The Devil's Rescue
HEATHER'S POV
I promise, I will pay.” I whimpered. “Just don't hurt me.” I pleaded. The knife digging into my neck, that I could feel blood trickle down.
“With what?” My assailant laughed. His breath reeked of tobacco.
“Don't worry….” He stared at me with what seemed like lust, making my body crawl. “....you'll pay with your body.”
“No No No.” I yelled. It was no use. The alleyway was empty and people preferred to mind their business in this part of the city.
A black sleek car stopped. Just around the corner. The man who stepped out looked just like sin. He looked like he was carved out of a Greek god's loins.
He took bold confident steps towards us.
“I hate when women aren't treated right…” His expression, hard. His voice, deep and smooth. But his eyes were nothing like.
“What's happening here?” He asked, his hands gesturing towards me and the men holding me down.
“Ermm…” I began to say. If this was my salvation for today, I'd better act quick.
“You really should mind your business.” One of them replied, interrupting me. “What's a rich man like you doing in this part of the city?”
He chuckled darkly. It was the kind that sent shivers down my spine. He unbuttoned his suit jacket.
“I will rephrase my question. Why is the lady surrounded by three hefty men with a knife to her throat?”
“We are here to collect her debt. Either cash or…..” the man looked at me lustfully, “.....her body. Which we prefer. Right boys?”
They laughed. “I would prefer to go down her holy grail.” The one with a knife on my neck said, kicking my face.
I let out a disgusted yelp. “Get your dirty tongue off my face”
“How much?”
“For her?”
“Does she owe?” He asked, pulling out his wallet. His eyes found mine. It was cold. Dangerous.
“800 grand. Accumulated interest 400 grand. That should be 1200 grand.”
“Here, that's 2000. Keep the change. Let the girl go.”
“Congratulations, Heather. Your debt has been paid. In full with an extra. Boys, let her go.”
“Too bad. We won't be getting that pussy. Maybe not tonight.” The bald headed one announced.
As they walked away, the man backed them to a corner, strangling one's neck tight.
“What the fuck man?” He leaned down, whispering something to them.
Their eyes widened in pure shock.
“Now get out. You three.” He growled as he realised them.
I watched them scurry after themselves.
Putting pressure on my bleeding neck, “Thank you so much for saving me. Sir.” I said in a shaky voice.
The man had three hefty men scurrying away like kids. I should have been more fearful of him, rather I felt heat coat my face as he walked close to me.
Thick honey brown hair in a loose updo. His deepest eyes had different colors. One hazel and the other grey definitely complimenting his olive skin. I had never seen anyone like him. He towered over me, making me tilt back my head just to look at him.
He caught me staring. In my defense, the man was built.
“Here is a towel….” His veiny hands took mine, handing me the towel. “....use it to apply more pressure to control the bleeding.”
“Uhmmm.... Th..anks.” I stuttered, unsure of what else to do.
“Wouldn't you be able to get yourself to a hospital or you need help with that too.” he snapped. His tone, demeaning.
“I can take care of myself from here. Thank you for saving me.”
“Naive young girls like you should be careful.”
I was anything but naive. I was a harder worker and a mouth that could run but I knew when to cub it.
“You don't know anything about me. So don't go judging.” I spat.
“Yeah. I know your name is Heather and I just saved your fucking life. That's enough to know about monone of importance.”
“Asshole.”
“If I were you, I'd watch what comes out of that mouth next. “ he warned.
He was right. But the irrational part of me didn't listen.
“I didn't ask to be saved by you.”
He opened wallet and flung dollar bills at me. “Get treated and stay out of trouble.”
*******
“Oh my God. What happened to your neck?” Theo, my sixteen year old brother questioned. Fighting back tears.
“Is it them?”
I nodded. “But it's fine now. They will never come back.” I assured him, wiping away three tears that escaped.
“How do you know that?”
My shoulders sagged. “A man saved me from them, then he paid them.”
He looked flaggerbasted. “Now you owe the man?”
“No”
“What are you giving him in return?”
“Nothing Theo. Nothing. I don't even know his name.”
“That reminds me.” I brought out the money I'd tucked into my bra. “Use this to pay for your practical class. Save the rest.”
“How did you get this?”
“Theo, stop asking too many questions. Go hide that money. Don't let dad see it.”
I waited until Theo disappeared into our shared bedroom before letting my shoulders drop.
The adrenaline that had kept me going, finally dissipated. Making my legs tremble beneath me. I gripped the edge of our worn kitchen counter, the cheap wallpaper, cold under my palms.
The apartment was silent except for the drip coming from our leaky faucet. Something I'd grown accustomed to.
Dad wasn't home yet. He wouldn't be for hours, not until the bars closed or he'd gambled away whatever money he'd scammed from someone today.
I peeled the blood-soaked towel from my neck.
“Fucking hell” I cursed. “Shit hurts like a bitch.”
Inspecting the cut in the reflection of our microwave door. It wasn't deep enough to need stitches, but it would scar. Another mark to add to the collection hidden beneath my clothes.
The stranger's face flashed through my mind—those mismatched eyes that had looked at me like I was both a gum beneath his shoes and the most interesting thing he'd seen all day. The way he'd moved, with the kind of confidence that came from never having to fear anything or anyone.
And the way those men had scattered after he'd whispered to them.
“What had he said?”
The front door slammed open. My entire body went rigid. It was too early. Dad never came home this early unless—
“Fuck”
"Heather!" His voice rang through the apartment, slurred but sharp with anger. "Get out here. Now!"
