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.

agreed on anything. Yet he wanted to

I suppressed my anger and

corner and said, "I'm a bit

made his intentions clear. I gripped my keys even tighter and refused,

stepped closer, "You're going to date me, so what's

nearer, my fear

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

were shaking. But I resolved to stab him with my car key

onto the last stair, I lunged with my keys. But before I could reach him, a cold breeze brushed my cheek. With a bang, the man flew back like someone hit by a force in a martial arts drama. He slammed into the hallway

rebound looked painfully

around when a familiar voice sounded beside me. "You went on a blind

It was Brandon.

coldly say to the man sprawled on the stairs, "Leave now. If you're still here after a

stirred at the sound. He was clearly in pain, but he managed to get up

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