Vengeance and Catharsis

Now on to today’s news. Popular girl group Dream a Nightmare were the victims of a violent assault by an alleged fan yesterday afternoon. As you can see from footage taken from another fan’s phone, the suspect runs past the group’s security and tries to attack two of the members, Brienne and Rina, with a knife only to be narrowly stopped by security. This is all coming after Rina had been the subject of a few highly racist tweets…

The TV was promptly turned off. No need to hear any more of that. It was a lived experience. The reason why all of her socials’ notifications were turned off.

"Hey Ree. You busy right now?"

Rina huffed as she stared at the new person in her living room. She tsk’d as she dropped the remote beside her. She was starting to move past what happened. But now seeing that enraged her all over again. And frightened her.

 "If you consider trying not to lose my cool over what happened yesterday then yes JR I am busy," she grumbled, folding her arms. "Very busy."

 The man, JR, came over to her side, face filled with concern. Normally she’d be happy to see her label-mate and best friend, but right now her rage was barely being contained under her skin and she did not want to snap on anybody that didn’t deserve it. Especially not JR. He had just come off a tour and he didn’t need the stress.

 "Yeah I heard about it,” he responded. “Saw the pictures. And the videos."

 His brows furrowed deeper, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

 "Are you and the others okay?"

 Rina let out a shaky breath as she brushed some stray burgundy locks from her face. She appreciated the gesture, but it wasn’t needed. Not right now. Not when that’s all could anybody ask. No they weren’t okay. Not in the slightest.

 "We're on a scale of okay but a bit shaken up to completely terrified," she replied blankly. "Brienne just passed out from crying so much all day and the others are with her making sure she's comfortable. With some time she'll be fine."

 "And you?"

 Another heavy sigh.

 "It's taking everything in me to not find that monster and tear him apart."

JR nodded as he patted her shoulder. "It's the leader instinct. You want to protect your members. Plus you're a protective person by nature so I know this isn't easy on you. On top of that Brienne is the baby of the group."

 He continued. 

"When I looked at the video, I saw that you were about to beat up that man but luckily the bodyguards got to him before you did. That look in your face screamed murder."

 Rina wished they hadn't interfered. She would've shown him exactly why he shouldn't have messed with one of her members. JR was right. She would have killed him. Right there in front of everyone.

That really would’ve been a headline.

"People noticed. Said I was being a good leader for wanting to protect my members,”

Rina then scoffed bitterly, shaking her head. “Some others said I was too aggressive and that’s why people are attacking the members. Like it’s my fault that assholes exist.”

JR took a seat beside her and pulled her into his arms. As soon as his warmth enveloped her, she broke down. Not out of sadness. But out of sheer anger. Of frustration.

“I hate that man so much JR,” she cried. “I want him to pay. I want him to feel the way Brienne does. Like we all do right now.”

She just kept sobbing, JR holding on to her tighter and whispering comforting words in her hair. They stayed like that for a while, Rina holding onto her friend tightly. Eventually she pulled away, JR wiping the leftover tears from her face.

“We were supposed to have a full day of schedules.”

Rina groaned. “Brienne and Kellan were so excited to do the little clothes challenge for that one magazine and now…they’re barely holding it together.”

She willed herself not to start crying again. It wasn’t going to fix anything. The company had them on a 72-hour lock-down. No one leaves until the situation blows over and scheduling rearrangements had been made. Plus it wasn’t stated but they all knew they were a bit worried that this wasn’t an isolated incident.

But if she was honest, Rina was pleasantly surprised the company was giving them some time to process everything. She thought for sure they were just going to give them a Xanax, bump up security, and send them back out to work.

“Sorry about that, it’s just been a long day,” she apologized, moving to put her hair up in a bun. “I need a drink or something.”

The blond man leaned back, watching Rina shuffle around, aimlessly picking and putting things down. It pained him to see the normally bright woman looking so lost. He could see how stressed out she was.

“What if I told you I had a way for you to get some payback?”

The woman paused her “cleaning” to look at JR. “What’re you talking about?”

JR was already on his phone, thumbs running across his screen. Rina came back over, waiting for him to finish.

“Go get changed, tell the others you’re heading out and meet me downstairs,” he said after he finished his text.

Rina sputtered as JR got up and started to head out of the girls’ condo.

“W-wait. JR!”

The man stopped at the door, eyebrows raised in question.

“I just told you we’re on lock-down,” she said to him in an exasperated manner. “Unless we’re going somewhere in the building, I can’t go anywhere. Plus I don’t really want to leave the others alone.”

