Page 86 of Paging Dr. Hart
Ethan and Rafe face off, circling each other like angry wolves. Judging by their panting breaths and the trickle of blood seeping from Ethan’s brow into his eye, this fight has been going on for a while.
As I watch in horror, Rafe lunges at Ethan, his meaty forearms grabbing only air as Ethan drops to the ground and sweeps his leg out to trip Rafe. It works. Arms flailing, Rafe falls backward, but he bounces up quickly.
Rafe charges at Ethan with his head down like a battering ram. Ethan neatly sidesteps him and catches his arm as he runs past. Using Rafe’s arm for leverage, Ethan swings him back toward him and puts out his elbow, which collides with Rafe’s belly.
Rafe doubles over his wounded stomach, gasping for air. Clutching his abdomen and glaring at Ethan, Rafe dances sideways, light on the balls of his feet, moving like a professional boxer.
Ethan holds his ground, his knees and arms bent in the classic karate ready pose. I recognize it from his morning workouts.
“Ethan! Rafe! Stop!” I shout.
Rafe and Ethan don’t respond to my plea. The men are too busy battling to hear me, or they’re deliberately ignoring me. Either way, I need them to quit fighting before someone gets seriously hurt.
The only way to get down from the attic space is to drop from the ceiling, but it’s a long fall. I’m worried I’ll break a bone. Indecisive, I gnaw on my lip as the fight below continues.
Rafe is the more aggressive fighter of the two men. He closes the distance and ducks under Ethan’s arm to punch him in the ribs.
The wind whooshes out of Ethan as he stumbles from the heavy blow. Rafe follows Ethan’s retreat, sending out a volley of fist punches, one of which lands on Ethan’s back and another on the side of his head.
Ethan sways unsteadily as he circles to the left. Blood streams in a steady rivulet from his brow into his eye. He brushes the blood away with the back of his hand and flicks it to the floor.
Chest heaving, Rafe brings his fists up higher, preparing for another attack.
The sight of Ethan’s blood on Rafe’s hands makes me nauseous. Helpless, I continue to yell from above, begging them to stop, but neither man acknowledges me.
Once Ethan has gained some distance from Rafe, he brings one foot up in the air and then jumps up and kicks that foot out. There’s a sound like the crack of a whip as Ethan’s foot connects with the side of Rafe’s head, which rocks back from the force.
Rafe looks over at Ethan, his face a mask of pure rage. He swings wildly, but Ethan is ready and karate chops Rafe in the neck.
As Rafe reels back, Ethan again lashes out with his foot. The kick solidly contacts Rafe’s head. Rafe claps his hand over his wounded head and wavers, blinking in pain. Ethan’s fist comes from the left and punches Rafe in the jaw. It’s the last blow. Rafe slumps to the ground, unconscious.
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Ethan!” My shouts have no effect. Ethan is frozen, staring down at Rafe’s still form. I try again. “Ethan, I’m up here.”
Finally, he raises his head to the ceiling. “Tiffy?”
“I’m here. Help me down.”
Since he’s tall, it’s easy for Ethan to stand on the chair and get me out. I hold onto the bag of diamonds. As he places me gently on the ground, he asks, “You okay? Are you hurt?” His hands travel over my body, sweeping my arms and legs, searching for injuries.
I bat him away impatiently. “I’m fine. Really.”
Looking at Ethan like I’m seeing him for the first time, I question, “What the hell was that?”
He blinks owlishly at me, swaying as a thin line of blood trickles down his face. “What was what?” he asks, his words sluggish.
I snap my fingers in front of Ethan’s unfocused eyes. Maybe he has a concussion? “Ethan. How did you do that?” I point down at Rafe’s incapacitated body.
He shakes his head, trying to clear it, and follows my finger. “Oh, that.” His gaze sharpens. “I told you.” He widens his eyes, slightly exasperated. “I have a black belt. I’ve studied mixed martial arts. You know, theKarate Kidstuff?”
Admiration bubbles in my chest and with it the full realization that Ethan’shere.
He came for me. I’m not alone.
Awed, I shake my head. “I can’t believe it. Can’t believe you fought like that.”
“Tiffy.” Ethan steps to me and places his hands on my cheeks, bracketing my face with his touch. A quiet desperation vibrates through his leanframe, a trembling in his fingertips, the adrenaline-fueled aftermath of battling with Rafe.
