It's late. The sky is dark and the streetlamps cast a warm glow over the cold pavement.
You're on your way home. It isn't anything unusual for you, going out on a Friday night with your friends and getting home in the early hours of the morning. Dark will be waiting for you, quietly reading as he always does when you go out.
Tonight is different though. You feel uneasy and keep glancing over your shoulder, only to be greeted with an empty street.
Perhaps it's because of your encounter earlier that evening. You'd been watching your friends dance, not one for drawing attention to yourself. They were already tipsy, having ordered shots as soon as they got to the bar.
Two men had come up to sit next to you, both with the hint of liquor on their breath.
It hadn't bothered you at first. They were just there to enjoy their evening. But then the looks started.
One had nudged the other, nodding his head in your direction. Without letting them know you'd noticed, you watched them rove their eyes over your body, making you wish you'd worn something a little less tight.
Moments later, they approached you, crowding around and effectively trapping you against the worn wooden bar.
They'd asked how much, both leering at you, singling you out. You'd cowered under their gaze and cradled your glass a little close, as if you could use it as a shield.
One of your friends noticed what was happening and had slapped the one on the left, yelling in his face and generally causing a scene.
After explaining the situation to a very confused and annoyed barkeep, they were told to leave your little group alone. Both refused.
The barkeep threatened to call the police, also giving your friend a stern warning to keep her anger in check. They'd shot your group dirty looks as they walked out, not having the guts to test the barkeep's patience.
Your friends had apologised for not noticing earlier and for basically abandoning you. It wasn't like you were mad at them of course. Ok, maybe a little annoyed at being left alone but you weren't mad.
A few more hours, a few more drinks and you'd all stumbled out into the night. You were nowhere near as drunk as your friends, one of whom had thrown up in a bush, but you definately were not sober either.
Parting ways, you'd started the walk back to your crappy little apartment complex. It wasn't more than a 20 minute walk so you didn't bother calling a taxi.
Now you wished you had. You're sure youre hearing footsteps behind you, quick and trying too hard to be quiet.
Fumbling to get your phone out of your pocket, you unlock it and send a quick message to Dark.
I'm on my way back but I think I'm being followed
Your finger hovers over the call button. You really don't want to bother Dark but your nerves are getting the better of you now.
There are two sets of footsteps following you, you're sure of it.
Your phone buzzes in your hand, making you jump and almost drop it.
Are you ok? Would you like me to come and get you?
Making up your mind, you press the call icon, waiting patiently for your boyfriend to pick up.
A hand clamps down on your shoulder, jerking you backward.
It's the men from the bar. They look angry and much more drunk than they did earlier.
You try to pull away but his grip is strong. His friend saunters closer, moving so he can press himself up against your back.
Your phone is still in your hand amd you hope beyond hope that Dark picks up.
"You never answered us earlier," One slurs, "how much?"
You shiver in disgust, heart beating out of your chest.
"I don't do that kind of thing, you can't buy me. Now, please, let me go." Your voice stays steady, contrasting the panic in your head.
The one behind you growls in your ear.
"Not the answer we were looking for sweetheart." You consider screaming out for help but you doubt anyone will hear you at this hour.
"Excuse me gentlemen." Both men spin around to face where the voice came from. You're able to shake the grasp on your shoulder, shying away from both men to hide in the shadow of a building.
Dark stands proud just out of the reach of the streetlamp's soft glow. He appears as just a shadow in the dark, eyes seeming to glow a soft red. His eyes flit to you briefly, making sure you're out of harms way.
"That is my partner you are harassing. I advise you walk away." His voice is low and holds the barely contained anger you often hear when he has to scold Wilford.
The men scoff and laugh at him. The one closest to you reaches over, pulling you back against him. Dark growls low in his throat at the sight of another man's arm around you.
"What are you gonna do? As far as I can see, you're outnumbered." The one holding you taunts him, the other standing off to the side and grinning. They think they'll be able to take Dark on.
Dark steps into the light, his head tipped to the side slightly, as if curious of the two men's motives. He looks relaxed and uninterested.
But you can tell he's barely holding back. His jaw is tense and you can see the subtle movement that tells you he's grinding his teeth again. The way he's dressed, in a button up half open and a pair of slacks, tells you he rushed to get there, not even bothering to put his suit jacket on.
"I highly suggest you let them go and leave us both in peace if you want to live to see the morning." His voice amplifies and becomes multi-faceted as he lets the glamour go.
The colour bleeds from him and his grey seeps into the surrounding area, leeching away the colour. His form flickers with the red and blue apparitions you're so used to seeing.
The man holding you falters, his arm around your waist falling away. They both stumble back, their fear almost palpable.
Dark cracks his neck, a shark like grin spreading across his face. He steps forward, suddenly appearing inches away from the men.
"Boo." They turn tail and run, screaming bloody murder about a demon as they dissapear into the night.
Not even waiting to see where they flee to, Dark turns his gaze to you. The colour returns to the area surrounding him as he comes closer.
"Are you alright my dear? They didn't harm you?" He places a hand on your cheek and you lean into the touch.
"No, I'm fine Dark. Thank you. I don't know what would've happened if you didn't show up." You remove his hand from your face and lace your fingers with his.
"Well, I do know what would've happened. But I don't really want to say it out loud." Dark grunts in response, face calm but an apparition pulling away to scream in rage. You always liked that about Dark. You could see what he was feeling extremely easily.
"Let's head home. I'll make you some hot cocoa?" You nod in agreememt and walk alongside Dark.
"Oh, and remind me to call Wilford when we get back. I have a 'job' for him."
