It wasn’t just a scream.It was raw.Instinctive.Like her body had been waiting to do it for days.
I was there instantly.
I didn’t think.I moved.
I grabbed the man’s wrist and shoved him back hard enough that he stumbled into a shelf.“Get your fucking hands off her,” I growled.
The man’s eyes went wide.“Whoa, hey, man, I was just… she was falling.”
Clove was shaking.Breathing fast, like she couldn’t get air.
I turned to her and pulled her into my arms, wrapping her tight, with one hand cradling the back of her head.
“Hey,” I murmured into her hair.“You’re okay.You’re okay.It’s me.It’s Ender.”
Her fingers clawed into my shirt, gripping like she was afraid I’d disappear.“I—I—” she tried to speak, but it came out broken.
The man held his hands up.“I wasn’t trying to, I swear.I just—”
“Shut up,” I snapped without looking at him.
A voice cut through the tension.“What on earth is going on?”
A woman came hurrying toward us from behind the counter.She was calm, but her eyes were sharp.Late twenties, maybe close to thirty.Dark hair pulled back, soft features that looked like they’d learned empathy the hard way.
She took one look at Clove shaking in my arms and her expression changed immediately.“Sweetheart,” she said gently, “are you okay?”
I started to say the guy put his hands on Clove, but Clove interrupted me.
Clove’s voice was small.Thin.“He—he was just trying to help.I just… I just freaked out because…” Her words collapsed.
“She was attacked,” I said, forcing my voice to stay even.“Someone grabbed her before.She got taken.It… it triggered something.”
The woman’s gaze softened in a way that made my chest ache.“Oh, honey,” she whispered.She turned her head slightly and looked at the man.“Eli,” she said, gentle but firm, “go give her space.”
Eli’s face crumpled with guilt.“I didn’t mean to—”
“I know,” she said.“But right now, she needs space.”
He nodded quickly and backed away, looking genuinely shaken.
The woman turned back to Clove, her voice calm.“My name is Rose,” she said.“You’re safe.Okay?You’re in my shop.That man is a good guy.He would never hurt you.”
Clove nodded weakly, still pressed against me.
Rose continued softly, “I know that look.I know that feeling.”She tapped her chest lightly.“I’ve been there.Sometimes your body remembers before your brain can catch up.”
Clove’s breathing hitched.“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“Don’t apologize,” Rose said instantly.“Not for surviving.”
That sentence hit me hard.
Rose looked between us, understanding flickering in her eyes.“I’m guessing your shopping trip is over for the day,” she said with a sad little smile.
Clove let out a shaky laugh that sounded more like a sob.
Rose reached into the pocket of her apron and pulled out a card, holding it out.“Here,” she said.“This is my card.If you ever want to come back, another day when you’re feeling better, you’re welcome.No pressure.Just… know you’re welcome.”