s

avy and unrelenting, t

the uneven pavement behind the venue. My hands shook, not just from cold, but from shock, humiliation, and heartbreak. The scene inside the hall replayed end

ks, barely noticing the litter-cigarette butts, discarded n

nely and

emerged from the shadows, their shapes looming, wet jackets clinging to their frames. The

d to keep walking. Ignore

ced my gaze straight ahead, desperate for anything familiar. A small shelter, a corner of the alley betwee

ed with something

ressed against someone taller, broader, and commanding. I hadn't seen his face, but the cut of his coat, the strength in his shoulders

ther they nor I moved. Then, slowly, almost reluctantly, they backed away,

so tightly my fingers were white. I opened my mouth to speak, to thank him, but before the words could form, he shifted, hands in pockets, shoulders

ace, leaving salty trails across my cheeks. Every heartbeat felt too loud. Every drop of water against my ski

y spiraling thoughts. I fumbled for it, checking to see if i

g yourself, Ava. I'm l

ll send the photos I took, and

tone, before proceeding to

be in Dust

lled me, I hesitated a f

Hey... weren't you supposed to b

es. "Something happened," I whispered, voice cracki

the tears still streaming down my face, but I pushed myself upright. The alley stretched on before me, wet and narrow, shado

end of the alley, muttering and gesturing toward me. My stomach sank. Not again... I q

appeared, a guardian between me and the men. His height dwarfed me, and though I couldn't see his face, the presence of him filled the alley. The cologn

ef and lingering fear warred within me. Just as I was about to s

f. Fingers slippery from rain, I typed a quick message

ing. See