I worked as usual. Stacy waited for me when it was the end of our working hours.
“It’s okay. You can leave now. I’ll finish it soon. Red must be waiting for you already.”
“Are you sure?”
I nodded and smiled. “Don’t forget the complete story on Monday. Leave the kissing and touching parts.”
Stacy giggled. “Okay! See you on Monday.” Then she left.
I was a little jealous of Stacy as she would enjoy a date with Red, unlike me, who would spend time alone on Saturday night. I wasn’t thrilled doing anything in my room later, but I reminded myself that it was for the best. Ethan would be home soon, and then we could be together again.
After tidying the books, I grabbed my bag and walked outside. Waving at Sam and passing the gate, I was only a few steps away from the library gate when Kenneth blocked my way again.
“Helena, I have been waiting for you.”
I took a deep breath. “Kenneth, I’m tired. It’s not a good time to talk.”
“Please, listen to me.”
“I don’t think we need to talk anymore.”
Kenneth grabbed my hand. “Why have you changed so drastically? What did the rude man do to you?”
“Who the rude man did you refer to? Ethan? He is not rude. You are!”
“Helena!” Kenneth stared at me. “My parents are coming in a few days. Please, you need to help me.”
“Oh? Why should I?”
“For old-time sake?”
“Let me recall my memory.” I patted my chin with my pointer finger. “Ah, right! You betrayed me for another woman, Debbie. Is that the old-time you want me to remember?”
“You change a lot. You are no longer the sweet and nice Helena I used to know.”
“Well, I’m no longer stupid and naive, if that’s what you meant. So, I’ll go home now.” I glared at Kenneth. “Don’t disturb me anymore! I’ll call the police this time. I mean it!”
“Helena!”
I was about to scream since Kenneth’s timing was terrible. I only wanted to go home and take a bath with warm water. Maybe it could comfort me and help to ease my anxiety. Yet, Kenneth kept pestering me like a dog chasing a bone.
“I mean it! If you still don’t stay away from me, I’ll report you to the police station!”
“What a little bitch! You dare to threaten me now!” Kenneth grabbed my upper arm. “Maybe I have been too nice to you. I should do this from the beginning.”
I struggled to release myself from his tight grip. First, I kicked his knees, but then Kenneth grabbed my feet. He hit me until I fell to the ground, and then he tied my hand with his belt.
“What are you doing? Let me go!”
“I won’t let you go. Unless you want to cooperate with me.”
“I won’t! Let me go, you psycho!”
“Oh, if I’m a psycho, I won’t let you go.” Kenneth grimaced. His face was like a madman. “Maybe I should lock you first for two or three days so you will submit to me.”
“Never!”
“We’ll see about it!”
I kept struggling. I lowered my head and then bit his hands. Then I unleashed my hands from his belt and ran as fast as possible.
Kenneth was yelling, “Damn you, I! I’ll catch and strike you until you don’t know your name anymore.”
It was the first time Kenneth threatened me. So, I kept running. Unfortunately, my foot stepped on a pebble. I slipped and fell to the ground. When I got up, terrible pain in my feet stopped me.
“Oh, no!”
Yet, since Kenneth was closer, I bit my lower lip and forced myself to walk. It was only a few feet left that he would catch me. I dragged my feet only for stumbling on a sturdy body. I would fall if a pair of hands didn’t support my body. I was about to cry because of fright, pain, and fatigue.
“Are you okay?”
“Please help me!”When I stared at the stranger, he was a handsome young man with long black hair and eyes. Something was familiar with the man, but I couldn’t tell what it was.
The man asked me again, “Are you okay?”
I shook my head. “Help me! The man is chasing me. He hurt me.”
So, the man released his hold on my body and faced Kenneth. “A man must not hurt a woman, especially a beautiful woman like this. It is a crime!”
Kenneth spitted to the ground. “Move! The woman belongs to me!”
“Oh? Then why did she say you hurt her? If she truly belonged to you, I don’t think you need to hurt her.”
“Get lost! If you know what’s good for you! Otherwise, don’t blame me if I give you a lesson.”
The stranger grinned. “Please, give me a lesson. I want to see what you can do. But then, I will do the same, and don’t blame me for that.”
Kenneth hesitated for a few seconds, but then he grimaced. “Really? What lesson do you want to teach me?”
The stranger moved swiftly. In a second, he choked Kenneth and then smashed his body hard to the ground. Kenneth screamed since the stranger broke his bone. He tried to sit, but he yelped. Maybe he was wounded somewhere. So, he just lay there.
The stranger then approached Kenneth. He kicked Kenneth’s stomach so hard that Kenneth screamed again.
Kenneth’s hand was touching his tummy, then he coughed. “Y-you ….”
Before Kenneth could finish his word, the man crouched beside Kenneth and smothered Kenneth’s nose and mouth with his hand. Kenneth struggled to find air, but then he collapsed.
I was shocked to see how cruel the stranger was to Kenneth. Though he did it to defend me, he didn’t need to wound Kenneth severely like that. I suddenly remembered what Ethan did to Kenneth too. Yes, Ethan strangled Kenneth, but then he let him go. I missed Ethan more than ever now.