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“Durian!” Olive’s voice is sharp.
I shove my way through the last few bodies falling out, only Orzo’s hands catching me before I skin my knees.
All I see at first is Olive facing away from me. Her hair is lopsided and sweat soaks her back, but then I look past her, on the other side of the railing in the shadows.
Durian.
Durian has his arm wrapped around the girl from earlier. The one who had been puking, who could barely stand.
With her facing me, I recognize her.
She was the hostess I scared at the restaurant where I was meant to pick up the cinnamon.
But then I take her in.
Her shirt is ripped, her head hangs, her eyes are shut.
My face heats, and I am moving before I can think about what I am actually doing.
I jump over the rail, somehow managing not to rip my dress in the process.
And then I reach for the woman, forcing her away from Durian.
It’s clear I’ve shocked him because he doesn’t fight me.
“I’m here,” Olive says beside me, helping to carry the girl away from Durian.
“Cinnamon, come on, it’s not like that. I’m a nice guy. I found her over there.” He points behind the dumpster down the alley. “Covered in her own puke.”
Except I don’t believe him. His pants are unzipped. Claw marks are drawn on his neck.
He is covered in sweat. Out of breath.
And it is in that single instance, as I look at Durian, that I see him for who he truly is.
“You were never my friend,” I clip out.
Durian reaches for me, and I wince away.
But then two hands stop him.
John and Orzo.
“We have this handled,” Orzo advises. “Get her home. Then meet me at my place.” He tells me without faltering.
I incline my head, no longer wanting anything to do with Durian.
I am filled with regret for allowing him in my life for as long as I did.
“Come on, Cin,” Olive breaks through my stupor.
With Olive’s help, we walk down the alley towards the front of the building, practically dragging the girl between us.
“Should we call 911?” I ask Olive, unsure of what exactly to do. When I turn back to look for Orzo and John, they have disappeared.
Along with Durian.
“AH!” The girl between us jolts to life like a possessed creature.
