Noah saw the uncertainty written all over Everlyn's face as they sat waiting for their food. She decided to talk to the police. She would turn Elijah in for good. But she looked scared. After making the decision, he decided they should get lunch before going to the police.
   
Her trembling hands grasped her drink, which she quietly sipped from her straw. Those beautiful green eyes stared at the table. He could understand her nervousness. When he'd first waken up in the hospital after trying to kill himself, uncertainty was his first emotion.
   
He was uncertain about the man telling him his life was actually worth something. He had been terrified of what was to come. But in the end, everything worked out. Noah was still alive and breathing. And he was staring at the strongest warrior he had ever seen.
   
But he had a feeling she saw something else when looking in the mirror.
   
Simply thinking about Elijah made his anger rise. He'd been using her for so long, she no longer knew how to look at herself. She just saw what he made her see. An unloved, defeated young woman who had nothing to live for.
   
But Noah saw so much more.
   
In the little time he had known her, Everlyn was starting to pull on his heart in ways he never knew were possible. She was beautiful, strong, and sweet. But Everlyn was also vulnerable. And he wasn't about to bombard her with his confused feelings towards her.
   
They just met. They were friends. Nothing more.
   
"Hey. Don't be nervous." he finally had enough of her fidgeting. "You'll do fine."
   
"He won't like that I turned him in." she whispered.
   
"Don't think about him. Think about your life now. Do you have any plans?" he tried to draw her attention away from Elijah.
   
"I guess I want to start school again. But I don't know where I'll get the money. Elijah normally took what I earned for gambling."
   
He cringed. What a jerk.
   
"Will you stay in New York?" he pressed. Everlyn thought about this while tapping the side of her cup.

"I don't know... New York is a big place. I don't really like all of the people. It's so crowded." Noah tried not to feel disappointed, but it must have shown on his face, because she continued, "You have been a really good friend, Noah. I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for you."

A blush crept up his neck and he made a nervous smile. "I'm glad I could help."

Everlyn smiled back before her eyes trailed off to look out the window. Immediately, she froze. At first, Noah thought it was nothing, but panic was evident in her eyes.

"Everlyn, what's-"

"He's here."

Noah jerked his head around so fast he thought he would get whiplash. He tried to follow her gaze, but he couldn't see who she was looking at. But then, he finally spotted him.

The man was tall, with short blonde hair and a square jaw line. A nasty sneer was spread across his face as he crossed the street, heading straight towards the restaurant they sat in. Everlyn recoiled.

"We have to get out of here." her eyes were stuck on the door. It was their only way out, and Elijah was coming straight towards them. "H-how did he find me? How did he know where we were?"

She was absolutely terrified, and just the sight of her made Noah's heart jerk. Within seconds, she was crying. "I-I don't know what to do. He's going to take me away, and I can't do that again. I c-can't."

"Hey, shh." Noah stood with her and pulled her into a hug. "I won't let him do anything to you. Nothing will happen." he whispered into her hair.

"Promise?" she whispered hoarsely. Noah looked down at her, a fierce determination in his eyes.

"I promise."