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I hated having to stay late at school. The library was eerily quiet, more so than it usually was. Half of the lights were shut off to conserve energy, I guess, but the school library was creepier than usual is what I’m saying.
I was up late, working on a project for my Political Science class. The school’s database was not very reliable in giving me the sources that I needed for my project so working in the library was the easier thing to do. The computer screen blasting blue light right into my eyes and the second can of Monster has been keeping me going as I toil through the mess of notes and references that I’d typed out. I leaned back into my chair and yawned while I gave my eyes a bit of a break. Finally getting a chance to look at the time, I realized that it was 11:37 at night. I panicked a bit and started saving my documents and packing my things, unplugging my flash drive from the computer, and quickly finding the library’s main exit.
The walk back to my apartment isn’t that far from campus, but it wasn’t very well lit. As soon as I was off of school property, The streets became more dimly lit, limited to only lights around the intersections since the city was too cheap to get more. By this time, just about every store and restaurant was closed so it was even darker than the natural night life we’d have after five. It wasn’t the first time I’ve walked back home by myself this late, but it wasn’t something I was still comfortable with. I had a canister of pepper spray on my keychain at all times, but I had never used it before, and the hope was that I would never have to use it. In truth, this evening, my hand was gripped firmly around my keys as I walked at a rather quick pace. I had made it about two blocks when it happened.
“Mgep ymg'!”
My adrenaline spiked as my body took over before my mind could catch up. I sprinted into the next alley and pressed against the closest wall out of the way of the streetlights. I saw the shadow of a person dash past the alley, but just as quickly, they returned back to the alley I was hiding in. They quickly found my hiding spot and rushed me before I could even think about running again. A cold steel barrel was pressed to my temple and the shadow spoke.
“If you try to scream or run again, I won’t hesitate, do you understand?”
I nodded my head, tears forming in the corner of my eyes. They removed the barrel from my forehead but still kept the gun trained at my head.
“Good, now drop everything.”
Moving slowly and methodically, I shrugged my backpack off and set it gently on the ground in front of me. I set my keys down beside it, giving up my only means of defense.
“Everything.”
The muzzle stared at me between my eyes as I reached into my pocket to produce my phone. My assailant reached out their hand where I exchanged my phone for my life. At this point, with how long the gun’s been pointed at my head, my eyes were streaming with tears. I could barely think straight and my head was spinning when the next command was given to me.
“Strip.”
“W-what?”
“I said…” click “strip.”
My mind was racing at this point.
Was this really happening? Am I going to get r-
“Wait, i’m l' bug ymg' hafh.”
Was that Aggie?
“Wait ahehyee y'nah longer. Y' ymg' ephaihafh.”
I had to wait just a little longer. I needed to buy time. I started by slowly taking my jacket off while I spoke. My voice cracked and stuttered under the pressure.
“W-what do yo-u w-want from m-me?”
“I don’t want to hurt you, but if you don’t give me what I want, I’ll blow your brains out.”
My jacket fell to the floor in a crumpled pile. Sweat started beading on my forehead while I silently prayed that Aggie came soon. I worked on removing my shirt next.
“P-please don’t d-do this.”
“It’s nothing personal, kid. If you just let it happen, it’ll be over soon.”
My shirt joined my jacket on the ground, leaving me with nothing but my bra up top. I shivered as a cool breeze blew through the alley. The gun remained at my face as the voice spoke again.
“Pants.”
I took a shaky breath as I started to undo the button on my jeans. Just then, I noticed on the wall on the other side of the alleyway, there was an eye. It had a bright white sclera and a red iris. Suddenly, everywhere where the light didn’t touch, more eyes appeared, all staring at myself and my assailant.
“What the f-“
Suddenly, the gun clatters to the ground, thankfully without going off. The former wielder, audibly confused, gives a muffled exclamation as they are suddenly bound by invisible chains and brought to their knees.
“Ymg' ah mgepnnn hai, ya dear. Bug hai, h' ephainafl ah'hri.”
Still panting and crying, I quickly snatched up my clothes, backpack, along with my phone that they had dropped. I threw my jacket on and sprinted back home. Behind me, I could hear screams coming from the alley.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“H-hello? I-I’d like to report a crime.”
