Warden

The wind was cold in my face as I walked out of the university. It stirred my hair and made me hurry, but inside I felt anxious and empty. I was walking, barely noticing the road, when someone grabbed me by the waist and pulled me into a dark alley. My heart started pounding, my mouth felt numb.

"Quiet, bitch," I heard a rough voice. "I've been looking at you for a long time..."

"Get your hands off her, you asshole!" said another, cold, with sharp jealousy.

I found myself on the ground. The one holding me was on his knees, as if in rage and pain. I looked up and saw him, the enemy I thought I knew everything about. His shirtless body, his skin scarred as if telling stories of pain.

He approached slowly, with confident strength. His gaze was piercing, and I felt that he saw everything - fear, confusion, and what I myself did not yet understand.

“It’s okay,” he said quietly. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

The tension left me. He picked me up and put me in the car. I pressed myself against him, my heart pounding, my thoughts confused, and the wind knocking on the windows.

And suddenly I realized: everything I thought about him - the enemy - was an illusion. He was jealous of me... he was crazy about my presence. Everything changed.