A Man Without Fear

"Are you okay?"

Emanuele continued to stare at Joshua's face; his breathing panting and difficult. 

"Are you okay?!" He repeated once more, paying attention to the details: the blouse almost open, the trickle of blood dripping down, the jacket thrown (and wet) a few inches away.

The woman tried to speak, but could not. Instead, a murmur came from her lips, mixed with what sounded like a wail or cry.

Joshua immediately tore a piece of his own shirt from beneath his jacket, pressing it to his neck.

"They're not coming back," Joshua said. His eyes were shining with an unknown emotion. "Not punched like that. That's if they survive." The man took a breath and continued, "I'm taking you to the hospital."

The redhead finally managed to say something.

"No... Sleep. Hotel."

"You're not sleeping in a hotel, Emanuele."

The girl lets out an agonizing noise of protest and pain, and Joshua puts his big, warm hand on her shoulder.

"I am Alexandra's brother. I... I went after you when you left. Then I saw those bastards dragging you here. I'm sorry, I... I should have been quicker."

"You saved me," Emanuele says quickly, as if she is finally absorbing what had just happened. Her eyes are glazed over.

"Too late. Look what they did to you," Joshua points with his chin to her neck.

"I could be worse off... I could be-"

"No, don't say that. Please."

For a few moments, all they do is stand there, standing in the rain, looking at each other. Emanuele sees every detail in his face: the fine lines of expression, the square jaw, the dark eyes that seem to enter his soul. His whole body looks like a real killing machine. But apparently he was a good person. A very good person.

He should really be Alexandra's brother.

A total stranger would not save her just like that... or would he?

"Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital? Or to the police station?"

"I... I just want to go home," Emanuele almost cries as she speaks.

Quickly, Joshua picks up his wet coat and the suitcase lying on the floor. He then stares at her before asking:

"Can you walk?"

Emanuele didn't know. So she remained silent for a few seconds before answering.

Before she could verbalize anything, however, Joshua put the coat on one shoulder, brought the girl onto his lap, and somehow managed to reach the handle of the suitcase.

Leaning against the man's huge, warm chest, the girl felt her cheeks heat up with embarrassment, but she couldn't protest.

Slowly, Joshua began to walk out of the alley, taking the path back to the apartment.

Fortunately, both the lobby and the first floor were blessedly empty. This spared Emanuele from going through another awkward situation, probably because they would find the scene strange: a strong man carrying her around as if she were a baby. Inside the elevator, Joshua made no mention of letting her go. In fact, he didn't even look at her, only at her severed neck. The blood was already clotted.

When they reached number forty-four and finally entered, Joshua slowly let her go. Emanuele's legs were firmer, and she still held the piece of cloth at her throat. 

The man arranged the suitcase in a corner of the living room, and the girl could barely pay attention to the details and the decoration. The wet coat went straight into the dryer. Joshua returned and guided her to the sofa. She didn't say a word or try to resist.

Already settled on the piece of furniture, Alexandra's brother silently asked for the fabric of the shirt.

"Let's throw it away. Your bleeding has already stopped."

Hesitating, the redhead obeyed. Despite the stain now brown instead of red, the piece of cloth was heavy and sticky. 

"Let's go to the bathroom and wash this off," Joshua said.

The bathroom was a relatively large room, being an apartment. The mirror attached to the wall showed the girl's reflection, which was seriously downcast: her face was pale, dark circles under her eyes, real terror instilled in her face. A small line marked her throat; but it was not a serious injury. If properly cared for, it would leave no scar.

Joshua opened the faucet whose water smoked so hot, and unceremoniously, but meticulously, began to rinse the excess blood that had dried from Emanuele's neck. The girl gasped in pain.

"Sorry."

After washing the cut, Joshua opens the doors of the small bathroom cabinet.

"My sister is very concerned about her health, but hates going to the doctor. So she had the bright idea to have a pharmacy inside the house."

He speaks jokingly, but his tone is serious. 

"Here," he says. "Let me make a bandage."

With gauze, cotton and adhesive tape in hand, Joshua quickly tends to Emanuele's wound. The girl is lost in thought, and can't stop looking at him. 

The man notices her gaze and stops what he is doing.

They both stare at each other for endless seconds.

Emanuele feels the standard heat of the blush that follows to her cheeks, then finally breaks eye contact by looking down.

"You need to get out of those clothes."

The girl looks so quickly at Joshua that he is startled by the movement, then raises both hands up in a self explanatory gesture.

"Your clothes are wet. You're going to catch a cold."

Emanuele opens her mouth to reply, but shame prevents her.

He moves closer to her. The atmosphere is charged with magnetism. She can even feel the sparks. Then Joshua tilts his head, asking softly:

"Are you all right?"

"... I will be."

" Yes. Yes, you will."

He takes two steps toward the door, but Emanuele speaks up:

"Wait."

Joshua turns to the girl.

The redhead does her best to crack a smile, which comes out shaky and wavering.

"Thank you."

"No need to thank me." He turns his back again, however he is interrupted once more.

"You weren't afraid?"

Joshua seems to be impacted by the question, remaining silent for a few seconds before answering it. His expression now is distant, perhaps a little restrained.

"No."

"But-"

"A man afraid is a dead man. And I'm very much alive. Aren't I?"

Emanuele frowns.

"And you're very much alive, too. If I felt fear, there would be two bodies in that alley right now."

"But-"

Joshua's eyes widen and he practically pushes Emanuele against the wall. He looks quite annoyed.

He stares at her from above, nostrils flared. What a bipolar guy! 

The girl just closes her eyes, waiting for the outburst that might or might not end in physical aggression.