The Midnight Train

4: An Accusation

Lydia found a quiet spot nestled in the wild grasses, her body sinking into the soft earth as the golden rays of the afternoon sun bathed her skin. The gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze offered a temporary peace. Her thoughts whirled in confusion, torn between her pride and the crushing reality she refused to admit.

Her mind drifted back to the weight of Nolan's words. Maybe she *did* need him. But was trusting him really an option? She wrapped her arms around her legs, her hospital gown fluttering slightly in the breeze. It was still strange-this gown, this body, this life she could barely remember.

She shut her eyes, breathing deeply, trying to anchor herself in the moment. But that moment was shattered when she heard voices, distant at first, growing louder.

"Hey, look what we got here," a rough voice called, followed by laughter. Lydia's eyes shot open, her body tensing instantly.

A group of three men appeared from the woods, all of them with leering smiles, their gazes sweeping over her in a way that made her skin crawl.

"What's a pretty girl like you doing out here in a hospital gown?" one of them jeered, stepping closer.

Lydia's heart pounded in her chest as she scrambled to her feet. She took a step back, her breath quickening as the men circled around her, their eyes predatory.

"Must've escaped from somewhere, huh?" another one sneered, his tone mocking. "Or maybe you're just lookin' for some company."

Her stomach twisted, nausea rising as the men continued to tease her, their words dripping with malice. She hugged her arms tighter around herself, her muscles rigid, the thin hospital gown offering little protection from their leering eyes.

"Get away from me," she said, her voice shaking, but she forced herself to stand taller, even though she was cringing so hard inside she felt like curling into a ball.

"Oh, feisty. I like that," the first man laughed, stepping even closer. His fingers grazed her arm, and she jerked back, disgust filling every inch of her being. She felt powerless, her mind racing with fear and anger, but her body wouldn't move fast enough.

Just as panic started to rise in her throat, another voice cut through the tension-sharp, commanding.

"Get the hell away from her."

Lydia's head snapped up just in time to see Nolan storming toward them, his face dark with fury. He moved with purpose, each step filled with barely contained rage. The men turned, and their cocky grins faltered when they saw him.

"Who the hell are you?" one of the men asked, trying to puff up his chest, but there was a noticeable crack in his bravado.

Nolan didn't even bother answering. Instead, he stepped right up to the man and, in one swift motion, shoved him hard in the chest, sending him stumbling backward.

"Get. Lost." Nolan's voice was low, dangerous, and it left no room for argument.

The men hesitated for a moment, their eyes flickering between Nolan and Lydia, but the tension in the air was enough to convince them. They muttered under their breath and backed away, disappearing into the trees as quickly as they had come.

Lydia stood frozen, her heart still racing from the encounter. Relief flooded her, but it was quickly replaced by anger. Nolan turned toward her, his eyes blazing with something she couldn't quite place.

"You're coming with me," he said, his tone brooking no argument as he grabbed her arm.

Lydia yanked her arm back, glaring at him. "I told you, I'm not-"

"I don't care what you think you want," Nolan cut her off, his grip tightening as he pulled her forward. His voice was cold, unyielding. "I'm not leaving you out here to get attacked again, so you're coming with me whether you like it or not."

She struggled, trying to break free, her voice rising in protest. "Let go of me! You don't get to decide what I do! I'm not your prisoner!"

Nolan didn't slow down. His grip remained firm as he dragged her through the underbrush, back toward the hideout. His patience had snapped; he wasn't giving her a choice this time.

"Stop it, Nolan!" Lydia shouted, her voice hoarse with frustration. "How are you any different from those men? Forcing me to go where *you* want, not caring what I say!"

Nolan's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing, but he didn't respond. He just kept pulling her toward the hideout, the weight of her words settling between them like a bitter truth he couldn't shake.

They reached the hideout, and Nolan yanked the door open, shoving her inside before slamming it shut behind them. He locked the door with a sharp twist of his hand, the sound of the bolt sliding into place echoing through the room.

Lydia stood there, her chest heaving with anger, her fists clenched. She felt trapped again, suffocated by the walls of this place-and by him.

Nolan leaned against the door, his shoulders tense, his breath coming in heavy, frustrated bursts. His eyes burned with a mixture of exhaustion and something darker-doubt, maybe even regret.

"Do you think I *want* to do this?" he muttered under his breath, his voice low and raw. "Do you think I like dragging you around, forcing you to listen?"

Lydia glared at him, her voice biting. "Then why are you doing it? If you hate it so much, why don't you just let me go?"

Nolan's eyes met hers, and for a moment, the fire in them flickered. He looked away, running a hand through his hair. "Because you're making everything harder than it has to be. I'm trying to keep you alive, Lydia. But you're fighting me at every damn turn."

"Maybe because I don't *want* to be kept alive like this!" she shot back. "You think this is protection? Dragging me around, locking me up? You're no better than them."

Nolan stiffened at her words, the accusation hitting him hard. For a brief second, doubt flashed across his face, and he wondered if he really was any different from the men who had cornered her in the woods. He'd sworn to protect her, to help her regain her memory and face the Syndicate-but now, he wasn't sure if he could keep up with this woman called Lydia. She was strong-willed, defiant, and making life harder for him in every possible way.

He exhaled sharply, turning away from her. The silence stretched, thick with tension.

"I don't know if I can do this," Nolan muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. He wasn't sure if Lydia heard him, and part of him didn't care. He had promised to protect her, but he was starting to doubt whether he could keep that promise-to her, or to himself.