Strange thing this hope is,

Comes when no expectations are left,

When life loses the battle,

It comes as the false hope disagreeing the denial!

***

Like life plays trick, my mind followed, with small fragments of visions, I saw the darkness fading, fading into visions, they were unclear, unknown before something make sense, vision blur I found the outlines of hands, arms before they came toward me, to grab me, I took a step backward to prevent the touch, but the hand lunged forward.

I blinked again, as a shriek came out of my mouth, my legs staggered, dizziness washed over me like vertigo I took another step back and then I lurched falling backward, the vision cleared a little for a moment and the arm came close, its dark again before I felt something touched me in a manner I felt creepy, I wailed in discomfort but the grip only tightened on my upper arm before another hand found my waist, tears prickled down as I force the bile of disgust it crawled me upon.

I wanted to cry but nothing came out, it was the effect, the effect of drink because it was all I had before this dizziness crashed upon me. The disgusting hand crawled above, savoring my skin through the dress I wore and I flinched at every centimeter it went above.

I blinked again, the constricting throat wanted to wail and put all efforts to do so but it wasn't allowed to me. My vocal cords went numb with shock and hysteria I was facing, it was devastating.

A few more minutes and I felt myself feeling numb, paralyzed, my body lost all the energy to fight, wriggle or even to make an effort to cry. Silent tears escaping my eyes as I was hearing the laughter of victory resonating around.

The disgust and chills to spine awaking the laughter from men, more than one. I heard, soon my body was thrashed, toward the wall, the bounds of disgust left me, I didn't felt the pain since I was numb, paralyzed.

I blinked again, wiping the fragments of darkness from my vision before in dark, the bulb sparked, a shadow appeared. A shadow which was far away but clear and visible to my distraught sight.

I blinked again and it was gone, the place went vacant again in front of my eyes. The spark of hope which I ignited in that moment flew and turned murk, another tear escaped.

I let it, I had no other choice. But to weep, weep and witness my doom, my dignity, my life I don't know what is going to be snatched away from me. I let my soul weep, my heart bleed and my eyes showcase my grief.

I wept softly, to weep hard, I had no energy and my body was betrayed by those poisoned drinks I took.

I blinded again, to remove the dizziness and vague vision from my sight. But no like it was the dizziness that wanted to be my companion while I witness my end.

Suddenly I felt a hand on my back, just above to what people call lower back against my hip bone before I felt warm breath fanning over my sweaty body. My panting accelerated as I sensed alcohol ruling those breaths.

I wanted to scream, weep, fight, hurt and kill but all I could do was to weep silent, let it happen, even without my wish. I had to let this happen. My mind screamed at my body, my heart prayed for a savior, a miracle to save me.

My soul begged by body, the almighty to save me, to not let this happen to me. I cried hard inside, my heart wept, soul wept and so every fiber of mine.

But then miracles aren't real. Just as the meaning of name they are all magic that never exist in real life. I was devastated but the realization that now, I'll be doomed shattered me in that moment.

The breath came closer, as the sense of the proximities. I wanted to dig my nails in on that face who was a monster to force himself upon me. I wanted to claw his heart out, for his devilish actions, I wanted to condemn them; I wanted them to rot in hell.

But my desires will never be fulfilled but I'll die like a victim or perhaps left to live a life which will be loathed by others.

No! I wanted to scream, I wanted to cry.

"Look at yourself," the face which was against my head whispered, I wanted to puke at the alcohol he released, "Where is that attitude of yours' which you flaunted in the party." My ears peeped as in my unconscious state I tried to recognized and digest the meaning behind his words.

Party! He was in the party!

"Look where that one 'NO' brought you, after I'm done with you, you'll be begging me to—" he stopped; I closed my eyes as realization.

It was Daniel. It wasn't a surprise; yes it was but a little. I can never imagine just a no for dance dragged me here on the verge of losing my dignity or perhaps life.

I wanted to glare at god, for showing me this.

Why the world is so cruel, why people like him even live?

Suddenly the alcoholic breath left me, so was the pressure of weight against my body with a jolt. I almost lost my balance, with paralyzed limps; I endured the fall opening my hazy gaze. Falling was the only choice but it was good, at least for some time, maybe a few moments he was, they were away from me.

But for how long? I dreaded the answer to come.

I was blinking in darkness, darkness that was been penetrated by a yellow fluorescent bulb that was hanging far away.

The dirt was making it difficult for me to even breathe, it was disgusting but then, I sure was going to one in few moments.

