Fallen

Chapter 4

My name escaped her lips and I felt a shiver crawl up my spine. It really was her. Was this why she didn't talk to me? Was she dealing with that man all this time?
"Yeah it's me." I say with a warm smile. I wanted her to feel safe. It looked as if she hasn't been for a while. She just stared at me. I did just look a possibility dangerous man in the eye and threatened to beat him. I'm reckless that way. "You ok?" I asked once again. She seemed to snap out of it and nodded yes. "Who was that guy?" I glanced back making sure he was truly away from us. "Mike... my boyfriend." Her voice was soft and shaken. My heart hurt hearing that he was her boyfriend. But I ignored my feelings making sure more important things got dealt with. "Does he know where you live?" I asked with caution this time. This question could frighten her which destroys my goal of making her feel safe. She nodded yes. I sighed softly. "Coffee?" I offered. Her face twisted to confusion. "At night?" I shrugged. "I need to talk to you but I want it somewhere more public to avoid  conflicts. I work at a coffee place that's open late hours." She suddenly became shy and nervous. "I don't want you involved in this." She says firmly. I looked at her in disbelief. "He was gonna hurt you. He saw my face I pissed him off. I think it's a little too late for that." I rubbed the back of my neck. Marie had a defeated look on her face and she agreed to go with me. I walked her to the Café I worked at. Her eyes looked to the ground the whole time. We walked in and we got seated. I offered to pay for coffee or treat but she denied my offer. I then started our conversation.

I asked how long this was going on, if he ever hurted her and if she got attorneys involved. She gave me vague answers setting off alarms in my head. "Lily I appreciate you caring but I don't want you dragged into this." She suddenly said. I sighed heavily and looked directly into her eyes. "Marie I'm never gonna sleep if I don't know if you're ok. Especially with that man. I may have intervened this time but what if I can't next time?" My voice filled with worry at the last sentence. I really was scared for her. I laid my arm on the table my hand opened offering a hand to hold. "I'm giving you a chance to get away from him and possibly stop all this. I want you to take that chance.. please. Not for me but for you and your safety." I looked into Marie's beautiful brown eyes as tears pricked through. I could see the fear and hesitation but I soon felt her hand slip into mine. "Ok.." She whispered. I smiled and interlocked our fingers relief washing over me. I couldn't see that smile though. She was still scared. I gently squeezed her hand. "Your hand is so cold." I chuckled a bit and gently cupped it in both of my hands to warm her up. I exhaled onto her hand as a smile broke out onto her lips along with a small giggle. "Now the other one is jealous." She joked. I smiled brighter and took her other hand warming both of them up.