Chapter 5

As Barnabas watched the figure walk into the alley's light, he sensed her suspicion and alertness. He knew she was the woman from last night, so he had to convince her that his story was true. Not normally a combatant, he dreaded the possibility of resorting to battling the slayer, especially in front of a witness. Besides, he felt this meeting was predestined but he didn't understand how he knew this.

He slowly walked into the lighted area so the slayer could see his face. He did not want to hide anything from her and had to win her confidence. Barnabas noticed her arm muscles tense. When he glanced down, he saw the stake by her side. She quickly shifted the weapon to a striking stance, ready for any provocation from him.

He smiled and greeted her in the most eloquent manner. "Good evening, I'm glad you are here," he bowed. "I think this young lady may need your immediate attention," he bit his lower lip as he gestured towards the frightened girl. "As I was passing this alley, I heard a scream and thought I might be able to help. I saw a hoodlum attacking her. When he saw me, he intended to attack me too. But after releasing her and causing her to hit her head on the dumpster, he spooked easily. I threatened to turn him over to the police. When he saw he hadn't frightened me as much as he did the girl, he became alarmed." Barnabas tilted his head behind him and said, "So he ran down the alley and over that wall," and pointed in the direction of a five foot wall. He looked into this amazing woman's face and could tell she was listening to every syllable, watching every movement he made.

Maeve's body relaxed a bit but she did not take her eyes off the man. Glancing over to the frightened girl, she asked, "Can you tell me what happened to you?" The frightened girl stepped closer to Maeve and told her story.

"I . . . I was walking home from work when I passed this alley," her voice shook. "I was grabbed from behind and dragged into this wicked place." She whispered just above the audio level. Maeve had to move closer to hear her. While gazing at the man, Maeve became aware of all the sounds around her.

"This bastard," the girl snapped through gritting teeth, "twisted my arm and forced me into this alley. Then he turned me around to face him and started to demand favors. I cried and said I wanted to go home. He laughed and slapped me. Then he got even rougher with me, called me names, tore my clothes and cut me with his knife when I tried to get away." She gently touched her cheek and sobbed. Maeve kept looking at the man standing before her and wondered if the frightened "girl" meant this man or another. Was this man telling the truth about chasing an assailant away? Maeve walked closer to the victim and gently touched her shoulder, looking for marks on her neck.

She asked, "Is this the man who attacked you?" nodding at Barnabas. The frightened girl looked over at him, who did not move a muscle.

She then looked back at Maeve and said, "oh no, this kind gentleman came to my rescue. Just when I thought I was going to d-die, this man came into the alley and surprised that creep. That ass," she swallowed hard before continuing, "even threatened to cut this nice man with his knife. He threw me aside like some discarded trash and I hit my head on the dumpster over there." She pointed to the dumpster and then paused, "I don't know what happened after that." She pleaded, "Please, I just want to go home."