He stared into his drink, a scotch on the rocks. The fifth one he’d had tonight, not to mention the other array of drinks that had preceded it. Picking up the glass, he shook it gently to stir its contents, watching as the ice swirled in the alcoholic beverage. The motion was similar to the thoughts that had been cycling through his head for the past few days.

Was it really over? It seemed as if the time had come and gone too quickly. He almost wished that the events leading him to this time and place had never occurred. Almost.

Hmm. Here, a bar in some roughed up neighborhood east of town. Why’d he come here anyway? He could have just saved himself the trouble and stayed home. But he had needed to get away, to put his life behind and try to clear his thoughts, even if for only one night.

Lot of good that did me. It seemed that since he had arrived, the only thoughts he’d had were of her. Her.

Her golden hair that felt like silk whenever he ran his hands through its soft tresses. Her beautiful eyes. Both were deep pools of blue that always shoed her current emotions; her happiness, her sorrow, her desire. Her smile was his one lifeline. That smile could turn his worst of days around for the better. Everything about her made him ache for her more than he had a right to.

He brought the glass to his lips to finish the drink, afterwards setting back on the bar counter and shoving it aside as he’d done numerous times that night. He looked around the bar, trying hard to focus on something…anything, but obviously, he’d had too much to drink. He laughed to himself. He wasn’t even a drinker. Sure, he’d have a glass or two of champagne on a special occasion, like the night that they’d…

He shook his head, trying to clear his mind of the thought. He couldn’t think about it. Not now. Not ever. It had been a mistake, as evidenced by her behavior since returning from…

“Last call!” the bartender shouted to the few patrons still milling about. He turned to look at the man as he served the last drinks to a few guys who looked as drunk as he felt. The bartender laughed and joked with them, enjoying himself as he had surely done before, as he probably would do the next night.

Mike Horton closed his eyes to the scene. How could people go on with their regular everyday lives, experiencing joys and triumphs, when his own seemed to be at a crossroads. He knew what he should do – just forget about her. Easier said than done, but it was the crucial step he needed to take to regain control over his life. But every time he thought of living without her, the pain in his heart would return. Was it even possible to love someone as much as he loved Carrie?

“Hey man, bar’s closing.”

He opened his eyes to see the bartender standing in front of him, a look of agitation upon his face. Mike looked around to see that the bar was empty.

“You gotta pay and leave man. Bar’s closed.”

Mike took out his wallet, paid for his drinks, and left the bar. Outside, the June night air had turned muggy. The streets were empty with the exception of a few homeless people slumped against the building walls, already settled in for the night. He laughed to himself. Where had he parked his car? Did he even bring a car? He laughed again. It was a godsend he didn’t remember because he was in no condition to drive. I don’t think I’ve ever been this drunk he thought with a bemused grin upon his face. Served him right that the first time he tried, he would end up on a deserted street with no means of getting home. “I might as well walk” he muttered to himself as he set off in one direction, not even sure it was the right way home.

He’d walked for about ten minutes, thinking of how to solve the multitude of problems plaguing him at the current. He still hadn’t come to any conclusions concerning Carrie, but there really wasn’t much he could do. She’d made her choice and it hadn’t been him. The safest thing for him to do would be to accept it. If she wanted to be with Austin, then so be it. He had been the loser the day she’d gotten married to him and he was a loser again. It pained him that she would think so little of what they’d shared. Austin hadn’t deserved her breaking their vows, but the way Mike saw it, Austin didn’t really deserve much at all. How many times had he left his wife to spend time with Will? How many times had Carrie cried on his shoulder because Austin had abandoned her for Sami? Then one day he shows up and Mike is old news, just like that. Yet, even after all the pain and rejection, he still loved her.

And what about work? That situation seemed to get worse everyday, if that was even possible. He’d tried to keep the lawsuit as secret as possible, at least until he’d had a chance to talk to Ali about it. Somehow, the board had found out and all hell had broken loose. If he wasn’t being hounded by questions from the board members, he was being hounded by questions from the press as well as the looks thrown to him from members of the staff, a few who had already sided with Ali on the case.

Ali. The woman had problems, to say the least. Even though she was suing him for all he was worth, she constantly tried to get on his good side. Mike was sure there was more to story than was being evidenced. In fact, he was almost positive there were other forces behind the lawsuit and he wouldn’t be surprised if one of those forces was good old Dr. Craig Wesley. Mike thought that one-upmanship had ended a long time ago, but obviously he was mistaken.

“Maybe I should move.” He’d been thinking the words for days now. Sure, some would say it was a coward’s way out, but he didn’t think he had any fight left in him. His love life, if he could have even called it that, was no longer existent. His career was quickly deteriorating. He basically had no life so why not live it somewhere else? He’d always heard that the Canada was a great place to live. Toronto was a booming city and he could easily find…

“Please don’t! Please, don’t hurt me! No...”

Mike snapped out of his thoughts. Had he just imagined that? He looked around, but there was no one in sight. He was sure that he’d heard a voice pleading for…

“Stop! Noooo! Somebody...”

