Eli stayed close enough to make sure she didn't fall.
Hours went by and Abby's dancing went from wild to weary. The crowd blurred. She slumped against the bar, whispering to no one, "I hate him! I hate him so much". When her knees buckled, Eli caught her before she hit the floor.
Alright, that's enough," she murmured, supporting her weight. "Let's get you home, yeah?"
She tried to push him off again, mumbling, "I don't need any help… Not even yours!" She doesn't understand why this stranger wanted to help her so much. "Does he want to kill, cook and feed me to his dogs?" "what could this good looking, British speaking, well dressed man possibly want from me?" "Oh no… maybe… he's a trafficker or a rapist" she thought starting to feel scared.
She stumbled out of the club through the wide doors, the music still pounding behind her like a heart beat she couldn't escape. Her heels scraped against the pavement, unsteady and clumsy, as if the group itself kept on shifting beneath her. One hand reached out to the wall of the exit, fingertips grazing the cool brick as she laughed. A small breathless sound came out… half-chuckle, half-sob. Her hair clung to her temples and her lipstick smudged at the corners of her mouth but she didn't care.
The world around her spun in slow, dizzy circles… the cars passing in hazy streaks of white and gold. The night air was cool, sharp and unforgiving after hours spent under the heavy heat of the club. She squinted, trying to focus, but the whole street was too bright and too loud. Her purse hung loosely from her wrist, swinging as she took an unsteady step forward.
Abby hears a low growl of an engine cut through the noise outside the club. Heads turned instinctively, as a black luxury sedan glided up to the entrance. For a moment the world outside the car seemed to pause. The tinted window reflected the club's flickering lights, until the driver's door opened with a quiet click.
Abby watched as Eli stepped out of the car. He walked towards her with a calm assurance, the kind that didn't need attention to be felt. His shirt caught the glow from the streetlights, crisp against his skin, and his expression was a mix of focus and concern.
Across the sidewalk, Abby swayed slightly, clutching her purse with one hand and her balance with the other. Her eyes were half-gazed, confusion flickering through them as she tried to make sense of the shadow walking toward her.
Eli's gaze softened as he reached her. "Hey," he said gently, his accent curling around the word, smooth and deliberate. "You shouldn't be out here alone."
Abby blinked at him, unsteady and dazed, the world spinning around her. Ke kept a respectful distance, his hand hovering midair like he might steady her, but only if she let him.
"I'll get you home," he said finally, voice low, almost careful.
At that moment… under the city lights with the music still pulsing behind them… he looked less like a stranger and more like a calm thing in the chaos.
Eli stepped closer, Abby wavered slightly, her weight shifting unevenly, one heel scraping the ground as she tried to steady herself. Her eyes flutter… a mix of exhaustion, alcohol and confusion, she looks like she might collapse. Without hesitation, Eli reached out, his touch light but certain. His hand found the curve of her elbow, steadying her just enough to keep her upright. He anchored his movements gently, and deliberately.
She stared at him, disoriented but trusting, her breath uneven. He guided her slowly to the car, matching his pace to hers, careful not to rush. As they got closer, Abby's steps grew heavier. The night air that had once felt sharp now felt thick pressing against her skin, heavy with the scent of liquor and asphalt. Her stomach churned in uneasy wavess, the kind that warned nefore words could.
Abby suddenly stopped, her right hand shooting out to brace against the side of the car. Her breating turned shallow and uneven, the taste of sour regret rising in her throat. Eli's voice reached her, calm and concerned, but the sound came from somewhere distant, muffled under the rush in her ears.
"Abby, are you…"
All the drinks and her breakfast forced itself out of her stomach straight to his shoes.
"Oh shit! Abby, are you ok?" Eli asked concerned. He did not care about his shoes. He had this strong desire to make sure she was fine.
The pressure inside her was uncontrollable, sharp and miserable.
When it was over, she stayed bent forward, while he held her hair, her body trembling, the world still spinning around her. Her chest heaved as she dragged in uneven breaths, eyes stinging with exhaustion and shame.
Eli's voice reached her "hey, hey… easy. You're okay", he said, low, steady and kind.
Abby wiped her mouth weakly, her hand shaking, every bit of color drained from her face. The nausea faded, leaving behind the heavy, hollow ache of relief and a bit of embarrassment.
She moved trying to stay balanced with her eyes heavy and unfocused, as he guided her gently towards the car. He opened the passenger door and leaned down, the warm glow from the car's interior lights washing over them both.
"Easy" he said softly, his accent rolling smooth and low, almost soothing. "Sit down, yeah?". She nodded faintly, her body swaying forward. Eli caught her elbow lightly and helped her lower herself into the seat. Her hair clinging to her flushed cheeks.
Eli crouched beside the open door for a moment, his eyes scanning her face to make sure she was alright. He shut her door gently and went to the backseat and reached for a clean towel, wiped hands and shoes with it. He gave a small helpless laugh under his breath as he shut the back seat door and moved around to the driver's seat. He closed the door with a soft thud that shut out the noise of the club entirely.
Abby felt the warmth of the car, she heard just the soft hum of the engine and the faint throb of the music leaking in from the street. Eli glanced over at her. Abby's eyes were heavy but she tried opening them with her head pressed on the window.
"Hey", Eli said gently, turning towards her. "What's your address?"
Abby blinked slowly, like the question had to travel a long way to reach her. "Uhhh… I stay at… 215 Mercer street, SoHo." she slurred softly.
"Got it", Eli said. He typed the address on the map, glanced at Abby one more time before pulling away from the curb.
-
The car rolled to a smooth stop in front of a quiet, tree-lined street in SoHo. The city still hummed somewhere in the distance, streetlights glinting off glass, the occasional whisper of a passing car. Eli cut the engine and glanced toward Abby. She stirred faintly, her lashes fluttering as though waking from a dream.
"Hey… we're here", he said, his voice low, careful not to startle her.
Abby blinked, staring out at the familiar facade of the apartment building. "Oh", she mumbled, squinting at the doorway. "We're home." Eli said as he stepped out first, then walked round the car to open her door. He helped her unbuckle her seatbelt.
"Come on", he said, offering his hand.
She took it weakly, and he helped her out, steadying her as she swayed. She gave a tired laugh, a bit embarrassed and a bit sincere.
"Is there anyone inside?" he asked, scanning the windows above.
"My roommate," she said slowly, as if trying to remember. Then she frowned. "No… she's… not around tonight", she said, her memory hitting her in bits.
"Alright… do you have your keys?", he asked.
"Oh… yeah." She patted her bag, brows in concentration.
He waited as she fumbled with the clasp, fishing through her purse. For a moment, she looked so determined it almost made him smile. Then she held up the key triumphantly, jingling it like a prize.
"Found it…" she said, leaning forward to fit into the lock. It took two tries before the door clicked.