44 - Punitive Damages

Coerced into giving up some ground, Jessica took a couple steps backward, trying to temporarily put some distance between herself and Valerie so that she could right herself. However, the Ripper would be having none of that, absolutely refusing to lose any of the newfound leverage she’d gained with her sudden offensive. Back in her element, Valerie advanced on her quarry, battering the guarding Jessica’s forearms with jabs and short hooks.  Jessica occasionally shot back with jabs of her own, though most did not land as she was steadily backed up under Valerie’s cascade of leather. Before too long, Jessica found herself out of room once again as Valerie successfully put her against the ropes.

“Now I’ve got you…” Valerie thought as she approached. “You won’t escape me, Hawke!”

With a swift dash, Valerie threw a rigid, stabbing left that blasted past Jessica’s arms before she could cover up. Valerie’s glove crushed Jessica’s jaw, pressing her muscular back tightly against the taut ropes. The nurse knew she needed to get away from her current position, but also knew all too well that she would certainly not be allowed to just waltz out. Her best opportunity for escape would have to be created by punching a hole in Valerie’s assault. Though somewhat rattled from the last hit, Jessica narrowed her eyes as she became aware of a right hook being prepared to collide with her face. She grit her teeth, and with a grunt, whipped her own right hook. Its shorter arc and tighter angle allowed it to bash into the side of Valerie’s head before she could bring hers around. Although, since she threw it from a compromised stance, she was unable to inject much power into it. It knocked Valerie’s head to the side a bit, but the paralegal bullied through, determined to prevent Jessica’s escape. As Jessica leaned to her left in an attempt to get around, Valerie met her by flinging her right glove upward, rocketing into Jessica’s chin with a brutal uppercut.

“Augh!!”

The shot blasted Jessica’s head and neck back, her upper body forcefully pressed over the top rope. A small crimson spray followed the cloud of sweat it knocked loose, signifying that the cut in her mouth had just been reopened. Dizzy, the Nova Striker caught sight of two Valeries as her head came back down and she reopened her eyes.

“D…Damn it…I’ve got to--”

Before Jessica could complete that thought, the Ripper followed up with another uppercut, this time low and with her left glove, aimed for Jessica’s wide-open abs.

“Uurrghk…!”