Delirious Love

Chapter 1

I walked away from the bar with an uneasy feeling. While I do like an occasional night out where I know no one and can be completely anonymous, the anxiety still made me shaky and ready to leave the bar at any moment.  I headed down the sidewalk, my heels the only sound in the quiet and the dark. I was familiar with the city but still had intrusive thoughts about someone grabbing me and dragging me into a secluded alley. Whether that was my normal anxiety talking or the truth of the rising crime rate in the city I was still extra cautious walking alone at night.

I looked at my phone, 2:15 a.m. I shouldn't have looked, it made me more tired. I had about two blocks to go when I heard a quiet footstep, maybe the rustle of a jacket. My heart beat a little faster as I tried to check behind me and around me without looking fearful. I saw nothing, blinked and saw a shadow behind me. My heart skipped and I started to feel panicky, sweat building on my hairline. I walked faster, my heels clicking harder on the pavement. There was a streetlight ahead, maybe 15 feet away. It was like a glowing beacon pulling me towards light, towards safety from the shadow and footsteps following behind. They seemed closer now. A light drizzle started, more sporadic drops than actual rain. I was so close to the streetlight. I started feeling a bit of relief, and then a strong grip closed around my neck. Another arm pulled at my waist, dragging me into the dark. My eyes bulged out of my head in panic, my arms trapped at my sides. I dragged my heels, tried to kick my feet, trying to stop the dragging force behind me. It was strong, too strong. I gasped for breath and screamed behind the the hand clasped over my mouth, the fingers and nails digging into my face.

I struggled, but not enough. I was growing tired, exhausted from the fighting. I wasn't the strongest to begin with and my adrenaline racing was actually making me weaker with panic. Probably the opposite reaction of any other normal person but I had never felt strong or powerful. My head started to go black, white spots sparkling across my vision. My eyes built pressure and my lips started to go numb from the lack of air. I was going limp. I was in the alley behind the streetlight, the orb of the bulb barely visible. I felt my head slump. I felt a knee pulling my legs apart, a rough hand with sharp nails pulling my jeans down my legs. The other hand remained on my neck, with no need to cover my mouth, I was unable to make a sound. Just as my pants reached my calves and the rough hand trailed up my thighs and raising to in between my legs, I felt the pressure pull off of my neck and the hand disappeared. I didn't have the strength to pull up my pants and had even less strength to keep myself standing. Everything happened like an out of body experience. I slid down to the ground, the rough bricks scratching my legs, my butt and my back. I felt warmth down my body as I reached the ground. Eyes closed, I heard punches and cracks near me. I heard a choked scream of a male and then nothing.

After a moment, I heard whispers. A low rough voice, and a silky smooth deep voice. I still was laying on the ground trying to catch a full breath, my vision slightly clearing. The low, rough voice whispered "I swear I'm going to kill Andrew when I find him. Letting Harod roam the streets to do whatever he likes when Andrew knows was he loves and gets off on. Fucking psycho." The silky, smooth deep voice responded, whispering "Atlas, I know ok? I know. But right now we can't plot to kill Andrew. We need to move this body and help the girl. I think Silas can patch her up and we can bring her home in the morning."
"Okay Rion, you're right." The one called Atlas agreed and shifted my body to stand. I had to put my whole weight on him. He pulled up my jeans, and fixed my clothes. I felt gentle but also rough hands scanning my face and neck. It felt like a medical exam. I kept my eyes closed out of exhaustion, but tried to whisper "who are you" to who I assumed was Atlas that was holding me. My whisper came out as a raspy breath.
Atlas shushed me, saying "Darling don't try and speak, we are going to get you safe."
I wanted to ask more but I was exhausted. I closed my eyes and lifted my arms to hold onto his. I felt how solid they were, how strong, keeping me steady while he smoothed my hair. "Atlas we need to get out of here. I'll call the car. I'll bring Harod to Silas, you call Moses and have him....tie up any loose ends. Bring the girl to the house, to let her rest."
Atlas wrapped an arm around my back and pulled away letting out a frustrated sigh. "Jesus Rion she's fucking bleeding everywhere."
I thought I heard who he called Rion say something but it was too soft to hear.
I registered what Atlas said but fell asleep before I could wheeze out a question about me bleeding. I felt Atlas pick me up off the ground with ease, those arms holding me close to him. My head slumped against his chest and the world went black.