I was in distress, depression, dreading it was when a loud thud resonated in the room, penetrating the panting I was offering in the quietness. A moment later, my legs jerked when something fall over them. I gruff groan reverberated which my ears caught.

It was disturbing, out of five senses, nose and ears were working with partial eyes and limps along with tongue were paralyzed.

I went on hyperventilating a moment later, a few blows like sound reached me, I tried to make a move but my body never supported, never came to assistance.

I waited and waited, it was until, through my vision I was a bulky man coming toward me, I flinched at the sight before his face came into partial view.

His face had a scar and his demeanor was giving the vibes of mob or scum.

He came to grab me by my neck that was open and vulnerable.

Chocking me, he lifted me by my neck, his face was terrified, brimming in horror as he almost throttled me.

"Hey, I—I'll kill her. Don—leave me." he was shaking badly while holding me, his voice held fear almost similar to mine when I was weeping to be left alone. For once I felt a smile my soul whispered,

Look how it feels to beg for your life, your precious life; I wanted to scream but then when I was in any different state!

"No, Do—Don't come near me—or I—I'll—kill—"

Words melted in his tongue as he left my neck, my knees buckled and my legs gave in. I was falling again, this time to face the filthy ground beneath.

But then, miracle happened.

A pair of arms encircled around me, securing my fall. Tightening as I was hoisted up to stand against a tall figure of a savior.

My falling eyes found the wall near me, us, where the light was falling creating the shadows of people against the light. I saw my shadow leaning against a tall figure one are holding me in place, there was another figure, perhaps the bulky man who kept me captive to him. Like his body, his shadow was shaking, shivering badly.

His arms rose shaking in front of him as he shook his head. I blinked again, as partial black dots hindering my sight. I blinked again.

Before my savior's arm rose to, bare hand reached the man in front of us. Suddenly his arm came to my head, as if he found out he is being witnessed, he took a hold of my head softly rotating my head on his chest, he brought me to darkness of his chest. My eyes blinked again as I tried to fidget but the grip was solid, firm yet soft and careful.

My body weight was completely on him but he didn't even flinched at weight neither he needed to support me; it was his one hand on my head and other reaching to the bulky man. A moment to silence passed before a loud painful screeched, penetrating the quiet surroundings created.

I muffled my inner screams as he cried for mercy.

It was all short, before a thud, his body fell on the ground somewhere.

Quietness again prevailed leaving him and me.

"You're safe. No harm will ever touch you on my watch." The figure breathed on my ears. Strange, even after witnessing such hazard, I felt comfort and warmth in his embrace. It was a different, new voice but it reached straight to my soul.

I closed my eyes in that embrace. It was unbelievable, but in his embrace I didn't felt the fear, the chills weren't crawling on my spine but a security was there in his embrace.

Patting my head twice, he tightened his grip on me, his other hand not even touching me. My nose scrunched with the smell of blood ruling the air around as I found his scent to inhale and relax.

"Just close your eyes and relax. Darkness will be defeated." He whispered again caressing my hair with utter care.

I allowed myself to follow him, trusting him was far easy. Since I was breathing with dignity it was his present to me.

Closing my eyes I felt fear before his breath blew in my ears and darkness vanished so does the consciousness.

*~*

The embrace of consciousness broke snatching me away from the peace bracing unconsciousness. I stirred forcefully on instincts. Sweat tickled like a blanket, covering all over my body.

I stirred again as the sleep slipped away from my hold; darkness of consciousness was dragging me to it while I with all my might wanted to stay in my slumber.

I stirred again as darkness gave away a glimpse from it. Like layers removed one after another, darkness faded so my slumber, I walked to those unclear blur visions, slowly almost unwillingly.

Blinking, the first vision came clear. The dark room, filthy surrounding, yet not lucid, I felt myself staggering, as the visions danced between clear and blur.

Then suddenly chills ran through my spine, petrifaction grounded my sense as I felt a bulky arm came to grab me, it did and with all my might I tried to freed myself. But it seem impossible, I shivered again a pure horror gripped me; I felt my legs trembling again. The vision blurred or my eyes found tears.

I blinked again, afraid of darkness suddenly.

Another vision penetrated darkness, I was on ground, filthy impure air filling my nostrils, as I panted heavily in darkness, then near my paralyzed body, something fall, I wanted to leap away, I wanted to gasp, I wanted to scream but nothing happened. Again darkness grounded me, surrounded me like deep layer of mist.

