"Last chance," he said, his voice low as Charles’ fists rose.
"You're right," Charles said. "This is your last chance to fuck off."
The bystander shook his head. His face was resigned.
Charles threw a hard right hook. His opponent caught his fist with what appeared to be almost no effort.
The businessman groaned, gritting his teeth, then swung his left fist.
This one was caught too, with a quickness that seemed like a blur to Jamie. Then both fists were flung downward, and in the opening, the bystander struck.
Jamie heard a loud crunch.Oh shit, that sound was a bone breaking.
Charles hit the ground, and this time he didn't move. He lay there, still, like a doll some child had discarded in the dirt.
"Oh my God," Jamie said, leaning over the unconscious man. "I think you broke his jaw."
The bystander's face was stone. "He deserved it."
"He might be dead," she said, her breath stuck in her chest. She poked a foot into him, rolling him over enough to crouch down beside him.
Jamie dug into her bag and pulled out a small compact. She held the mirror under his nose, hoping for a sign that he was breathing. The mirror clouded slightly, confirming that Charles was still among the living for now.
"We have to call an ambulance. He could be critically injured." She stood up, giving her companion a once-over.
He was only a few inches taller than her; his medium build not belying any of the muscles that could have been used to inflict this kind of damage. "What are you, some kind of kung fu master or ultimate fighter?"
"Something like that," her companion said with a mirthless grin.
"I'm calling 9-1-1," Jamie said, digging around in her bag for her phone. "And the other one, where is he? He should be helping his friend."
"He's indisposed at the moment." The man cocked his head in the direction of the alley between two buildings.
Jamie took a few steps in that direction. "I don't see him."
The bystander frowned and made his way over to the alley. Jamie followed, compelled by curiosity. Her companion pulled up the lid of the small dumpster situated there, and Jamie leaned over, peering inside.
The other businessman was curled up inside. He appeared to be sleeping, but Jamie knew better.
"Jesus," she whispered. "You really did a number on them."
The bystander just stared at her and dropped the lid on the dumpster. His gaze unnerved her. There was something about him, somethingdifferent. He definitely wasn't the ordinary guy she'd mistaken him for initially.
Jamie finally had to drop her eyes from the intensity she found in his stare. "Well...er...I'm going to make that call." She pulled her phone from her bag and tapped the button to light the screen.
"Since you are unharmed, I'll go," he said, starting to head down the street back in the direction of the train platform.
"Wait!" Jamie yelled. "You'll have to make a statement!"
The man turned slightly but didn't stop walking. "You make it."
"But how am I supposed to explain what happened? You have to wait for the police!"
His eyebrow rose again before he turned and continued walking away.
"Wait. You--" Her words were cut off when the 9-1-1 operator answered her call. Jamie began giving the woman a rundown of what had happened, her eyes watching as the man turned the corner and disappeared.
Oh great, what am I supposed to say? Some superhero came out to rescue me and then flew away?
Jamie sighed, taking a seat on the stoop of a nearby brownstone. Adrenalin was making her muscles shake.
She finished her report and disconnected the call, then put her hands on her thighs and her head between her knees. It suddenly felt like the weight of the universe was on her back.
My sister is lost in outer space, my fiancé is an astronaut, and even he can't find her, and now I have to explain to the police that a mystery man beat up two guys who were trying to force me to have a drink with them.
Jamie stared up into the darkening sky. She half expected an asteroid to blast through the atmosphere and crush her where she sat.
Well, I've always wished my life were more exciting. Guess I should be careful what I wish for.
