Reading week has provided me with the time for writing and your reviews have provided me with motivation. The perfect storm for updates!
Elsie struggled as the hand clamped over her mouth. She tried to lash out with her fists but her arms were quickly pinned to her sides. She had no chance against three attackers. She felt hands on her and a cold dread settled in her stomach as one of the men straddled her legs and pulled on her skirt, working the hem up her legs.
Suddenly she was jerked sideways and cried out in pain as the men who had hold of her face and arms were bowled over by a shadowy figure. Elsie quickly grabbed her bag from the ground and swung at the man on top of her, connecting with the side of his face. Scrambling to escape she pushed the man off of her, the blow to his face affording her the opportunity she needed. She had almost righted herself to flee when the man recovered and wrenched on her ankle.
She cried out again and collapsed once more, but the man's thoughts of his prey were soon forgotten as his face crumpled with the force of a fist. Exhausted and with a weakened ankle, Elsie slid herself backwards a few feet, then stopped and took in her surroundings. She watched as the large figure of her rescuer slammed his fist into the man's face over and over, the rage pouring off him in waves. He cut such an imposing figure in the moonlight that it took her a few moments to realise that the man was in fact her gentle butler.
By now, the other two had recovered from their fall. She watched as they yelled at Mr. Carson to stop, attempting to pull him off their fallen friend. Their success was hindered by the alcohol they had consumed, and the blow they had just received.
Charles had no knowledge of his surroundings; he kept pounding and pounding at the man in front of him. Pausing only for a moment to send the men behind him sprawling once more. He knew what they had been trying to do to her, what they had already done. Mrs. Hughes. His Elsie. The most darling woman there was. There was no way to stop the rage that he felt.
Elsie could see that these men were no match for Mr. Carson. If she didn't do something that man would soon be dead, and she couldn't live with what that would mean for Mr. Carson. She crawled forward and placed her hand on his shoulder - trying to still his movements, but was pushed backwards by the jerk of his shoulder.
Charles felt another hand on him and pushed backwards to throw off his assailant. The sound of a feminine gasp brought him back into focus, ceasing his attack on the man in front of him he spun around. He was met with the sight of Mrs. Hughes sprawled on the ground with tears in her eyes, her skirt and blouse askew and blood smeared across her face. His stomach immediately dropped at the thought of having hurt her and he felt bile rising in his throat.
Joe and the silent member of the trio quickly collected their friend and took off into the darkness, frightened of what the giant was capable of.
Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes stared at each other for a few moments, both shaking from fear and adrenaline. He didn't know what to do, certain he had scared her, he was afraid of approaching. He watched as she began to shake violently and reach out an arm. She sobbed, "Charles."
He closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms, burrowing his face in her hair. "Oh Elsie, oh god."
What do you think? I'm planning on adding more chapters, but let me know if there's a specific direction you think this should go.
Thanks for reading!