Cuddled shadows

Abigail lay on the bed, her body wracked with sobs, her tears soaking the pillow. She had never felt such pain and betrayal before even when she expected worse torture.  After a long hour of crying,Abigail's tears had finally subsided, her body exhausted from the emotional turmoil. She lay on the bed, her eyes heavy, her mind numb. The silence of the room was oppressive, punctuated only by the occasional tick of the clock.

Just as she was drifting off to sleep, a knock on the door broke the silence, and she rushed to open it, hoping that it was Sebastian,who had come to apologize and make amends.

But as she flung open the door, her hope was replaced with terror. A figure dressed in black, its face hidden behind a mask, loomed in the doorway. Abigail's instincts screamed danger, and she tried to slam the door shut, but the figure was too quick.It pushed its way inside, and Abigail cowered, her back against the wall. The attacker held a knife and smelt of alcohol, maybe Whisky or something different. She had little knowledge of alcoholic drinks.

Just as the figure reached out to grab her, a voice boomed from the hallway, "Hey! Let her go!" Sebastian charged into the room, his eyes blazing with fury. The figure spun around, and Sebastian tackled it to the ground. The two men wrestled, punches flying, until the attacker finally broke free and fled out the door.

Abigail collapsed onto the bed, her heart racing, her mind reeling. Sebastian rushed to her side, pulling her into a tight embrace. "Oh, Abigail, I'm so sorry. I wasn't supposed to leave you alone."

Abigail clung to him, her tears flowing anew, but this time, they were tears of fear and gratitude. She had never been so scared in her life, and she had never been so glad to see Sebastian's face.

As they held each other, the door still open, the city lights twinkling outside, 

"Who was that?" Abigail asked, her voice shaking.

Sebastian's expression turned grim. "I don't know, but I'll find out. You're safe now, Abigail. I promise."

Abigail nodded, Sebastian had questions. Who was the attacker? What did they want? He knew she had to get to the bottom of this mystery, before it was too late.

"I'm so scared…Sebastian." She tightens her grip on him.

Abigail's arms wrapped tightly around Sebastian, refusing to let him go. She was shaken to her core, and the warmth of his embrace was the only thing that could calm her racing heart. Sebastian didn't try to pry her loose, instead holding her close as she buried her face in his chest.

As she finally began to relax, her eyelids drooping, Sebastian gently guided her to the bed. He sat beside her, stroking her hair, and whispering soft reassurances until she fell into a fitful sleep.

Sebastian's eyes never left her face, his gaze watchful and protective. He knew she was safe now, but the attack had shaken him too. Who was behind it? And why target Abigail?

He pulled out his phone and dialed a number, his eyes still on Abigail's peaceful face. "Bruce, it's Sebastian. I need your help. Someone just attacked Abigail in our hotel room. I need to know who and why."

Bruce's voice was firm and reassuring on the other end. "I'll get to work on it, Sebastian. In the meantime, keep her safe. I'll call you as soon as I have something."

Sebastian nodded, even though Bruce couldn't see him. "Thanks, Bruce. I owe you one."

He hung up and continued his vigil, watching over Abigail as she slept, his mind racing with questions and fears. But he wouldn't leave her side until he knew she was safe, and he would do whatever it took to protect her. He was glad he had trusted his instincts when he thought of Abigail sleeping without dinner, he didn't know why he felt a sense of empathy towards the fragile girl. She wore medicated glasses, something he hated . He didn't like her one bit and never thought he would see her again after their first encounter.

Sebastian's phone rang, breaking the silence of the hotel room. He answered, his voice low and tense. "Bruce, what did you find out?"

"Sophia was behind the attack, Sebastian," Bruce said, his voice firm. "She's been playing a dangerous game, and Abigail got caught in the crossfire."

Sebastian's anger ignited, his fists clenched. "I'll deal with Sophia," he growled, his mind racing with ways to make her pay.

But as he turned to leave, his eyes fell on a small, leather-bound book lying open on the bedside table. Abigail's diary. He hesitated, then sat back down, his curiosity getting the better of him.

The first page was her bucket list. Sebastian's eyes scanned the entries, his heart softening as he read. "See the sunrise over the ocean... Learn to play the guitar... Fall in love..."

And then, the first entry caught his attention. "Get kissed under the rain."

Sebastian's gaze lingered on the words, 

He looked at the fragile figure on the bed, her face wet with her own tears, she looked innocent and naive. He looked at the diary again, taking a picture of it and returning it back to its place.

He would deal with Sophia later but now he had to protect Abigail, she was now his responsibility. He got up and quietly undressed, not wanting to wake up Abigail. With the way she snored, he knew she wasn't going to wake up unless it was a bang but he just had to be extra careful.

Before going to the bathroom, he noticed something was usual. He looked at her again and found her glasses were missing. He looked around the room and found it near the door, it must have fallen when the attacker came in. He looked at the broken glasses, not sure it would be of use again.