The explosive noises deafened her, and her hands rapidly found her ears. It was as if fireworks had been launched before her.

They came to a sudden stop and something big shook the ground. Slowly she opened her eyes. They widened in shock at what they seen. She had no idea how it happened but it was dead. Whatever that creature was, it was no more. Now just a bloodied mess of useless muscle, claws and stained fur.

Her body collapsed against the tree.

‘Good riddance’ was Rosa’s first thought. It caught her off guard, she didn’t think she was capable of such comments. But it didn’t bother her, it felt right for the situation, something like that shouldn’t exist.

Rosa remained frozen on the cold, wet grass trying to get hold of her breathing. Her heart constantly trying to break free of her chest.

Someone approached, a pleasant whistling accompanied squelching footsteps. A man in a long black coat emerged from the night’s darkness. He was tall, had a strong build and dishevelled black hair. A deep, aged scar ran from his neck to below his shirt. In his hand was a smoking handgun and strapped to his back was something sharp, which shimmered in the night.

His blue eyes locked onto her. A small, relieved smile broke across his face.

“Good, I was just in time” the man said, “Thought I might’ve been too late for a second then”. His voice possessed a hint of the city, although it had clearly been mellowed by time away.

The man holstered his gun behind his back and wandered towards her, paying the monster corpse no mind. He offered out his hand and she hesitantly accepted it. With powerful strength he easily lifted her.

Rosa’s mind felt numb. She definitely wasn’t reacting to this the way she should, in the sense that she wasn’t reacting at all. Is this what people meant by being in shock?

“Do know where you are?” He asked softly.

Rosa nodded.

“Do you know how to get home?”.

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She nodded again.

“Alright hurry home. It’s safe now” he told her.

“Thank you” she managed to say still baffled by the situation. Her body then cautiously backed away towards the street and its light, that could be seen through the trees.

“Girl” the man called out like he’d just remembered something important. She shot back round. “I’d recommend you find a way to forget what happened tonight. Everyone will just assume you’re crazy. A teenager like you doesn’t need that ruining her. I know that’s harder said than done but you’ll have to make do”.

She weakly nodded and then rushed off back home.

She stood before her house, chilled in the cold night air. Still trying and still failing to compose herself, she continued to wait like she had been the last ten minutes. She couldn’t go in like this, her family would instantly catch on that something had happened and then the questions would come. That couldn’t happen. What would she tell them? A massive monster from her nightmare had attacked her and then a mysterious man had saved her. They’d think she was either going insane. She couldn’t lie and say something else, they’d see straight through her like always. Her friend lived nearby maybe she could go there for a little bit.

The door suddenly opened, light spilled onto the street and her father came into view.

He looked down at her sternly. “You’re late” he said.

‘Here it comes’.

“Are coming inside? Or do you plan to freeze? You’ve already been stood out there ten minutes” her father asked.

Rosa nodded and entered the warmth of the house. Once the door shut behind her, she placed down her bag and faced her father.

“Sorry dad” Rosa said.

He glanced at her up and down analysing her condition. A look of bewilderment flashed across his face. He quickly composed himself.

“We’ll speak tomorrow. There’s dinner in the fridge and make sure you get some sleep you look exhausted Rosa” her father said before grabbing his coat.

“Where are you going?” Rosa asked, confused. He’d not scolded her and was clearly in some sort of rush. That only happened when it came to -.

“They need me at work” he explained, “I’ll see you in the morning”.

‘Something has happened again’ she guessed. “Ok dad, love you” she told him. It didn’t even surprise her anymore how easy those words came out now. 7 years ago and that would’ve been impossible.

“Love you too kiddo” her father said before leaving and locking the door.

After watching her father get in his car and drive away, Rosa let out a sigh of relief she’d somehow escaped. Now she could just hide in her room when her mom got back and tomorrow she’d feel better. Hopefully.

She then followed her usual routine took off her shoes, hung up her coat, unpacked her school bag and stored it away. She then ate dinner, washed up and decided to call it an early night. She’d had a hectic day. Her father’s behaviour earlier never left her mind, but it wasn’t the first time he’d been stressed by work so she pushed it down and forced herself it sleep. She was surprised by how little almost losing her life was affecting her. Maybe it was all in her head.