KNIGHT IN SHINNING ARMOR
1162 Words
“Hi… do you know the way to the train station?” Julia asked, slightly out of breath after wandering the same streets for what felt like forever. For the past ten minutes, every road she took had somehow led her right back to where she started.
She glanced around helplessly.
Asking for directions had never been her thing. Life had forced her to grow up at fifteen, teaching her to solve problems far bigger than getting lost. She had learned to depend on no one but herself.
But this time…
She was completely lost.
The elderly woman standing outside her little flower shop adjusted her glasses before smiling warmly.
“Yes, dear. Go straight down this road, take the first left, then keep walking until you reach the end.”
She paused, her kind eyes drifting to Julia’s trembling hands and the thin sweater she wore.
“Although…” she added gently, “I’d advise you to take a cab or a bus. It’s quite a long walk, and this weather isn’t forgiving.”
Julia forced a smile.
“Thank you so much, ma’am.”
She turned and continued walking.
“A cab? A bus?” she muttered to herself with a dry laugh. “If I had money, do you think I’d still be wandering around like this?”
She tucked her freezing hands into her pockets.
It’s just walking.
Trekking is practically my hobby, I can do this.
The long road stretched endlessly ahead of her, disappearing into a blanket of white snow. Colorful Christmas lights hung from rooftops and street poles, their soft glow reflecting beautifully against the icy pavement.
Despite the festive decorations…
The road felt painfully lonely.
***
Meanwhile…
“I’ll be right back, girls!” Alex called as he grabbed his car keys from the kitchen counter. “I’m going to pick up the decorations and breakfast. Try not to burn the house down while I’m gone.”
“Dad!” Anna laughed. “We’re not kids anymore.”
“Debatable,” he replied with a grin.
“Just hurry back!” she shouted before closing the door.
Alex chuckled as he started the engine.
Soft music played through the speakers while he drove through town.
As he passed the couples’ booth in the town square, his smile slowly faded.
He remembered standing there years ago with his wife.
Every winter festival, they’d somehow end up winning the “Couple of the Season” competition.
She always laughed whenever they announced their names.
The memory lingered just long enough to leave a bittersweet ache in his chest.
He blinked it away and continued driving.
A few minutes later…
He turned onto the snow-covered road.
Then he saw her.
Julia.
Walking alone.
Her arms were wrapped tightly around herself as she shivered uncontrollably. Snowflakes had gathered on her blonde hair, and the wind whipped mercilessly against her thin clothes.
Alex frowned.
What is she doing out here?
And where’s her jacket?
He slowed instinctively.
Then shook his head.
Not my business.
He pressed the accelerator and drove past.
Julia watched his taillights disappear into the distance.
She scoffed.
“Wow.”
She folded her arms tighter.
“Wicked.”
“For someone who saved me yesterday, he sure seems determined to let me freeze to death today.”
She kicked a small pile of snow with her boot before continuing her endless walk.
After what felt like hours, Julia spotted a small restaurant tucked between two buildings.
Warm light spilled through the windows.
Her stomach growled.
She walked inside, trying her best to look like someone who belonged there.
Without attracting attention, she made her way to an empty table near the corner and sat down as though she were waiting for someone.
The warmth wrapped around her aching body almost instantly.
For the first time all day…
She felt safe.
Her heavy eyelids slowly began to close.
Within minutes…
She had fallen asleep.
A gentle tap landed on her shoulder.
“Miss?”
Julia stirred.
A young waiter offered her an apologetic smile.
“I’m sorry, but we’re closing now. You’ll have to head home.”
Home. The word stung.
She simply nodded, rubbed the sleep from her eyes, and quietly walked outside.
The cold welcomed her immediately.
The streets were almost empty now.
Most of the shops had closed, leaving only rows of colorful streetlights casting their glow across the quiet roads and darkened houses.
Julia hugged herself as she walked faster.
The silence made her uneasy.
Every distant sound made her heart skip.
After walking for several more minutes, exhaustion finally won.
She spotted an old wooden bench beneath a flickering streetlight.
With a tired sigh, she sat down.
She shivered violently.
Just for five minutes…
I’ll rest for five minutes…
A sudden touch landed lightly on her head.
Julia gasped and jumped to her feet.
Standing before her was a rough-looking man with tangled hair, stained clothes, and hungry eyes that made her skin crawl.
“What,” he asked slowly, “is a pretty little girl doing out here all alone?”
Julia forced a nervous smile.
“N-nothing.”
She took a cautious step backward.
“I’m not alone.”
She pointed vaguely down the street.
“My friend is coming.”
The man’s lips curled into a grin.
“Well…”
He pointed toward an old rusty truck parked nearby.
“Your friend can wait while you keep me company.”
“No, thank you.”
Julia shook her head.
“I’m fine here.”
His smile disappeared.
“It wasn’t a request.”
He stepped closer.
Close enough for her to smell the alcohol on his breath.
He leaned toward her hair and inhaled deeply.
“You smell nice.”
His voice dropped into a disturbing whisper.
“Pretty girls shouldn’t be wandering around by themselves…”
His eyes darkened.
“…because you know what happens to pretty girls.”
Julia’s stomach twisted in fear.
Then she noticed it.
A knife tucked behind his jeans.
Every instinct screamed at her to run.
“You smell so sweet,” he murmured.
“I don’t think I can leave without—”
Julia shoved him with all the strength she had.
“Get away from me, you pervert!”
He stumbled backward before glaring at her.
“You little—”
He lunged.
Julia turned and ran.
But before she could get far, his rough hand grabbed the back of her jacket, yanking her violently onto the snow.
“Leave me alone!”
She screamed, kicking and struggling.
The man pulled out the knife.
“If I can’t have you…”
The blade flashed beneath the streetlight.
Julia instinctively raised her arm to shield herself.
A sharp pain ripped across her forearm.
She cried out.
“HELP!”
Her scream echoed through the empty street.
Then—
A furious voice thundered behind them.
“She said leave her alone!”
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