After Rick's 'inspirational visit' last night, I didn't leave the house at all. Instead, I stayed inside all day.

       I know I'm right, because I'm just like you.

       Did he mean that about his parents, or did he lose somebody else? The way he said it, it almost sounded like he lost a lover. Like he became an ass because he wanted to block away the grief.

       He had to have lost a lover of some sort to be able to say it like that, with that much meaning.

       So he turned to science, then to drinking, then to putting up this charade, all to hide his guilt? Did he actually know what I felt, or was he being an asshat again, messing with me?

       Jeez, you spend $300 on a guy and suddenly he explodes on you.

        At this point in my thinking, my clock's phone read 4:23 in the evening. As if in protest, my stomach rumbled.

       "I don't feel like cooking, but I haven't eaten all day. At this point, I might as well go out to eat." I thought it over for a moment before I threw on some shoes, changed my shirt, and grabbed my purse, throwing my lab coat on and my phone in the pocket.

        As soon, as I opened the door, I came face to face with Morty, hand mid air as he was about to knock. "H-hey, (F/N), so-sorry about that. Rick wanted me to give you this. He said you wouldn't take it from him. He said he said some things last night that he shouldn't have." In his hand, Morty had a small box. I grabbed it and placed it into my pocket. "Thanks Morty. I gotta go so I can get back before it's too late. I've only eaten out once in my life, so I thought this time I would try McDonalds." I let out a small laugh before it died in my throat when I saw Rick watching from his garage.

        I walked past Morty, giving him a small pat on the back, "Thanks for being a cool little bro. Come to me if you have any problems, I'll try to pay you back."

       I got into my truck, waiting to make sure Morty got back across the street, and took off in the direction of fast food.

-x-

       It took me a minute to figure it out, but eventually I learned how to order food from a fast food restaurant. I felt like I belonged in one of those documentaries about people who hadn't been introduced to the population in years, trying to re-adapt. I had originally planned to eat in the restaurant, to try to get an understanding of the whole thing, but decided against it when I saw how late it was getting.

       When I got to my truck, I tossed my food onto the passenger seat, climbing in when I felt somebody grab my arm.

        "Hey, pretty lady. What are you doing out so late, all alone?" A gravelly voice came from directly behind me. I turned my head slowly, afraid of what I was going to see.

        My nightmare had become reality.


       Behind me stood three burly men. Each had a wicked grin and evil intent in their eyes. As I was trying to figure out a way out of this situation, one of the men grabbed my ponytail and pulled, throwing me backwards to the ground. The box that Morty had given me fell out of my pocket. I reached for it, but the man with my ponytail in his hand grabbed it and flicked it open. He started reading something, so I could only assume Rick had left a note.

       "(F/N), I'm very sorry for what I said last night. I know I can be a bit of an ass, but that doesn't mean I try to be. I know that you're new to the whole social idea, so I figured I would give this to you to help. I know you might not believe it, you haven't seen anything that I can do yet, but this is a bracelet to protect you. If ever you're in danger, say my name three times and I'll be there. Signed, Rick."

       I was so confused for a moment. "Here you go, princess. Your boyfriend's right there, by your heart." He put the box back in my pocket and laid the bracelet on my chest. Dammit, Rick. Why do you have to be such an ass?

       I heard cloth tearing and felt something cold on my leg. I looked down to see one of the men cutting my pants. The other two quickly grabbed my arms, letting go of my hair and lab coat. I tried to kick the one cutting my pants, but I wound up causing him to cut my leg deeply. A lot of blood started pouring out all at once. "Uh-oh, did girly get a boo boo?"

       Who the hell gives you a bracelet and says 'here just call for me-
       God, I felt so stupid. Why didn't I understand before? Was it the fear, the adrenaline? Whatever it was, I understood now. "Rick... Rick... Rick..." I was going to kick my ass for being so dumb. But for right now, there was blood all over. I could only assume he cut an artery.

        "(F/N)?!"

       "Yo, who the hell called the old man?"

        "Get him!"

       "Bad move, you urp sons of bitches."

       That last part made me smile.

        "You came..."

        "(F/N)? (F/N)?! Oh, God, stay with me, (F/N)!"