HOPE

"Have a good night Sethrony, don't forget to lock up the back door when you're done," Lucia says before leaving the store.

"Good night Lucia, have an amazing weekend!" I say to her as she walks out. "Say hi to Ben for me," I say as I lock up the cash register and empty the tip jar in my little savings box under the register.

I look back at her before seeing her silhouette against the street light disappear further down the road towards the bus station.

It always gets too quiet when Lucia leaves. She's practically the only friend I have apart from my best friend, Abby.

It's been a long week since Lucia worked her butt off for Saturday to come along after so long. Her granddaughters birthday is tomorrow, Suzy.

"Such an angel but the devils little incarnate when she wants to be." Lucia would say with a chuckle.

It's been a whole week since I last saw my lucky tipper. I haven't seen him since then. I remember his eyes, one of the most captivating sights I've ever seen. I catch myself smirking in the side mirror thinking of how good looking he was. Snap out of it!

I pull my curly dark hair into a ponytail and put my black hoodie on. I slip out of my 'work' pumps and wear my worn-out white converse. Though old, they are still comfortable.

I pack up the new books that arrived today. The smell of a new book always gives me a feeling of nostalgia and always makes me feel better. Bibliosmia, Lucia called it. I never knew there was a word for that.

I clean up the reading area and take note of what's needed for the coffee and snacks for the reading area. The store has a wide section that I've always loved. So partly a mini café but with paged bliss is what I like to call it.

Walking out, the cold air hits me. The regret of wearing denim jeans starts to sink in but I don't pay any mind to it.

I lock up the store and take a final look at myself in the store window. Only if things would be better but they aren't, but I can't lose hope now. It's too late for pity talk. Woman up and sort it out head first. I walk in the opposite direction I came from this morning. It's easier to take this route home. Takes longer but I like the feeling of the cold evening air today. It's oddly refreshing.

I pull out my earphones from my hoodie and begin to untangle them. Sam Smith is on my mind today.

A car drives up close behind me. The sound of a car horn startles me. Looking behind is a beat down charcoal grey Toyota corolla. The drivers' the window rolls down and I take a proper look at who it is.

Dave, one of my dad's friends. He always rubbed me the wrong way and had the eyes of a pervert. Disgusting.

"Wanna go for a ride, I know you want to. I can do you a favor and drop you home as a friendly gesture." Nothing in his expression or tone of voice revealed any sign of friendship. He always wanted something and I'm not willing to be that.

Glaring at him, I walk away as fast as I can. "Come on Seth, don't be like that. Just get in the damn car already. It'll be a good time." He drives the car up faster.

My stranger danger signs are ringing and loud. " leave me alone Dave!" shouting out as I put in my earphones start walking faster.

The car stops and I can hear the car door opening. That's not a good sign.

"Why would I?" He walks out of the car slamming the door shut. "I am going to have you. I've waited too long for this." He grins at me with tobacco-stained teeth.

I make a run for it. My legs moving as fast as they can down the street. I've taken so many turns and lost my way. I have to find a way out of this and run faster. The best I have in many years. I can hear his footsteps getting louder and louder. I do the only thing I can, try to hide.

I run across the street towards a car park 50 meters away from a park. I look around hurriedly for a place to hide and find a perfect spot. I hide in between a litter bin and a black Honda hatchback at the edge of the fence. Sitting in between, I pull my knees to my chest and try to get engulfed in the shadow of the car. Not the brightest of ideas at this point but it's the only one I have at this point.

My breathing is erratic and my heart is beating fast. I try to calm myself down to look for any signs of him. I peek under the car and see nothing. He's gone.

"Thought you could run away from me you little shit!" Dave was seething and he clearly made it known.

" I gave you a damn chance but you wanted it rough. This would have gone so much better." He says jumping over the fence and squats next to me. He looks me straight in the eyes. He looks like a mad man gone wild. Grabbing me by the hair, he drags me to the far end of the parking lot. His hold is too tight. " let me go, please!" I cry out in desperation.

" This will be a lesson to you, to always be nice to me and maybe then you won't get fucked in some random park." He pulls me to the ground and I struggle. He rams me over and over against the ground. My back hurts and my strength is running out fast. Tears continue to run like a river, they don't stop. It seems crying is the only thing I can do right now, but I can't give up now. I continue to struggle.

" Hey!" I hear a shout from the other end of the fence. "Get off her!" He is yanked off me by the strange man.

" Are you okay?" The stranger's voice sounds familiar. I want to open my mouth to say something but can't. My eyes open slightly.

"What's your problem?" Dave shouts at the strange man from a short distance away upset about the sudden turn of events.

I slip in and out of consciousness. The sound of loud grunts and the scuffle in the distance grabs my attention but I'm too weak to open my eyes. My strength is failing me.

The noises stop and suddenly a warm hand shakes me gently but I don't budge. He's trying to say something but I don't hear a thing. I'm slowly slipping out of consciousness. My body is covered with a jacket I presume. It's warm.

My body is lifted off the ground, carried towards one of the cars. I slightly open my eyes and look up to my savior. His short dark hair is in a side part but slightly messy. His skin warm ivory, his eyes a hazel blue color. He reminds me of someone.

He's saying something again, but I can't hear a thing. I finally slip out of it. It would be paranoid to say I am safe after this but it's the only thing I can hope for. The slightest bit of hope is all I have before it goes black.