‘Okay, if you’re sure. Just be careful out there. Not a nice hood to be in at night.’ Ryan gave her a wave and headed to the back door towards the small car park behind the gym.
‘Yep, I’m sure.’ Jaz flicked off the lights as Ryan left and locked the door he went out. She didn’t need light, she knew her way around this gym blindfolded. There was something calming about being in the gym after hours, the darkness, the linger of sweat, even though no bodies were inside, no sounds except for her breathing. She flipped the closed sign on the door and locked it before pocketing the keys. Outside was dark, considering it was only seven o’clock and the streetlights were in full bloom. Jaz took a quick look up both sides of the street as she put her music on and lifted her hood over her wet hair. It was cold and her breath was leaving an impression in the night air.
She waited until the Evanescence song came on before moving her commando boots down the uneven cement sidewalk. It was on her second step that she felt the first raindrop. Damn. Hopefully it didn’t get any heavier. Maybe she should have taken up Ryan’s offer. Jaz wasn’t going to jog home tonight, mainly because she was too slack to get dressed properly and had only put on her white singlet under her hoodie, without her bra. Too much bounce was bad, so she’d just have to endure the rain. It wasn’t much at the moment anyway.
A block down the street she could see a group of guys turn onto the path from a dark alleyway. There were five of them and they smelled like trouble and her belly flipped, warning her to be careful. It was the way they walked, the tattoos, the clothes; they way they pushed each other as they talked. She kept her head down and her eyes in front. She walked close to an old factory shed, making herself insignificant and giving them plenty of room to pass. Through the music playing in her ears she could just hear them whistling and trying to talk to her but she ignored them and moved on with her hands stuffed deep into her pockets. A few steps and she was past them, breathing a sigh of relief as she went on her way uninterrupted. The wayward spots became more regular as the rain got a bit more serious.
And that’s when she felt a hand upon her shoulder, right when she thought she was safe.
She was spun around to face the men who circled back around her. One of them tugged at her clothes and pulled down her hoodie, ripping out one of her earphones. Another one whistled when he saw her face.
‘Look at what we got here fellas. Hey beautiful,’ said the largest one. He had muscles and Jaz didn’t fancy picking a fight with him. Not when his eyes flicked about skittishly. Was he on something? Possibly. If he was, that made a dangerous combination.
Was she scared? Hell yes. Did she think she could take them? Maybe.
It depended on whether they were just guys or whether they were guys like Tick who knew how to fight. What were her chances, and against five? A tall skinny guy with a ring through his lip and one in his eyebrow pulled out her other earphone.
‘Hey, we’re talking to you. Wanna help us celebrate?’
She could hear their breathing as they waited for her reply. She felt like a deer sitting in front of a lion as it waited for her to make a run for it. Let the chase begin. This was just a game for them.
‘No thanks, my parents are waiting for me to get home.’ Maybe they would let her go? Maybe they wouldn’t. Jaz needed to keep her cool. She couldn’t panic. She needed a clear head.
‘I’m sure we have plenty of time,’ asked another who was wearing a black beanie and puffer jacket. She instantly disliked his slanted smile.
Jaz took this moment to run, trying to leave suddenly without warning. But there were too many of them and one managed to hook her hoodie and yanked her back. The material pulled tight against her neck, cutting off her air momentarily. While she gasped for air when the material was released, she felt hands all over her.
One had the nerve to go for her chest. Jaz didn’t have time to think about her situation, instead she just launched into a kicking and fist-flying frenzy. She wouldn’t go down without a fight. She connected with the guy in front. Her fist found his nose. He stumbled back as blood begun to pour down his face. The guy with the beanie was next as she aimed a kick to his groin and he fell down swearing, hands cupping his family jewels.
Hands reached around her neck, it was the muscly guy. She could tell by the strength of his grip as air was squeezed from her throat. Another guy punched her across the face, leaving her dizzy for a moment while he followed up with a few more in her ribs. Each blow intense as she struggled for breath. The one holding her started to drag her along the ground, back to the side of the factory shed. She reached out a hand, catching the edge of it. Rusty tin slid past her fingers. Her other hand grasped at the arm holding her neck. Was this how she was going to go out? Were they going to rape her? Maybe leave her for dead?