want, but trust me, I have more than enough reason. So using my pointer and middle finger I seperate two blinds. Okay, nothing out of the ordinary. Now to wrap my ribs. Grabbing one of my oversized shirts and a pair of boyshorts, I walk back over to my bathroom. Slowly I slide on my boyshorts and open the cabinet for my wraps. Although itâs tricky to wrap your ribs tight enough that nothing moves, while still making sure you can breathe in your sleep, Iâve had plenty of practice. Walking out into my kitchen I slide my shirt over my head and open the fridge for a beer.
Breathe in, Breathe out.
Leaning against the counter I take a long swig. Tonight had been rough. Although I have a reputation in the underground fighting circuit, moving sometimes requires me to start from the bottom and move my way up. It all depends on who runs it, and if they believe your reputation for what it is. Being a girl I find that more often than not, I must prove myself. Turning around I go to grab the Aleve out of my medicine cabinet, wondering why on Godâs earth I had put it back on the top shelf. Grabbing two I tossed them in my mouth and swallowed another swig of beer, but being in a new town wasnât the reason I was in this situation. This wasnât the first time I had left town under the cover of dark, and Iâm sure it wouldnât be the last. The problem was, I couldnât seem to stop my mind from running circles during the fight and now I would be paying the price physically and with my reputation. Though Iâve had some close calls before, this last time was too much. I would be looking over my shoulder for weeks, even with a clean and untraceable address and new cover story to my neighbors.
Breathe in, Breathe out.
Slowly pushing myself off the counter and taking another swig, I head to my front door to engage all three locks. Next the back door locks and the windows around the house. Normally I never unlocked the windows, but better safe than sorry. Lastly I walked into my attached garage to lock the door to its chain, and scan both the car and bike once more for bugs or trackers. Finishing my beer I toss it into the recycling bin, and head to my room. Screw my hair that is dripping wet and tangled, screw the pain, and screw the curse that has become my life, I was more than looking forward to the escape of sleep for the little time I had left. Flopping down on my bed, It takes me less than 10 minutes to fall fast asleep.
Breathe in, Breathe out & Sleep.
