Chapter 3

er eyes widened as she screamed. She felt the harsh touch of the group of men upon her body. She closed her eyes tightly, hoping that it was all a bad dream, wishing it would end. She felt her shirt being ripped open exposing her chest to the cool night air, then something slimy oozing across her bare skin. Her never-ending screams became more urgent. She felt herself almost pass out as a rough hand eased its way way up her inner thigh.

In the background, almost out of her hearing range she heard a thud over her screams. Her eyes tightened even more, causing her head to throb, as she felt a warm spray hit her face. She turned her head reflexively. She opened her eyes slowly, noticing the hands that bound her to the floor easing up slightly. She found herself looking into the eyes of one of the customers, his eyes opened wide, yet unmoving. She glanced down to notice that the face she looked at had no body to go with it. She screamed. She wiped her hand across her face and noticed she was covered in blood. She screamed again.

The hands that held her down no longer binding her, in a panic she scrambled against the back wall, and fell silent. Gathering her bearings, she looked around the room. She saw a few patrons running out the door. Bodies were strewn about on the floor, pools of blood gathered about. Her gaze wondered around, viewing the carnage.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of him. The dark man who was sitting at the bar. Engulfed in shadows again, she watched as he wiped a long blade on a body. He rose slowly and sheathed it. The shadows fit him like a glove, moving where he moved. He began moving toward her slowly.

The hat she remembered him wearing was no longer atop his head. She found herself fixated on him as he moved closer, out of curiosity more then anything else. The shadows moved across his face, streams of light flashed across his features as he moved, but not enough to see his face clearly. It was as if the darkness was protecting him, hiding his identity.

He stopped in front of her, just outside the light's grasp. "That was no way for a lady such as yourself to be treated," he said as he stepped into the light, moving closer and extending his hand to her. His face became illuminated. Her heart skipped a beat as if it were pierced by a crossbow bolt. She fell into his piercing hazel eyes, "Are you all right mi'lady?" His voice calmed her somewhat as the words passed through her body. Without thinking, she found herself reaching up and taking his hand. She wanted to say that she wanted him to hold her tightly and never leave her. She wanted to tell him to make this terrible night go away, but as her mouth formed the words, what emitted from her lips were sounds that were unintelligible.

"Mi'lady," lifting her into a standing position, he noticed her knees give way and he lifted her into his arms. He looked down softly at her and said, "Let's get you cleaned up now, shall we?" She felt safe in his arms. As if nothing could harm her. His arms engulfed her and she smiled softly, letting her head nuzzle against his chest as he carried her upstairs.