Finding Hope

Chapter One

Allegra walked down the stairs dressed in a black robe for the second time in her life. Underneath she wore a sleek black dress that clung to her hips perfectly, her hair dressed to the side in waves. A woman with similar looks beamed as she pulled a male to her side. Allegra blushed flashing a smile as a camera flash went off. "Daddy, tell her we will be late if she insists on taking a hundred pictures." Allegra laughed moving to the bottom of the stairs, pausing to allow her mother another picture. Her mother scoffed but nodded her head, agreeing to end the photos. For now.

Allegra appreciated the cease fire as she slid into her off-white heels, raising her height from 5'2 to 5'8. How she loved heels. She grabbed a white clutch from the coffee table turning to face her parents smiling faces. "I can't believe it. You're officially a nurse! You can't possibly understand how proud we are of you." Her mother gushed, wiping at her eyes as if she was crying. Allegra fought the urge to roll her eyes at her mother's dramatics. Her father gave her a knowing look causing a small laugh. Minutes later, they were leaving their home to attend her graduation.

A few hours later

The family entered a downtown restaurant for a celebration dinner. After little small talk, Allegra's father asked a more serious question "Have you had any job offers?". Allegra looked down for a minute before biting her lip. Her parents shared a concerned look fearing no hospital wanted her fresh out of med school. Her next words silenced the table "I got a job offer from West Valley General.".

No one spoke for quite some time as they processed the new information. Finally her mother spoke "You can't go back to Stathford. Zachariah Vega was released three years ago. He could attack you again Allegra!". Allegra winced at the tone in her mother's voice before the memories came flooding back.

6 years ago

Allegra laughed as she exited the theater with her best friend Zachariah. They had just seen a comedy show featuring Kevin Hart. Allegra and Zachariah had been friends since kindergarten, forming this friendship over Harry Potter and Goldfish. The two passed jokes back and forth from the show, continuing in their laughter. Zachariah pulled the two into a side street, lit by street lamps. Allegra looked at him with shining eyes as he slowly approached her leaning her against the alley wall, his eyes never leaving hers. Both began breathing heavy, nervous with anticipation and excitement. Allegra had known for the past year and a half, she had more interest than friends with Zachariah. He glanced down at her lips before looking back into her deep green eyes. Allegra bit her lip, casting her eyes down for a minute before looking back at him, his lips, then him again. Zachariah leaned in slowly, their lips touching barely before Allegra pressed them further together. The two moved in sync with the other, ignoring the world around them. Captivated in this blissful moment they were sharing. Neither noticed the men approaching them. Neither noticed the flash of silver as the object passed under the street lamps.

When Zachariah was jerked away from them, their moment was turned from bliss to fear. Two men started violently beating Zachariah who tempted to fight. Another grabbed Allegra's hair throwing her to the ground roughly. A whimper left her lips as she faced her attacker. A blow was delivered before being followed by another. Allegra held herself up from the ground on her hands, the attacker giving another blow. This one was his boot to her abdomen directly below her ribs. A piercing scream left her lips as he kicked again. Zachariah yelled her name, pained that he couldn't help her at the moment. He was still trying to fight off his own attackers. "Leave her alone! Stop!" He pleaded as he threw another punch. He thrashed harder when he saw the knife in the man's hand, approaching Allegra. "No!!!" He screamed eyes wide with fear.

Allegra was pulled to her legs by the man, who turned her to Zachariah. Tears soaked her cheeks, her eyes wide and full pain. Zachariah felt himself break inside at the sight of her. Her hair was loose and covered with mud, the dress she had worn was torn in various places now brown instead of white. The man pulled back his arm then plunged it forward. Another scream left Allegra's lips as the brown on her dress turned to red. Zachariah yelled and thrashed more trying to reach her as the man dropped her. Allegra collapased on the alley floor, her breathing becoming shallow in the passing moments.

The men looked at Zachariah speaking for the first time "This is just a warning. Tell your father to stop hiding. Rafael won't wait forever. Next time, it'll be you.". They pushed Zachariah towards Allegra as they ran down the alley disappearing in the shadows. Zachariah pulled her into his arms sobbing as he called the police. "Please don't leave me. Please. I can't loose you. I'm so sorry." He cried, hugging her to his chest.

Present

Allegra sighed as she faced her mother, determination shining in her eyes "I've already accepted. Zachariah Never hurt me. I told you we were both attacked but you wouldn't listen. Instead you pressed the trial while I was in a coma so I couldn't testify. I'm not debating or asking for permission." She said, leaving little room for argument. Her mother looked at her in disbelief before speaking again "Zachariah was found guilty! He stabbed and beat you! How could you possibly want to return to that forsaken place?!".

Allegra sighed, placing her napkin on the table as she stood. Challenging she retorted "I read the reports. He told the truth at the trail but since his father was a Drug Lord, they didn't give him a second look. I want to return there for my job offer. I have nothing to fear from Zachariah. If you'll excuse me, I have an early flight I won't be missing.". Allegra turned and walked away from her parents feeling better about herself for choosing her own path. Tomorrow started the promise of a new day and a new future.