The One after my Heart

"Items from outside such as food and drinks are not permitted in here, not to mention that thing which you just poured into this girl's drink while she wasn't looking." Kyra sneered as she pointed at the girl's glass.

"I don't know what you're talking about, crazy bitch. Fuck off from here before you piss off my good mood", denied the scrawny blond guy and threatened Kyra with a look that told her to back off. His other two buddies glared at Kyra threateningly as well.

The pale-faced girl's eyes went wide in shock, and as she realized what would've happened, it looked like she was about to burst into tears any moment.

"How old are you, girl?" asked Kyra gently, ignoring the looks the other three were giving her.

"I-I'm nineteen, ma'am.." spluttered and mumbled the girl who already started tearing up. She regretted saying yes to coming out with these guys whom she didn't even know, who had suddenly approached and asked her out for a drink today.

Being single and young full of daydreams, she thought she would have a nice time like other girls did in movies. Or maybe she'd even get lucky and find a boyfriend by doing something impulsive for once.

Yet who knew these scum had different plans for her. The more she thought about how things would've ended, the more she felt herself choking up.

"There- there don't cry..it's alright now ", consoled Kyra as she gently patted the now crying girl on her back. She silently signalled one of the waiters to bring in Bob and Larry before it got nasty.

"You clearly don't know what's good for you damn slut", barked the spike guy threateningly at Kyra as he slowly stood up. His other two friends noticed the attention they were getting and noticed the two bouncers heading their way.

"Another time Tim, not now", reminded one of the guy's as he motioned his head towards the other two to look at the bouncers walking towards them.

"Come on let's get outta here. This place is a shithole", said Tim with a disgusting look as he threw down a stack of bills on the table.

"Is anything the problem, Miss Walker?" asked Bob just as he came over with Larry to the commotion that was taking place. Mitchell had given clear orders to them that in his absence, they'd to listen to Kyra.

"It's nothing, just a couple of punks trying to roofie an. innocent girl. Escort these three out 'gently' will you please men?" asked Kyra from them.

By now, the two bouncers and even the customers from nearby tables figured out what was going on.

"Our pleasure, Miss Walker.", obliged muscular Larry, who picked the scrawny Tim with ease by the scruff of his neck as though he were handling a rabid creature and moved towards the door. Bob held the two guys in a similar way as their friend was carried out and moved towards the backdoor exit, which led to an alley.

"I apologize for the inconvenience", said Kyra with an apologetic smile at the nearby customers with a charming smile winning over their hearts earning their nods and praises, saying she did the right thing.

Kyra took the scared girl by her hand and led her to sit at the stool in front of the counter. After finding out the girl's name was Debbie, an art student from the nearby university, Kyra offered her a lemonade drink to sober her up. She even passed out one of those energy bars that Mitch had left for her, asking Debbie to eat it later. Kyra then spoke words of comfort and advice, just like any good person would do.

The innocent girl had perked up in no time. She was literally back in smiles, giggling now and then, thanks to Kyra's charms, who was now chattering non-stop across the counter as Kyra recounted a few of her funny experiences while working here.

Debbie gave her a grateful hug as she left and even tried to hand over a very generous tip which Kyra vehemently refused with an angry look. It earned her another hug from the innocent girl, followed by another round of sincere thanks. Debbie walked out of the door with a big smile after wishing Kyra to have a happy new year.

Although Kyra was bent on making money, she had her own set of principles. Moreover, this was what anyone was supposed to do. All Kyra hoped was that Debbie wouldn't make stupid mistakes like these anymore in the future and have a happy life.

Soon time passed from the evening, moving towards midnight. Gaffer's pub was full to the brim with customers inside busy trying to get each other drunk, trying to forget how messed up their year was or maybe if the year would be any better.

Kyra could feel her legs and body aching in exhaustion, but that didn't dampen her mood at all. She had made over a thousand dollars in tips already and just felt glee from within as she put on a big smile assisting Mitch, who was back by now.

To her, this was just another night. She did miss Maggie's presence, though tonight.

When the clock struck midnight, and people around cheered, wishing their friend or kissing their loved one, Kyra and Mitch shared an awkward quick peck on the lips in front of all with an awkward laugh before any of the drunk customers came up with the brilliant idea to make out with the hot bartender.

Mitch declared the next round of drinks on the house that earned another enthusiastic response and cheers from the festive crowd putting a big smile on everyone's face.

It was almost after 3 am when they finally closed up and managed to drive the mumbling drunk folks away. Mitch handed out special year-end bonuses in envelopes for all of his staff.

As Kyra received her envelope in the end, she found hers to be a little thicker than the previous year. When she raised her eyebrows at him, he just shrugged and said with a warm smile, "I don't know what I would do without you Kay. And don't think I didn't hear about the situation you diffused in the day earlier today without making a scene. You should've called the cops though. Let's just hope the bouncers put some sense into them and gave them a little 'enlightenment' and 'tough love' on how to be from this new year." He grinned.

Kyra just laughed out loud at his response as she bid him and the one's around a goodnight.

Maybe she really ought to consider Mitch as a potential prospect. As Maggie used to say when she found her guy- Grab em in time or lose em forever.

Especially after today's New-year's kiss, although it was a quick peck, maybe there was something there definitely. As she pondered over these notions, she walked back towards home and looked eager to cuddle Wolfy and tame that darned rebellious kitty.

