Ali's feet barely touched the steps as she flew down the staircase, her robe billowing behind her. Her breath came in ragged gasps, hair tangled and eyes wild, like a hunted animal. Bruises painted her skin, dark and fresh, splashed across her arms and legs. Her bare feet slapped against the cold floor, her movements frantic, driven by pure instinct.
Behind her, at the top of the staircase, Jack loomed—tall, bleeding from a cut on his forehead, rage burning in his eyes. His voice echoed through the hallway, sharp and furious.
"Ali!"
She didn't look back. She burst through the front door and out into the night. The wind bit at her exposed skin, the matching silky nightie she wore under the robe thin and barely suitable for the chill in the air but she didn't stop. The pavement was rough beneath her feet, and each step sent jolts of pain up her legs, but she ran, faster and faster, the city lights blurring as she weaved through the streets, people giving her curious stares.
Cars passed, headlights slicing through the dark, but she kept moving, her eyes darting, desperate for an escape. She didn't know how long she ran—minutes, hours—until her legs burned and her chest ached. She stumbled to a stop at a phone booth, clutching the glass for support as she caught her breath.
Damn! Damn! Damn it all to hell!
She had no money.
Nearby, a group of teenagers lingered by the curb, passing a joint between them, their laughter echoing off the buildings. Ali approached, her eyes wide and pleading.
"Hey... please, do you have any coins? I need to make a call."
They stared at her for a moment, squinting through the haze of smoke. One of them, a boy with a backward cap, cocked his head, recognition dawning on his face.
"Yo, wait—aren't you Ali Masters?" he said, disbelief in his tone. "Man, I used to watch all your movies. What the hell are you doing out here like this?"
Ali's eyes flickered, but she didn't have time for explanations. "Please. I just need some change."
Another kid, a girl with purple hair, nudged the boy. "Dude, give her the money. She looks messed up."
The boy fished a couple of coins out of his pocket, holding them out to her. "Yeah, alright. Here. But damn, you good?"
She took the coins, clutching them tightly. "Thank you."
Without another word, she rushed back to the booth. Her hands trembled as she pushed the door open. Only then, did she let out a shaky breath, barely keeping it together. Her hands shook as she punched in the number she knew by head but had never actually called before.
It rang once. Twice. The line picked up.
"It's me." Her voice broke.
The night swallowed her words as she stood there, waiting for the voice on the other end.
YOU ARE READING
The storm Rages
RomanceShe loved him. He loved her. More than anything in this world. More than his very own life. But he couldn't be with her. So he let her go. When she comes back years later, broken down and battered, the very thing he was trying to avoid for her, he...
