5

He then got up, chuckling without any explanation before walking around me to leave. I heard his minions following him as my tears slid from my cheeks to the floor. I had trouble breathing: I was scared, I was in pain, I was ashamed. Once again, he had knocked me down; once again, he had won. Worse, he made a promise to come back soon to do God knows what... This time, I was sure he wouldn't be satisfied with a simple "rent."

Time passed slowly, yet I still had difficulty calming down. Exhausted, I leaned against the wall with one hand to get up when fingers grabbed my t-shirt before lifting me off the ground. Turning my head toward this new aggressor, I realized he was one of my stepfather’s men—I had thought they were all gone. Before I could make a move, he pressed me against the wall, his vicious face blocking my field of vision.

My guts knotted as I tried to push him away.

"You're damn good, little whore!" he spat at me, his breath smelling like a jackal’s. "We'll play together, you and me... I don't want to lower the price of the goods, so I'll only take care of your mouth! Not a word to Carlos."

By instinct, knowing what to expect, I headbutted him in the nose. He stepped back while I turned to flee. Recovering faster than expected, he tripped me before I even had time to take a step, sending me crashing to the ground. With a triumphant look at my panicked face, he pulled a knife from his back as I turned to crawl away. He was convinced he had won, salivating in advance. I heard his ragged breathing behind me as I struggled to get up, screaming with all my might, knowing that no one would come to my rescue.

When everything seemed hopeless, I suddenly saw my wolf hunker down at the other end of the corridor, then leap over me before hitting the man in the waist. The man screamed in as much terror as pain as my protector's teeth sank into his flesh. The wolf shook him like a rag doll, then threw him straight down the stairs like common trash.

He was ready to go down after him when I grabbed him by the neck to hold him back.

"Easy, my wolf!" I whispered in his ear, hoping to calm him down.

Hesitantly, I leaned forward to see the state of the other rotter. I saw him sprawled on the landing, his clothes torn and blood pouring from his chest, but he was still breathing. I decided the punishment had been enough for today, so I tightened my grip on my canine friend while stroking him under the chin. I scratched him as best I could to get his attention and keep him from skinning my attacker.

In truth, my stepfather's henchman could die there and it would be much better for the rest of humanity, but I worried the police would hunt us down if he perished. If the wolf shredded him, they would know a large wild animal had been there. They would hunt us mercilessly to kill him.

"Soft!" I told him with all the calm I could muster. "Everything is fine! We mustn't stay here... Hurry up!"

I pulled on his fur to force him to follow as he growled with all his might. I had to take him away before Carlos came back and saw what my furry friend had done to his underling. I ran quickly back to my apartment, grabbing my emergency backpack from the closet—always ready just in case—disregarding my other possessions as I felt the dog's muzzle sniff me in concern.

Not knowing how far he might follow me, I took a piece of meat from the fridge and held it out so he would stay by my side. He didn't take long to lick his chops, ears perked. Moments later, I was trotting down the hall while he walked beside me, licking the blood dripping from the half-frozen steak.

The first thing to do was find a safe place to spend the night. My brain was running a hundred miles an hour as I raced to reach the street. I went through the fire escape so as not to cross paths with my attacker. Once outside, I picked up speed while my wolf followed without difficulty. He had finished the meat long ago, but he moved naturally, sticking to me as if I had been his owner for years. Reassured to have him near, I ran as long as my lungs allowed through the streets of New York, leaving the heart of the human district—my stepfather’s stronghold. I finally collapsed on the ground in an alley where no one could see me.

I waited, on high alert, convinced that Carlos's men would soon come to make me pay. However, I calmed down after long minutes of seeing nothing. My wolf, who stood guard while I caught my breath, wrapped himself around me in a gesture of comfort. His warmth made me feel good. I buried my head in his fur, enjoying the feeling of invulnerability he gave me. Tears ran down my cheeks that I couldn't hold back anymore. Here, out of sight, pressed against him, I was safe. I could let myself go, something I hadn't done in years.

This was not the first time my stepfather or his men had attacked me; I had often ended up in the hospital... or at least, in the best-case scenario where I could still drag myself there. Yet today, I realized I could no longer bear this life. This had to end before he killed me. As I calmed down, closing my eyes and cradled by my wolf's breathing, I promised myself this would be the last time I would have to endure this.

I'm not sure when I slipped into sleep, but the sun was beating down on my face when I woke up a few hours later. I hadn't gotten cold because my big canine had kept me warm all night. He hadn't moved an inch, lying over me. I scratched his ears as he lifted his head, squinting and growling in pleasure. When I stopped, he continued to rub against me, hoping I would resume. Knowing I couldn't stay there indefinitely, I struggled to free myself from him.

Once I was up, he decided to stretch, yawning like a crocodile. With a smile, I observed his dull fur, which was falling out in clumps. I’d have to brush him soon to get rid of that, because right now he looked like a mangy dog. However, despite everything, he seemed to be in very good shape. I could see muscles protruding on his body again, as if he were regaining strength at high speed.