The right thing to do is to call the police. To call an ambulance.
But I lived in that town. I know how they operate. They protect their own, and if this girl ended up here, like this, she's not one of them.
"I've got you." I tell her, hoping she can hear me.
Her soft body is so damn cold I can't fight back a shiver as I pull her against me. I'll take her to the house, set her up in the tub and warm her up slowly. We don't want to risk hypothermia, if she hasn't gotten it already.
"What the fuck?"
The voice certainly doesn't come from the woman I've got in my arms; it's clear when I turn to see him standing there, his jaw slack as he stares at me... at her.
I appraise him slowly, wondering whether he's worth the time it will take to deal with him.
"Who are you?"
"Who am I?" He laughs. "Who the fuck are you? What are you doing here? Put her down!"
That's as good an admission of guilt as I need. He clearly knew she was out here. Was he coming to finish the job?
But if he wants me to put her down, I suppose I can oblige that request.
He reaches into his jacket, a letterman one like what I used to have, and pulls out a knife.
It's a fucking kitchen knife, maybe one meant for steak. He seems to realize his mistake when I smirk, not the least bit frightened by being threatened with fucking tableware. I could gouge his eyes out with a spoon quicker than he could do damage with that puny knife.
"Okay..." I agree, laying the girl out on the ground.
Her head lulls to the side, and I track his eyes as they run over her body.
I watch his throat bob as he swallows.
"What... what are you doing with her?"
"Gonna warm her up, for starters." I say honestly. "Fucking monsters, whoever left her out here like that on the coldest night of the year."
"Yeah." He agrees quickly, taking a step towards her. "Is she—"
"Ah ah!" I warn, wagging my finger at him. "I don't think you should go near her."
"What? Why?"
I shrug. "What's your name?"
"Toby." He says obediently.
"Last name?"
I can see his distrust as his eyes track my face, trying to decide whether he should answer that. He really shouldn't, but it doesn't matter. I can already tell by the way he's looking at her that he had a hand in whatever happened out here last night, and that's as good as a death warrant regardless of who he is.
"Connors." He swallows, watching my face for signs of recognition. He won't find it.
"Toby Connors." I muse, grinning for him. "You celebrate Hollow Night, Toby?"
His eyes flick from me to her, and I recognize the confession his tongue will never give me.
"I... I've heard of it."
"Have you?" I laugh.