The same process I repeated, blinking, darkness brought another vision, I was looking to shadows been painted on wall. I was embraced by a tall figure which gave me warmth, a figure in front of us. Shivering with fear like a wave.

I wanted to see what was going to happen but the silhouette I was leaned on didn't let that happen. I was turned away with a caressing touch.

Before that husky soothing warm and rich voice whispered in my ears.

The voice it seem so serene and gentle, I was unwilling to cross it, giving myself to darkness and his requesting command, I let myself drown.

It was all so serene but then darkness had to play trick, I was again surrounded with darkness, this time murk chewing me, I couldn't feel myself, I was lost and not being found. Suddenly fear gripped me, a terror that was clenching my throat.

I was panting, trying to catch air but it was not possible.

I was drowning, I was falling, I tried to use my limps sailing them, but found nothing.

The next moment my arm crashed into something, a noise crashed, penetrating through the darkness, it was the moment I found darkness fading.

My eyes jerked open, shot through the ceiling, the moon and stars plastered there on. My breaths were uneven, labored; I could feel my heartbeats clear to my ears. I let the reality settle into me. Although, it wasn't an easy task.

This was my room, I was safe in the comfort of my room, it was just a nightmare, another horrible nightmare that I saw. I threw the covers away, only to find I was completely drenched in sweat and my fear.

I was afraid to even close my eyes, my orbs refuse to even hide and shield behind lids, afraid I would again reach there in dread. I shot my body up, rubbing off the sweat from my forehead.

I was getting calm, consoling myself until it all went vain when my gaze met the drenched clothes that I was wearing.

My head combusting in pain like hammers hitting all around from inside.

The dress from last night, I was wearing the dress I wore from last night's party.

Then like a wave everything crashed upon me, and it crashed hard.

It was all real; the nightmare was just a fragment reminder of what happened last night. It actually happened to me, I had almost lost my dignity, my virtue. I found myself hyperventilating, unable to grasp oxygen in my lungs.

Tears pricked my eyes; I let them flow like last night.

Oh God, why? Why? It happened to me?

But I'm here, in my home, my room covered and safe.

Then the shadow, the silhouette of my savior, it came to my mind and an unknown relief settle inside me.

Perhaps it was him, who brought me here. Safe and secure!

But then how he came to know where I live?

How does he know me?

Or the most important and complicated question to answer, Who was he?

My mind drifted between visions that were unclear and bleak, just to answer this question.

No image, no identity was locked in any corner of my mind from where I could find the savior who saved me.

I heaved a resigned sigh, searching through memories was giving me severe ache.

I leaned my tired head to the head board before my gaze found the side table, my laptop along with my clutch were now resting on floor completely dis-ordinate.

This must be my doing. While sailing my limps in nightmare I must have crashed them on floor.

Heaving a sigh I picked them both. Searching through my clutch I found my phone whose battery was dead.

Shaking my head I put it on charging before stealing a glance of my laptop's well being I went straight toward the washroom to freshen up.

Rinsing myself with shower gel twice, I couldn't wash off the residuals of last night from myself, I could still feel that bulky hand on my arm, and those stinky breaths on my neck. I rubbed hard almost drawing blood from my tissues before giving the same treatment to my hair.

Once I felt satisfied, I saw my reflection in the mirror for the first time in morning, I was too afraid to peek there, afraid my own worn out broken image will be sealed in my memory to haunt me.

I walked away, without giving myself a glance, now the girl I saw was Amaira, me, just a little rubbed and red.

Encouraging a smile, I flaunted it to the mirror who returned it in my reflection; I turned around and went back to my room. Tightening the towel against me, I wanted to seek walking closet but a tempting urge to check mobile was prominent.

Heading straight, I switched on the device only to dread the next moment as the flood called Tsunami of text messages and missed calls brimmed my screen. I cringed looking at the number of calls and messages I receive.

When went further, I opened the call log, it was the calls from Veronica, Kevin, Garcia, mainly from Kevin.

From the incident of our almost meeting death, I have noticed Kevin's care and concern for me being swelled. I smiled at their concern before hitting the call button.

Messages I'll go through later!

The call was picked up in first ring.

"Hey! Kev—" my voice came out croaked out but he didn't let me finish.

"Amaira? Where are you?" his voice came out more frantic.

"At home?" I murmured the reply, clutching the phone tighter into my fist.

"What were you doing, why weren't you answering the calls—" he busted through the other side.

