Lesson 163- You should always be careful in the dark.

**LINDY**
Richard reels back a little and he actually looks hurt. I immediately feel bad. I have no idea where all that came from. I think it’s because the things he’s saying are hitting a little too close to home today. I don’t think I actually like or trust Richard… Probably. But what I said was probably a little harsh. If he was forced to act against his will, can I really keep holding that against him? Ugh, my mother always warned me that people are dangerous, particularly men. She never warned me how incredibly frustrating they can be. Socialising is so much harder than I ever expected. Richard is still looking at me with an expression like a kicked puppy, his blue eyes unwavering. I can’t help it, I feel like a jerk. But what can I say? That I didn’t mean it? But I think I did mean it. I don’t want to hear him out and I don’t like him. He drives me crazy, if I liked him he wouldn’t frustrate me so much, right? I can’t stand it, I need to get out of here, away from Richard, away from everyone. People are unbearable. I’m starting to think that Rina is the only decent one out there. I don’t stop to think it through, I just clutch my pelt tightly then run through the bar. I can hear Rina calling after me, but I don’t pause. I just move as fast as I can, away from Richard and out the front door into the night. 

I make it outside before I realise what a stupid decision this was. Now I’m out alone on the street at night. I clutch my phone tightly and start to type out a text to Cole. Hopefully he’s nearby and is able to come get me quickly because I am not going back in there right now. Luckily the street seems pretty empty right now. I take a few steps to the side so I’m not standing right in the doorway of the bar and hide in the shadows as much as I can. Cole doesn’t answer the text, but then again he never does. He still turns up though. I’ll just wait here, hopefully he won’t be too long. The front door of the bar swings open and Richard steps out into the night. I back further against the wall, hoping I won’t be noticed. Richard glances around, his brow furrowed.
“I can’t see her anywhere.” He calls out to someone. Rina sticks her head out of the bar. 
“What did you say to her? Lindy! Are you out here?” She calls, clearly concerned. My first instinct is to go to her, Rina is my friend after all. But I hesitate for just a second, scared that I’ll have to explain myself. That hesitation costs me dearly. I take one step forward, about to leave the shadows when arms wrap around me from behind. 
“What are you doing out here alone little selkie? Don’t you know it’s dangerous? Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you.” The man’s voice makes me shudder. I have no doubt that this is exactly the kind of person my mother warned me about. I open my mouth to scream but before I can so much as draw a breath, a hand covers my mouth, effectively silencing me. My heart is racing and there are tears in my eyes. I start to struggle, kicking and fighting as much as I can, except I’m still clutching my pelt so I can’t use my arms which makes this that much harder. The man wraps an arm around me to stop me escaping and as I fight he holds tighter, it hurts and his tight grip is making it hard to breathe. In an absolute panic, I bite down on his hand, hard. The man yelps and pulls his hand away. I want to scream, but I’m so breathless from fighting that I can barely get out more than a squeak. I keep resisting but it’s no use. I’m small and not strong enough. The man starts to drag me towards a waiting car. The vehicle is running and there is someone else in the driver's seat. Was this planned? Shit. I am in so much trouble. What the hell am I going to do? We’re almost at the car, the man is just struggling to pull the door open without losing his grip on me when someone yells.
“LET GO OF HER!” Richard grabs my arm and yanks me away from the man. It hurts, but only because the man doesn’t let go. Richard’s grip is surprisingly gentle given the situation. When the man tries to pull me back, I expect Richard to lose his grip, but it doesn’t give at all. Right, he’s a kelpie, they have that magic thing that makes it impossible for someone to escape them once grabbed. Unless he decides to give me up, I’m basically stuck to him. Maybe I have a chance after all.

Richard screams for help and I hear footsteps. The man swears and his grip loosens, just a bit. At that moment, Richard yanks on my arm and pulls me against his chest. The man loses his grip completely and I’m finally free. I could cry with relief. I cling to Richard and he holds me tightly. I can hear the engine of the car as it drives away, right as Torin and a few other bar patrons come running. Everyone is talking all at once, trying to figure out what’s going on. I’m completely overwhelmed. 
“Quiet!” Richard orders, his voice firm. The sound fades a little and all I can hear are whispers. 
“Bring her inside.” I hear Rina say. It’s her voice that makes me look up. She’s standing in front of me, concern plastered all over her face. She is holding out a hand for me to take. I reach out and grab it, clinging to her tightly. Richard lets go of me so that I can walk, but he keeps a hand on my back. I’m fairly sure he’s still using his magic to keep me stuck to him. Normally that would freak me out, but right now it’s actually comforting. No one can take me away.

I trail along behind Rina and she leads me straight behind the bar and out the back to her room. Richard comes with us and Torin follows too. It’s quieter back here without the rest of the crowd. Rina leads me to the bed and tugs me to sit down beside her. Richard moves his hand from my back to my shoulder. The pressure of it grounding me. Rina is gently rubbing a hand over my back.
“Are you okay?” She asks gently. I start to nod, then shake my head.
“I don’t know.” I answer blankly. I don’t know how I feel right now. Am I in shock? What does it feel like to be in shock? Are there symptoms I should be looking for? I mentally check myself over. I don’t think I have any injuries. My arms and waist are sore from all the fighting and pulling. I might have a few bruises and my mouth tastes awful. I rub at it and a hint of blood comes away. Am I bleeding? Wait… No. This is the man’s blood from when I bit him. Eww. I start to gag and Torin vanishes for a moment then hands me a bottle of mouthwash and a cup. Gratefully, I rinse out my mouth. It helps, I feel a bit better and I’m starting to calm down a little bit. I look around and take in everyone’s expressions. They all look far more concerned than I expected. Like sure, it makes sense that they’re worried. But I’m okay now, right?
“What’s wrong?” I ask, warily. Rina opens her mouth, then closes it again. Torin just stares at me, his brow furrowed. Richard sighs and moves around to keel on the floor in front of me.
“I need you to stay calm, alright?” He says softly. I frown, his words only making me more alarmed.
“Why do I need to be calm?” I ask, my voice rising. Richard reaches out and carefully takes both of my hands.
“Lindy… He took your pelt.”