1Losing My Grip And I'm In It Alone
Chapter 16. Arielle's dealing with her anger and she meets Danny on the way...
Thanks to everyone, particularly LeoDiabla (Dylan) for the reviews. This is no different, R&R as always. I live off reviews... yummy. Also thanks Killerkeanegirl (Jess) for your input.
Here goes...
She stood at the corner, lost in the night, blinking back the tears that yearned to find their way down her face. Somehow she had made her way to Times Square, and she was just looking into the lights that shined on her face, staring fit to blind herself. Danny watched her as he walked, and he wondered how she must have been suffering...
He was no better off. He had just been taken off the promotion grid, and because of a stupid mistake and the even more foolish choice that followed. He just plain didn't trust anyone, and he knew she was feeling the same way. It was killing the both of them, this world...
He chanced going to her side, looking in the direction she was incessantly gazing into. "Arielle," he whispered.
She looked over to him, her beautiful face marred by tears. "Hey, Danny," she said, her voice barely audible over the traffic.
"I'm sorry," he told her.
She shook her head. "No big deal. I've just been denied justice, and my rapist walks free. Things could be worse, couldn't they?"
"Don't say that, Arielle. I know nothing is possibly worse than this..."
"There's worse. I'm living in a prosperous country with everything I could ask for, and here I am complaining about something that happened ten years ago when it happens all the time in poor countries."
"Arielle... don't you ever say that. What happened to you... I wouldn't wish that on a girl I hated more than anything. You were hurt, so badly, and... nothing should be worth that."
She fell silent and watched the cars go by, and Danny surveyed her as she did so. She had just said what he felt, and she knew it. He impulsively put his arms around her, and she rested her head on his shoulder. Right then and there, he wanted just to protect her always, and not let anything like this happen to her ever again.
"Want me to take you home?" he asked, and she nodded. They started to walk down the street, and around the corner, down alleys and blocks until they got to her place. He got out her keys and brought her in, and stood in the living room while she changed. When she came out in her nightgown, she said, "Danny... do you mind if I asked you to stay the night?"
"You want... me to stay?" he said uncertainly. "Not Don?"
She shook her head slowly. "You. Just you. I... I'm not sure about staying with him... we don't need to do anything... just..."
She led him in, let him shed his jacket and shoes, and lay on the bed. He lay next to her, cautiously, somewhat awkwardly, until she lay a bit closer to him. Then, slowly, he put his arm around her waist, bringing her even closer to him. She was so warm against him... He felt sleep overtake him, and he breathed in time with her breathing, until they were both asleep.