Chapter Text
“Goodbye, have a nice night!” I called back into the bookstore, hearing the bell on the door chime as it swung shut.
I turned and began walking down the street, finally headed home. I checked the time on my phone again, 12:23. I picked up my pace, glancing around surreptitiously, pulling my flannel in, around my body. I should’ve been quicker - it was well and truly dark out now, and though New York never really slept, it was too late for me to be out alone. It’s just that every time I stepped into Raven’s Roost , I got lost in the familiar stacks of books, and time seemed to slip away from me. So here I was, out much too late with a rather full bag of books clutched in my hand.
As much as I hated to admit it, I could only defend myself in a haphazard sort of way; moves learned from movies, YouTube videos on how to defend yourself, and that one kickboxing class I had taken when I was a teenager. The knife in my pocket was of some small comfort, but in the back of my head I knew someone could overpower me if I wasn’t quick enough. These thoughts were always in my mind, more so when I was caught out late like this. I was careful to be on high alert, anxiety turning my caution into an undercurrent of panic, that had me picking up my pace.
I turned the corner into an alleyway, a shortcut home that was usually empty except for the odd skater who had decided one of the walls needed a dose of spray paint. It was usually better to keep to the side streets, less people, and therefore less chance that I would catch some perv’s eye as his next target. Plus any homeless people would usually leave me alone when I fixed them with a cold glare, or failing that a dollar or two would get them to leave me alone.
Luck however was not on my side tonight, as I realized the shape at the other end of the alleyway was in fact not a pile of trash. The shape separated in front of me, into two figures. I slowed down and glanced around once before trying to casually look behind me. I heard a shout and twisted towards the sound. The two men in front of me, were getting closer.
" Hey girlie!" one called. I took a step back, planning to run when my back hit something. Oh fuck, that something has arms! I realized as I felt them latch around my waist. I opened my mouth to scream and I felt a hand clamp over my lips, and a dark chuckle just next to my ear. I screamed anyway, hoping someone could hear my muffled cries. I struggled against his arms as I felt his other hand fumble with the button on my jeans. I stomped backwards on the foot of the person who was holding me as hard as I could. I felt him jerk back, his hold on me shifting. I bit down on his hand, and threw my elbow back frantically. His hands slipped as he doubled over and I twisted out of his grasp. Crap, those guys were getting closer! I glanced at the man who had been holding me, before I swung my leg back and kicked him in the worst place I could think of. He predictably, fell over groaning, as every other man would have. I hoped that put him out of commission, there was no way I could fight off three guys.
I screamed at the top of my lungs,"HELP! SOMEONE HELP ME!", as I bolted away from the men. They both chased after me, I shot a glance behind me. Fuck my life-they're gaining! "HELP!" I screamed again through my ragged breaths. I stumbled tripping over my own stupid feet, still too far from the main street. I hissed, palm scraping across the pavement, as I caught myself just short of hitting my face, my knees not faring much better. I stumbled to my feet just as I felt my head being yanked back,"Don't you dar-aghhh!" I screamed as he yanked me back towards him by my hair. I struck out wildly at anything I could reach, wincing as I felt him pull on my hair harder.
He wrenched me against the alley wall, his grip tight on my hair, and I screamed again. He slapped me, throwing my head against the wall, bouncing harshly off it on impact. I felt the blood drip down the side of my face, my vision swam for a moment before clearing. Fuck he had rings I realized as I caught the glint of metal on his knuckles, and felt a burst of pain from the opposite corner of my mouth. The other man hovered behind him, glaring down at me. I heard one of them laugh jeeringly as the man who held me pressed himself against my body. I struggled against him,"Get off! Someone help me! Anyone!" I yelled frantically, throwing my fists out at the man. He grunted, in pain I hoped, and let go of my hair, snaring both of my wrists in his hands instead. He thrust my wrists over my head, scraping my hands harshly against the wall as I thrashed against his grasp, trying to yank them free. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck I chanted in my head. What do I do?! He smashed his disgusting mouth against mine and I lurched against him trying to get the bastard off. He responded by digging his nails into my wrists, surely drawing blood. I whimpered, his mouth still assaulting me. He shoved his hand under my top and I screamed as well as I could with his mouth against mine, my jaw clenched, screaming through my teeth as I kept my mouth clamped shut against his lips. Then suddenly he was gone. My eyes were wide open the whole time, his body was just ripped away from me.
I saw four shadows and I heard someone say or rather shout "Booyakasha!" And then I watched as the shadows made short work of the men. Staring, frozen, as my brain registered the weapons they each held. God, this is bad, what if they're worse? I was still against the wall shivering, I wrapped my arms around myself, my eyes tearing up. Thank god someone had come though.
The fighting ended as abruptly as it had begun, and two of the shadows started to tie up the men under another one's directions. They sounded male, I saw one shadow branch off and start to come towards me. As soon as they were close enough the person reached out, I flinched back automatically remembering their weapons. I stared at what they were holding out and I realized it was my bag of books. I must've dropped it, I realized.
"A-are these yours miss?" The shadow in front of me asked nervously. I nodded and reached out my hands hesitantly, he set the bag in them, still fully in shadow, and I shifted the handle to my left hand again.
"Thank you." I said, my voice strained and watery from my tears. " I heard him laugh nervously before I felt my knees give out. I heard him gasp and there was a flash of green as my world went black.