il of clouds. A cool wind swept through the empty streets as Aliyah steppe

esponse fr

a quiet, dimly lit bar Marion had mentioned once in pas

street was quieter than she remembered, eerily so. A few drunks staggered outside th

e. The lights were low, casting strange shadows on the walls. A few people were sti

nned the roo

e muttered un

anged a glance. One of them, a stocky guy with a dirty beard an

g like you doing in a place like th

Aliyah said calmly,

ff her escape. "Aw, don't be like that, sweetheart.

art now slamming violently agai

did

e taller one reac

way, a third voice cut through the

ucking hand

er wrist loos

torm into the bar like a thunderstorm. His face was a mas

il of clouds. A cool wind swept through the empty streets as Aliyah steppe

esponse fr

a quiet, dimly lit bar Marion had mentioned once in p

street was quieter than she remembered, eerily so. A few drunks staggered outside th

e. The lights were low, casting strange shadows on the walls. A few people were sti

nned the roo

e muttered un

anged a glance. One of them, a stocky guy with a dirty beard an

g like you doing in a place like th

Aliyah said calmly,

ff her escape. "Aw, don't be like that, sweetheart.

now slamming violently against her

e taller one reac

way, a third voice cut through the

ucking hand

er wrist loos

torm into the bar like a thunderstorm. His face was a mas

u?" the shorter

d grabbed her, and without hesitation, punched him hard ac

shoved him against the wall. "Touch her again, and you

man coughed out, han

ah, gripping her arms, eyes wide and scanning her face as

shaken. "I...I'm fine. I was j

g, pulled her into a tight embrace. "Damn it, Aliyah.

nger, the fear, the adrenaline, all of it melted into the

d about you,"

tly to look at her.

ring how angry she'd been. "Over and over a

phone in the car. I just... nee

id. I thought something had happened

ly. "For making you worry.

beat, the noise of the bar

her hand. "Let's go ho

ened the door for her. Before she co

His voice was raw, barely a whisper. "I wou

sm, no jokes, no fake smiles. Just tru