"I—I'm sorry. I—I last night—"

I was unable to even recall the glimpse of last night, narrating it to him on call was out of question. My silence gave him answers as he sighed. I was so confirmed he must be holding his forehead right now.

"Give me your address, I'm coming." He stated decisively.

I frowned at the command he displayed before nodding, "Sure."

"I'll be there in ten." He stated killing the call. I sat pressing the mobile in my chest as worry gripped me along with guilt.

They too were worried. It was strange but after the demise of my parents and grandpa, I found someone who cared, and this care even in guilt felt good. I was happy, someone cares for me.

Smiling softly, I rushed toward the closet to dress up, from the command I receive I knew he'll be here in less than ten. While dressing up, I was in constant dilemma whether I must tell him or not about the last night's incident.

Whatever Daniel did wasn't a forgettable and forgiven act; he claimed and proved himself a monster for what he tried to do with me.

But what about the man who saved me, he was also there and as far as I perceive he handled them the way they deserved. Then what shall I do.

I just came out of my room and the room bell rung.

It was the first time in my stay the door bell rung; the sound was new to my ears. I have a visitor.

Betting it was Kevin, I rushed to open the door.

The door bell swing open and a very anxious Kevin came into view before he flung to crash me into hug.

His embrace was warm and comforting whereas I, I stood equally baffled. Patting my head, he crushed me tightening his hold.

"Oh! Girl you gave me several deaths since last night." He murmured through my hair before a sigh of pure relief escaped him.

Seems like he haven't had a pinch of sleep last night.

My heart sank and swell at the same time as I stare at him as he broke the hug. Lines of worry along with shady circles around his eyes, he gave a look of worried man who was fighting his own bad thoughts throughout the night.

I could do nothing but offer him a tight smile, my eyes wanted to flood out at the care I received after a long time but this I see was not the time.

He reciprocated my smile with his pursed lips as his hand went to his hip while other was on my arm, making sure I won't fly away from his sight.

"Come!"

I said as I stepped aside, he followed me to the living room.

"Do you have the slightest realization, how worried and panicked you left us?" he busted again as we reached the living room. I heaved a sigh as I took a seat on the sofa while he was on his feet rubbing his face in aggression. The lack of sleep and tension was making him more exasperated to bust out.

I waited for him to empty himself from whatever he went through, his current anger before I give my explanation for which I however was dreading.

"It was your worry after you left, the whole night I was clawing my hair out of my scalp and the morning news, God." He rubbed off his skin while rubbing his face with such harsh moves.

"Amaira, you can't even comprehend what we went through after the news aired—"

My eyes squinted as I raised my head to him, perplexed.

"News? What news Kevin?" I asked with the same bemused face.

My words stood successful to grab his attention. Leaving his outburst he turned toward me, finding my eyes already on him.

He sat beside me on the sofa, his eyes expected whilst mine were frowning.

"You haven't seen the news?" he asked then bit his lips in realization."Oh! Have a look."

Finding the remote that was lying on the table beside, Kevin switched on the television, setting up the local news channel.

The screen came live, with the familiar view telecasting there, several people stood as a crown either holding their mouth and a frowning expression plastering their face.

My frown deepened as I concentrated further.

"The morning brought a terrifying sight for the city. The incident of brutal murders is reported this morning. The police are already on investigation. The incident is reported in the premises of the hotel. The important point to mention here is the method of murders; the three bodies were found which weren't in normal state.

All men had their hearts clawed out. One had his limps broken along with crushed spinal cord. The three men are dead while one man is found alive. According to reports he is an employee of Claire & Co. his condition is severe and doctors can't guarantee his survival. His limps as the sources speak are brutally crushed, along with several bruises on his stomach like someone beat him to pulp.

The city is in shock at the incident, the chief of police—"

Kevin was forced to mute the crisp voice of reporter from the television.

The news was about the party venue we were, the dead bodies of three men was found and an unconscious Daniel beaten and broken found.

It was the news that was fire for the morning.

I gasp left my mouth; my hand flew toward my mouth.

"Kevin—"

"Hm! I know. We came to know about this in morning." He mused almost to himself looking at the table, lost in his own thoughts.

His hand patting mine to provide comfort, he had no idea for the actual reason for.

"Kevin," I debated whether to spill or not before finally reaching my decision.

"Kevin, I know how it happened, I was—I was their victim."

***

When dread and bliss collide,

You hold both with dear life,

Because when you redeem one;

Another freed from your hold!

***

Amaira Flair

August 26, 2018

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