Arrival

Liang JianAmal stalked quietly in the darkness to where he had heard the gasp and grunts. After about ten feet he saw three muddled shapes on the ground, as he got closer he saw that it was a woman with two men on top of her.

The woman's shirt had been ripped open, her arms were crossed across herself protectively, trying to shield the exposed flesh. Despite her arms futile attempts, the two men freely pawed at her. The woman's head was turned away to the other side, concealing her identity, but not her plight.

'Tch, I only came for Chang. If I miss her, I will be most displeased. As such I do not have time to personally involve myself in this.' Pulling his phone out to call the police, Liang JianAmal kept his eyes on the repugnant scene, wondering whether he would need to personally involve himself after all. As he pulled his phone from his pocket, the man nearest her head gripped one of the woman's arm and tugged at it. As he did the woman gave a small clipped cry and turned her face to where Liang JianAmal could see.

Stiffening at the sight, Liang JianAmal would have dropped his phone if not for the iron grip he held on it. Chang's beautiful, tender face was encrusted with blood and dirt, with tear tracks carved through. Seeing the state she was in with the two men on top of her, it felt as if his heart had stopped beating in his chest. Chang resisted slightly to the pull on her arm only to receive a sharp slap to the face.

"Stop fighting already! Do you wanna die bitch, huh?" While screaming at her the man raised his hand to deliver another blow that never landed. Like electricity the cracking sound from the first strike had already sprang Liang JianAmal into action, from where he had stood shocked. Sprinting forward, his eyes trained on his target Liang JianAmal caught the man who held onto her legs in the side of his head with his knee. Rebounding from the hit, the man hit the ground with a hard oomph, laying still once down.

Eyes blazing, he turned to the man still holding her arm by her head, with a hand raised. The man paused for only a moment before trying to stand, throwing down Chang's arm.

As he tried to stand he was met with a leg in his gut, throwing his back to the wall. Hitting the wall even harder than his companion had the ground, the man's head hit the wall with a hard crack. The man started to slide down the wall from the hard impact but was caught by the collar by a furious fist.

"Should I repeat your earlier question back at you?" The man shook his head at him before darting a glance to the fallen woman on the side. Seeing his side glance, Liang JianAmal gripped his collar tighter and with a savage expression, smashed his fist into the man's face. Beneath his fist, he could feel the man's nose give way with a satisfactory crunch.

Not having fully vented his anger yet, Liang JianAmal grabbed the man's wrist and twisted it behind his back. Pushing force into the joints, the man screamed as first his elbow popped, followed by his shoulder. At the intense pain, the man passed out with his face covered in sweat. Dropping him like a broken doll Liang JianAmal turned his attention to Chang.

As soon as she had been released, Chang had curled into a little ball on her side. Holding herself Chang looked so unbearably fragile to him. Taking off his jacket, he gently draped it over her, before starting to pull her into his arms. At his touch, the woman started to shiver as if fearing further abuse.

"Do not be afraid, I will not hurt you." Still remaining stiff, the woman compliantly let him lift her into his arms. Crossing her arms across her chest, she clutched the material of his jacket closer to her. Leaning her head against his shoulder, he could see that she was still staring off in a state of shock.

Knowing what had caused it, Liang JianAmal burned, wishing that he could take his time to destroy the men. Chang was his highest priority at the moment and she needed to be treated.

Standing with her, Liang JianAmal frantically tried to think where he should go to assess her injuries. Holding her shoulder tighter, the man cursed himself for having not brought his vehicle. His first inclination was to bring her to the hospital to be checked immediately. He had no idea where the nearest hospital was though, or how long it would take to reach on foot.

Taking a ride would be unacceptable too, there would be more eyes going to where they should not be. Taking her into her work was unacceptable with her appearance as well, even though it would be the closest place to find help. Breathing deep Liang JianAmal started to hustle back to the apartment, as they were not far, holding her tightly all the while.

Panic rushing his steps, Liang JianAmal avoided the interior lobby with the elevator. Taking the fire escape stairs on the outside of the building, he broke into the apartment without a care. Heading right for the bathroom, Liang JianAmal flicked on the lights before sitting on the edge of the bath with her perched on his lap. Now that there was light he could finally see the extent of her injuries.

The vivid, bloody sight shocked him. Feeling it difficult to take a full breath took it all in. Her shapely lips had a split in the bottom, that while no longer oozed fresh blood, it had already dyed a part of them with a crimson stain. Her cheeks which usually carried just a hint of blush were now deathly pale with lurid bruises and grit covering them. On her left cheekbone one stood out predominantly and he could not help but to touch gently with trembling fingertips, causing her to flinch slightly.

Withdrawing his hand quickly Liang JianAmal had to restrain his urge again to rush back to where those two lowlifes were. After tearing them limb from limb he would wipe them from the face of the world for good. Holding onto her he sat there burning inside, fighting himself for her. Slowly maintaining the balance inside he turned on the water to the tub to bring it to a comfortable warm temperature.

As the water ran he grabbed onto the coat and started to unwrap her. As he started to pull it off, her hands clutched tighter at it, visibly shaking a little.

"Do not be afraid." Like a mantra he repeated his words from earlier, before pulling the jacket from her hands. Unwrapping her gently, he noticed a few faint bloody lines on her graceful neck, further deepening his already furrowed brow. Controlling the rising lump in his throat and his fury, Liang JianAmal gently removed the tattered remains of her clothes, checking for more injuries as she shook lightly. The whole time he checked her eyes that stared apathetically downwards, despite her trembling.

Trying to be gentle with her, Liang JianAmal helped her into the water that had filled for her. As he pulled back Chang gripped tightly on his shirt sleeve. Peering closely at her face, he saw tears start to form before falling. Before they could fully make it down her cheeks, he leaned forward to swiftly cradle her head to his shoulder. Against his shoulder the sound of muffled sobbing came, stabbing at his heart.

"Everything is alright now. You do not need to be afraid anymore. I am here for you. " As gently as he could, Liang JianAmal worked her hair band out of the disheveled mess. Repeating the words slowly and steadily he stroked her hair freely.

Moving her hands to the back of his shoulders, Chang clutched him tighter, burying her face deeper. From deep in his chest he could feel her sobs more than hear them. Lovingly Liang JianAmal stroked her hair, closing his eyes as he held her close.