Maritima by Natalie Debrabandere

Author:Natalie Debrabandere [Debrabandere, Natalie]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2021-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Anais managed to get through to her before she could inflict any serious injuries on the guy, which it looked like she might easily have done otherwise. Jessie could fight, it was plain to see. Also painfully clear was the fact that she was not at all in control of her own reaction here.

“Jessie! Jess, listen to me. Listen!”

Anais held on to her with both hands as she tried to pull her back. She knew there was a risk that she might get punched as well if Jessie did not come back to her senses. Never mind that. Anais realised there was more to this than just a case of anger. Not sure what, exactly; but she was worried about Jessie, and she had to put a stop to this madness before someone got hurt. She made sure to remain as calm as possible, and to speak to her in a soothing voice. She had to bring her down from this crazy state, and quickly too.

“It’s all right, Jess,” she repeated. “We’re both safe. I’m right here, okay? I really need you to calm down now.”

Still in a daze, Jessie did not reply, although she finally did stagger back and away from the guy. Her blue eyes had gone completely dark. Her gaze was unfocused; and her breathing was all out of control. As a police car parked up at the other end of the Pointe, and as the three Irishmen tended to themselves near the water fountain, Anais continued to ignore everything and everyone but the struggling woman in front of her.

“Can you hear me?” she repeated. “Jessie, look at me.”

She kept her hands safely on her arms, holding her steady. She maintained eye contact, and carried on talking to her until Jessie slowly seemed to start to come back. Anais saw her blink hard a few times. When Jessie focused on her face this time, she actually looked at her as if she recognised her. Anais never took her hands off her, but she was immensely relieved. She offered her a reassuring smile.

“You’re all right,” she promised. “It’s over.”

Jessie stared at her, at the police officers headed their way, and at the three men in the background. Anais would not have thought that she could get any paler, but she did.

“What happened?” She looked down at her hands, shaking all the while. “What… What did I do?”

“You kept us safe,” Anais replied intently, emotion making her voice rougher than she intended. “Don’t worry; everything’s fine. Come and sit down.”

She grabbed her around the waist as Jessie visibly swayed on her feet. Anais noticed that she was still struggling with her breathing. She was white as a sheet, and it looked like she might even faint. Panic attack, she decided. Yes, it sure looked a lot like it. She made Jessie sit down on a nearby bench, and sat next to her with her arm around her shoulders.

“Don’t look at them, Jess,” she instructed, when Jessie tried to glance back at the men.

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