I'll protect you.
One protector, one to protect.
That's the rule, only he wasn't there and I was alone.
Alone in the night against strangers, one with a knife.
It was dusk.
I've come out to wander around the perimeters of my city.
My home became boring and suffocating to me as I needed the fresh breeze of the air.
I had no thought that danger would bother my night stroll.
No notion that men would try crowd me and seize me by force.
There were two of them, their faces vague from the lack of light.
I placed a tough look on my face, to show I was unafraid.
The men reeked of booze and smoke.
I crouched down to grab a rock, slightly larger than my hand, for defense.
I quickened my pace and past the men.
I could hear their heels following my steps, until one of them stopped my tracks.
"Get out of my way" I threatened.
The man laughed at me. I stared at him, deadly.
"The only place you'll be going, is with us, darling" he replied.
He was wrong.
I was afraid, but I prohibited myself to show the anxiety I had in my tough features.
"Get out of my way" I said again, each word released the same pause and tone.
I could hear the thoughts in my head.
The plan I had awaited for the culprits.
I tightened the grip on the rock I held.
My hand swayed, vigorously directing the face of the man behind me with the rock I held.
I watched the man down, realizing that he was unconscious from my one blow.
Instantly, the first shadowed man grabbed me.
His arms held tight my body, locking my arms in.
I refused to stand down.
I squirmed then forced the back of my head to hit his.
His grip loosened and I started to run, only I didn't get too far.
The man pulled my hair and I groaned in pain. I yanked my hair back and stood in front of the man.
Watching the knife he toyed with his hands, his smirk tugging at his face.
I tackled him, as I did so, he sliced open wounds on my arm as I twisted the hand he held for his weapon.
Both men were finally down.
I kicked his testis, to earn more time till I've rested in a secure place.
I ran as fast as my limbs could, faster than I've ever gone before.
Adrenaline pierced through me like a needle to a veil.
My mind only wandered to one thing as I was deciding where to run to.
I didn't run to my house.
It was too far away.
I would collapse and slow down as soon as I get far.
My eyes began to water from frustration and anger.
I need to see him. I need to see him.
Those were the only words in my head in this time of peril.
My legs took a swift turn to a village I barely went to.
My mind fixated to one place, one house, one person.
I kept running, I didn't stop until I stood infront of the house.
I rang the doorbell, looking at my surroundings, hoping the men would've stopped following myself by then.
The sound of chained doors, unlocked.
I turned around, and crushed my bones to the person infront of me.
The tears I held onto, trickled down my chin and I controlled the wails that tickled my throat.
"Sweet heart, what are you doing here?"he asked.
I didn't speak.
I held him tighter.
"What's wrong? " he asked again.
I wasn't in the state to speak, knowingly, my words would false to form and my voice would break.
"Let's go inside, let me get you water" he said instead.
I followed his steps, I kept my eyes on the ground, he ushered me to sit down and left me for his promise.
My palm swiped past my cheeks.
I muttered phrases to my senses.
Calm down, calm down.
It's over. You're safe. It's okay now.
A glass of water floated anterior to my face.
I gulped in silence.
He sat next to me, waiting in patience.
I finally spoke;
"I had to go to you"
He waited for more.
"I was almost kidnapped by strangers"
I took a deep breath before continuing.
"I used all of my energy to escape. I didn't know this would happen to me. All I could think of was you after my escape " I finished.
His hands wrapped me around him.
I rested my head on his shoulders.
My body failed me and it started to tremble. My attempts of control failed, and so vulnerability took control instead.
I listened to his soothing voice whisper sweet things to me.
"It's okay, my love.
I'm here now. It's okay. Let it out. I'm here, my love"
I held onto him like that, he didn't bother to move or adjust.
We stayed like that until I gained back my control, until my head hurt from crying, until I could control my breathing again.
"Better?" He asked.
"Very, thank you" I answered.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be there to protect you" it was all he said.
"Hush, you didn't know, besides you've helped me calm down." I wearily smiled at him.
He appeared to be freshly bathed. His hair was slightly wet. He wore fresh pajamas. He was prestine tonight.
"Why were you wandering around at night, my love? " he asked.
"I couldn't stand my house, sometimes I go out when I feel abandoned in there" I confessed.
"I see" was all he said.
"I apologise for this sudden visit."
"It's okay, my love. I don't mind. I'm glad you're safe."
He held me thrice for the night, only this time when he released me, his hand had a trace of blood.
My blood.
"You're wounded" He concluded. His eyes fixated on the slices the man left me, they were not deep wounds. Only cuts enough to make me bleed.
"Wait here, I'll search for my aid to patch you up. "
I watched him go and watch him sit again next to me,
He cleaned my wounds, put on anti-infective medicine, then patched me up.
I muttered a thank you after his procedure.
"Darling, will you tell me your story now, explicitly? "He asked.
I nod my head and told him, from the beginning to the end, not leaving a single happening.
He was surprised, amused, worried.
Coming to him was a decision I didn't regret that night.
He knew me better that night as I came to know him more.
We spent that night and the next morning together.
Each other wrapped tight with the other.
