After The Crash

Stripped!

Ava clocked out from work just after sunset the next day, her mind already spinning with tomorrow’s debate practice. She wanted to go home, take a warm shower, and curl up with her notes. But as she stepped outside, Jordan was leaning casually against his car, keys twirling in his hand.

“You promised you’d drop by again,” he reminded her with an easy smile.She promised Jordan already sge was going to drop by the next day.

Ava hesitated. She’d said she would — mostly to get him to stop asking that day at work — and she didn’t want to start unnecessary drama. “Just for a little while,” she agreed softly, climbing into the passenger seat.

What she didn’t know was that a few blocks away, Ethan was watching. He’d been shadowing her walk home for several nights now, keeping his distance, because something about Jordan had set off every alarm in his head. When he saw her get into Jordan’s car, that alarm became a siren.

He pulled out his phone and called Zara Bennett first.

“Where are you?” he asked quickly.

“Just got home, why?”

“I think Ava’s in trouble. Jordan picked her up. Meet me near my place — bring Skye.”

Ten minutes later, the three of them were standing at the corner near Ethan’s street, just a few houses away from Jordan’s.

Inside, Ava sat on Jordan’s couch, politely sipping a soda. The air felt… heavy. Jordan asked about her family, her friends, if she was dating anyone. She laughed awkwardly, brushing off the questions, and started to rise from the couch.

“I should head home—”

Jordan stepped in front of her, blocking her way. His smile had shifted into something sharper. “Relax, Ava. We’ve barely started hanging out.”

“I mean it, I have things to do—”

Before she could finish, he reached for her wrist, pulling her toward the stairs. Ava’s heart pounded. She tried to yank her hand free, but his grip tightened.

Outside, Ethan paced with Zara and Skye.

“This doesn’t feel right,” he muttered.

“Do you want to knock?” Skye asked.

“No,” Ethan said, his gut twisting. “We’ll—”

A scream tore through the air. “Help!”

Ethan didn’t hesitate. “Come on!” He sprinted toward the side of the house, the girls right behind him. They found a slightly open parlor window and climbed through, the sound of a struggle leading them upstairs.

When they burst into the bedroom, the scene froze their blood. Ava was on the bed, blouse ripped open, her jeans partially unbuttoned, tears streaking down her face. Jordan had her pinned, his hands fumbling at her clothes.

Rage exploded in Ethan’s chest. He yanked Jordan off her and slammed him against the wall so hard a picture frame crashed to the floor.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” Ethan roared, his fists raining blow after blow until Jordan’s head lolled and blood dripped from his nose.

Zara grabbed a blanket from the bed and wrapped it around Ava’s shoulders while Skye pulled out her phone. Ethan snatched it.

“I’m calling the police,” he said, his voice low and deadly.

The call was short, his words clipped and cold. Within five minutes, a squad car pulled up — the station was just two streets away. Two officers stormed in, guided by Skye waving from the window.

Jordan, still dazed and bleeding, was handcuffed on the spot. One officer read him his rights while the other took Ethan’s statement. Ava sat shaking, still clutching the blanket, while Zara rubbed her back.

“Someone call her mom,” Ethan said.

“I will,” Skye replied, already dialing.

Minutes later, her mom rushed in, panic etched into every line of her face. “Ava, my baby!” She pulled her daughter into her arms, murmuring over and over, “You’re safe now. You’re safe.”

The officers arranged for Jordan to be taken to the station while her mom insisted on taking Ava straight to the hospital. Zara and Skye rode along, refusing to leave her side. Ethan followed in his own car, his hands still trembling from the fight.

At the hospital, the nurse documented Ava’s bruises — the red marks on her wrists, the shallow cut near her collarbone, and the swelling on her arm where she’d struggled. The doctor recommended a full rest and observation for shock.

Ethan lingered outside the room, jaw tight. He’d known Jordan was trouble… but seeing what almost happened made him realize something terrifying — if they’d been just minutes later, they might have been too late.

And that thought was enough to keep him up all night.