'Be angry, and do not sin': do not let the sun go down on your wrath.
Ephesians 4:26

Melchour

"So, shall we go?" I asked, turning my gaze to Johanna.

"O-okay," she stammered, glancing back and forth between me and Pastor Fernando. A faint smile tugged at my lips. She was getting along with everyone, seamlessly finding her place. It was almost mesmerizing to watch her step into this new world, like watching a fledgling eagle catch the wind.

"You two take care, alright?" Pastor Fernando said.

"We will," I nodded. "Have a good night, Pastor."

With a final glance, we turned and made our way to the roadside. A cab pulled up a few moments later.

"After you," I said, opening the door for her.

"Thank you."

We both got in, and the short drive passed in silence. When we reached her stop, I paid the driver, and we stepped out.

"Thanks for walking me home again, Manung," Johanna said softly.

"You're welcome," I replied, my eyes catching hers as she tilted her face skyward, gazing at the stars.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she murmured.

I lifted my eyes to the sky, the moon bright against the velvet dark.

"Yeah," I said. "It's brighter than usual tonight."

"Mm-hmm. Like a beautiful woman glowing," she said dreamily.

I glanced at her, her face soft in the moonlight. For a fleeting second, I saw her as the very glow she spoke of, and my pulse quickened. I forced my gaze away.

A rustle and a voice snapped the spell.

"Hey! Look who we've got here!"

My jaw tightened as three men stumbled into view, the stench of alcohol hitting me hard. Instinctively, I stepped in front of Johanna, shielding her.

"Frederick?" she whispered.

"Who's Frederick?" I asked, keeping my eyes locked on the advancing figures.

"He's... the one I dumped," she said, her voice quivering.

"I missed you, babe!" Frederick sneered, his tone mocking.

I clenched my fists. "Enough of this. You've got two choices: walk away and we forget this ever happened, or you'll regret it."

Frederick laughed and stepped closer. "You challenging me, man? She's my girl!"

I scoffed. "Your girl?" My voice dropped, thick with restrained fury. "Pretty sure she made that clear."

"I'm not your girl, Derek," Johanna snapped, her voice gaining strength. "Just to be clear—I never was."

"What did you say?!" The men surged forward.

"Stay back, Johanna," I said sharply, my voice low and steady.

"What? What are you—"

"Just do it. Stay back," I commanded.

I rolled up my sleeves, exhaling. "Time to stretch these knuckles..."

Before the last word left my lips, Frederick lunged, his fists swinging. I met his advance, my own fists connecting hard. He reeled, but not before landing a punch. We clashed, blows exchanged in a blur of movement.

"Hey! Stop it, please!" Johanna's voice broke through, but it was drowned out by the sound of fists connecting.

Then, from the corner of my eye, I saw Frederick draw a knife. My pulse spiked.

"No!" Johanna's scream echoed as Frederick's arm slashed through the air, aiming for me.

I twisted, grabbing his wrist, forcing it back. The knife clattered to the ground. Before he could react, I grabbed it, holding it between us. His friends stepped back at the sight, eyes wide.

"This isn't over," Frederick hissed, glaring, his gaze briefly shifting to Johanna before he and his crew slunk back into the shadows.

The adrenaline drained from me like water from a broken jar. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. Johanna rushed to my side, her hands trembling as she reached for me.

Blood smeared my cheek and knuckles. Her eyes glistened with tears.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, Melchour. This is my fault," she whispered, her voice cracking.

I steadied her with a hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright?" I asked, though her words barely registered past the haze of adrenaline and anger.

She wiped at my wounds, her touch gentle.

"You're bleeding," she said softly.

"It's nothing," I muttered.

Her eyes filled with guilt, and I saw the weight of it pressing on her. I exhaled, my voice low. "Don't cry, Anna. It's not serious."

Still, her hand trembled as she reached for me again.

"This needs to be cleaned," she said, her voice resolute now.

I nodded, letting her guide me.

"Where are we going?" I asked quietly as we started walking.

"My apartment," she replied. "We need to take care of those wounds."