*!!!TW!!! This chapter depicts an attempt at sexual assault and predatory behavior throughout. Viewer discretion is advised. Please skip to the next chapter if you feel the need to. If you'd still like to read this chapter but avoid the scene depicting the attempt, I have placed a dotted line at the beginning and the end of that specific scene.*

Shashi stands still, doing nothing but staring in utter frustration at what was before their eyes.

“Yeesh! Not a good image for you. It would be a shame for me to show this to the cops.” the video of Shashi repeatedly beating Brandon on the ground ends, and Brandon puts the phone away in his back pocket.

“What do you want?” asks Shashi through their teeth, trying their best to stay calm.

“Just to hang out, so you get to know me and realize I’m not such a bad guy,” he responds with a yellow smile filled with crooked teeth.

“Let’s say… tonight? At 10? I know this great bar in the red light district, the Crystal Angel. It’s kinda hidden, so if you’d like I can escor-”

“I know where it is.”

Brandon scoffs.

“Really!? That’s a bit of a surprise. You seem like too much of an uptight bitch to be going to such places.” Shashi just turns around and heads to their truck to go home.

“Don’t forget! 10 on the dot if you know what's good for you!” They slam the door and speed off.

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When Shashi arrives home, they again immediately lock themself in their room. Jaden and Edwin are startled when they hear loud bangs and crashes from their room.

“Scary. Must’ve been really bad today. We should stay away from them. I don’t wanna deal with all that. Edwin, I ran out. Go make more snacks for me.”

“Yes, sweetheart.” Edwin takes Jaden's plate and goes to the kitchen. On the way, he stops by Shashi’s room and eavedrops. 

“It’s fine. It’s fine. It’s fine. It’s okay. I just need to get this over with and … and… who the fuck am I kidding?” says Shashi sounding defeated. Next, there is the sound of clothes shuffling.

“Edwin! Make sure they have more cream cheese this time!” Edwin immediately hurries to the kitchen and quickly prepares cream cheese and smoked salmon crackers. After finishing and walking back to the living room, where Jaden was waiting while watching a show, Shashi steps out of their room. They were dressed in a red dress shirt, a black striped vest, and burgundy dress pants. They also had their hair down and combed to the right side. Jaden peeks from the door frame of the living room.

“Ooooh~! Who’s the lucky person?” she asks. She smirks like a teenager who heard some juicy gossip, wanting to learn more.

“Hey, don’t ignore me! This is the first time I see you get ready to go out! You have to tell me, are they tall? Rich? What do they look like? Please! I need details!” Shashi just walks out the door, not saying a word.

“Ugh! They better tell me everything when they get back!” Jaden aggressively munches on one of the crackers.

“You know, I’m proud of them. Shashi is such a shut-in, so I’m pretty sure this means someone asked them out, and they like this person enough to say yes. And they never told me! Oh well, they just better hope this mystery person is not my type. That’s a joke, by the way. I would never.” As Jaden kept rambling about how uneventful Shashi’s life usually is, Edwin just stays silent the entire time. When it gets late, Jaden finally drifts off to sleep, and Edwin carries her to bed. But he doesn’t join her like usual. 

.................................................................................................

“Wow, you’re really good at darts, Sasha! I didn't know you were one for parties.” slurs Brandon. Two darts are stuck to the bullseye of the target, and one is extremely close but not quite there. Shashi walks up to the target, pulls out the darts, and hands them to Brandon. 

“Hurry up.”

“Easy~. I know you're eager to lose, but I like to take things slow. It builds tension, if you know what I mean.” He gives Shashi a smirk. He then throws the darts, and they all land in the center. The crowd cheers.

“Well, would you look at that! I win. So what’s your drink of choice?” Brandon and his gang shove Shashi toward the bar. 

“You know what? I’ll pick. Bring us a round of shots! Vodka!” The bartender prepares and gives everyone their drinks, serving Shashi last. They quickly and solemnly drink. After a few more shots, Shashi starts to sway from side to side, unable to keep their head up. They were struck with the feeling of their own weight. Their arms and legs started to give out.

