I knew I could save her. I just knew it!
People were already gathered up there but my vision blurred. I bumped into a figure that I had a feeling was Mason, but I couldn't care less.
I needed to be with her by all means. With a few steps closer now, I pushed through the cops and made my way forward.
The cold air seeped through my nostrils and I inhaled it. "Mira! It's me, Ari!"
She brought her face towards me and a soft gasp escaped her lips. I realized I must have been so close to have seen her up close.
"Mira, hey." I could hear Mason's voice now yelling my name out loud. I kept my gaze up at her, ignoring Mason's screaming.
"Ari, you shouldn't be here." She said, crying breathlessly.
"I understand that you're angry and sad, but taking your own life solves nothing!"
"You don't understand, Ari. That witch, she's evil! She has ruined me! There's nothing to live for anymore."
Mira and I had spoken at length last weekend where she explained everything going on in her mind. Her child was sick in the hospital, and needed urgent money for surgery.
"If this is about your child, I promise you that we're going to solve this together!"
"How, Ari?" She yelled out.
"I promise you, it'll be alright. I--"
"I'll loose my job here. I could even be confronted by Mrs. Beckham, and my child..."her voice croaked, "my child...she could die!"
"But she's not dead yet. Can't you cherish that? Why would you wish to leave her motherless? You said so that your husband would have given his best to see you and your daughter happy."
"Yea but he's dead now! He left us,"
"Because he trusted you. He trusted you to take care of his little girl. Please come down, and let us tackle this problem in front of you." I said to her.
"I still have my own battles I'm trying to win you see. My mom, she's still at the hospital. And there's no hope anywhere...but I'm not giving up easily. I will do everything I can, and save her because she deserves that from me."
"So please, come down and let's talk better. Please...for your child's sake. Please, Mira. Don't leave me all alone in this mess. I need you, we need each other."
Slowly, she began to make her way down. At the very last minute, her legs slipped and she tripped sideways, breaking her ankle. Her cry resonated the whole area, suddenly wishing she would not die.
I didn't know where the strength came from, but with my short legs, I darted forward like and arrow launched into thin air. At the last minute, I was able to reach her, my body pressing firmly to the fense.
"I got you. Hold me tight, I've got you!" I had to take off my heels and ran on my bare foot. Bottle was scattered on the floor, but I couldn't even afford to feel any pain now as they pierced into my feet.
The cops had gathered around now and so had Mason. Even after Mira had been properly recovered, I still couldn't bring myself to leave her all alone. She still seemed so terrified of...everyone!
A firm grip was felt on my wrist. The air suddenly filled with fresh scent of lavender, Mason's signature scent.
"Are you insane! How dare you?" He roared out and I was shocked because I could only stare in confusion.
"She needed saving. What do you mean by--"
His eyes were heavily fixated on me. A lot was going on in his mind, and desperately, I fought for the will to take my eyes off him, but I just couldn't.
Finally, with force, I let my gaze fall to the floor, and my eyes opened as I saw the blood that had gathered around my feet. Pain was jabbing through my legs now, suddenly making my legs weak.
Out of the blue, I felt his hands caressing my face gently, cold and at the same time, soft. His fingers tilted my chin up to look into his eyes.
"Look at me, Ariana. That was some dangerous game you pulled back there." He said, eyes still heavily fixed on me that I felt they were staring straight into my soul.
My lips parted open as I tried to stop the panting of my breath.
"Ma'am, you're bleeding." I heard a man's voice called out. He happened to be one of the cops.
I pulled myself away from Mason's stare and turned to meet the man. Williams happened to walk right in that moment.
"What's going on here?" he asked, not directly speaking to anyone in particular, rather throwing the question to all of us.
"She's bleeding. She needs treatment fast." The cops said and Williams nodded.
"Can you walk, Ari?" He asked.
I managed a nod. "Well..."
Mason's hands pressed into mine as he pulled me back gently. Then he stepped in front, his back facing me as he got down in a crouching position.
"Hop on," his tone did not offer any negotiation but I couldn't stop my face from reddening.
When Mason and I were together, he would always offer me a piggyback ride. And I always enjoyed it.
I leaned forward to whisper in his ear. "Right now in the midst of everyone?"
He turned to me with a raised eyebrow. "Oh should we wait till tomorrow before we get you treated?"
I said nothing again and gave in. He carried me to the elevator with William coming behind. The ambulance was just outside and as soon as they saw us coming, came forward to get me treated. They stopped the blood and quickly closed the wounds with bandages.
"We should get her to the hospital in case she would need some sewing." One of the doctors said.
"I'll go with her." Mason said, but Williams stepped forward.
"You should stay here and make sure this whole ruckus dies down. After all, this has happened before and you did just fine." He said, locking eyes with Mason for a while.
"Alright then." Without getting another word from Mason, he stepped into the vehicle, nodding to the driver to move on.
I caught the last glance at Mason, still staring at me as we left.