Chapter 10
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I was found a karate class near me that I decided to go to. I started next week. I paid for my first month! I decided I better begin some work out training. I began to jog every morning out by my place. I did not want to start my class being half winded out to do so. This morning I as up about five thirty am.

Pretty early for me. I was never an early bird. As I waited for my coffee to finish up in the pot for Belinda and myself, I began to stretch my legs. Then my arms.

I hear my muffin pop up in the toaster. I rush over to it. Place it on my place. Add a little bit of butter. Then pour myself a cup of coffee. Add some creamer and sugar in.

"Ana? Why are you up so early? Again?" yawns a tired Belinda as she wanders down the hall to use the bathroom.

"I am going for a jog. Want to come with me?" I ask her. She shakes her head.

"No way. Have fun with that" she yawns as she wanders to the bathroom.

I take a sip of my coffee. Then nibble on my muffin as I check the weather app on my iPhone to see how chilly it was this morning. Hollywood mornings were not to bad. They warmed up pretty fast around here.

After I was done with my meal, I grab my earbuds. I listen to some music. Then place my light blue Nike running shoes on. I shut the door behind me. I began to go jog on that trail I always went on.

One other guy who lived in my building also jogged in the morning sometimes. I often ran into him on the path. My legs began to feel the burn as I begin to push myself harder. Running was going to be good for me. Make me stronger!

I get further on the path I began to feel a little winded. I used to do track in high school. But those days had been a long time ago. I was finding myself to be out of breath. I stop for a moment. To catch my breath. I see the guy who was my age out jogging. He walks by me. He stops a moment. He smiles my way.

"Great morning for a jog huh?" he asks me.

"Sure is" I say as I pretend to stretch. I did not want him to know I was out winded already only after running a block.

"See you around" he says cheerfully before running off.

"Wait!" I call out.

"Yes?" he stops up ahead.

"My name is Ana. I live over across from you" I tell him. He jogs back to me.

"My name is Eddie. I moved in last week" he tells me. "I work as a karate instructor at Master Kons in town" he tells me.

"I just signed up there! I will be taking classes next week" I laugh.

"Really? We will see more of each other than" he says smiling.

"Pleased to meet you Eddie, you will have to meet my roomie Belinda sometime" I tell him as I think of hooking the two up already.

"I will be sure to! See you in class!" he replies happily before jogging off.

I smile as I began to jog. Maybe Eddie would make a good match for Miss Belinda. Then Jordan and myself would have someone to double date with in the future. Maybe. Belinda was often very picky on who she dated.

Belinda had not dated in some time. She went on dates. But I mean she had not had a steady boyfriend. She always seemed to find a flaw with men. Kind of like that guy on the show Seinfeld did.

As I run the sun was coming up now. It was a beautiful sunset to admire. I was enjoying this little jog. Who knew. Maybe I was going to be a morning person after all? Maybe someday Jordan would join me for a little jog.

On the beach. That would be romantic. As I run I see someone up ahead. A man. A tall man wearing a dark hoodie. He was blocking my path as I make my way up to him.

"Hey morning" I mutter as I try to rush past him. He grabs my arm.

"Morning beautiful" I hear him say. I feel a chill down my spine.

"Rocky!?" I stammer.

"Hey, we need to talk" he demands.

"No, we don't" I state sternly. I remove my arm from his grasp.

He grabs my arm back. Twisting it pretty hard.

"We do!" he demands. "Think you are fancy with that piece of paper huh? What are you running away from? Think I was going to give up?"

"No, but you should" I tremble.

I kick him in his foot. He yelps in pain. I began to run as fast as I could. I drop my phone. I go to grab it. He is hot after me now. I leave my phone where it lay.

My heart racing fast as I try to rush back down the path back to the condos. I glance behind me as I run. He was right behind me. I run faster. Pushing myself as fast as I could. My heart thumps in my ear.

Suddenly I am thrown to the ground. Rocky and I tumble on the grass. I am pinned under him. I whimper as I struggle to get away. He holds my arms down. I kick him. Then crawl away. He grabs me by the leg.

I cry as I struggle to get free. He twists my arm from the sleeve of my hoodie. I try to get my hoodie off. So I would be free. I rush to get one sleeve off. Then the other as he tugs on it. I drop the hoodie as I try to get up off the ground.

He slams me back down on the ground. The wind is knocked out of me. I wince in pain as I close my eyes. Tears burn my vision. He has my arms pinned to the ground. He is glaring at me as he hoovers over me. He looks pissed off.

"Will you listen to me?" he snaps. "You are going with me" he demands.

"I will never go anywhere with you" I state to him.

"You will" he demands. I struggle as I try to get free. He hurts my arms holding them so tight.

"HELP! Someone help me please!" I beg as loud as I can.

"SHUT UP!" demands Rocky as he covers my mouth with his hands. I bite his hand. He yelps in pain.

"HELP!" I cry hoping someone might hear me.

"No one is out here. It is just you and me baby" he chuckles looking pleased with the outcome.

"No" I stammer.

"Let her go!" I hear someone say.

I look up to see Eddie came back.

"Go away. This is between myself and my lady" Rocky answers.

"She said let her go" Eddie reminds him as he grabs Rocky up by his collar. He throws a punch hitting Rocky right in the nose. "Want some more buddy?" he challenges Rocky. Rocky wipes the blood off his nose. Then cowers as he runs away. Eddie calls the cops.

"They are on the way. Are you alright?" Eddie worries as he kneels down on the ground near me. He helps me up off the ground.

"I think I will be" I stammer. He takes off his hoodie then places it around my shoulders. His blond hair drapes in his eye. He had pretty green eyes. Almost blue now that I got a closer look at him. I shiver. My arm hurt. It was bruised.

"I think it might be twisted" I worry as we look it over.

"What happened here?" asks officer who joins us.

Eddie explains everything. I tell the officer that it was my ex who was not supposed to come around me. They whisk me away to the ER so I can be checked out. Eddie comes along with me. He gets Belinda who joins. She drives in her car so she can bring ups home later. Eddie rides in the ambulance with me.

When I came checked in they run tests. Take X-rays of my arm. Sure, enough I had a fracture from Rocky being harsh with me today. They place it in a splint cast. I knew the protection order was not going to keep Rocky away. What would? How was I going to get this man out of my life?

"Ana?!"

"Jordan?! How did you find out?" I ask in surprise as Jordan comes in my hospital room. He had flowers with him. His body guard waited outside of the room for him when he came in.

"Belinda told me on the way here. I came as fast as I could get here! What did that bastard do?" he worries as he rushes to my side.

"He hurt my arm. That is all. I am fine" I tell him.

Jordan take his hand brushing his fingers lightly along my right cheek. Looking at me with concern. He pulls me in his arms for a hug. I felt so much better being in his arms. We do not say a word as we hold onto each other.

"Eddie saved me this morning" I tell him.

"I should have been there" he worries.

"Jordan this is not your fault. Do not blame you. I should have run with a buddy. Not alone" I sigh.

"That is a clever idea" pipes up Eddie as he and Belinda come in the room. "If you need a running buddy you have one" he tells me as he winks at me.

"Really? You are amazing Eddie. Thank you!" I gush.

"This is one great guy" brag Belinda.

"I can run with you in the mornings when I am around" offers Jordan.

"You do not have to, I know you are busy. Besides Eddie says he can" I remind Jordan.

"Fine" sighs Jordan looking defeated.

We chat away about how to deal with Rocky. There had to be away to get him out of my life for good.