Protect me.

Adams POV

I liked walking. It was something to do. The breeze rustled my bangs as I walked through my neighbourhood, past the little homes that were all too similar. I turned a corner, hands deep in pockets, mind deep in thought, when a piercing cry rung in my eardrums. It echoed, it was haunting. It was close.

My instincts told me to run away. But the 'What ifs?' had me running towards the source of the sound. My eyes catch sight of a young woman, struggling out of the window of someone's basement. It was far too small for a human being to climb comfortably out of. Her bony body covered in fresh cuts from the glass. I sprinted over to her.

'My god, are you okay, d-do you need help, you're bleeding'

She stared at me. Her eyes wide, and bloodshot.

'Get me out of here, p-please, before he comes back, please'

I reached my hand out to her and she took it. I pulled her out, she yelled out in considerable pain, it was distressing to watch. Her legs slid out and she crawled out onto the grass. She quickly scrambled to her feet and tried to steady herself but fell back down in a crumpled heap.

'My leg' she winced 'It's broken'

I looked down to see a swollen purple leg, covered in blood. I took a deep breath in to stop myself from passing out.

'I'm so sorry but I'm going to have to carry you, this may hurt'

She nodded and closed her eyes. I gently slid my hands under her tiny frame and lifted her up, bridal style. She cried out, and whimpered, her eyes brimming with tears. I could see the excruciating agony in her face, I got round the corner before she blacked out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She had been out almost five hours now. I had laid her in my bed, cleaned and dressed the wounds as best I could, and draped a warm cloth over her forehead. I had no idea what to do next. I just sat by her, waiting. Which I hoped wouldn't freak her out when she woke, I just needed to be there to explain everything to her, and maybe get some answers. She had long, straight, dirty blonde hair and amber and green coloured eyes. She was incredibly skinny, and her cheekbones were extremely prominent. She was beautiful, there was no denying it, but her condition was sickening. It made my stomach churn.

I waited for another hour or so before her eyes fluttered open. She didn't panic as expected, she just laid there, her eyes fixated on me. She reached a hand out and touched my cheek.

'Just checking I'm awake' she whispered hoarsely

I nodded. Hoping she hadn't seen me blush.

'Are you feeling okay?'

She nodded and smiled, struggling to lift her head up, she scanned over her cuts that I had dressed.

'You stitched me up pretty good... Thank you'

'I-I did the best I could...'

I looked at the floor.

'Does my knight in shining armour happen to have a name?' she smiled weakly

'Adam, my name's Adam'

'My name's Phoenix'

'Wow. That's a unique name'

'I guess. But people usually just call me Fee, for short'

'Fee... that's lovely'

She smiled.

'Well you're free to call me either'

'So, um, Fee... is there someone you'd like me to call?'

'Nope.'

Silence.

'Not even the police?'

'Nuh-uh'

'Would you like me to take you to the hospital..?'

She shook her head.

'C-can I ask why you were escaping from someone's basement...? And why your legs all...' I grimaced at the sight of it.

'Stupid bastard kidnapped me. Been down there 6 months, at least'

I stared at her. Stunned. 6 whole months.

'Jesus Fee... 6 months?'

'Yeah, long story short, he hit on me when he was drunk, he got rejected, followed me, grabbed me, knocked me out, flung me into his basement, tells me to stay quiet, beats me, tries to rape me, unsuccessfully I might add, doesn't really feed me for 6 months. Let's me shower and  stuff though, fucked up fucker.'

W-we need to call the police Phoenix'

'Why? I'm safe aren't I? Revenge is so overrated'

'It's not revenge Fee, what if he hurts someone else? Or comes after you?'

'He wont. Once he finds out I'm gone he'll shit himself and run away'

'Fee I don't k-'

'Hey, dude, listen, I really do appreciate everything you've done for me, but, this isn't your problem, alright?'

I just stared into my lap.

'I'll be out of your hair in no time'

I looked up at her..

'I don't want you to get hurt again. I don't want you to have to be alone out there like this'

'Well then take care of me until I'm better. It's not like I have anywhere to go or anybody to go to... right?'

'You mean... you want to stay here?'

'Um, yes. That's the idea, you said you didn't want me to get hurt so... protect me...'

I slowly nodded.

'I think that's... a good idea...'

'I came up with it. Therefore its a brilliant idea.'

I laughed, she grinned. She trusted me. She wasn't too proud to let me help her. And I was thankful of that.