"Please save me." Ashlyn said as she saw him walking pass her.
Why was she telling him to save her? What could he possibly do against three men that were dangerous? But why did the men tremble in fear as they saw him? Who was this man?
'Ash, get yourself together. Are you trying to get this man killed too?' She said inwardly as she fell confused.
Yes, she knew that even if this strange man tries to save her, they were outnumbered so why did she still say he should save her. Why was she asking for his help? Why did she just think that he was her only way out of here tonight?
The strange man heard Ashlyn's words and he halted in his steps. Seeing the man stop, Ashlyn said again; "Please save me."
Hearing her voice again, the man turned back and looked down at Ashlyn on the floor with an expressionless face.
Ashlyn didn't understand why he was looking at her and still remained silent. Trying to move her body, she stretched her hand and grabbed his leg.
Seeing what she did the strange man fell surprised by her action but yet his face still remained stoic. Who was she? Wasn't his demeanor looking more dangerous than the three men? How could she be afraid of them and yet dared to touch him? Did she know who he was?
"Do I look like an angel?" The strange man said in a dry voice.
Ashlyn was surprised by his question and before she could say any word, she heard him again.
"Only angels saves you when you're trouble without asking for anything in return."
Partially understanding his words, Ashlyn knew he wanted her to offer something but what could she possibly offer. She didn't even know who he was and what he wanted. No, she doesn't have to think too much about this. This was her life on the line right now and if she could do anything to stay alive right now she was going to offer anything as long as it was within her power.
Finally concluding in her mind, she spoke; "Anything... I'll do anything if you can save me... Please I don't want to die." Her voice breaking as she tried bearing the pain.
The pain that she was feeling physically and emotionally, the pain of thinking she won't be able to see her mother again. Her heart was aching like it was pierced by a sharp knife. The more the thoughts came to her head the more her heart shrunk in pain.
Hearing her words, The strange man stared intently into her eyes and he saw the sincerity and determination in them. She was really going to give him anything if he saved her. He had expected to see fear in her eyes just like earlier when he looked at them.
Why wasn't she afraid again? Was she so sure he could save her? Shouldn't she be scared rather than saying she would she give him anything? Where was her guts coming from? Who was she? His mind was a whirlwind of questions as he just stared at her.
'Ah! am I really overthinking this? She's going to give me anything so let me just save her and get out of here.' He said inwardly and sighed.
Raising his head up he looked at the three men who were still standing frozen on a spot while watching the scene unfold before them. As Ashlyn saw his gaze change, she let go of his leg.
Not being restricted by her grip, The strange man walked towards the man in the middle and only stood few inches away. The colour of his eyes changed from black to red and a devilish smirk appeared on his face. Immediately the three men saw the change they stepped back in fear and took to their heels without looking back.
Ashlyn, looking at the scene before her she became surprised and curious.
Who really was this strange man? What did he do to make the three men run away in fear? She could only see his back so she wasn't aware of what he did and that made her curiosity more piqued. She kept on looking at the back of the man till he turned around and faced her.
Her eyes met with his again and she saw the pureness in it, the subtle shine of black reflecting something dark and dangerous that she couldn't put her finger around but yet it felt innocent and calm.
Taking a step forward the man heard Ashlyn's words; "Who are you?"
Ignoring her question, he continued walking towards her and spoke only when he got close to her.
"You're indebted to me. I hope you can payback when it's time."
Seeing that her question was totally ignored she decided to let it be. What mattered to her right now was that she was safe. "Thank you for saving me." Ashlyn said and looked down at her leg. Her feet were swollen and the pain felt like a fatal blow reoccurring every second. She looked at her knees and she saw the bruises on them.
'Ah! God it was painful. Why does things just have to go so bad for her? Was the heavens punishing her for her sins or what? If not for this mysterious man she would have been dead by now. Why her?' She complained in her head and the tears she was fighting back since dropped down from her eyes slowly.
She was not someone weak to cry but right now she couldn't control herself anymore. Just few minutes ago she was on the verge of death in this place where no one might ever find her but now she was saved by a total stranger.
The thoughts of not seeing her mother or best friend again was a heavy burden on her. She just couldn't imagine or rather she didn't want to imagine it.
Staying in her position on the ground, Ashlyn continued crying as different thoughts ran through her head. She knew she was not alone here but right now she didn't mind crying in front of a stranger. No, not that she didn't mind, she just had the rights to... to cry when it was necessary.
Crying her heart out after few minutes without any interruptions, Ashlyn cleaned her tears with her palm and raised her head only to see the strange man looking at her quietly.
What kind of man is he? He couldn't even comfort a woman crying all by herself and instead just watched her till she was done.
'Pfft! What an aloof man!' Ashlyn said inwardly and tried getting up but the pain in her legs made them heavy for her to lift.
"Arrrgh!" She said in frustration and anger. She thought about asking the strange man for help but decided against it since he already saved her and that was what she asked for.
Trying to get up again but she couldn't, Ashlyn clenched her fist together trying to suppress the frustration she was feeling and then she heard his voice.
"Do you still need more time to cry?"
"What?" She said with raised brows and was surprised by what he did next.
Tired of watching her crying, the man walked towards her, slipped one of his hands under her knee and the other one to her back and lifted her up in a princess style.
"What are you doing?" Shocked by his actions Ashlyn managed to ask.
"Getting out of this bush." He said and started walking without waiting for her next word.