Invulnerability

Chapter I

Jo listened to the screeching sound of the tracks beneath her, and felt the earth move steady along. It had been a rough day, two young girls had been kidnapped, and murdered. Cases like this always crept on her, having children of her own. She couldn't help thinking that someday, all the cruelty of society, might happen to them. Taking the subway, instead of her car, was her way of coping, and of letting things go. She needed a little time to think about the past events, as she watched the lights flashing by in front of her. She was alone in the wagon, except for a young girl in the back who was reading a heavy book. She closed her eyes, and took in a deep breath. She shook her head lightly, and forced her mind to think about something else.

For the past months, that something else had been Mac. On her way home, and lately, even in her office (which she found extremely distracting), she found herself thinking about him. Furthermore, she couldn't take her eyes of him. She had kicked herself mentally several times, but she just couldn't help it. She would catch herself thinking about how good he looked, how hilarious he was at times, how cute his smile looked, how gentle his voice sounded, and how bad she wanted him. Inside, she knew she was falling in love. But she wasn't ready to act upon it, yet. She didn't want to rush into things. She first wanted to make sure the feeling was mutual. Sometimes, their eyes would meet, and she would see this little spark in his eyes. In that moment, she starts thinking what to do next... kiss him? Come on, just do it. But then the moment passes, all to soon, and her courage slowly fades away, until there's only a wide smile left. She hated herself for being too chicken to make the first move, because this wasn't like her at all. But then again, she realized how much she wanted them to happen, and how easily it could be ruined, when handled wrong. She wanted to wait. In the mean time, she was content with spending as much time as she could with him. Suddenly, her eyes shot open, when she heard the doors open and two boys got in.

The train started moving again, and the two boys slowly made their way up to the back of the wagon, even though there was plenty of place in the front. The girl, who was already sitting there, nervously moved back and forth, when she saw them coming towards her.

Jo noticed something was off, and slid to her side to see what was going on. She saw how the two boys sat down along both sides of the girl (who was trying her absolute best to ignore both of them). One of them placed his arm around her shoulder, and moved closer towards her face. "Don't you recognize me anymore?" he spoke. The girl kept her eyes at her book at all times, and tried not to move. But when the boy stroked the back of his hand along her cheek, she panicked. She frantically turned the pages in her book, and tried to turn away.

Jo cursed under her breath when she saw how the boy grabbed her book, threw it to the side, and slid his hand under her skirt. "Knock it off", she shouted in a stern voice across the wagon. The boys looked up in her direction, but didn't seem to be bothered, and just kept going.

Jo quickly rose to her feet, and starting towards them. "I said, knock it off", she said. The boy slowly retrieved his hand, and put it in the air with a smug look on his face. "Come with me", she told the girl, and grabbed her by the hand. "Don't leave me this way. I can't survive. I can't stay alive, without your sweet love", one of the boys started singing as he watched the girl take a seat far across the wagon. "Oh Annabelle, sweet angel, don't leave me this way", and with that last line, both of the boys stood up, and left the wagon.

Jo casted the girl a caring smile. "I have to get of at the next stop."

"I'm coming with", the girl whispered, and minutes later both of them were standing on the deserted platform.

"Do you have to far?"

"I'll manage", the girl said.

"Be careful."

"I will", the girl disappeared in the night.

Jo quickly made her way out of the subway, into the cold winter streets. She sensed there was early snow in the air, and held on tight to her woolen scarf. She thought back at the girl, and hoped that she would be alright. This day just can't get worse, she thought to herself. She turned around the corner, and headed straight home. In the mean time, her thoughts had already wandered back to the man she loved. She longed for his warm embrace. So much so, it hurt. "Stop it", she mentally kicked herself. "Get yourself together, already."

Suddenly, she felt somebody grabbing her from behind. She felt how a bag was put over her head, and how she got dragged to the side. She tried to rip it of, but her hands were stuck in the grip of a strong hand. She tried to scream, but received a first hard punch in her face. She felt paralyzed.

Do something, do something, her mind kept racing, but every attempt was blocked with another violent blow. She felt nausea arising in her abdomen, and pain spreading like electric shocks through her body. She started tasting blood in her mouth. She tried to reach for her bag, but soon realized it was nowhere to be found. Fear gripped her by the throat, and slowly started suffocating her. She couldn't see anything, and didn't saw when the next punch was coming. She prayed for it to be over, but the beating kept going. In seconds, her legs gave in and she fell to the ground. She received a last blow to the head, and rolled over to her side.

She immediately tried to retrieve her bag again, but it was no use. She was lying there helpless, feeling the blood pumping though her brain. She could only hear a light ringing tone, she was slipping away. She couldn't hold on for much longer. She guided her hand across the pavement, and felt her phone crashed to the ground. She retrieved it, and tried to dial 911. She sensed her fingers go numb. She couldn't... couldn't... think anymore.

"Mac...", she whispered before succumbing to her weary mind.