Her assailant yanked her backward. An arm like an iron chain locked around her waist. Scorching heat pressed against her back as an overwhelming presence engulfed her – her cries and breath smothered under a massive palm.

Alaricka’s eyes flew open. Instinct kicked in; she thrashed wildly, elbows jamming repeatedly into the man’s chest.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Close enough to hear each dull impact and his pained grunts.

Cold sweat beaded on her forehead as the sounds registered.

She wriggled like an eel, but the man’s grip held firm.

His hand sealed her nose and mouth. Breathless, her face flushed crimson. Oxygen starvation spiked her panic to its limit.

“Mmph! Mmph!”

The man’s panting grew heavier. He rasped, voice gravelly and low: “You…”

Alaricka knew – she’d never heard that voice before.

A sudden creak pierced the air.

Her eyes darted up in desperate hope.

After a month living here, she recognized that sound – a window swinging open.

She strained toward the noise’s source.

Tamika!

Alaricka’s eyes locked on her, thrashing violently: “Mmph!”

I’m here!

Darkness hid Tamika’s expression, but Alaricka saw her turn toward the struggle.

She’ll see us!

Hope surged through Alaricka.

Abruptly, the arm around her waist tightened further. Her feet left the ground.

The man had lifted her!

The world spun as her back slammed against rough brickwork.

Alaricka squeezed her eyes shut, neck rigid, bracing for skull-crushing impact.

But instead of cold stone, her head met something soft and warm.

The man’s palm.

Her eyes snapped open. His hand no longer covered her mouth – she could breathe, she could scream.

A towering dark figure stood before her, silhouetted against the dim alley light. Alaricka Huston could discern no features, only an overwhelming, intimidating presence.

Just as Alaricka opened her mouth to scream, the figure advanced. The hand cushioning her head vanished, abruptly sealing her lips again.

This time, the man deliberately avoided blocking her nose, covering only her mouth.

That small mercy eased Alaricka’s panic.

She sensed no malice from him, no intent to harm.

Her heartbeat steadied as she locked eyes with him, mentally replaying negotiation tactics police shared on social media platforms.

But before she could strategize, he stepped closer.

Alaricka’s body tensed instantly.

His head dropped heavily onto her shoulder, his scorching body pinning her. Burning breath cascaded over her neck in ragged waves.

Alaricka froze completely.

“Don’t scream."

His voice scraped like gravel-filled throat.

Alaricka’s eyes darted.

Only then did she register his feverish skin and desire-laced tone – someone had drugged him. That explained the labored breathing.

Realization spiked her terror again.

A drugged man was no different from a starved beast. To him, she was prey.

His massive frame held strength she couldn’t hope to match. Resistance would be futile.

She shook her head slowly, signaling compliance.

His forehead remained pressed to her shoulder, his palm still clamped over her mouth.

Alaricka frowned. Had he understood?

Minutes crawled by until her legs teetered from numbness. Finally, he spoke again.

“Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you. I need you to get me to a hospital.”

Alaricka stayed silent.

After several strained breaths, he demanded, “Understood?”

She nodded emphatically.

His hand gradually lifted from her mouth. Alaricka tentatively reached to support him.

Before contact came, his muscles coiled violently, flinging her arm away.

“Don’t touch me!” he roared.

Alaricka’s hand slammed against the wall, and she groaned in pain.

Frowning with frustration, she snapped, “How am I supposed to take you to the hospital if I don’t touch you? Can you even stand straight?!”

The man fell silent, lifting his forehead from her shoulder as he swayed backward unsteadily.

“Don’t want your help.”