Aria's POV:
The bright lights of the city always warned them they were close to their destination. Every time she would smile at her mother or father and pull Holden out of the car and wave madly as they drove away thinking she was with such a nice boy now. What they never knew, or at least she hoped was, that little 'incident' with Ezra was past her and them. In her mind that wasn't quite the case even if he was distant, and sometimes absent when she wanted him to come find her. Often, she bade Holden goodbye with a quick hug never questioning where he went with his hours. Perhaps it was because she wasn't sure she was up to knowing, or the fact that thoughts lingered about his sexuality from friends, just what trouble or fun he was going to. Her time was in fact her time to ponder on both relationships and the threat of 'a' into her life and what would be the next torment for those she loved.
"So...". Holden mumbled as soon as it was safe for them to split ways. "Say, we meet back here at 11?". Turning to look at her with his ever present smirk. She could always tell he was itching to scurry away to wherever it was he went. Always in her mind was the question she wanted to ask, but since seeing the bruises last time, and his aggravated side-stepping she left the question in her mind for another time.
"Yeah, Sure that would be great. You going to be okay... I mean, uh, with the bru...". She stuttered nervously before he cut her off with a soft sigh.
"Aria, Stop. There is nothing wrong, I know you believe there is." He said impatiently, eyes darkening for a second before turning away to jam his hands into his coat. "It's fine. I'm fine. We're fine. Best get going or you'll miss prince charming?". He finished with another smirk turning to start his walk to the destination of the evening.
"Yeah, We're fine". She sighed, closing tired eyes for only a second before turning to follow at a far enough pace to not suspect that she was in fact being nosey as she was wont to be. Typical Aria would be the answer from most of those that knew what she would do, and it would usually bother her but this was different. Something was up with him, and she wanted to know in the most desperate way. From the pills she noticed at the lock-in, or the way he defended her it was her responsibility to know. Imagining some sort of fight club was the easiest thing to think of, however he was so tight-lipped with any question of of aria's mouth it could be anything. Growling softly as her eyes began to adjust to the dimmer light as she followed with a purpose she could see it was in a part of the busy downtown that wasn't stranger to nefarious deeds.
Something deep within Aria's mind told her that this may not have been the most thought-out plan to find the secret that lingered behind Holden's eyes. Truthfully, she knew it wasn't, but then again he used to tell her everything as children. Children, they weren't anymore and that was part of what hurt the most was the loss of that intimacy within the relationship. Snapping to attention from deep within her own inner monologue she glanced around with a frustrated stomp not seeing Holden anymore. Frowning as she glanced around the neighborhood, far from the safe one she left.
"Dammit". She growled to no one in particular as she glanced around at the buildings trying to find her own inner compass before she began to retrace her steps back to the restaurant since her prey was no longer available. Once again, she knew it was a lost cause and if he wanted her to know, he would have mentioned it. Stupid, stupid Aria her mind spun as she took several breaths before sliding into the shadows near a building to take stock. This place had to be close if Holden was able to disappear without her noticing, she thought quickly not hearing a lot of sound around.
"Wouldn't there be some sort of noise coming from a building that was housing fights?". She whispered to no one softly. Grumbling wordlessly as she dug into her purse to pull out her phone ready to call a cab to come to this somewhat scary part of town hands pulled her deeper into the shadows covering her mouth before a scream could fill the night's air.
"I.. Told... You... To.. Not.. Be... Nosey... Didn't.. I.. ". Came a soft, but hardened voice near her ear. Not recognizing the person holding her at first, the fight and flight instinct overcame the small girl. The shadows providing the perfect cover for the intruder to not be seen.
'Fuck, stop struggling will you... I'll let you go if you do. Dammit, Aria". The voice growled as she slowed her struggles, becoming limp in his arms as she whimpered.