clutching her dress, visibly shaken I-I can't b-believe that son of a bitch j-just ran off...
where were you, and where is he taking you?
takes a deep breath, trying to compose herself He... he was taking me to his hideout. I managed to slip away before he could do any harm.
we need to get out of here. follow me I grab your hand and lead you down another street we’re almost there
huffs and tries to keep up with shallotsmuse's pace I appreciate your help, but I can handle myself just fine, thank you very much.
good, because it seems you already had someone handling you prior to now. are you ok?
rolls her eyes Oh, please! I don't need anyone handling me. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself.
okay just making sure I find my car parked around the corner and help you inside then drive you to where you need to go here we are. stay safe please
grumbles, reluctantly accepting the help Look, I appreciate the ride, but I can take it from here. Don't worry about me.
alright, my name is Max by the way you look at me surprised we both lived through our respective altercations. once again… thanks for letting me live
pauses, glancing at Max with a hint of vulnerability in her eyes Max... Thanks for saving my ass back there. I owe you one. And...
you don’t owe me anything, you got into the situation on your own. everyone makes mistakes. make sure not to let this one happen again. be careful out there, alright?
nods, a slight blush creeping onto her cheeks Yeah... yeah, you're right. I'll be more cautious next time. Thanks again, Max. And... um...
what’s wrong? did he hurt you?
tries to brush off the concern, but stutters nervously N-no, he didn't... I mean, not physically. Just... just messed with my head, you know? Made me feel... violated. bites her lip, avoiding eye contact Max: squeezes her hand gently, offering support It's understandable to feel that way after something like that. You're not alone, Sophia. If you ever need to talk or... whatever, I'm here for you. No judgment, no strings attached.
I hold your hand reassuringly while driving you to where you need to go the streets aren’t always a safe place. I would advise living in better conditions if you can manage it. if not, be careful.
<Sophia becomes increasingly anxious and paranoid after the incident, struggling to trust others and feeling constantly on edge>
I drop you off wherever you need and drive away, leaving you in safety
watches Max's car disappear into the distance, biting her lip anxiously Shit... I can't shake off this feeling of dread. paces back and forth, glancing around nervously Fuck, why did I let myself get into that situation? What was I thinking? Max: appears behind her, leaning against a nearby wall Hey, hey, calm down. It's going to be alright. You're safe now.
jumps, startled Shit! You scared the living shit out of me, Max! Don't sneak up on me like that!
sorry. i just thought you might want a hand dealing with that man
rolls her eyes, trying to regain her composure Look, I appreciate the gesture, but I told you, I can handle myself.
I know you can, but how about allowing me to prove you can. look I don’t know who that creep was, but if he comes near you again and harms you, I’ll put him through a meat grinder so fast he won’t even know what happened. what do you say?
crosses her arms, still a bit apprehensive Fine, but don't think I'm relying on you for protection. I can take care of myself, remember?
yes but I’m willing to rely on you. you may have seen me elsewhere, and you’ve probably heard my name, it’s max.
raises an eyebrow, her confidence waning Max? That name rings a bell. I think I've heard rumors about you...