"Lucy..."

John gently stroked my hair.

I didn't move.

I couldn't. The safety his chest provided me was too precious to leave. My tears had finally subsided, melting into quiet sobs. All this time, John hadn't said a word. He simply let me cry, holding me close, not even caring that his shirt was soaked from my tears.

"Love... I can't bear to see you like this."

His voice, soft and full of concern, stirred something in me, and more tears welled up.

"Tell me what's wrong... Please."

I felt his gaze on me, urging me to speak. Slowly, I raised my eyes to meet his, still glistening with tears.

"You... you were right, John." My voice cracked, and tears spilled again. "I'm so sorry I didn't listen to you."

John frowned, confusion washing over his face. He had no idea what I meant. I buried my face against his chest, unable to keep looking at him.

With a gentle hand, John lifted my chin so our eyes could meet again.

"What do you mean, Lucy?" His voice was calm but worried.

I pulled back slightly, unable to bear the concern twisting his features. Closing my eyes, I tried to gather the courage to say it.

"Krishna Kumar," I whispered, my gaze falling to the floor.

His grip tightened slightly. "What about him?"

I felt him move closer, his breath warm against my skin. His hands grazed my shoulders, gently urging me to speak.

"Lucy... what did he do?"

I forced myself to look up at him. "He did... things," I stammered. The words caught in my throat, stuck like they didn't want to come out.

"What things?" John's voice had grown more urgent.

Silent tears streamed down my face, and before I could stop it, John gripped my shoulders, shaking me slightly. "God damn it, Lucy! What did he do to you?"

I bit my lip, trying to keep it from trembling. My whole body was shivering now, and when John tried to pull me into his arms again, I resisted.

"I met him this morning," I managed, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. "On the train... we were alone in the wagon, John. There was no one else. No one to help me. Do you understand?"

My voice had risen—sharp, almost accusing—and I could see the shock in John's face. But he knew. I could see it in his eyes.

You know. Please... say something. Anything to save me from having to say it out loud.

But he stayed silent.

"You were right, John," I said, pushing myself to speak again. It wasn't fair to expect him to save me from the truth I needed to face. My mind took me back there, despite how much it hurt.

I closed my eyes, falling back into that moment.

There I was, sitting across from him. His leg brushed against mine, but I didn't even notice it at first. We were talking—about work, a book, maybe my old co-worker, Pauline. But then, out of nowhere, his tone shifted. He asked if I wanted kids, if I was dating you...

Then his voice, thick with lust, echoed in my mind: "Let's have some fun now."

His hands slid under my dress. I froze. His touch crept over me—over my knickers, over the thin fabric of my bra, over—

"Lucy!"

John's shout yanked me back to the present. His hands were on my shoulders, shaking me again, his face pale and terrified.

"Where did you go?" His voice was trembling.

I tasted blood on my lip, realizing I'd been biting it. "I—I'm sorry," I whispered. "I didn't mean to scare you."

John's face twisted in confusion. "Lucy... what happened? What did he do?"

Tears choked me, and I barely managed to get the words out. "He... he abused me, John. He... he—"

"What?" John stammered, his face changing from confusion to fury in a heartbeat. He gripped my hand so tightly it almost hurt.

"Tell me, Lucy! What did that bastard do to you?"

"I can't!" I screamed, grabbing his shirt, shaking it. "I can't say it!"

John's eyes widened in shock. "Lucy, I—"

"He touched me, John! He laid his hands on me—in places he had no right to touch!" My words tumbled out, and as they did, John's face twisted in horror.

Then he looked away, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I'm sorry, Lucy... I shouldn't have pushed you."

"John, no," I said quickly, guilt crashing over me. "It's not your fault. I'm sorry I yelled. I... I just..."

I pulled away, hiding my face in my hands. "It's my fault. I let it happen. I didn't stop him. I'm to blame."

Silence followed, heavy and suffocating. John didn't say anything. He just let me cry, sitting there in my shame.

Then, suddenly—bang!

"John!" I jumped to my feet, grabbing his hand. He'd punched the wall, his knuckles bleeding. "Are you mad?"

"I'll kill him," John growled, his eyes wild with rage. "I swear, Lucy, I'll kill him."

"Don't, John. Please don't."

He lit a cigarette, his movements stiff with fury. "This bastard assaulted you, Lucy! He's going to pay!"

The words hit me like a wave. *Sexually assaulted.* There it was. Real. Inescapable.

I broke down, tears streaming down my face as I hid in my hands. "He made me feel dirty, John... so dirty. How am I supposed to live with this?"

"You're not dirty, love." John's voice was suddenly soft again, and he wrapped his arms around me. "It wasn't your fault. He took advantage of you."

"I just want to forget, John. Please. I don't want you to get into trouble over this."

John frowned at me, his anger momentarily dissolving into worry. "But Lucy, he can't get away with this."

"Violence won't fix it, John," I whispered. "Please, leave it alone."

John stared at me, torn, but then shook his head. "Sometimes, violence is the only way to fight back."

"John, please don't—"

"I'll tear him apart, Lucy. I swear I will."

I looked at him, feeling a chill run through me. Then I finally said, "When he was... doing those things to me, I went to our Wonderland. The one you told me about."

John froze. "What?" His voice was barely audible.

"It was beautiful, John," I continued, managing a small smile. "You were there with me. You told me to fight back. You helped me survive it."

John's body shivered, and his eyes filled with tears. "I didn't help you, Lucy. You did that all by yourself. You're so brave, love. I'm so proud of you."

"I wouldn't have made it without you," I whispered.

He kissed the top of my head. "You're stronger than you think. And I'm proud to have you in my life."

I smiled through the tears. "I'm lucky to have you, John. Thank you... for being here."