All of Me (Sebastian Vettel)

15. Protective Instinct

Seb struggled to contain his emotions as he sped down the M3 towards Bournemouth. He felt anger towards Dean, he wanted to rip the bastard's head off. Hadn't he already put Alyssa through enough? He felt anger towards the police. Why hadn't they told Alyssa that Dean had been released? He felt anxious, and he felt absolutely frantic about what this had done to Alyssa's state of mind.

One hour and  forty three minutes after he'd left Heathrow he pulled into a parking spot outside Alyssa's apartment block. He quickly jumped out, pulling his grey hoodie back on, then he locked the car and jogged across the car park.

He automatically headed for the stairwell, not even bothering to try the elevator. Taking the stairs two at a time, he was a little out of breath when he reached the twelfth floor. He stopped for a few seconds, bent over with his hands on his knees.

Then he pushed the door open and jogged down the balcony. He reached the red door at the end and tapped lightly on it. There was no answer. Then he thought that maybe they thought it was Dean. He opened the letterbox and called through.

"Alyssa, Cherry, it's me, Seb."

Several seconds later he heard something being moved behind the door, then the sound of the door chain being removed. A key turned in the lock and the door slowly opened. He saw Cherry's face peering out. He was reminded of the day he'd first been there. He glanced down at his foot.

"I ain't gonna stamp on it again you idiot. Come on in."

She ushered him inside, locking the door behind him. She went to replace the bookcase.

"You shouldn't do that. What if there's a fire?" he said, his logical side taking over.

Cherry stopped what she was doing. "You're right, but it made her feel safer.  She's a complete wreck."

Seb's heart was aching for Alyssa, he couldn't begin to imagine what she was going through.

"How is she now?" he asked. 

"She's sleeping. She finally dropped off half an hour ago," Cherry replied.  "We haven't been properly introduced.  I'm Cherry.  I'm sorry we got off on the wrong foot, or rather I stamped on yours. I'm sure you can appreciate how protective I am of Alyssa."

Seb shook the hand she held out to him. 

"I'm glad she has you Cherry," he said honestly.  "You can call me Seb or Sebastian, whichever you prefer."

"Seb, Sebastian is a mouthful.  Now can I get you a cuppa?" 

Seb shook his head. He had to make sure Alyssa was ok. 

"No thank you Cherry. I need to see her."

"Of course. Her room is that door at the end of the corridor."

Seb turned and walked down the hallway until he reached the door Cherry had said was Alyssa's. It was ajar. He gently pushed it open and entered the room, closing it softly behind him. The curtains were open, the room illuminated by the full moon outside.

Alyssa was laying on her side, facing his way. She had one leg out of the covers. He felt a strange feeling inside himself as he looked at her. He wanted to take her away from this place and protect her, to keep her safe from anyone and anything that could hurt her.

Suddenly she shot up in bed, seemingly aware of his presence.

"It's ok Aly, it's just me, Seb. I'm here, I'm here baby," he quickly reassured her. 

She started to cry. He crossed the room, slipping his trainers off and climbing onto the bed next to her. He pulled her into his arms.

"It's ok. I'm here now. I got here as soon as I could. He's not getting near you again. I'll kill the bastard if he even looks at you again. I'm here baby. I'm going to look after you."