Mulling over her tips she got and thinking about if she should perhaps treat herself tomorrow for a change, she walked towards her apartment.

Just as she took a turn around the block, she found three guys waiting for her with a sneer and evil smiles on their faces.

Clearly, they had been waiting for her all this time. Their faces were bruised a little here and there.

"You slut. I warned you earlier. Nobody can save you now. We couldn't make do with the girl in the day, so I guess we'll just have to settle for you. Besides you're much ..much better than that little girl now that I look at you. Those right curves, ass, and that beautiful rack...you're the complete package. Ain't she boys?" chuckled Tim, the blonde spike hair guy, as he slowly walked towards her with a lecherous look in his eyes.

His left eye was blackened, and every time he spoke, the pain brought out more hate towards the lady in front of him. He promised himself he would make this woman regret every moment for crossing him today since she would definitely not live to see tomorrow.

"You're right Tim. I can't wait to have a taste of her as well. ", drooled one of the other two guys leering at her as he licked his lips. He had a huge snake tattoo on his arm and had a goatee on his face. Her face, that figure, and her sensual lips! He couldn't have enough, and so he was the one who suggested and came up with this idea after they got roughed up a little by the bouncers in the day.

"Honey, by the time we're done with you, you'll be begging in pleasure for us to not stop", cackled the tattoed guy.

The third person said nothing but his silence was the scariest since he held a metal rod in his hand.

Kyra's spine slowly curled up in disgust, with her heart beating with terror. She forced her palms to clench into a tight fist as she quickly thought of her next moves. Mitch was right. She should have called the cops. Who knew what these sick bastards had planned for her. There would not be nobody to help her or someone she could call out at this time of the night since it was more of a desolated residential block.

Her only option was to run towards Gaffer's and hope that Mitch or the bouncers or any crowd would be around. But she knew now was not the time to get scared. The moment she felt fear set in her legs would go paralyzed for sure, and she would be done for.

She took out her phone to call for help when suddenly Tim lunged at her and grabbed it from her grip. He threw it behind him with a sneer and leaned forwards with his right arm trying to grab her. Kyra immediately dodged a step towards the left as she turned around immediately. She grabbed hold of his outstretched wrist with both hands.

She pulled him towards her with a strong jerk and at immediately raised her right knee with all her might aimed towards the centre of his chest.

Tim gave a loud painful whine and went breathless, gasping for air as he felt one of his ribs broken and crouched in pain. Kyra didn't stop there. With her grip still holding onto his right hand, she immediately raised her right foot and brought it down on his left knee with all her force.

Tim shrieked loudly in pain, squealing like a pig as he felt his eye blinded with tears. The other two didn't even have time to react as Kyra performed all these motions. Clearly, the men were stunned since they had never expected her to fight back and be so decisive!

"I'm going to kill you, Bitch!!" he swore as he fiercely growled in ragged breaths. "What the fuck are two doing?! Get her!!" he bellowed at his companions.

Kyra didn't need any invitation since she had already turned around and sprinted as madly as she could, leaving the spitting snow from her boots in her wake.

If it was just one, she could've taken her chances, but since it was three, the odds were against her, plus who knew if they had more of them behind waiting. Street fights could get nasty.

"After her! Don't let her get away", bellowed Tim as the three chased after her immediately.

Kyra sprinted with all her might despite the fact that she was exhausted. As she willed every muscle of hers to move faster, she could feel her body aching and gasping out for air. She could hear the other three just a few steps away from her, so she didn't stop and neither did she turn around.

Thankfully Gaffers resto-pub was just a few blocks away. All she hoped was to see just one more familiar face so that she could turn around and give them a piece of her mind. Although she knew that everyone would be long gone by now, she didn't give up hope.

What a way to start my new year, she thought wryly to herself as she ran with all her might. These guys really were persistent, she had to admit. She could hear their shout and threats to stop running, but she didn't pay any heed. Soon she found herself on the once more familiar street, and to her disappointment, just as expected, it was indeed empty. But she didn't stop there. She ran ahead just to see if anyone was walking back or maybe if there was a police car on patrol.

Soon she saw a figure of someone walking ahead who was about to take a turn around the block at more than two hundred meters away from her as she ran, and upon recognizing the familiar back, she felt herself tearing up and counted her lucky stars. 'Thank god he was still around. God bless you, Mitchell Gaffer."

Kyra screamed with all her might trying to get his attention, and waved her hand, "Mitch!!! Stop!! Help! Over here!!".

She had no doubts he would beat the hell out of the three because over the years ,she had seen him brawl and handle quite a few occasional rowdy customers similar to these at ease. Boss Mitchell Gaffer was said to have never lost a fight.

But then, right at the next moment, she heard a pair of footsteps immediately catching up to her from behind and felt something whirring towards her and hit her head from behind.

She caught the stunned reaction on Mitch's face afar as he turned around, looked at her in surprise. And then saw his tall, muscular figure immediately sprinting towards her as he roared in anger. "Stop!"

As much as Kyra looked forward to seeing them pummelled, sadly, this was a fight she was fated to miss. Because in no time, Kyra felt the world spin around her wildly, and her eyes went black as she lost all consciousness and collapsed utterly on the cold, snow-covered ground.