Chapter 7 Just Let Me Go

Vida

Somewhere in Downtown, New York City

"Please! Let me go! I'll give you all my money, just let me go!" Vida cried.

"What makes you think I want your money?" the man roared.

Vida's blood ran cold. Nope, this would not happen to me tonight or ever.

Taking advantage of the slickness of the rain, Vida twisted her arm to loosen the clasp of the man's hand. She flailed her legs trying to reach the man's jewels in order to cause some amount of pain to enable her to run away. However, this man can easily take on her strength. Her efforts were like annoying flies to him, something he could swat away so effortlessly.

Vida resorted to the one thing she found really gross but essential in this kind of situation: she took a bite out of the man's hand.

Psycho-Dimples yelled in pain. His grip on Vida loosened and she took the chance to escape. But this man must be built with steel because he just shook off the bite and immediately caught Vida by the waist and sucker punched her.

It knocked the wind out of Vida, making her double-over in pain. Her tears mixed together with the salty rain.

"No one can help you now, Sugar." The man had taken her further into the dark alley. When he was sure enough that they would not be seen by any passersby, he pinned her on the wet and cold stone wall and started kissing her neck. Vida put up a fight and struggled with every last energy she had.

The rain continued to lash down and it was getting in her eyes. Psycho-Dimples was now getting handsy. His free hand roamed on Vida's body hungrily, while the other continued to restrain her arms behind her.

"Stop, please." Vida begged the man. "Please, don't do this."

The man worked his way up to Vida's ear and he whispered over the pounding rain. "Just enjoy it, Sugar. I promise, I'm going to make it so good for you."

His hands crept up under Vida's uniform and Vida cried harder.

If help would not come, she would rather this man kill her when he's done with whatever he intends to do with her.

Abruptly, the weight of the man was off of Vida. She fell to the ground in a heap of tears and exhaustion.

The sound of wet flesh hitting on wet flesh and grunting could be heard. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have a right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you."

"Vida!"

Hands enveloped Vida into a tight hug. Vida looked up to see Tessa kneeling down beside her while Psycho-Dimples was on the ground and was being held down by the knee of an officer.

The officer reached for his radio. "Detective Matthews. Found the 10-65 on an alleyway near Downtown. Need back up here. It's a 240-242 with a possibility of 261. Suspect is now neutralized. Victim may need medical attention."

Tessa took a look at Vida and asked. "I'm sorry, I should've come sooner."

Vida sobbed even more. She was just relieved to see her best friend. She could not imagine what would have happened if they had come a second later.

She's safe now. Everything was going to be okay.

Police sirens could be heard in the distance and the officer turned to the girls still on the ground. "Ma'am. Detective Matthews. Requested back-up is on the way. I've also requested for an ambulance. We might need to get your statement but you don't have to worry about that right now."

Tessa said. "Thank you."

Detective Matthews gave her a nod. "No. We would not have found her if it wasn't for you."

Tessa did not answer. She just continued to comfort Vida in the best way she can in this rain. She did not know how she knew that Vida was going to be here. It was very out of the blue but it doesn't matter anymore since Vida had been found and safe.

Vida could not process what Tessa and the detective were talking about. "Why, what happened?" she croaked.

Her best friend shushed her and just said. "We'll talk more about it later, okay? Let's get you home."

---

After Psycho-Dimples had been taken away, the EMTs provided first-aid to Vida while she was giving her statement to Detective Matthews. Vida was given pain-relievers for the soreness of her body and was given clothes to change into so she would not freeze to death. The EMT also advised Vida to take a rest and immediately consult a doctor if she felt any other complications from the assault.

"Thank you so much, Ma'am." Vida said. She rolled up the sleeves of the sweater she's been given and saw bruises dotting her entire arm. Her entire body felt tender and weak.

"If you're cleared to go, I'll escort you girls home." Detective Matthews said.

Tessa asked. "Have you gotten all the information you need from her? I just need to make sure that she won't be exposed to any more stress relating to tonight's events."

"That depends on Vida," Detective Matthews replied. "If she decides to pursue a case."

"Would it be okay to not decide on it for now? My friend needs to rest and she's been under so much trauma." Tessa said.

"Since I've already taken both your statements, there's no need to decide on it right now. I understand the concern, Tessa." Detective Matthews said.

Tessa nodded. "In that case, we're ready to go home."

---

Once they arrived at Vida's apartment, Tessa took over the house like a mad woman. She proceeded to the kitchen to make a meal for both of them. When Vida attempted to help her out, Tessa threw her infamous glare at her and told her to sit her ass back down on the couch.

Vida laid down the sofa while waiting for Tessa to be done with whatever she was doing in there. She tried closing her eyes but all she could see was Psycho-Dimple's leer and bone-chilling smile. She could still feel the ghost of his breath in her ear saying things that she can still vividly hear. She shuddered and tried to not think about what happened.

"Here you go," Tessa said, carrying over two bowls of ramen noodles.

Vida sat up and made room for Tessa on the couch. The two of them silently ate the warm ramen while listening to the rain that was still steadily pouring outside.

Tessa knew what was going on in her best friend's mind. She knew Vida was in a state of trauma and she needed someone to be with. So, Tessa decided to spend the next coming nights with her best friend and never let her friend spend the night alone until she recovers. Especially, with what happened tonight.

"Do you want to watch a show?" Tessa asked.

Vida nodded as she sipped her ramen soup. Maybe a good movie will be able to get her mind off of things.

Tessa put on Vida's favorite series, The Good Doctor. It was Vida's dream to become one.

When Freddie Highmore appeared on screen, Vida felt better. It was like slipping on to her favorite sweats after along shift at Burn's.

"Thank you, Tessa." Vida said softly.

Those simple words held so much unsaid emotion that made Tessa tear up a bit. She reached for her best friend's hand and said, "Always."

Vida smiled. She was truly ble

They watched a few more episodes until Vida unknowingly fell asleep while she was lying down on Tessa's lap. Tessa carefully shifted so she could fetch the blanket in Vida's room and cover her sleeping form.

Tessa made sure that Vida was snug and warm before gathering more pillows. She made herself comfortable on the floor. As sleep was creeping in, she also made a mental note to call Peter in the morning and let him know what happened.

---

Colter

Colter's private quarters, Kingdom of Howard

The sun had risen over Howard and there was one prince who had not slept at all.

"There," Colter put some last finishing strokes to the drawing and sat up straight from his study chair. Ever since he woke up from his dream, Colter could not go back to sleep anymore. His mind was consumed by what he saw.

Or who he saw.

There was just something about that woman that drew Colter in. He could not quite place it but her face, although in the dim light, he knew it was just breathtaking.

Of course, it bothered Colter that that woman was in danger. He just hoped that it was just that, a dream, and that it was not a premonition of some sort. So, instead of just laying in bed and waiting for sleep to never come, he decided to draw the woman in the hopes of immortalizing her image.

After hours of sketching and trying to remember her face, Colter had come up with a drawing of the woman. Colter hoped that he did justice to the woman's exquisiteness. Even if it was for a brief moment and in the dim light of that alley, he was captivated by her face.

It made Colter wonder if she was an actual person. If there was a possibility of her existing in this Kingdom and if so, where could he find her.

He touched the woman's jaw in the drawing and muttered, "I hope you're safe, my lady. Because I'd like to get to know you more."