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I gently take Emily’s hand and lead her from the clearing toward my car.
“Where are we going?” she asks.
Under the moonlight, with the excitement dying out, I finally look at her. I feel anger rushing to my knuckles as an innate desire to go back and bring that bastard to life, only to slowly torture him to death, comes to me.
Her nose is bleeding, and her eyes are bruised blue. She’s been beaten - bad. She’s no longer holding the coat closed around her, letting it stay open, and her shirt is ripped open, exposing her bra and chest. I see bruises all
over her bra.
“We’re going back to my place,” I say, “You need medical attention, Emily. You’re hurt - physically and ... did he do anything else to you?”
“No,” she says defiantly, staring me right in the eye.
I nod, knowing what she’s referring to. “Thank god... or else.”
“Or else what?” she says, “you killed him already, didn’t you?”
I laugh. “Well, yes.”
“So, I guess that’s that, then. What will you do with me?” she asks, staring me right in the eye. “You going to kill me too? You said you would.”
“Emily,” I say, whispering as I inch closer to her. “Things have changed.”
“What’s changed?”
“I... I want to tell you everything, but please return to my house first. I really need to check out your wounds and bruises. We have all the time in the world to talk.”
“Look, Felix,” says Emily, and I know she won’t let me help her without a fight.
“I’ve taken care of myself alone so far. I’ve managed to get by just fine, haven’t I? I’m no damsel in distress. Tonight - thank you for that, but that’s it. Thank you, and goodbye.”
She tries to walk away from me, but I grab her hand and pull her back to me.
“Emily,” I say, with an authority in my voice that she’s not accustomed to.
“Come home with me. You’ve taken care of yourself so far? Do you really believe that? Just ten minutes ago, you had a fucking gun to your head. I’ve seen enough to know just how good you are at taking care of yourself,” I add sarcastically.
I notice her flinch and try a different approach.
“I know more about you than you know. I know you didn’t take the data from my computer. I know you work with a network of hackers... I need answers, and you need help. So, come with me.”
“How do you know about the hackers?” she asks, her voice dropping to a low.
“If you let me help you heal, I’ll tell you.”
I now know I’ve piqued her curiosity. She’s coming home with me.
She nods, her eyes downcast. I guide her towards my car, opening the passenger door for her.
She hesitates for a moment before getting in, and I can tell she’s still scared ... and reserved.
I get behind the driver’s seat, turn on the ignition, and pull out of the woods. I keep glancing over at her, clutching the wheel tightly.
Once we arrive at my house, I quickly help her inside and onto the couch, grabbing a first-aid kit from the cabinet. I sit down beside her and begin to clean up her wounds.
I can feel her trembling under my touch as I touch her skin. I try to soothe her, murmuring words of comfort, but she remains tense. Finally, I can’t take it anymore.
“Emily,” I say, my voice low and rough, “I want to make you feel safe. Can I do that?”
