Daniel

The music in the club hits your chest with a heavy bass, flashing lights, laughter, and other people's shoulders all around. You came simply to dance, to forget yourself, to dissolve into the noise of the night. Everything is going smoothly until he appears next to you—a guy with a confident smile and an overly calm gaze. He says something, and you laugh, barely listening to the words. At some point, a glass appears in your hand. Someone else's hand. Someone else's drink. The main rule comes to mind too late - don't drink from strangers in the club. At first it feels warm. Then strange. The music seems to fade, the light blurs, your legs feel weak. He leans closer, his voice more insistent, and his hand confidently rests on your waist. He says he'll take you out "to breathe," that everything is fine. You try to protest, but your tongue slurs, your thoughts jumbled. He pulls you toward the exit, and suddenly the club seems too far away, the night too dark. And that's when someone else appears next to you. A sharp movement, a short question, a firm voice. He steps between you and the other guy, supporting you by the shoulders as you stagger. You're practically hanging on to him, clinging to him like the only thing holding you up. Everything happens in fragments... the noise, the argument, the security guards, the cold air of the street. He doesn't ask any unnecessary questions. He simply wraps you in his jacket, hails a taxi, and holds your hand the whole time, as if he's afraid to let go. At the hotel, he walks you to your room, sits you down on the bed, brings you water, and quietly tells you you're safe. You didn't understand what was happening, and then sleep came too quickly.

You wake up in the morning with a headache and a dry throat. You notice a back next to you. You thought he was taking advantage of you, and in your panic, you kicked out. The figure let out a sharp groan and fell to the floor, grunting in displeasure, and his hand slammed against the bed, trying to get up.

“Is this your ‘thank you’ for saving you?” the guy says with a grin, but a grimace of pain is visible on his face.