“What’s wrong? Can’t handle your alcohol?” Brandon cackles. Some of his friends mock Shashi as they fall forward and end up hunched over the barside. 

“Just get it over with.” they slur. 

“Oh no. I’m going to take my sweet time with you, bitch!” Just as Brandon grabs Shashi to drag them out of the bar, he notices a figure standing right in front of the door.

....................................................................................................

The next morning, Shashi woke up in their own bed. They started to feel a pounding headache, followed by nausea. They rushed out of bed to the bathroom. After hearing the vomiting, Edwin rushed in to help Shashi. He found them on their knees in front of the toilet. He crouched, held back Shashi’s hair, and gave them a tissue. 

“Thank you,” Shashi says weakly, wiping away some vomit left on their lips.

“How’d I get home? Did someone drop me off?" They were about to ask another question when they were interrupted by another fit of vomit.

“Please, take a minute to relax. Have this sports drink to rehydrate.” Edwin hands Shashi a red drink. They gulp it all down. 

“Do you still feel like you need to throw up?” asks Edwin.

“No, the drink really helped.”

“Good. Let me help you stand. I cooked chicken and waffles today.” Edwin gently grabbed Shashi’s hands and pulled them up. He held them by their shoulders and led them to the kitchen while Shashi dragged their feet. He sat Shashi down and took out a plate to serve them. 

“What time is it?” asked Shashi, still somewhat groggy.

“11:13 A.M.” 

“Where’s Jaden? She’s usually awake by now.”

“She went to her college class for economics today.”

“Shit, it's Thursday!? I need to go. I was supposed to do the morning shift today!” Shashi shot up from their seat when Edwin grabbed their arm, stopping them from going to their room to change.

“I advise you to call in sick. You are clearly not well and need to recover.”

“It’s just a hangover. I’ll be fine-”

"I went to pick you up last night, Shashi, and you were unconscious."

"But I didn't schedule you to pick me up."

"My program for caring for those living in the home I am in charge of includes noticing changes in behavior. Sudden behavioral changes can mean someone is in some sort of danger, either from others or to themselves."

"And me going out was enough to warrant that concern?"

"Yes, and it appears to have been the right choice going to look for you. You were completely limp when I found you being carried by a group of men. Now you are experiencing muscle weakness and heavy nausea. Shashi, do you have reason to believe you were drug-?"

"I'm gonna stop you right there." Shashi puts their head down and stays silent for a moment.

"... you should have just stayed home."

"But if I did, it is highly likely those men would have done something to hurt you."

"I know that! I knew what was going to happen, and I bet now he's fucking pissed as all hell! I'm lucky if he hasn't gone to the cops already!" yells Shashi. They take a breath to compose themselves. Edwin stares at them in what seemed like confusion.

"Sorry, I... I need to go." Just as Shashi gets up, Edwin grabs their arm.

"You are not in an apt condition to be working with heavy machinery and dangerous electronic devices, even more so with your hands still injured."

"... at least let me go talk to this person. I... need to sort something out with them."

"Very well, but I am going to drive you there."

"You can drive?"

"Yes. As one of the newest models, I am implemented with a new feature for driving in case of situations someone cannot use a self-driving vehicle or have someone else drive for them."

"They really thought of everything for you, huh? Okay, just let me change."

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Shashi steps out of their truck and walked toward Brandon, who was already outside smoking a cigarette. Edwin just stays inside the truck with the engine still running. 

"Boss said you were going to take the day off. Did you miss me that much? Aww~," he teased.

"Did you go to the cops?" asked Shashi sternly.

"No, even though I should, seeing as your roommate interrupted us by telling your fucking 'droid to pick you up." Shashi almost revealed their confusion at Brandon's comment.

"I'm willing to give you another chance, though. Tomorrow night. Same place, same time. Same outfit. It looked real nice on you." Brandon eyes Shashi from top to bottom, then throws away his cigarette and walks back inside the shop. Shashi walks back to the truck. 

"I'm going out tomorrow night. Please don't come looking for me. I'll be back the day after."

"... I'll add it to my schedule."