“I’ll call for more security while you’re gone and just trust me, management’s not going to hound you for where we’re going.”

Rina was still a bit apprehensive, but she knew she could trust JR. He’s been her biggest supporter and her best friend for as long as she’s been at the company. He was also one of the most important people at the company so if there was anybody she knew could keep her out of trouble was him.

“Okay then. Give me like fifteen minutes.”

“Alright. See you in a bit.”

With that, the man was out the door.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“So do you plan on telling me where we’re going or am I just going to sit in suspense this entire time?”

JR hummed as he read some news article on his phone, squeezing Rina’s hand that was laying in his. The two were sitting in the back of one of their company’s SUVs, heading where? Rina had no clue. All she knew is that they had been driving for a little bit. She had asked JR where they were going before they left the condo, but JR didn’t respond then, just simply helped Rina into the vehicle. She was greeted by her usual driver and two bodyguards (one for her and one for JR), then they all headed to whatever their destination was.

“Your attacker is at a police station one city over,” he commented, scrolling through the page. “Not too far away.”

Rina scowled as she looked out the back of the seat in front of her. “I hope he’s far away from me.”

She then turned to face JR.

“And don’t ignore me. I asked you a question. Where are we going JR?”

“Somewhere that you’re going to get some peace,” he simply replied. “Don’t worry. The less you know the better.”

Rina rolled her eyes but nonetheless dropped the subject. The two fell into a semi comfortable silence, the woman letting the soothing feeling of JR’s thumb rubbing against her knuckles ease her mind.

They drove for a little while longer until the driver stopped. “We’re at our destination Mr. Williams.”

JR let out a pleased noise as the two guards got out of the vehicle. He placed his sunglasses on his face, motioning for Rina to do the same.

“Wonderful. Such a timely manner too.”

The car door opened and one of the men held a hand out to Rina. She grasped it with a thank you, moving a bit out of the way for JR to get out. Her hand was back in his as they walked to a building.

The police precinct. Rina was highly confused, looking around.

“What are we doing here JR…?”

When she realized where she was and more importantly who was there, she stopped dead in her tracks. Everyone looked at her.

“Ree?”

She glared at JR, snatching her hand from his.

“I don’t know what kind of pacifist, forgive your enemy type shit you’re on right now JR but if you think I’m going to go in there and forgive that piece of garbage, you’re insane.”

Every word was coated in vitriol, Rina stabbing her finger into JR’s chest. The man’s brows furrowed, shaking his head.

“That’s not what we’re here to do at all,” he told her. “Now’s not the time. And I wouldn’t bring you here to do that.”

Rina took in his expression. He meant what he said.

“So what are we here for then?”

“I told you. For payback.”

He held out his hand. “You will only know what I mean until we go inside. But if you don’t want to, we can turn around, get back in the car, and I’ll take you home.”

Rina worried her bottom lip between her teeth, internally debating her decision. She really wanted to go home. She already knew that being at the precinct meant she was going to see him. But in what way? That was the big question.

“Rina?”

She didn’t say a word. Just took JR’s hand. He gave her a nod and they continued on their way. Rina’s mind was reeling with possibilities. Would she be coming in to do another statement? Her and the others had been interviewed yesterday but maybe they had further questions. But what else could she say?

She had never seen him before. None of them had. But none of them would ever forget his face.

The sheer amount of disgust he had in his eyes. How determined he looked to harm them. Whenever Rina closed her eyes, she could still them, cold and piercing. It was supposed to be just a regular routine day.

They were at the airport, just came back from an event in New York. Fans were waiting outside, like they usually were, cheering and thrilled to see them. They signed a few autographs, took a few pictures, Elli and Kellan even gave a few hugs. Just the usual. Rina was always excited to see fans, their warm faces ready to tell them how awesome they were and how much they loved them and their music. 

They gave so much, so openly and freely that she wanted to reciprocate the same amount.

Rina was in the middle of recording a video on one of the fan’s phone when everything went straight to hell. She barely remembers much, just someone barreling through the crowd and Brienne holding on to her arm, trying to jump in the video.

Then someone’s bloodcurdling scream. Security had grabbed a man, his knife falling to the ground as they dragged him away, another guard picking it up. Rina remembers immediately pulling a wincing Brienne behind her, ready to fight whoever it was. Her and the attack locked eyes. She felt a chill run down her spine that didn’t let up even when he was out of her sight. 

