It was worse when it didn’t last. The next day was Sunday, and I got my homework done before heading out into the street. I didn’t have anything to do but wander aimlessly, which seemed to be the story of my life.

At least the shoot had taken up a day I hadn’t been sure what else to do with. I wanted Thea to come back. I was also itching for a fight, if I was honest about it.

Maybe that was the worst problem I was having. I was the kind of person to get almost addicted to violence, and part of me hated myself for it. A pretty big part of me. I wasn’t sure I was a very nice person.

But, about it not lasting. I turned down a street close to Capitol Hill and got jumped. Rolling to the side, I managed to avoid being pinned down by the guy who had jumped me. Yeah, I mean jumped literally. Springing back to my feet, I aimed my fist at his sensitive parts.

He oofed, but not as loudly as he should. Bastard was wearing an athletic protector. So, instead, I went for twisting my leg around his and forcing him to the ground. “Tell me you’re just after my wallet.”

“Bitch,” he snarled back.

“Tell me what you want.”

I was really hoping it was my wallet. Then I could just…do something superheroish and tie him up and call the cops.

“I want to find Thea.”

Now, that was a switch. “She’s out of town. And clearly you aren’t her friend or you would have just, you know, asked.”

“I figured she’d come back if you were threatened.”

I slowly let him up, ready to put him on the ground again. “Well, you’ve just made sure that I won’t tell you where she went.” Nope. He’d definitely ensured that I had no intention of telling him.

“Fine,” he snapped. “I’ll get you another time.” He headed off, limping. I felt gratified by the limp and hoped I’d done enough damage that he’d end up needing to, at least, walk with a bandage for a while.

Then I took stock of any damage he had done to me. Minimal. Now to find Thea and warn her. Or not. If he had any sense, he’d expect me to do just that.

Where was she, anyway? I wanted to know as badly as he did, but I wasn’t going to let him know that.

Him or anyone else who might be looking for her. Unless it was her dad. Him I’d talk to.

But I hadn’t seen him since he’d gone after Loki over Sif’s bracelet, so…I didn’t think he was about to show up.

I did wonder how many of them would before this was over, if it ever was.