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➭ 𝘫𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘬𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘺
~✰ ✰ ✰~
It was late by the time I left Kathrines. The streets were virtually empty accept for a few drunk old man stumbling out of bars. The night air was cool and a soft breeze blew through the streets. I typically was not one to walk home this late but tonight I had no choice. I adjusted the shawl on my shoulders before blowing a stray hair out of my face.
"Well hello." A cocky voice said from beside me. I turned towards the voice. A 25 year old looking man was leaning against the corner of an alley. His hat was tipped down and a cigar was hanging loosely from his lips.
"Hi" I said quickly bowing my head. I walked quickly trying to get away from the man.
"Woah woah woah, where ya going?" He asked. I could feel him following me. I ignored him without turning around. "Sweetheart." The man grabbed my arm. His ruff fingers gripped my wrist. I cried silently in pain.
"Let go." I demanded through clenched teeth. The man chuckled gripping the side of my waist. I swatted at his arms but it was clear this wasn't this mans first offense. I opened my mouth and let out a scream. Suddenly the cold metal of a blade was against my throat. I swallowed nervously.
"You scream again, I slit your throat." The man whispered in my ear, sending uncomfortable shivers down my spine. I nodded slightly before I let the man drag me down to the alley. He released the knife from my throat. His fingers grasped at my waist as he looked at me. A hungry fire in his eyes. Tears formed in my ducts threatening to spill. Using all of my force I shoved the man. He stumbled backwards and fell onto a pile of boxes. I fell back into the wall sobbing. The man stood up anger gleaming in his eyes. He came at me again. This time I screamed, loud and clear. His fist came in contact with my jaw. I flinched in pain.
"Stop it!" I screamed hitting anything I could. The man just smirked devilishly under the street light. His hands gripped my wrists. I squirmed and tried to wiggle out of his grip. "Let go of me!" I shouted. I heard the ponding of feet and then Jacks body flung at the man with full force. I crawled into a ball as the two of them threw punches at each other. I sobbed quietly as the mans knuckles connected with Jacks jaw.
"Stop!" I sobbed to Jack. He grunted throwing the man into a pile of wooden crates. Jack turned to me.
"Come on." He told me quickly. His hand reached out hoisting me up. Him and I ran down the now quiet streets of Manhattan. Jack gripped my hand pulling me around the corner. We ran up some small metal steps that clanked and swayed dangerously as our feet stomped on them. He grabbed my waist and hoisted me up on top of the roof. He then pulled himself up. I could feel Jacks presence next to me. We didn't say anything, just sat in silence the soft breeze blowing through my messy hair. The stars twinkled above our heads.
Tears stained my face. They silently rolled down my cheeks into a pile on the cement roof. Jack quietly wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I leaned my head against his shoulder. His fingers gently running through my hair. My tears stained the grey vest Jack wore. His fingers lightly raised my chin and turned it toward him.
"Hey." He said softly, his blue eyes twinkle slightly in the moonlight. "Your okay. Okay?" I nodded sniffling. His fingers gently wiped the drying tears from my eyes.
"I'm so stupid." I muttered quietly. He shook his head. "If only I made Katherine call me a carriage." Jack lightly gripped my shoulders.
"You didn't know that was going to happen." He told me honestly,his eyes locking in on mine. The wind blew a loose strand of my light brown hair into my face. Jack carefully pushed it behind my ear. "You did nothing wrong, Lilly, nothing." His voice was soft. "Okay can you repeat that?" I nodded stiffly.
"I-I did nothing wrong." I stuttered before completely breaking down. I curled into Jacks side. My tears now turning his already dark blue button up darker. He rubbed my back soothingly.
"Lillian." I mumbled a yeah. "Look at me." He commanded gently. I quietly sat up and looked at him. His fingers moved a piece of my hair and tucked it behind my ear. "Son of a bitch." He muttered angrily. His eyes were glued to my jaw where a newly formed bruise appeared. "I shoulda finished him off." Jack grumbled standing up. I quickly scrambled up.
"No." I cried desperately. Jack made his way to the stairwell. "No Jack don't!" I begged.
"Stay here." He commanded me before disappearing . I scrambled to the edge. Jack was already down the steps and running off in the moonlight. I collapsed on top of the roof and just sobbed. Jack couldn't go to jail or get killed because of me. He just couldn't.
✰ ✰ ✰
An hour later I heard the clambering of the stairs. It was around 1 am probably.
"Jack?" I called out quietly. He responded and I released a breath I didn't know I was holding. My hair had completely fallen out of its braids I tied the fronts back with. "What happened?"
"Don't worry about it okay." He responded sitting down next to me.
"Hey Jack."
"Yes Lilly?" He asked me. Turning to look at me.
"I wanna go home." I whispered quietly. He nodded before moving towards the edge of the roof. He jumped down and then motioned for me. I followed him. His hands grasped my waist and lifted me down. His fingers gently reached for mine. I took his hand in mine and let it comfort me. His hand gripped mine the whole way until we made it to my apartment complex.
"This is me." I told him. He let go of my hand.
"Okay goodnight." He said stuffing his hands in his pockets. I started to walk to the door before I turned around.
"Hey Jack." I said. He looked up.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you." I said giving him a tight lipped smile.
"Anytime Lil." I nodded before stepping inside leaving the boy my heart beat for outside in the cold of the night.
authors note I hope I portrayed this well and I hope you guys liked this chapter .
