Did… Did Someone Hurt You?

Aurora Brooks POV

I wiped my tear quickly before it could slide down my full cheeks.

"Mr. Alexander was kind. We spoke calmly, and I explained everything that happened between my father and me that night."

But luck betrayed me. I could not hold my tears back. The memory of the panic attack he caused came rushing in, and I burst into tears right in front of her.

"He was such a gentleman. He did not say a single bad word about me, Ivy."

I noticed her eyes suddenly fix on my neck. Her gaze froze there. The mark of a hand. It had probably turned purple by now.

She gasped in horror.

"Oh my God… what happened to your neck?"

I quickly wrapped my hand around it so she would stop staring. But she stepped closer, pulled my hand away, and lifted my chin so she could see it clearly.

"Who did this to you? Did… did someone hurt you?"

Her eyes filled with painful tears as if she were about to break apart. Her voice trembled while she forced those words out.

My eyes widened in shock at her fearful guess. Who on earth could hurt me while I was still breathing?

"No. He did not. It is just a mosquito bite. Nothing more."

Her tears spilled harder, endless rivers, until her vision became as blurry as mine.

"That is not a mosquito bite, Aurora. Those are finger marks. Look at the shape of them."

Standing in front of the mirror felt like running away. I escaped her sad, pitying gaze. I escaped the reflection of myself in the bright center of her eyes.

"There is nothing to worry about, Ivy. I am fine."

She wiped her tears with anger.

"Tell me if someone really hurt you. I swear I will forget about his son and burn that entire port down over his head."

I caught her reflection in the mirror. I gathered my strength and spoke sharply.

"I told you, he did not do anything to me. And he never could. Maybe I just had some skin allergy."

She lowered her head quietly. Then she opened her arms, silently asking for a hug.

I ran straight into them.

We held each other tightly. A warm, sisterly embrace filled me with strength and generosity. A pure kind of love. A love untouched by dirty interests or the poison of hatred that ran between my parents.

---

Night again.

And as much as I adore the night, I hate it just as much.

Those who fear daylight love the night because it keeps them company. But those who fear the dark greet the morning exhausted. Eyes swollen. Dark circles beneath them. Voices worn out. Breaths heavy as if death waits just one step away. Bodies glued to the bed, refusing to rise.

Either you stand tall, or you do not exist at all.

The music started. My first dance of the night. My body swayed slowly with the rhythm.

Then suddenly the lights of the bar went out.

Darkness swallowed everything.

My body jerked with fear. My phobia of darkness chose this exact moment to wake up.

Luckily, I had memorized the path to the dressing room. I rushed toward it with wild breaths. The crowd of bastards began shouting angrily. Their frustration had nothing to do with the lights going out.

Nicole followed me, clearly scared. The way the power disappeared had been truly terrifying.

"Oh my God. What is happening in the bar tonight? We have never seen anything like this before."

I turned on my phone flashlight and searched for my dress so I could cover my naked body.

"I do not know, Nicole. Maybe something wrong with the lamps. Or the electricity system."

She muttered in confusion.

The thirsty dogs outside kept barking. God, how I hated those disgusting men. What made it worse was that most of them were rich.

I finally found my white shirt hanging on the closet door.

When I grabbed it, a piece of paper caught my attention. It was stuck to the glass door.

I pulled it off quickly and shined my phone light on it.

"Next time, you will not shake your sexy hips in front of stray dogs. This time I only cut the power. Next time, the head of every man who looked at you with lust will be waiting at your doorstep."

My cheeks burned bright red.

I crushed the note in my fist, almost chewing the words with rage.

I dressed quickly. Loose gray jeans. A tight white shirt. I pulled my hair up into a thick ponytail.

Nicole handed me my long bag, looking confused.

"Where are you going? The power might come back any minute. Your shift is not over."

I answered with blind confidence.

"The electricity will not come back. But I will go home."

I placed a light kiss on her small cheek so she would not argue again.