Page 14 of Harbinger of Destiny

“The two thieves,” she said, breathing hard.

“Jump in, now!” Joshua ordered, glad that he’d left the roof down, because it made it easier for Amy to get in.

The moment she was inside, Joshua stepped on the gas pedal and sped away. Just in time. A second later, and the two guys would have caught up with them. He made several turns to leave the two would-be attackers in the dust, and kept driving.

“Are you hurt?” He took his eyes off the road for a moment to check for obvious signs of injury. He didn’t see any blood.

Amy seemed to shake. “I don’t know. I don’t think so.”

It was evident that she was in shock.

“We’ll have a look at you in a minute. Don’t worry about anything. You’re safe. I’ll make sure of it.”

But inside, Joshua knew that all this was his fault. He should have known that the two thieves would return to take their anger out on Amy. He should have been there to protect her. She was his responsibility. And he’d make up for it now.

“I promise,” he said to Amy and pulled into a parking spot just outside his apartment building.

9

THE DARK KNIGHT

When Joshua flipped the light switch and closed the door to his studio behind him and Amy, she seemed to finally come out of her numb state.

She glanced around, arms wrapped around her torso as if she was cold. “You live here?”

He nodded. “It’s not much, but I like the area.”

“It’s very nice.”

“Hmm. Take off your jacket,” he said and stretched out his hand.

She took a step backward. “Why?”

“So I can see if I hurt you.”

“You didn’t hurt me.”

“I mean when you hit the car. It was quite a bang. It left a dent in the door.” He’d seen it when he’d helped her out of the car.

“I’m sorry about your car. I’ll pay for it, but I don’t have any money right now.”

“Amy, I don’t care about the car. Besides, it was my fault for coming around the corner so fast. But I’m worried that you’re hurt. So, please take off your jacket.”

Finally, she nodded and dropped her backpack, which she’d slung over one shoulder, next to the coffee table. Slowly she took off her jacket.

Joshua inspected her front and back, but he couldn’t see any blood. “Your backpack must have taken the brunt of the impact. Move your arms up and down.”

Amy did as he asked, and he noticed her wince.

“Where does it hurt?”

“I’m fine. It’s just a little bruise.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

Before she could protest, Joshua had bridged the distance between them with two steps and ran his hands over her ribs. “Does that hurt?”

“No.”