As I stepped out of the vibrant party hall, a rush of cool night air greeted me, carrying with it the distant echoes of laughter and music.
The sight outside was a stark contrast to the pulsating energy within-people danced under the luminescent glow of string lights, laughter intermingling with the soft strains of music. Couples shared stolen moments of intimacy, lost in the euphoria of the night.
Huffing in mild exasperation, I navigated through the jubilant crowd, my gaze sweeping over the scene of revelry.
Seeing others lost in embraces and kisses heightened my sense of detachment. While the atmosphere buzzed with celebration, I yearned for solitude, a reprieve from the clamor of the festivity.
Seeking solace in the quieter, darker side of the valley, I wandered away from the lively throng, my steps guided by the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the trees. In this tranquil haven, I found refuge, a space to dwell in my thoughts undisturbed.
As I settled in this serene solitude, my mind wandered to an alternate reality, a parallel existence in the human realm. What if I were there, among friends, perhaps reveling in a similar party, sharing laughs, and making cherished memories? What if I hadn’t gotten estranged from the pack?
The idea stirred conflicting emotions within me, a longing for the camaraderie of friends juxtaposed against the enigmatic allure of the present moment.
The weight of indecision settled upon me. How could I possibly choose between the vibrant liveliness of human gatherings and the mystical charm of my current existence? The ties that bound me here were strong, interlaced with a sense of belonging and love that transcended realms.
Diana’s family, my adoptive family in this space, flashed through my thoughts like a comforting beacon. They had embraced me, showering me with unwavering affection and kindness. Their acceptance and care had woven intricate threads of attachment around my heart, making me feel cherished and valued in a way I had thought never to experience again, not after the damage those three boys had wrecked on me.
Amidst the uncertainties and conflicting desires, my affection for Diana’s family remained unwavering. Their warmth enveloped me in a cocoon of belonging, grounding me in a world where I was deeply cherished and accepted.
Lost in contemplation, I gazed at the star-studded sky, feeling a sense of profound gratitude for the love and acceptance that had become an integral part of my existence. I was alive. There was hope.
As I lingered in the tranquil darkness, contemplating the conflicting emotions tugging at my heartstrings, a sense of unease stirred within me.
I knew why the next three seconds.
Suddenly, the peaceful ambiance shattered as two ominous figures materialized from the shadows, their hostile approach palpable even from a distance. My senses heightened, adrenaline coursing through my veins at their menacing advance.
“You’re that girl who trifled with the princes, aren’t you? Who do you think you are?” Their accusatory words sliced through the night, dripping with malice and hostility. The venom in their voices sent a shiver down my spine, a chill of dread coiling in the pit of my stomach.
A surge of panic surged within me as I grappled with the sudden onslaught of fear. “Did he send you?” I blurted out, speaking of Daniel now, my voice quivering with a mixture of anger and apprehension. The memories of past panic attacks threatened to resurface, suffocating me with their suffocating embrace.
It was really good that I had taken two pills. How else would I still be standing on my feet up to this moment, about to be abused again by boys?
Before I could register their sinister intentions, the situation escalated alarmingly. The two men, driven by their malevolent intent, attempted to molest me, their predatory actions driven by a malevolent desire to assert dominance.
Panic gripped me, tendrils of terror snaking their way into my already racing heart, as the both grabbed my arms, and tried to grope my breasts.
Just as despair threatened to consume me, a commanding voice cut through the tension, arresting the assailants in their tracks.
“What are you two doing? Don’t you have no respect for this gathering?” The voice thundered steely.
The two boys fell to the ground on their knees, already muttering pleas to the newcomer. Of course, I knew why. The newcomer was Adam. I could never forget his voice now. Could I?
Adam, his timely arrival like a guardian angel, intervened with an authoritative demeanor that brooked no opposition. Even though I hated him, I sighed in swift relief at his presence.
With a stern command, he condemned the actions of my two assailants and ordered them to be seized, and casted into the dungeon for their deplorable behavior.
Two hefty guards did his will, making me wonder where they had come from. I had only seen Adam.
Had they arrived with him? Could it be that I had been so attached to his presence, that I hadn’t taken notice of the two guards?
Maya, please snap out of this! I pleaded with myself, feeling the bottle of pill in my purse. I needed another dose. Adam was right in front of me for god sake.
The mere sight of him, his unwavering defense and protection, sent my heart soaring with an unexpected mix of emotions.
As Adam stood there, a stalwart defender, my heart couldn’t help swelling with a profound sense of gratitude. His unexpected arrival had not only rescued me from peril but also reignited a flicker of warmth within me.
A warmth that died away when I suddenly remembered who he was and what he had done.
And perhaps that is why immediately he turned away to speak with one of the guards, I took out the pill from my purse, and downed two pills, almost coughing due to the speed of the swallow but for the dedication to salvage my dignity.
I didn’t need Adam saving me twice. Once was enough.
I pushed the pill bottle inside my purse, as he dismissed the guard, and walked the remaining steps to me.
“Hello stranger.”