As we reach the top floor safely and unnoticed, he searched his pockets for his keys never removing his arm from my shoulder. Opening the door, he helped me inside.
"Come over here, let's get you on the couch." he said while sitting me down.
He turned to leave the room, and suddenly I had the feeling I didn't want to be left alone.
"Where are you going?!" I asked urgently.
"I'm going to get the first aid kit to fix you up, I'll be right back." he said with a tender look on his face.
He soon returned with the kit and pulled out some cotton balls and alchohol, he proceeded to doctor the scrapes and cuts, placing a cool compress on my eye for swelling, and a band-aid on my lip, my wounds started to feel better.
"Now, we need to get you out of those clothes, I'll get you something of mine to wear." he said while closing the lid to the first aid and going to his room.
He returned with a pair of boxer shorts, and a white undershirt.
"This is what I could find, is it all right?" he asked.
"Yes, that will be fine. Thank you for helping me John." I said while retiring to the bathroom to change. I wanted so badly to take a shower, but I had yet to decide if I was going to report this or not.
Returning to the living room, I noticed John and Paul talking quietly on the couch, which ceased when I became noticed.
"Oh my gosh, Harmony, what happened to you?!" Paul asked with concern.
"Uh, I just, I got in a fight." I lied as I sat down in a chair delicately because of my sore body.
"With who?" John asked his voice taking an angry undertone.
"I don't know, they came at me from behind, and that's all I remember." I replied, badly wanting to change the subject.
"Well, we need to report this to the police." John stated.
"No, not yet, please, can we just wait a little while?" I pleaded.
"Well, if that's what you really want." he replied.
"Thank you." I said.
"Would you like something to drink?" Paul asked while walking into the kitchen.
"Yeah, sure, coffee if you have it." I answered.
"Is tea OK?" he asked.
"Sure, that's fine." I told him.
"Harmony, if you would like to stay here tonight, you can sleep in my room, I'll take the couch." John offered.
"Oh, no, I don't want to be any trouble." I told him.
"It's no trouble at all, don't worry about it." he replied.
"OK, thanks." I said quietly slightly embarrassed that I had to do that.
"Is it OK if I use your phone?" I asked.
"Sure, it's right there." he said pointing to the table across the room.
Walking over and dialing my house, I waited impatiently for my mother to pick up.
"Hello." she answered.
"Hi Mom, it's me." I said.
"Harmony, where are you?" she asked, concerned.
"I'm at John and Paul's, I had a little too much to drink and he wouldn't let me drive, so he brought me here." I lied feeling very guilty for doing so.
"Well, all right, see I told you he was a nice boy." she gloated.
"Yes Mom, it turns out that he is." I said while glancing over at John who was looking at me with sad eyes.
"I'll be home sometime tomorrow, OK." I said to her.
"All right, be good." she said in a motherly tone.
"OK Mom, I love you."
"I love you too honey." And with that, we hung up.
As I was walking over to the couch Paul returned with the tea and some danish.
"Are you hungry Harmony?" he asked.
"Yeah, a little, I might be able to eat something." I replied, still feeling kind of sick.
I took a sip of my tea, which was quite soothing and warm, and took a large bite of the delicious cherry danish.
"I'm really sorry to put you guys out like this." I apologized; I really was sorry.
"It's no bother, don't worry yourself with that." John said.
"Yeah, just as long as you're safe." Paul added.
As I finished my danish and tea, John had turned on the TV to some late comedy show. Feeling very tired, I soon dozed off.
"GET OFF ME, PLEASE, DON'T TOUCH ME!!!!" I yelped while swinging my fists trying to get them away.
"Harmony, it's OK, calm down, it's me John." he said while gently lying me on his bed.
"John, where, oh, I remember now." I said, wanting to cry out of embarrassment from my outburst.
"Are you sure you're going to be OK?" he asked concerned.
"Yeah, I'll be fine, don't worry." I answered, trying to be strong.
"You get some rest now, OK." John said sincerely while pulling the covers over me and tucking me in.
"John, will you stay in here until I fall asleep?" I asked, frightened to be alone.
"Sure luv, just go to sleep." he replied while sitting on the edge of the bed next to me.
Closing my eyes, I felt myself getting very sleepy, and starting to doze off. I soon felt John lean over and kiss my forehead, and get up off the bed.
"I don't know what has happened, but I have to find out, for your sake." he said not knowing I heard him, thinking I was asleep.
I heard him leave the room, and decided to just let myself fall into the deep sleep I needed.
That night, I kept having nightmares that I was being chased down a dark alley and I couldn't run fast enough. I would try to run, but I couldn't go. The dream kept repeating, and everytime just as the person chasing me would grab me, the dream would start over. I knew I was dreaming, but I just couldn't wake up, it was like torture. In one of the dreams the stranger caught me, and I saw his face, it was the man from the bar.
This startled me out of my sleep, and all I remember doing was screaming. Sitting up in the bed in a cold sweat, the door suddenly flew open and John flipped on the light and rushed to me.
"Are you all right?! What's going on?!" he asked frantically.
"I just had a nightmare." I answered wanting to cry.
"I'm gonna get you a glass of water; you're burning up." he said while feeling my forehead.
Leaving the room, he soon returned with the water, and some aspirin.
"John?" I said.
"Yeah, what is it?" he asked.
"Will you stay in here and sleep?" I asked feeling like a little child afraid of monsters in the closet.
"Are you sure you want me to stay in here?" he asked, unsure.
"Yes, please." I answered.
"OK, let me turn out the light." he replied.
Walking over and flipping off the switch, he was soon in the bed at my side.
"Can you hold me for a little while?" I asked, scared.
He answered by wrapping his arms around me and holding me close. I suddenly felt safe, I knew nothing would happen to me if I was here like this.
"Goodnight John." I yawned.
"G'night Harmony." he replied.
The rest of that night, I had peaceful sleep, no more nightmares,
just deep sleep. Better sleep than I had in a long time.
Written by Jeanna. May not be reproduced without the permission of the author. Permission may be obtained by e-mail.