Dark Silhouette

Chapter 1

The sun had settled, now it was the moon the one lighting the night's sky. It had rained a few minutes ago and the streets where wet and covered by some small ponds. I walked through Jefferson street near the rail station, going back to my sister's house at Alder street. I had spend the evening with some friends and we had a good time but I decided to go home cause it was getting dark.

Even though it wasn't late, streets where not as filled with people as usual, I didn't pay much attention to that.

I saw three guys, some meters ahead of me, drinking beer and laughing. I crossed the street to avoid them and keep walking on the other side. I herd their laughs as I walked away of them but then I didn't hear them anymore. I looked back at them but instead of finding them on the same side of the street where they used to be, they were on 'my' side, right behind me.

I walked faster wanting to be away from them, but they rushed behind. My heartbeat increased as I started running, knowing they where coming behind, feeling my body cold for the weather and the sudden panic that overwhelmed me.

I turned left, noticing too late that I have gotten myself into an alley. I turned back but the three guys where already at the entrance.

"Going anywhere?"

"Why so lonely?"

Asked two of them. I walked backwards, trying to keep the distance between them and I, until I bumped against the wall.

They approached me the way a pack of wolves would do, one ahead, the other two a step behind by his sides.

I couldn't move, I was totally paralyzed. The first one stopped inches away from me and reached for my cheek, caressing it. I turned my face, rejecting the touch only to get him lifting my chin to face him again.

"Don't be afraid sweetheart, I promise you won't feel a thing but first... let´s have some fun with you"

A second guy grabbed a bunch of my hair and smelled it before whispering to my ear: "I love your scent. You should make me a gift with your hair so I could always remember you"

Jut like before I didn't answered. The third one got a knife from his pocket and pressed the blade against my neck, making me tremble for having that cold thing that could end with my life. I realized tears were running down my cheeks and all I could think was 'This is it, I won't see my sister again or another dawn. They are gonna kill me and no one will know'

They slapped me twice in the face and punched me once at the stomach. I stayed on the wet floor feeling hopeless. They keep on laughing and menacing me with the knife.

They pulled me up on my feet. I thought I couldn't stand it anymore when I saw someone standing at the entrance of the alley, the figure darkened for the absence of light in it.

"Hey!" I could see the breath coming out of the person's mouth, just as I could see mine right in front of me.

The three guys turned to face the newcomer making an expression of few friends.

"Leave her alone"

One of them start walking towards the beginning of the alley looking at the obtrusive.

"And who the hell you think you are?"

The silhouette clenched it's fists, still with its hood on, showing a guarded posture.

"Leave.her.alone"

"Why don't you get the f**k out of here before I beat you up"

Said my aggressor.

"NO! Please help me!" In a quick move the guy slapped me again and the other by my side cut me in my right arm.

I heard what seemed to be a growl and the next thing I know is that the hood person has the knife guy grabbed by his throat, pushing him against the wall. The guy tries to stab it in an attempt to free himself but the hooded figure twisted his wrist with a crack. The guy dropped the knife and screamed in pain before his head is slammed against the wall leaving him unconscious.

A second guy rushes to grab the hood one by its neck but the hooded person frees from his grip and knocks him down. The third guy get a gun out of his pocket and aimed at the hooded silhouette.

"No!" I screamed and launched myself against him, he struggles trying to get me away.

"Get off me b***h!"

He pushes me and I hit my head against the cold floor. I feel a sharp pain over my right eyebrow that gets dull almost instantly.

The hooded silhouette tackles him all the way over the wall, taking the air out of his lungs.

The hooded person hit him four times, he fell to the ground and stayed there not moving. I know he's not dead but all I do is stay there as if I'd be paralyzed.

When I calm down I realize that the hooded person is at the entrance of the alley ready to go.

I get up and walk as fast as I can to catch up the silhouette ahead of me.

"Wait"

The silhouette stops and stays giving me it's back.

"I...I didn't have chance to thank you"

"You don't have to" answers me a voice that gives me chills for some reason.

I can see the person's breath coming out to the cold wind.

"But I want to so... Thank you, for saving my life, for staying"

Still showing it's back I hear a deep sigh coming out. The silhouette turns slowly as if don't really wanting to and stares right to my eyes with a curious sight. Now that I have a face for my rescuer I know it's a girl. She's wearing blue jeans and a black hooded jacket. Her eyes are green and her short hair is black. She can be confused with a guy. Her figure it's thin but athletic. I must say I'm a bit surprised, and she has something that calls my attention just like a magnet for me. I started to shake a little, I guess I'm just realizing what just happened, I was attacked and I'm still afraid and cold.

She looks a bit confused for what I said but finally answers with a:

"You're welcome"

I take a step closer to her but she steps back in an insecure way and looks down with an apologetic look.

"Don't... get too close. It's not..."

"I'm sorry"

She takes a couple of deep breaths, avoiding my look,as if she's calming herself. Anyone could think she was the one been attacked. She turns and gives a step away, ready to leave.

"Wait" she stops again.

"I'm sorry I know you have done a lot for me tonight but I... I'm afraid. I...Could you walk me home? I'll feel safer if you could"

What I say is totally true I'm terrified, don't wanna be alone in the streets.

She looks at me and answers with a "sure" not being very sure of herself.

She notices I'm trembling and asks me if I'm cold, I nod.

"Here" she says and takes off her jacket, giving it to me. She's wearing a black 'v' neck shirt.

"I'll follow you until you get home, ok?"

"Ok"

I start walking and I can feel her some steps away from me. Some streets ahead I slow down cause my steps aren't straight and I grab a wall for support. When I feel my knees buckle down a couple of strong arms grab me from behind, keeping me up, supporting me against the wall.

"Calm down. Breath" I do as she says and I remember I hit my head with the floor. I'm pretty sure I'm bleeding a bit.

"You are safe, no one will hurt you"

I calm down and start walking again. We make it to my home in half an hour.

Right before crossing the street to my place I unzip her jacket and give it back to her, saying that I'm not as cold as I was.

"Thank you, again"

She seems to be struggling with something I ignore.

She doesn't answer and I think I have took enough of her time. I cross the street and step in front of the door. I turn back to the corner to see her standing there looking at me, being sure I get in.

I knocked on the door and I can hear my sister coming to open it.

"Oh my God, Lauren. What happened?" I can see she's freaked out.

"I... got attacked by some guys. Some one saved me and was nice enough to walk me home" I say pointing behind me but when I turn back the girl is gone.

My sister closes the door behind me and sits me on the sofa. Her light brown hair is shorter than my blond one, but it is straight for both of us, like our mother's used to be. I saw her rush to the bathroom and when she comes back she has a first aid kit in her hands. She used to work as a nurse until some months ago.

After cleaning my cuts and giving my head a few stitches, she lets out a deep sigh and hugs me.

"Are you sure you're ok?"

"I am now"

It's Friday night, we'll normally spend the night watching movies or so but I'm too tired for that, I hit the sack before her. And even though when I made my way to my room I was practically falling asleep, the moment I rest my head over the pillow a bunch of thoughts assault me.

I have too many questions and I'm not sure if I'll get the answer to all of them.

At least of one thing I'm sure.

I wanna see the girl again.