T W O

A shock of platinum blonde hair weaved through the rowdy crowd. Zoe watched it zigzag before Sienna Beckett, one of her closest friends at SubTerra, arrived in front of her, slightly out of breath.

“Oh my God, Elford just came in and told Simon what happened! Are you okay?”

Swallowing the hard lump in her throat, Zoe felt the reality sink in once more. The tiny hairs on the back of her neck prickled, the feeling of clumsy, rough fingers yanking at her zip lingering, while her biceps burned from the skin stretched by grubby hands. She knew that she'd have never been able to get herself out of that situation... without him. Gently rubbing her arms, in a futile attempt to erase the memory, she felt Sienna wrap around her, a comforting hug as she sighed. "Oh, honey." Sienna broke away, her hand reaching down to find Zoe's. "Come on. Si wants to see you."

Leading her through the crowd, svelte elbows outstretching every so often to create more space, Sienna ushered her into Simon's office, where she remained beside her, hand firmly holding hers. Simon looked up, taking off his glasses and rubbing the bridge of this nose pinchedly.

"Zoe," he murmured, clearing his throat, almost like a father testing the waters with an emotional teenage daughter. "I'm so sorry for what's happened tonight. Tony and Blake have been banned from the premises permanently, and I've picked up some extra security for the parking lot, so the front door is never unattended." His thick, sausage-like fingers ruffled through the minimal hair on his liver-spotted scalp. "Is there anything else I can do?"

Shaking her head, Zoe was quick to brush away the stray tears that had fallen onto her cheeks. "I'm just glad it wasn't any worse. Jon really did stop the situation before it escalated." She let out a shaky breath. "It's scary to think about what could've happened had he not been there."

“Jon Moretti?” Sienna squeaked, the pitch of her already-high voice raised by an octave.

Curiously glancing over, Zoe's brows furrowed, however she didn't get a chance to answer as Simon spoke. "I can imagine. I think a few days away from this place will be good for you. Paid, of course. I'll have someone escort you out to your car, okay? Go and grab your stuff and give me a minute to organize someone."

Although grateful to be gaining some distance from SubTerra, Zoe highly doubted being home alone would make her feel any better. She didn't want to argue that point though. Simon was being so kind, and she could already sense the looming dread he was feeling over the ear-bashing he'd recieve from Frank later on tonight. Throwing her bag over her shoulder, she waited only a minute before Elford entered the room, stern features softening as he took in her downcast gaze. 

“Elford will walk you to your car, Zoe. Give me a call in a few days when you’re ready to come back.”

“Thanks Simon. I appreciate it.”

Nodding wearily, Simon creaked back into his worn office chair, replacing his glasses on his drained face. Elford placed a hand gingerly on Zoe's back, a mixture of guidance and comfort. Before they exited the small office, Sienna swept forward, squeezing her friend tightly. "Maybe tomorrow, Anja and I can come over for a girl's night? Keep you company? I'll bring the wine."

"Sounds good," Zoe smiled, eyes darting up at Elford, who was coaxing her towards the door. "I'll text you."

The heavy doors creaked metallically once more, the sound making Zoe flinch involuntarily. The warmth of Elford's hand against her jacket eased her frayed nerves, and she focused hard on her breathing as they walked silently to her car. With her keys already firmly secured in her palm, she unlocked the car quickly and scooted inside.

"Thanks Elford."

He gave a nod of reassurance, tapping the handle of her car door to remind her to lock it. Only once he heard the mechanical whir of the lock, did he raise a hand in a half-wave and begin the walk back to the front doors. Taking a minute, Zoe's head lolled against the seat, her brain scrambling to try and make sense of exactly what had happened tonight. She lost track of how long she sat there, trying desperately to convince herself to start the car, but her mind trickled to the thought of being isolated in her apartment. At least here, she knew Elford was only mere feet away. 

The light rap on her window caused her to jump, her heart now hammering once more with a renewed force. Without thinking, her hand shot out, ensuring the door was locked before allowing her gaze to travel up to the shadowy face peering into her window. She recognized it, even in the grainy dark.

Jon.

Turning the engine over, she allowed the window to open just a crack, feathered brows cinching together in hesitation. "Are you okay?"

The breathtaking smile was back. Now that he was cleaned up, handsome features no longer obscured by blood, Zoe could appreciate his plump lips and white teeth, the smile lines that punctured the creases of his cheeks. His voice was muffled through the narrow gap of the open window. "I was just coming to ask you the same question."

"A bit shaken up, but otherwise, I'm okay. Thank you again." Pausing momentarily, she let out a small laugh, although no amusement filtered through. "Thank you doesn't sound like enough after what almost happened."

He smiled, dark eyes twinkling lightly in the reflection of the glass. "It was the least I could do." A delicate silence lingered, thick fingers tapping against the roof of her car. As his tongue rolled across his bottom lip, he cleared his throat. "You didn't get to go to Roz's. You must be hungry."

“How did you know I was planning on going to Roz's?"

"You were walking that way, and I just assumed, I guess. I mean there isn't anywhere else open that way other than nightclubs. Unless you were using your lunch break to get your dance on? I mean, I don't know you," he chuckled. As his laugh petered off, he scratched the back of his head, gaze dropping for a brief moment. "Do you want to go and get some food?"

The furrow in her brow deepened. "Sorry?"

"With me. We can go and grab some food at the diner. Take it as my apology for scaring you back there."

"I am starving." The words spilled from her mouth before she had a chance to collect her thoughts, to analyze the risk of the situation, and her body was already reacting, her hands moving on their own accord to turn off the engine and unlock the door. It was only as the chilly night air whipped against her bare legs, her eyes taking in the concerned look plastered across Elford's face from his post at the front door, did she really realize how precarious this situation was. Her mind fumbled to reconcile the uneasiness she knew she should be feeling with the innate sense of calm that had overtaken her. There was something deep within her gut that trusted Jon, as ridiculous and brainless as that seemed. It was a feeling she couldn't process, let alone explain. The magnetic energy had returned and she was unable to tear her gaze off of him as they began the short walk down to the diner.