Feeling defeated.

Melissa stumbled out of Sarah's house, feeling the effects of the alcohol weighing heavily on her. She knew she was in no condition to drive, so she decided to walk to the nearest bus station instead. The cool night air hit her face as she made her way down the dimly lit streets.

As she walked, Melissa's mind was filled with a mix of emotions. She couldn't shake off the feeling of betrayal from Sarah's accusations. She had been honest with both Sarah and Richard, and yet she was being treated like a liar. Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision as she navigated the unfamiliar neighborhood.

Melissa fumbled with her phone, trying to call Richard for a ride home. But with each attempt, his phone went straight to voicemail. Panic started to rise within her. She needed to get home, to escape the suffocating weight of the evening.

As Melissa continued walking, she realized that she had lost track of time. The bus station she had been aiming for was now closed, leaving her stranded in the middle of the night. Desperation washed over her, and she felt a sense of vulnerability she hadn't experienced before.

She tried calling Richard again, hoping that he would answer this time. But once again, it went straight to voicemail. Melissa's heart sank, and she felt a sense of abandonment. She couldn't understand why Richard wasn't there for her when she needed him the most.

Feeling defeated, Melissa found a bench on the side of the road and sat down, tears streaming down her face. She felt alone and lost, unsure of what to do next. The weight of Sarah's accusations and Richard's absence bore down on her, suffocating her with a sense of despair.

As she sat there, Melissa's mind raced with thoughts of what had transpired that evening. She questioned her own actions, wondering if there was something she had missed or if she had unintentionally done something to cause this rift between her and Sarah. Doubt gnawed at her, making her question everything she thought she knew.

Melissa's heart raced as she noticed a figure trailing behind her. Fear gripped her, and she quickened her pace, hoping to lose the person behind her. But no matter how fast she walked, the footsteps behind her seemed to match her own.

She glanced over her shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of her pursuer, but the darkness shrouded their identity. Melissa's mind raced with possibilities. Was it a random stranger? Or was it someone connected to Sarah, someone who knew about the accusations and wanted to confront her?

As the anxiety built within her, Melissa knew she had to find a safe place. She spotted a brightly lit convenience store up ahead and made a beeline for it. The sound of her footsteps echoed through the empty streets, adding to her unease.

With a pounding heart, Melissa burst through the doors of the convenience store, gasping for breath. She quickly scanned the area, looking for a familiar face or a staff member who could help her. But the store was empty, save for the cashier behind the counter.

She approached the cashier, her voice trembling as she spoke. "Excuse me, I need help. Someone has been following me, and I'm scared."

The cashier looked at Melissa with concern and motioned for her to come closer. "Don't worry, miss. You're safe here. Is there anything I can do to help?"

Melissa nodded, tears streaming down her face. "Can I use your phone? I need to call someone for help."

Without hesitation, the cashier handed Melissa the store phone. She dialed Sarah's number, praying that she would answer this time. As the phone rang, Melissa's heart pounded in her chest.

But to her dismay, the call went straight to voicemail once again. Panic washed over her as she realized that she was on her own. She couldn't rely on Sarah or Richard anymore. She had to find a way to protect herself.

The cashier noticed Melissa's distress and offered a reassuring smile. "I'm sorry she didn't answer, miss. Is there anyone else you can call? Maybe the police?"

Melissa nodded, grateful for the suggestion. She dialed the emergency number and relayed her situation to the operator. They assured her that help was on the way and advised her to stay in the store until they arrived.

As Melissa waited, she couldn't shake the feeling of vulnerability and fear. She wondered who was following her and why. Was it Lucas?

As Melissa waited anxiously for the police to arrive, time seemed to stretch on endlessly. However, no one came to her rescue. The minutes turned into an hour, and Melissa's fear intensified. She couldn't understand why help hadn't arrived yet.

Just as panic was about to consume her, the cashier excused himself and disappeared into a back room, leaving Melissa alone in the convenience store. The sudden absence of the friendly face made her feel even more vulnerable.

As she stood there, her heart pounding in her chest, the door to the convenience store swung open, and a familiar figure walked in. It was Lucas, Sarah's ex-boyfriend. Melissa's fear skyrocketed as she realized that he was the one who had been following her.

Lucas's presence sent shivers down Melissa's spine. Trying to maintain her composure, Melissa backed away slowly, searching for an exit or a way to defend herself. But the store was small, and her options were limited. She had to think quickly.

Lucas approached Melissa with a sinister smile on his face. "Well, well, Melissa. It seems you've found yourself in quite the predicament, haven't you? Running away won't save you now."

Melissa's heart raced, and she could feel her palms growing sweaty. She had to stay calm and find a way to protect herself. She glanced around, trying to find anything that could be used as a weapon.

Just as panic threatened to consume her, Melissa's eyes landed on a shelf filled with cleaning supplies. Her gaze locked onto a can of aerosol spray. It wasn't much, but it was the best option she had.

With a surge of adrenaline, Melissa grabbed the aerosol spray and held it tightly in her hand. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her trembling hands.

Lucas took a step closer, his eyes filled with a mix of rage and obsession. "I am back and I'll make sure you regret ever crossing me."

Melissa's voice trembled, but determination filled her words. "You need to let go of this obsession, Lucas. It's not healthy."

Lucas laughed coldly, his voice filled with malice. "Oh, Melissa, you have no idea what I'm capable of. You think you can reason with me? It's too late for that."

As Lucas lunged towards her, Melissa instinctively raised the can of aerosol spray and pressed down on the nozzle, releasing a powerful stream of chemicals towards his face. The spray hit Lucas directly in the eyes, causing him to cry out in pain and stumble backward.

Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, Melissa turned and sprinted towards the exit. She could hear Lucas cursing and stumbling after her, but she was fueled by fear and adrenaline.