The air was cool and smelled faintly like rain and exhaust — that familiar city mix. You stood at the bus stop with your friends, half-listening to Oliver and Josy argue about what movie to watch tonight. Monika was a few meters away, animatedly talking to someone she’d just run into.

You leaned against the metal post of the bus sign, hands in your jacket pockets. Hannah scrolled through her phone beside you, earbuds hanging loose around her neck. Cedric was there too — slouched against the wall, cigarette between his fingers, eyes narrowed against the sun. He didn’t say much, but he never really did unless provoked.

Monika was still chatting. You glanced at the time. The bus wouldn’t be here for another ten minutes anyway.

You sighed. “I’m gonna run to the store real quick — need to grab lipstick and stuff before we go.”

Oliver gave a thumbs-up. “Grab me gum if you see some, yeah?”

“Sure.”

You started walking. The corner shop was only a few houses down — bright signs, the smell of bakery bread from next door. You counted maybe ten steps before something unexpected happened.

A hand wrapped around your arm.

You froze, startled, turning to see a man — maybe late twenties, maybe older — standing way too close. His grip was firm, unpleasantly tight. His eyes raked over your face with something that made your stomach twist.

“Come with me,” he said, voice low and slurred with confidence.

“What?” you asked, jerking slightly to pull your arm free. “Let go of me.”

He smiled — that kind of smile that wasn’t a smile at all. “Don’t play hard to get. You want it too, yeah?”

Your heart started to hammer in your chest. You tried to step back, but his fingers dug in harder. “I said no— let go!”

Before panic could fully set in, a voice cut through the tension.

“Hey!”

An elderly man across the street had stopped mid-walk, glaring at the stranger. “Let her go!”

For a second, the man holding you faltered — annoyance flashing across his face before he scoffed and released you. You stumbled back a step, breath shaking. The old man watched until you turned and hurried away, mumbling a shaky “thank you” as you passed.

By the time you reached the bus stop again, your pulse was still racing. You tried to steady your breathing, but your hands were trembling.

Cedric noticed first. He flicked his cigarette to the ground and squinted at you. “Why’re you back already?” His tone was casual, but his brow creased as he took in your face.