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“I’m not feeling good.” Her voice pitched over the myriad of chatter from smokers dallying outside the restaurant.

“I got an apartment a mile from here,” he said. “We can watch a movie and relax.”

“Maybe another time.”

The beast of a guy blocked her escape, a meaty hand slinking around her hip as he leaned into her and whispered something in her ear with a curling grin. I couldn’t make out what he said, but I saw her reaction. She went ramrod straight, planting a palm to his big chest and pushing him back.

He didn’t let up, coaxing her back against the wall and grazing his nose along her throat as his grip on her waist tightened.

Halley dropped the camera.

Started to struggle.

She had the same inherent fear on her face she’d had that night on the deck, when, for one debilitating moment, she’d flashed back to concrete knuckles and evil eyes.

Cannonballing forward, I shoved through a mass of huddled bodies until she spotted me. Halley did a double-take, freezing momentarily, the prick’s face still burrowed in the crook of her neck.

“Hey.” I grabbed the guy by the shoulder and hauled him away from her. “Don’t touch her.”

Halley wiggled free, swatting her loose hair back and trying to catch her breath, breasts heaving against her skintight bodice. She stared at me as if she was second-guessing the accuracy of her vision. Likely wondering if she’d somehow summoned a white knight or a stalker. “What…what are you doing here?” Her breathing was as unsteady as her balance, her legs wobbling underneath her.

I swallowed. “You okay?”

The guy glared at me in my periphery, sizing me up. “Can I help you?”

Ignoring him, I inserted myself between the man and Halley, pinning my attention solely on her panicked face. Wide, stricken eyes gazed up at me, her every limb trembling as she crossed her arms to subdue the shivers.

Shaking her head, she bent over to pick up the fallen camera and made a hurried trek in the opposite direction.

“Halley.”

Her gait quickened, long hair fluttering behind her.

The asshole muttered profanities on the sidewalk behind me as I forged ahead, catching up to her and snatching her by the wrist.

She yelped. A little mouse narrowly dodging a hungry hawk. “Reed, I’m fine. You can go.” She twisted out of my grip and charged forward. “I-I just need a minute.”

I idled for a moment, studying her as she slipped into a darkened alleyway between two buildings. Something was wrong. The threat had passed, but she was still terrified. I didn’t want to corner her and make it worse, but worry gnawed at me. A tingly awareness.

Pressing forward, I picked up the pace and jogged around the corner, discovering Halley leaning against the graffiti-strewn wall. Forehead to brick, she was panting heavily, her purse and camera scattered at her heels as her fingers curled into the divots.

“Halley.” My tone was softer now. Reassuring.

She shook her head again, breathing escalating. “Go,” she croaked out.

“I’m not going anywhere. You’re not okay.”

“Go…please.” Each word shook as she spun back around, clutching at the hemline of her lowcut blouse. “I…I’m fine. I’ll be fine.”

Her actions roared louder than her words. She slid down the length of the wall, her movements frantic and erratic. I watched in growing concern as she trembled, her breaths coming in rapid, shallow gasps. Halley pressed both hands to her throat, her eyes widening with fear, desperately clawing at the invisible weight crushing her chest.

A panic attack.

My paramedic training fired and I crossed the alley, dropping to my knees across from her as I reached for her hands. “Hey, hey, shh.” I soothed her, my voice measured, touch gentle. “Halley, listen to me. You’re safe. You’re not alone. I’m right here with you.”

Each ragged inhale seemed to offer no relief, only fueling the panic further. Tears slid down her cheeks as her body shuddered atop the rubble.

I extended and splayed my palms, a silent invitation for her to take hold. “Feel the ground beneath you. Feel me.” Giving her hands a squeeze, I inched in closer on the dirty pavement, locking our fingers together. She squeezed back as her terror-laced gaze met with mine.

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