Everything after that is a straight blur. Her and the others were whisked away, quickly escorted to their car. It wasn’t until they were in and driving away when Brienne started whimpering. She started flat out sobbing when Kellan noticed she was bleeding. Rina got out of her seat to comfort her, the younger holding on to her for dear life. It was a minor scratch, no need for anything other than a bandage but Rina understood her tears. Brienne was terrified. And so was she. Because something told her that attack wasn’t meant for Brienne.

It was meant for her.

Everything flooded back to her. She clenched her hands, not realizing she was squeezing JR’s hand. It wasn’t until he let out a small grunt that she snapped to and apologized.

“You’re alright, just caught me off guard.”

That was all they exchanged before JR let go of her to talk to the front desk. The woman nodded slowly at whatever he was saying to her, turning around to call for someone.

A few moments later, a man in a suit went over to JR, shaking his hand.

It was the detective from yesterday. The one that asked them questions about what happened.

Detective Richards.

“Good day Miss Bradley,” the older man greeted when him and JR came over. “Your friend here said you needed something that I would be able to provide.”

Rina didn’t know how to respond. She still had no idea what was going on. Nonetheless Detective Richards had her and JR follow him, the bodyguards staying behind.

“We’ll be here when you return,” one of them informed her.

She nodded and continued on. The three walked through the building, JR and Richards talking casually.

“Been a while since you’ve called me for something like this,” the detective stated as they turned a corner. Right in front of a room with a police officer standing in front of it.

“These were outstanding circumstances as you can see,” JR replied as he dug into his inside jacket pocket.

Then pulled out a thick envelope. Rina watched as Richards took it from him, brows raised in a questioning manner.

“I threw in some extra for the quick turnaround,” the blond told him. “Should help with your daughter’s graduate school plans.”

Richards chuckled lightly as he tapped the envelope against his hand. “All her schooling’s been paid for with your last payment, so I guess the missus and I are going on a well needed vacation.”

“Last payment?”

The two men paused. Rina was staring at them, trying to figure out what was going on. She was still lost. Nobody had answered anything and it was really pissing Rina off.

“What the hell is going on?” she angrily questioned. “I’m not taking another step until somebody says something.”

Richards looked a bit worried while JR let out a breathless laugh. “I’m surprised I got you this far without you losing your temper.”

Rina was going to lose a lot more if he didn’t fess up.

“We’re here to see your attacker-”

He held up a hand, already knowing she was going to yell at him for bringing her to see him.

“I am not bringing you to him to forgive him,” he reiterated. “Come with me in this room and you’ll see what I’m talking about.”

The woman huffed, JR giving her an apologetic look and placing his hands on her shoulders.

“The less you know, the better off you’ll be in the long run,” he told her. “But I promise you, you’ll feel better after we get done here.”

Rina highly doubted that, but she believed him when she said she probably didn’t want to know specifics. She figured whatever they were doing was illegal when the money was exchanged.

“Alright fine. But this better be worth it James Reed.”

He pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head, muttering an I promise into her hair. When they broke apart, the three stepped to the officer, the woman moving away from the entrance. She nodded at Detective Richards, the man opening the door.

“You’ve got an hour thirty,” he answered. “JR, you remember the signal to exit?”

JR gave him an okay before he followed behind Rina inside. The door closed. Rina stared at everyone inside. There was two officers standing near a wall and a table with three chairs. One was occupied by-

“You.”

Those damned green eyes. They locked on with Rina. The man that owned them smiled.

“Oh. Rina. Hello.”

She felt sick to her stomach by how blasé he greeted her. Like they were old friends catching up. She didn’t even know him, the creep.

JR felt Rina shaking as he guided her to take a seat, then taking his. The room was silent and still, Rina staring at the man with an unreadable expression. Time ticked by as she was examining the man sitting across from her.

He seemed normal. Fairly average looking. Dark hair and those green eyes.

The ones that reflected the truth about him.

“Ask whatever you want,” JR said to her quietly, breaking the silence. “That’s what we’re here for.”

Rina sat up straighter in her seat. She had only a few questions and most of them she could answer herself. Except one.

“Who are you?” she asked him.

The man answered, the smile never leaving his face.

“My name is Anthony Miller. Pleasure to formally meet you Rina Bradley.”

The feeling was not reciprocated. But she was right at least. She had no idea who the man was. Or why he’d want to hurt her or Brienne.

“Why’d you attack Brienne and I?”

She did not want to beat around the bush. The quicker she got answers, the sooner she could leave and let the justice system handle him. But Anthony had other plans.

“How are you doing today Rina? How’s the rest of the members? Brienne doing fine?”

Rina’s fists clenched so hard she could feel each individual nail dig into her skin. 

