John & Katie

After the Darkness

KATIE.

Panic surged through me.

"You really thought you could hide from me?"

I couldn't see his face in the darkness, but I knew that voice.

My blood ran cold. I froze, my heart slamming against my ribs as a shiver crawled down my spine

"You should've known I'd find you."

My eyes widened in horror. My heart dropped, pounding violently against my chest. My breathing became shallow, and fear consumed every part of me.

I tried to scream, but no sound came out.

He pulled me backward into the alley, keeping one hand firmly over my mouth while his other arm held me tightly around my waist.

Then I heard his voice again.

"You should have listened to me.

He moved closer, his face inches from mine. His tongue brushed across my cheek before he leaned towards my ear.

"You taste so good." he whispered.

Tears filled my eyes and spilled down my cheeks.

"I will kiss away everyone of those tears when I make sweet love to you tonight."

I shook my head frantically, desperately trying to speak, but no words would come.

Steven dragged me farther into the darkned alley. The air was heavy with the smell of mold and wet trash. Fear consumed me as he tore my top, ripping a piece of fabric and using it to cover my mouth, tying it tightly behind my head. Using another torn strip of my shirt, he bound my hands behind my back.

He threw me to the ground and loomed over me. A faint light barely illuminated the small space where we were trapped. He tore away what remained of my top, then looked down at me with a slow, chilling smile

"f*****g beautiful."

I felt helpless and terrified as his cold, clammy hands moved over me. Every muscle in my body tensed, but fear held me frozen beneath him.

He began removing my shorts, when suddenly, someone pulled him away.

My eyes widened. My heart raced as confusion swept over me. I had no idea what was happening. I could hear a fight breaking out somewhere nearby, but I couldn't see a thing.

The darkness turned the alley into a chaotic storm of sounds. Every noise seemed louder, sharper, more frightening.

A fist connected with flesh.

Then a low grunt followed.

A violent crash shattered the silence, followed by a sickening thud as one of the men was slammed against the brick wall.

"Get away from me!"

Another blow landed.

The sharp c***k of a fist against bone echoed through the alley, followed by a strangled gasp and a slurred insult.

One of them crashed to the ground beside me.

A punch.

A groan.

Another punch.

The sound of bodies slamming against the pavement reverberated through the narrow alley.

"Stop!" someone shouted.

But the chaos around me should no signs of stopping.

I pressed myself against the ground, trembling as the sounds of the fight raged around me.

Then everything went still.

A moment later, I heard footsteps retreating into the distance. For a brief second, I thought it was over.

Then I heard another set of footsteps approaching—slow and deliberate. Heavy breathing followed, growing louder with every step.

A familiar voice broke through the silence.

"Are you okay?"

My heart pounded. Relief washed over me, but fear still held me frozen.

"Are you hurt? Did he hurt you?"

I wanted to answer, but my voice wouldn't come.

"I'm going to come closer, and untie you, okay?"

I nodded quickly, desperate for him to reach me.

After he helped me to my feet, untied my hands, and pulled the fabric from my mouth, I released a shaky breath I hadn't realized I had been holding.

Instinctively, I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to cover myself.

Wilson noticed immediately. He turned away without hesitation, slipped off his jacket, and held it out to me without looking back.

"Here. Put this on."

He took his jacket and quickly slipped it over my shoulders, grateful for the warmth—and for the small sense of protection it gave me.

Just then, my phone began to ring.

The sound cut sharply through the silence, making me flinch.

Wilson glanced toward the ground. My bag had been thrown somewhere deeper in the alley during the struggle.

"Stay here," he said.

I watched as he hurried over and searched through the scattered debris. A moment later, he returned with my bag in hand.

My hands shook as I reached inside and fished out my phone.

The moment I saw the name on the screen, my heart sank.

John.

I answered the phone, but no words came out.

My throat felt tight, and all I could managed was a shaky breath.

"Hello?" John's voice came through the phone. "Katie?"

I tried to answer, but my voice wouldn't work.

"Katie, are you there? What's wrong?"

Before I could even try again, Wilson immediately noticed. He gently took the phone from my trembling hands.

"Hello?" John asked. "Katie, what is going on?"

I watch as Wilson lifted the phone to his ear.

"Hey, this is Wilson,"

A brief silence followed.

"Wilson? Where is Katie?"

"She's here and okay," wilson said. "but she's been attacked."

I lowered my eyes, still struggling to catch my breath, as I listened to them talk.

Attacked?" John's voice was tight with panic. "Is she hurt?"

"She's shaken up, but I think she'll be okay."

"Where is she?"

"We're near the train station. Can you meet us on the uptown side at Fifty-Ninth Street?"

"I'm on my way," John said immediately.

Wilson ended the call and handed the phone back to me.

I clutched it tightly against my chest, trying to slow my breathing.

"Come on," he said softly. "Let's get you out of here."

He kept close beside me as we made our way toward the train station.

By the time we reached the uptown side, I was still trembling beneath his jacket.

"You're probably wondering how I found you."

I nodded, still trying to catch my breath. I had been so terrified that I hadn't even stopped to wonder how Wilson had found me.

"I was following Steven, and he led me straight here. I was across the street when I saw him grab you. I tried to get to you sooner, but the crowds, rush-hour traffic, and all the congestion made it difficult. I'm so sorry."

He paused, studying my face as if making sure I was all right.

Before I could respond, I saw John approaching.

The moment his eyes landed on me, he stopped.

Relief flashed across his face, quickly replaced by fear and anger as he took in my appearance—the dirt covering my clothes, my trembling hands, and the jacket wrapped around my shoulders.

His eyes moved to Wilson, then back to me.

"Katie..."

The way he said my name nearly broke me.

He stepped closer, his eyes searching my face.

"Are you hurt?"

I shook my head, even though my entire body was still trembling.

"I'm okay," I said, in a shaky voice.

John didn't look convinced.

Wilson stepped forward, shaking John's hand. "I am Wilson."

"Hey, I'm John."

I stood there silently, listening as Wilson explain what happened.

"I found her being attacked," he said. "I stepped in and fought him off.

John's expression hardened, but he quickly turned his attention back to me.

"Thank you," he said quietly to Wilson.

Wilson nodded.

"I'm truly sorry, Katie. Are you sure you'll be okay?"

I nodded. "Thank you for everything."

Wilson gave me a sad smile before turning away. "Remember you have my number if you need anything."

John looked at me for a moment, his eyes searching mine, as if trying to understand what was going on.

"I'll explain it to you later."

"Come here."

The moment he pulled me into his arms, whatever strength I had left disappeared.

I buried my face against his chest, and the tears I had been fighting finally came.

John held me tightly, one arm wrapped around my back and the other gently cradling the back of my head.

He didn't ask any more questions.

He simply held me while I cried.

I finally felt safe, covered in dirt, and wet. I probably smelled awful, but none of that mattered.

I was in John's arms.

I wasn't alone anymore.