I could barely hold myself together while on the phone with the police. I made it home safely, thanks to Aggie. My hands were trembling just trying to keep my phone up to my ear and my eyes were constantly blinding themselves from the tears flowing into my vision.
“I-I was w-walking home a-and…”
I gave them a description of the events that took place, replacing the fact that my extraterrestrial girlfriend came in from the shadows to apprehend the criminal; instead claiming that someone had seen what happened and managed to help me escape.
“Are you safe right now, ma’am?”
“… yes, I’m home now.”
“Okay, ma’am, we’ll go ahead and have a unit patrol the area and another will patrol the area around your home, will that be okay with you?”
“Sure, that’d be great.”
“Is there anything else I can help you with tonight?”
“No, that’s it. Thank you.”
“Of course, have a relaxing rest of your night, ma’am. I’m very sorry this happened to you.”
“Thanks, have a good night…”
Beep
“Y' ah sorry llll nafl hafh sooner, ya dear Alyx.”
(I am sorry for not helping sooner, my dear Alyx.)
“Aggie?”
My ears perk up and I scan around my room for the source of her voice. From the pitch black doorway of my bathroom, I could see a set of red eyes staring back at me. I felt my eyes welling up again.
“Y' failed ymg', ya darling. Y' ah l' sorry.”
(I failed you, my darling. I am so sorry.)
I stood up and walked to the bathroom and stared deep in her eyes. I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her as the tears fell once again.
“Aggie… you saved my life…”
I felt her arms wrap around me as we embraced for what felt like an eternity. The bathroom is filled with ugly sounds of sniffling and crying.
“Y' l' tharanak ymg', mg ngahnah ahor ever l' nog ymg' ever ephaii. Y' love ymg', Alyx.”
(I promise to you, no harm shall ever come to you ever again. I love you, Alyx.)
I finally calmed down and let go of the hug to take a step back. Wiping away the tears, I looked back up at her eyes with a smile, but I knew something was wrong.
“You’re not actually here, are you, Aggie?”
She was silent for a moment and I saw a hint of sadness in her eyes.
“Alas, fahf ye'bthnk ah merely extension ot ya mgleth self, uh'eor existing ph'nglui absence ot mgn'ghft.”
(Alas, this form is merely an extension of my true self, only existing in the absence of light.)
“And that’s why you couldn’t come sooner, huh?”
She nodded.
“Ya r'luh ah limited llll fahf ye'bthnk. Y' ahorna manifest bthnk geb, merely drop ot ya orr'eog.”
(My power is limited with this form. I cannot manifest a body here, merely a drop of my strength.)
“Why? How did you know someone was behind me?”
“Ahhai Y' marked ymg' Iiahe mine, Y' inlaid l' ymg' nnn'drn sigil. Mgng Y' mgepah unaware ot ahh much artificial n'ghft ymg' shuggog mgepah llll mgepahph'nglui. Ahh little Y' wgah'n had…”
(When I marked you as mine, I inlaid upon you a protection sigil. But I was unaware of how much artificial darkness your world was filled with. How little control I had…)
I could hear the strain in her voice
“So… the person with the gun…?”
“Lw'nafh'drn. Disarmed ng perhaps slightly injured, however, h' ah lw'nafh'drn ahna ahagl Y' h' mgepmgah'n'ghft. H' ah highly likely cahf ymg' authority figures h' ephaimgah'n'ghft ng h' mggoka mglagln.”
(Alive. Disarmed and perhaps slightly injured, however, she is alive and remains where I found her. It is highly likely that your authority figures will find her and take her away.)
“So it really was a woman…”
The entire time I was being held at gunpoint, my mind was racing a million miles an hour. I didn’t even have time to process what my assailant looked like. Thinking back on it now, I definitely heard it in her voice when she spoke. A shudder went down my spine.
“Well… I think I’m going to go to bed… it’s been a long night…”
Aggie nods from the shadows of my bathroom.
“Thanks again, Aggie. I really do owe you one. I love you.”
“Fret nafl, ya love. Y' ephaiah'ehye watchful nwnglui ph' ymg' hup hai llll.”
(Fret not, my love. I will keep a watchful eye over you from now on.)
I stepped forward and gave her a kiss where her lips would be and gave her another hug.
“Thanks Aggie. I’ll keep the lights off tonight.”
[End]