Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

There was no response. My scalp tingled with fear.

But I couldn't back down now. I mustered my courage and demanded, "Who is it?"

"It's me!" Two words echoed.

Then came footsteps and an explanation, "Your blind date from the café this evening." Him?

I couldn't believe it. We'd met only once, and now he was following me. It was terrifying.

The hallway was pitch dark. Even with a bit of moonlight seeping in through the windows, I could only make out the shapes a couple of paces in front of me. He wasn't close enough for me to see him yet.

I gripped my keys tightly and was ready to defend myself as I asked, "Why are you following me?"

"Don't misunderstand. I mean no harm. I just wanted to protect you. It's not safe for a woman to walk alone at night," he explained. Then, he finally stepped into view. I nearly laughed at his explanation.

Following me like this scared me to death, and he thought that made me safe.

hadn't even agreed on anything. Yet he wanted to

kept calm to ensure my safety. I suppressed my anger and said, "Thank you for your concern. I'm

spoke, he came up from the stairway corner and said, "I'm a bit thirsty. Could I have some

his intentions clear. I gripped my keys even tighter and refused, "It's

closer, "You're going to

nearer, my fear

water. What's inconvenient about that?" His smile in

resolved to stab him with

cheek. With a bang, the man flew back like someone hit by a force in a

rebound looked

a familiar voice

It was Brandon.

sprawled on the stairs, "Leave now. If you're still here after a minute has passed, I'm calling the police and reporting

the sound. He was clearly in pain, but he managed to

face was bloody; I wasn't sure where he'd gotten hit. He looked at