"What am I even supposed to do?" Flora rubbed two fingers horizontally across her hot forehead.

"We need to go back and see that detective." Mr. Nolan insisted.

"I can't! I can't go back there. Do you have any idea how it feels to be a young woman having to be afraid for your life because of a man who does horrible things? And then you are finally courageous enough to speak out and ask for help and have the whole thing turned on you?" Her pupils enlarged as her eyes filled with water.

"Then we don't have to see that detective. We don't even have to go back to that police station. There is another police station in the next town over." Mr. Nolan suggested.

"I can already hear them insisting they can't help me because it's a different county."

"We have to at least try. It's either that or give this boy the rest of his own medicine and act like we don't know what happened." Mr. Nolan responded with a shrug.

"I like that idea better." Helia tilted his head and nodded.

"Fine..." Flora finally agreed as she huffed and crossed her arms.

Local Hospital

"You'll be just fine. A disclocated shoulder usually sounds more scary than it actually is. And for falling down a staircase, this is really minor damage. You are lucky nothing is fractured. Take it easy, don't lift over 15 pounds for the next 4 weeks at least, to ensure your shoulder is healing properly. As for that ankle, small sprains typically heal well also. Just make sure to keep it wrapped." Doctor Garrison said as he gave Levi his discharge papers.

"I feel better already." Levi admitted as he took the paperwork and moved his head to the side, trying to adjust to his new sling that his arm would be resting in for the next few weeks. He pulled his car keys from his pocket and It was this moment he realized how uncomfortable it would be to have to drive one handed.

"Oh, and try to wait another 9 weeks at least before tripping and falling anywhere else." Dr. Garrison said before he walked out of the door.

It took a few minutes longer than usual to make it to his car. He winced as he sat down. He still couldn't believe this happened. None of this was supposed to happen. Flora was supposed to recall her love for him! She wasn't supposed to want to go back home except to pack her things and come back! Or at least allow Levi to stay at her place.

And that new guy certainly was not supposed to be there! He wasn't supposed to want anything to do with Flora. He should have just cowered down and backed off, but nooo.

Tears of all emotions began to trickle down Levi's bruised face as he realized it might be best to just let her be.

But he couldn't bring himself to! Especially after their night together. Some type of feelings had to still be there. They had to!

And when she can finally just relax and be happy with him once again, everything will be perfect.

Levi started picturing little ones opening up gifts on Christmas. What perfect birthday parties Flora would throw for their children. He imagined coming home from a long day of work to Flora having prepared a delicious, hot meal for him and the kids.

She just has to see this too. And if he can't have her, he's definitely not going to just give her away to Helia. Or to any other man.

"This man definitely seems like a real piece of work..." Detective Mixon said as she looked deep in thought.

"I was afraid you would not be able to help me." Flora softly said, thankful to have an attractive, young female detective in front of her.

"Oh. I'm helping you. I know a great deal about Tanner Hancock. He doesn't have the best track record for assisting with cases such as these, which makes me wonder about him as an individual. I am so sorry again for all you've been through and for the way that detective treated you. Now, I have put this restraining order in place. Hancock was right, there was no evidence or statements of current physical altercations, or threats made by him. But this ordeal with these drugs, alcohol, and his assault on you earlier today. Oh yeah. He is not to be in the same vicinity as you. If you are at McDonald's and he comes in, he is to leave and go to Burger King instead."

"How is he going to know?" Flora asked nervously.

"We have what seems to be a current address for him. Seems his mail is currently arriving there. He will get these papers as certified mail which means he needs to sign off that he received it. So after that, if he comes after you, contacts you, anything. You let us know, let me know, and he will face serious legal repercussions."

"But.. What if I don't have time...?"

Detective Mixon gazed deeply at Flora with her light blue eyes as a strand of silky brown hair fell to her forehead. She leaned in close to Flora from across the desk.

"If you are in a situation where you feel like it's either you or him, choose yourself." She said in a serious tone.

"What do you mean...?" Flora's voice quivered.

Detective Mixon slammed her pen down on her desk and stood up quickly.

"If you are in a situation where you feel like it's either you or him, you choose yourself! You defend yourself! You won't get in trouble. And if Tanner Hancock or anyone else has an issue with that, you tell them to come to me. If anyone tries to throw you behind bars for protecting yourself against a man like this who will spread his diseased actions elsewhere, let me handle it. I'll tell the judge about himself too if he wants to get slick. There's evidence in front of my face of this man causing you so much distress and fear. We are losing too many young women and children in this world because of men like this!" She spoke in clear announcement of the whole police station. "And your fear ends today. I want you to walk out of this police station feeling safe, and confident. You should never feel afraid in your own home." Detective Mixon pursed her lips. "So take these papers. This has your copy. And here is my card. I'm writing my personal cell phone number on here as well and you call me, text me anytime. I really mean anytime."

Flora stood up and threw her body into Mixon's. She couldn't help but let a few tears flow into detective Mixon's shoulder. Detective Mixon squeezed Flora in a strong embrace.

"It's going to be okay." Mixon reassured.

Flora was finally beginning to feel safe and confident once again.