Annabelle had found herself so lost in her book that when she finally looked up, Grind was getting ready to close. She sighed, stuffing the novel in her messanger bag and stood, picking up her coffee and heading out into the cool night. Even though summer was right around the corner, the city still had a slight chill in the air. She had been told it was normal, but it made her uneasy. It seemed like an omen.
She took her time walking down State Street, looking up at all the buildings, really taking in the city. She had yet to take an official tour, and she had been living there for months. Still, looking up and seeing the Sears Tower amazed her. She had actually made it, and now, after everything, she was ready to get her life together. She was going to find a nice, normal girlfriend, and have a nice, normal career. Well, as normal as a modeling career could be.
She quickly made her way down to the steps to the Washington stop on the Red Line, ditching her now cold coffee in a black metal trash can. The second the smell of the EL hit her she wished she was still in Grind. Nothing knocked out the mystic of the big city like the smell of urine and cigarette smoke. It wasn't pleasant.
She opted to stand, waiting for the northbound train to take her home. A homeless man had taken over the bench, and even if he wasn't there, she knew better than to sit. That bench probably hadn't been washed in a month.
"Don't you know the city isn't safe at night." Layla slowly walked down the stairs towards her. "Even in the nice parts. A girl shouldn't walk around alone."
"What are you doing here?" She kept her voice calm, but began glancing around, seeing if there was anyone she could go to for help. Other than the homeless guy, they were alone.
"I just wanted to talk. I saw you come down here, so..." Layla smiled, walking towards her slowly, almost prowling.
"You just spent three dollars to come down here and talk to me? It couldn't wait till tomorrow?" Annabelle found herself inching away slowly. She didn't want Layla to notice
"You shouldn't have kicked me out Annabelle. You shouldn't have ended things with me." Layla stopped, her eyes narrowing in on Annabelle. "I could have done so much for you. I could have made you something amazing."
"I don't need a svengali." Annabelle began looking around. There had to be an officer, someone.
"We could have been great together." Layla grabbed Annabelle's arm, and began to squeeze. "You had to go and screw it up."
"Let go of me." She tried to pull away, but that grip was like steel.
"Never." Layla smiled at the sound of the train coming.
Annabelle was close to panicing. She didn't know what Layla was capable of, and she didn't want to find out.
"Ma'am, are you okay?" A deep male voice sounded from the other end of the platform.
Annabelle turned, and saw a cop standing there, glancing down at them. Layla quickly released her arm, and hurried out of the station, up the stairs, back onto the street.
Annabelle suddenly realized she had been holding her breath, and took in a big gulp of air. Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was ready to pop out of her chest.
"Ma'am?" The officer was closer now, only a few feet away.
"I'm fine." Annabelle smiled at him. "Just a mild misunderstanding. It's all good."
"Alright." The officer gave her one final glance, and it was obvious he was going to keep his eye on her. "If there's any trouble, don't be afraid to scream. I'm right down there."
"Thank you." She crossed her arms over her chest. A chill ran down her spine.
She didn't want to think about what would have happened if that officer hadn't been there, but she couldn't shake the feeling that he had just saved her life.
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