Page 85 of Johnathan

“I turned to leave when someone came in.”

John’s hands stopped moving, their grip steadily getting firmer on her foot.

“Someone? Who was it?”

“I don’t know. It was honestly like something out of a movie. They were dressed all in black and had a mask covering their face.”

“What the fuck?”

“I tried to get back to the stall. I thought that if I could get in there, at least they might give up, or I’d waste enough time that they’d leave if the fire got bad enough. But I didn’t make it.”

“They fucking hurt you.”

It wasn’t a question. He knew.

She nodded. “They grabbed my hair and pulled me off balance. I smashed my head off the floor.”

“Jesus, baby. You didn’t black out, did you? Did you tell the paramedics? You could have a concussion.”

“I’m fine. I told them, and they checked me over. I’m okay.”

“You should have gone to the hospital.”

“No. I don’t want to ever go back there.”

John opened his mouth to say something, but she cut him off.

“Stop. Just because I don’t ever want to go there again doesn’t mean I wouldn’t if I needed to.”

“I’m not sure that you would.”

She turned her body so that she was curled against him, sinking further into his chest as his arm wrapped around her back.

“Anyway, I closed my eyes and they must have thought I passed out, because they left the bathroom. That’s when I heard voices calling out, and Jackson found me. I didn’t know there wasn’t actually a fire until we were walking out.”

“What did the person look like?”

“They were taller than me, but I’m not sure that’s really helpful.”

“Man? Woman?”

“I couldn’t tell. They were wearing baggy clothes and combat boots. Their face was covered and I didn’t see their hair or anything.”

“Shit.”

“I can’t imagine it was anything more than a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I mean, they were probably the one who triggered the fire alarm in the first place. They just needed an escape route and I got in their way.”

“Maybe.”

He didn’t sound convinced. All Abby knew was that exhaustion had finally settled into her body, and her bed wascalling her name. She stood, stretching slightly as a yawn rolled through her.

“You should get home.” Did she want him to stay? One-thousand percent yes. But she also needed to give him one more out.

“How many times do I need to say it, Abby. I’m staying.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yep.”

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