There it was again. It was coming from an alleyway a few blocks up. Someone was in trouble. Mike looked around again. The street was as barren as it had been minutes before. He spotted a payphone across the street and hurried over to call the police. Not really knowing where he was, he gave the operator the street names and hoped someone would be there soon.

Mike looked back across the street. He couldn’t see what was happening, but just the thought scared him to death. He was really in no condition to stop an attack and he knew he should just wait for help to come. But the earlier pleas of the person in need of help came back to him and he just couldn’t sit around and do nothing. He crossed the street again and plastered himself against the wall. He had to be careful. If he wanted to help, he couldn’t get himself caught up in whatever was happening. He slowly walked to the alley opening, peering around the corner to see what was happening.

The site that met his eyes was disturbing. A man, in his late 20’s or early 30’s, was cornering a young woman against the wall of the building. The man was big, at least twice Mike’s own size. He couldn’t see his face, but could make out dark curly hair, a black leather jacket and ripped blue jeans. The man had one hand over the mouth of his victim, muffling her screams, but the other hand wasn’t visible. The girl, a young woman, maybe a college student, was struggling against her attacker, tears streaming down her face.

Without a second thought, Mike stepped into the alley. He knew he was in no position to stop this attack, but he couldn’t let it go on, seeing what he had. Mike looked at the position the two were in. The alleyway had no back entrance, but side doors leading into the building on the left. There were two dumpsters opposite the two, and trashcans, crates, and boxed haphazardly littered the small space. Mike took a few steps forward then stopped, spotting a broken board off a crate. He picked it up to use as a weapon, but silently prayed there would be no need.

“Stay still you little bitch. Don’t make me hurt you!” The man growled at his victim, then buried his head in her neck.

It then dawned on Mike what was happening. She’s being raped.The words he had silently spoken horrified him. “HEY! Back off! Let her go!”

The man whirled around at the sound of Mike’s voice while the girl’s eyes bulged at the help she was receiving. Mike looked back to the attacker whose eyes had turned a dangerous color of black. He was apparently furious that a stranger had interrupted his attack.

“Hey mista, nothing’s going on here, kay? Just me and my girlfriend having a little fun, k? So why don’t you scram, huh?”

The girl remained quiet, but by the silent pleas in her eyes, she was not this man’s girlfriend. The man waited for Mike to leave, but he just stood there, his muscles tensing at the situation before him

“Look, she’s obviously not your girlfriend. Why don’t you just let the young lady go, eh? I promise that’s…”

The attacker interrupted Mike. “So what you saying mista, huh? That you know if she’s my girlfriend or not?” The man turned his attention back to the young woman. “Tell him you’re my girl. Tell him!”

The girl just trembled, looking first at her attacker, then at Mike. Her eyes pleaded with him for help, but she couldn’t voice her pleas.

“DON’T LOOK AT HIM, LOOK AT ME!” The guy backhanded the girl and she screamed.

”Help, please help me!”

Mike stepped forward. He hoped the police were on their way. He didn’t know how much longer he could control the situation. “HEY! Let her go!” Mike raised the board in his hand to strike at the man, but just before he made contact, he felt a blow from the back. Mike landed on the ground with a thud, the board landing a few feet from his head.. The air rushed from his lungs as his lower back ached and his head throbbed. What had happened?

“Hey, Jones? What’s going on here? Whose this chump?”

Jones?

Mike heard footsteps near his body. “This fool was trying to mess up my game. Weren’t you?” The next thing Mike felt was a swift kick to his side. He grunted with contact and rolled over, the pain washing over him. Great mess you got yourself in, Horton.

“Oh really?” The second man looked at the girl in the corner, who had now crouched as to save herself from attack. He looked back to his partner. “Jones, we should leave man. What if the cops come, huh?”

”Forget the fucking cops, I’m gonna kick this guy’s ass! You gonna help or not?”

”Man, I saved your ass once, that’s about all you’re getting from me. I’m outta here!”

Mike heard footsteps leaving the alley. Well at least I have better chance of survival. That thought quickly diminished as he was kicked repeatedly for what seemed like an eternity.

That’ll teach ‘ya to mess with me, punk.”

Mike closed his eyes in pain. Why did he choose a bar in the worst neighborhood in town? Why did he get drunk and forget where he parked his car? He should have called a damn cab. As the thoughts ran through his head, Mike heard Jones’ footsteps returning to the young woman, who now had a horrified look on her face again.

”Now, back to what we were doing before we so rudely interrupted.” The girl screamed as she was picked up from the crouching position by the hair and thrown against the wall.

Where are the cops?Mike wondered. His head throbbed, his body ached, and he was short of breath. But the muffled screams of the girl pushed him up again. Staggering, he rushed towards Jones and knocked the man against one of the dumpsters. Seeing the slumping form, Mike turned around to help the young woman out of the alley.

”Come on, let’s go!” He reached out his hand for hers and just as they were about to make contact, a horrified look came over her face. She shrunk back just as Mike felt the knife enter his upper torso. A rush of air escaped him as he slumped over the young woman, her screams now louder than ever. Jones took the knife out and attacked again, stabbing Mike in the same direction. Mike didn’t remember how many times the action was repeated. He only remembered hearing the police sirens before darkness enveloped him.

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