Chapter Nine
“Melanie, I’ve had enough. Can we please go now?”
“Sorry, Honey, for leaving you alone so much. Jess and I were having fun dancing, and I forgot the time.”
“It’s almost two in the morning. And I’ve drank myself sober. Look, if you want to hang out longer, I’ll grab a cab. But I’m done.”
“Would you really be mad at me if I stayed? Now that the band is switching, Jess says he’ll buy me a snack and we’ll finally be able to talk.”
“Yeah. No, stay. He seems really cool, Mel. I like him. Just call me tomorrow.”
Honey slung her purse over her neck and got it caught in her hair, making it come loose from the combs. Shoving the curls behind her back, she pushed the rest of the money still in front of her towards Mel. “Have a coffee on me. Bye now.”
She stepped down from the bar stool and ignoring the partiers, she headed toward the door. Since Broadway never slept, she was surrounded with street walkers of all ages and honky-tonk sounds coming from every direction. Glowing neon signs lit her way, featuring eateries and restaurants advertising all kinds of food as well as the taverns that never stopped. Many vacationers were feeling no pain while others in groups were entertained by the atmosphere of fun.
She stepped back to safety when a pedaling party-bike filled with revelers all singing and waving drinks to the streetwalkers passed by and it made her laugh. She’d experienced that kind of entertainment many times when her friends were having celebrations for getting married or even birthdays.
Watching and enjoying the merriment, she made her way to a darker side of the street and turned the corner where she knew she’d likely find taxis. Not paying attention, she didn’t see the man in the dim-lit corner. Not until he’d accosted her from behind. She smelled the boozy stink and skanky body odor before she heard the growl.
When he grabbed at her, she was ready. Using a move she’d been trained for in moments like this, she pulled back and then aimed the web of her hand to his throat. Not exercising too much power, she left him bent over and clutching himself.
When she turned to run, another street punk came from behind him. Grasping what happened to his accomplice, he took his place and grabbed for her purse. Problem was, it wouldn’t break free, so she was pulled along with it. Not willing to give it up, she held strong, pushing this assaulter so hard, he fell into the garbage cans, clattering into them as they rolled everywhere. The noise only added an unbelievable aspect to the nightmare, which made her cry out as loud as she could.
Screaming now, she fought yet another attacker hard, trying to get away. Intending to run from the darkened area toward the lights of the street, she hit out. Her fists pounded his body without care where they landed. As if powered by a magical force, they kept striking. Just when she thought she’d get loose, his hand grabbed her hair and stopped her escape.