How dare he ask her something like that. What did he want? Some sick satisfaction for scarring all of them?

“Answer my question first and maybe I’ll answer yours.”

Anthony sat back in his seat, he tried shifted but he couldn’t. His hands were handcuffed to the back of his chair.

“Is Brienne here?”

He looked around despite there being no windows. “I want to apologize to her.”

“She’s far away from here,” she growled out. “Plus she wouldn’t accept it anyways. People who get traumatized by knife wielding maniacs tend not to be so willing to forgive them so there’s that.”

"She’s traumatized? Aw man. That’s not what I wanted for her.”

Rina was confused and totally freaked out. He seemed…genuine with his words. Like he really didn’t mean to hurt her. 

“She wasn't even the one I was aiming for, she just got in the way."

He stared Rina square dead in her face, the sympathy in his expression gone. "I was going for you."

The woman's blood went cold. And then boiled. Before she could lunge at him, JR held her in her seat with a tight grip.

“I was going to get you. Had it all planned out. Make her see how awful you were. But then she got in the way and I accidentally hurt her.”

He shook his head, slightly sweaty hair sticking to his forehead. All the while, Rina’s fury grew. But JR wouldn’t loosen his hold on her.

“Do not get your hands dirty,” he instructed in her ear. “That’s what they’re there for.”

He nudged his head in the direction of the two men still stationed by the wall. Rina stilled her thrashing.

“See? Look at you, having to be held back like a rabid animal.”

Both her and JR had heated gazes on Anthony. He scoffed and shook his head.

“That’s why you don’t deserve to be in a group with her.”

Rina was trying her hardest not to pummel the man within an inch of his life. But the more he spoke, the stronger the feeling grew.

“Brienne’s so sweet and so kind and beautiful,” Anthony said, voice taking on a dreamier tone. “Plus she’s talented. If we’re being honest she’s the most talented in the group. I wish she came instead of you.”

Rina rolled her eyes. “Too bad jackass. You got me and now you’re going to what you deserve.”

She looked to the two men.

“What exactly can you do?”

“Whatever you want us to do ma’am,” the redheaded one answered.

She sat back in her seat, a small smirk growing on her face. Hm. That explains why JR didn’t want to delve into many details.

“Rough him up,” she commanded. “Avoid his face.”

They confirmed, moving away from the wall for the first time. When Anthony’s chair was yanked back and the first hit landed, Rina could feel her muscles relax. With every blow and every pained yell coming from Anthony, she grew more relaxed and at ease. She’d be able to go home and tend to her members without him on her mind.

“Stop.”

The two stopped men stopped their assault, Anthony falling forward as he tried to catch his breath. She noticed and appreciated them hitting him hard enough to harm him but soft enough that they could prolong it long enough for her to be satisfied.

Rina stood up and strolled over to the heaving man. She came up behind his chair, pulling him back by his shirt.

“That’s for scaring my group member in some dumbass attempt to impress her,” she whispered to him. “Try a nice bouquet or literally anything else besides trying to stab me yeah?”

She tsk’d as she let him go, him slacking in the chair.

“I mean seriously. Brienne talks all the time about how I’m her favorite in the group. Why would you think she would be okay with this?”

She didn’t let him answer, just simply walked back to her seat and sat down.

“How much more time do we have left?”

JR glanced at his watch. “About forty-five minutes.”

Rina made a noise in the back of her throat.

“Hey Anthony.”

The man blearily stared at her, Rina noticing that his vision wasn’t focused.

“Brienne’s going to be fine. We all are,” she told him, speaking to him like a little child. “We’re going to move past this, and you are going to be but a distant memory for us.”

She gave him a smile. The first and the last.

“Gentlemen,”

The two men faced her.

“I thank you for your services, you may continue them until time runs out.”

With that she stood up, taking in a large, relaxed breath.

“JR, I’m ready to go.”

The man left his chair and headed for the door. He knocked once then twice more. The door opened and the two were escorted out. But before Rina was completely gone, she could hear the men heed her instruction, Anthony screaming as the door closed behind her. She was quiet as her and JR walked down the hall, on their way out.

“You okay?”

Rina glanced up at JR. 

“I’ve never felt better,” she responded softly. “I definitely needed that.”

She laced her arm through the man’s and leaned her head against him.

“I’m going to need to make a few pit stops for the girls,” she stated. "We're going to need quite a bit of stuff to get through the lock-down."

JR grinned, pleased to see his friend getting back to her usual spirits.

“Yes Leader Rina ma’am.”

The woman rolled her eyes, nudging the man in the side.

Fin.