4

It felt as though time was slowing down with each second elongating like a drop of molasses in the freezing night air. With her assailants rusty blade drawing ever closer Eleanor felt her heart hammer in her chest a dull throb that echoed in her temples. She was unable to move or scream because she was so enthralled with the threat that she kept her gaze fixed on the jagged metal. The desperation in her mind to run fight or do something was met with resistance from her legs which were as heavy as lead. She was immobilized by a visceral unadulterated fear that led her back to her most basic instincts. In a self-defeating defensive reflex she briefly closed her eyes bracing herself for the worst—a searing pain a scream she wasnt sure she would be able to utter or maybe just darkness. Rather a quick almost unbelievable movement ripped through the tense air in the little square. A shadow darted out of the darkness with an unfathomable speed before the thief could lower his knife. Eleanor opened her eyes in time to see a shadowy figure blurry in the darkness move in front of her assailant. Before the stocky man could react he was violently flung backward his body meeting the brick wall of a nearby building with a dull thud that shook the atmosphere. The rusty knife slid out of his hand and hit the cobbles with a metallic clink that reverberated through the deafening nighttime silence. Eleanor felt her legs give way under her still shaking. Her fingers clung to the cold stone like an anchor in a storm as she leaned against the edge of the dried-up fountain behind her. She let out a raspy gasp of breath that she had been holding without realizing it and she blinked a few times as she tried to process what had just transpired. With one hand pressed to his temple where a reddish mark was already starting to form the man who had threatened her lay a few meters away groggy. However she wasnt drawn to him. That other figure was the one who had saved her the one who had suddenly shown up out of nowhere. Even with the darkness enveloping him like a cloak the stranger stood erect before her his back straight his presence commanding. A wide-brimmed hat partially covered his face exposing only an angular jaw and unusually pale skin. He was wearing a long black coat with tails that fluttered slightly in the wind. Although he had broad shoulders he had a graceful posture and restraint that stood in stark contrast to the violence he had just committed. Eleanor watched him with a mixture of instinctive mistrust and overwhelming relief. Whowasthisman?Andhowcouldhehavemovedsoquicklywithsuchsupernaturalstrength? Theattackerstillonthegroundemittedagruntofpainmixedwithanger. He scuffed his hands on the damp cobblestones as he attempted to get to his feet looking for his knife. However the stranger moved forward before he could make a menacing gesture his voice rising like a steel blade in the darkness. His voice was deep and cold full of authority that left no room for debate and he gave the command Leave here and never come back. . Each word seemed to have the weight of a sentence even though he hadnt raised his voice. Despite his size and obvious brutality the thief appeared to pause. Under the shadow of his hat Eleanor couldnt see her saviors eyes so she assumed he did but he met the mans gaze and something about the silent confrontation seemed to frighten him. He stumbled to his feet dropping his weapon on the floor and scampered silently down a nearby alley his heavy footsteps soon disappearing into the darkness. The winds whistling and the sound of dead leaves rolling across the cobblestones were the only sounds to break the heavy silence that descended upon the square. Eleanorfeltherheartslowslightlybuttheadrenalinecontinuedtopulsethroughherveinsgivinghertheimpressionthattheworldaroundhervibratedwithastrangeenergy. Still frozen in place she gazed at the stranger like a statue etched in the shadows. She wanted to say something to thank him to ask questions but her voice was dry and her words stumbled between gratitude and fear. She was finally able to mutter a barely audible Thank you her voice shaking as she revealed the emotion that was consuming her. The man slowly turned his head in her direction and for the first time a portion of his face was lit by the dim streetlamp light. This time Eleanor felt a chill go through her but it was one of fascination mixed with worry rather than fear. He had very attractive but almost unreal features and he looked young. His eyes were a deep gray almost silver like two frozen lakes reflecting an inner light and his skin was a pallor akin to marble devoid of any warmth or life. She felt exposed and vulnerable all of a sudden as though this man could see right into her soul. They seemed to pierce her to read things in her that she was not aware of. Are you hurt? he inquired his tone softer than when he had spoken to the thief but still possessing an odd reserve as though he were picking his words carefully. In contrast to the sense of danger he conveyed there was a hint of genuine concern in his tone which gave it a sense of gravity. Unable to take her eyes off of those captivating eyes Eleanor shook her head. No… I… Im fine thanks to you she answered her voice still trembling but more confident this time. As a nervous gesture to calm herself she straightened slightly and absently smoothed the wrinkles in her skirt. He not immediately responded but he did tilt his head slightly in a gesture that was almost polite. It appeared as though he was observing her or maybe thinking about something and Eleanor began to have new questions. She had witnessed men fight in marketplaces and by docks but never with such unrelenting accuracy and total control. Who was he? Why was he here in the middle of the night in such a desolate place? How had he been able to intervene with such speed and force? The way he moved was inhuman and it went against everything she understood about reality. She opened her mouth to say something but he stepped back as if to restore some distance between them before she could pose a question. She became even more uneasy at the subtle yet purposeful movement. You should go home he finally said his voice cold and almost impersonal. Was it mistrust? Or was he afraid of something? Nights in New York are unsafe for someone like you. His words carried a warning but they also carried a note of melancholy as though he were speaking from personal experience. Eleanor scowled as much drawn to his presence as to his tone. Without thinking she blurted out Andyou? before she could stop herself. Who are you? she needed to know if only to give a name to this person who had just completely upended her night and possibly her life. He did not however respond right away. His silver eyes gleamed in the darkness as he simply gazed at her for a moment longer before turning his head slightly seemingly to confirm that the thief had indeed vanished. His voice was low nearly a whisper when he finally began to speak. He said Someone passing by but there was a hint of evasion in his voice a hesitancy that only aroused Eleanors interest. Without another look he took another step back his black coat vanishing into the darkness as though he had never been there. Not because she was afraid of danger but because she was afraid that this man would vanish before she could figure out who he was Eleanor experienced a strange panic.