Don't

I step outside, feeling the cold immediately chilling me to the bone. I fold my arms, shuddering. Just like the night before, it is pitch black. The light from the sign above me illuminates a few feet around. I stand, wondering how I am to get home. I huff, watching as a faint white cloud dispels from my mouth. A hand is placed on my shoulder; I nearly jump several feet at the sudden contact.

"Holy shit!" I exclaim, moving so I can view who it belonged to.

Gerard stands behind me, shock overtaking him before hysterical laughter.

"I am SO sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

I breathe out a sigh of relief.

"It's okay."

"I just- I saw you're out here and it's freezing, so....."

"It's fine Gerard. You don't need to worry about me."

He furrows his eyebrows, his brown eyes examining me over.

"Are you shaking?"

"I-erm-I don't know."

He frowns at me irritatedly. He removes his hoodie, unzipping it and handing it to me. I push it away.

"No. I can't."

"You clearly need it more than me," he insists.

I stare at the grey jacket a while before slowly taking it.

"Thank you."

I slip it on, shoving my frozen hands in the pockets. He smiles brightly.

"No problem. Anything for a friend."

I let out a slight laugh before looking out into the darkness.

"So.....Are you waiting for someone?"

"No, I was thinking about just walking."

"Dahl, that is a horrible idea!"

"I know, but I have no other way to get home."

"I could drive you," he offers.

"No. I will not make you do that."

"You won't be if I do it voluntarily."

"Seriously, I'll be fine. I'll see you Monday Gerard," I say as I begin walking away.

I feel a hand grasp my arm, stopping me.

"Wait. Take this. It will make me feel better if you do."

He shoves something cold and metal in the pocket. I take it out to find it is a small can of pepper spray.

"Thank you," I reply, placing it back.

"Be safe okay?"

His brown eyes are filled with worry; it irks me a bit.

"Yeah."

He releases my arm and I freely leave him behind.

As I stroll along the sidewalks, I feel a bit proud I have made it several blocks alone. Unfortunately, all of my assurance plummets as I reach a local pub. The lights are bright, revealing a man in a black leather jacket leaning against the side of the brick building. His eyes are fixated on me, a cocky grin ever present on his face. I shift my sight quickly away from him and stare down feebly to the concrete I walk on.

As I pass, I hear a raspy voice boom,

"Hey, where do you think you're going?"

I continue in hopes it wasn't me they we're talking to.

"You!" they shout.

I abruptly turn into an alleyway, praying he wouldn't find me. A dark silhouette of a man appears, slowly approaching me. My mind races, thinking of how to get away. Before I can act, he leans in, blocking my way of escape.

"Thought I wouldn't find you huh?" he speaks lowly, "You're a beauty aren't you?"

The overpowering smell of smoke and whiskey burns my nostrils. He softly brushes my hair away from my face. I feel tears begin to flow from my eyes, a lump in my throat seizes my ability to breathe properly or speak.

"The things we could do."

I begin to weep helplessly. I reach into my pocket, but as I attempt to take it out Gerard's pepper spray, the man pushes me against the wall, pinning me roughly against it.

"P-please, please don't," I beg.

He just laughs heartily, leaning closer to me.

"Hey, she asked you to stop."

The man is jerked away from me, revealing another figure gripping onto his shoulder. The man swings fast, punching the figure. Taken aback by the violence, they dab their face, then swing back, making a loud popping sound on impact. I make an involuntary gasp as I watch. The man growls, then tries to hit them again. The figure dodges, coming back around with another hard hit. The man falls back, allowing the other an advantage over him. He grasps the man's collar of his jacket, gaining control. He commences making critical hits until the man stops trying to fight back. I stand, frozen in place; shock prevents me from the ability to move anything. The stranger lets go of the man, panting slightly. I see his outline look up to me.

"Run!" the deep voice shouts breathlessly.

At that, I take off in a run, not allowing myself to stop even when my legs begin to feel restless and my lungs as if they would burst out of my chest; I don't slow until I reach my welcoming home.

Notes