Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

At the very last second, someone grabbed Sylvia and pulled her into a tight embrace, rolling with her off the street and onto the sidewalk.

All around them, people were screaming, but Sylvia could only hear her own ragged breathing-well, that, and the pained grunt of the man holding her.

Instinctively, she clung to his shirt, knuckles white.

Sensing her fear, the man tightened his hold just a bit more. "It's okay. Let's get up."

His voice snapped her back to reality. Sylvia glanced up at him, a swirl of emotions tangled in her chest.

It was Rupert.

Or maybe it was her imagination, but his lips looked a little pale.

"You..." she started, but before she could finish, a concerned bystander rushed over to help them up.

"Are you two alright?"

Sylvia shook her head, but the words got stuck in her throat.

When she looked at Rupert again, he was as calm and composed as ever, giving the Good Samaritan a grateful nod.

Just then, the SUV driver rolled down his window and, in classic jerk fashion, started yelling.

"What the hell are you doing? Flirting in the street? You wanna get yourselves killed? Don't drag the rest of us into your mess!"

With that, he stomped the gas and sped off, dumping all the blame on Sylvia and Rupert.

Sylvia made a move to chase after the car, but Rupert caught her wrist.

exactly

replaying the last few seconds in her mind: someone had shoved her into the road, and the

wasn't an accident.

made her shiver. Was this how people tried

backed off, debating what to say to Rupert, when she spotted the college kid from

at his hoodie, moving against

feeling jolted through her. She grabbed

need to go.

at their joined hands, his voice

not joking. The guy who pushed me is coming over." Rupert's

back to her senses, she realized they'd

should've stayed where there were more people. Why are we in

them go today, they'll just

got what he meant instantly. Planting her feet, she refused to go

"No! Your injury-"

cut herself off, realizing she'd said too much, and tried to let go of her

hand. But

holding her

what you

say," Sylvia muttered, lips

you said

dim streetlight. It felt like he could see straight

Sylvia

esca Oka

step back, trying to