"Darkest Hour"

Esme's world went dark as the man's grip tightened around her neck, his fingers digging deep into her skin. She tried to scream, but her voice was muffled as her face was smashed against the cold wall. The sound of her own skull cracking against the brick was like a scream in her mind. She lay on the ground, unconscious, her body limp. The man stood over her, his chest heaving with excitement. He ripped her upper clothes, the fabric tearing apart with a sickening sound. Esme's body lay vulnerable, her skin exposed. The man's hands roamed over her, his fingers tracing the curves of her body. Just as he was about to take the next step, a loud crunching sound echoed through the parking lot. The man's head snapped back, his eyes widening in shock. A figure stood behind him, a look of horror on his face. The man's head had been smashed into the dumpster, his body crumpling to the ground. The figure stood frozen, his eyes fixed on the scene before him. He quickly regained his composure and pulled out his phone, dialing 911. "There's been an attack," he stammered into the phone. "A woman, she's...she's been assaulted." As the 911 operator guided him through the details, Joel's world was unraveling. He sat in Tommy's office, his phone buzzing on the table. He picked it up, his eyes scanning the screen. Esme's name flashed on the screen. He answered, his voice shaking. "Hello?" A voice on the other end, a stranger's voice, spoke rapidly. "Joel, it's about Esme. She's been attacked. She's lying on the ground, unconscious. I think she's been...raped." Joel's mind went blank. He felt like he'd been punched in the gut. His vision narrowed, and his hearing faded away. He couldn't process the words. He couldn't comprehend the horror. All he could think of was Esme, his Esme, lying on the ground, vulnerable. He leapt out of his chair, his phone still clutched in his hand. "Where are you?" he growled, his voice low and menacing. "Tell me where you are." The stranger gave him the location, and Joel was out of the office, sprinting towards his car. His mind was racing, his thoughts consumed by a single desire: to get to Esme, to protect her, to make her safe. As he drove, his vision blurred, and his eyes burned. He couldn't shake the image of Esme, lying on the ground, her body broken. He felt a rage building inside him, a fury that threatened to consume him. He arrived at the scene, his car screeching to a halt. He leapt out, his eyes scanning the area. The stranger stood by the dumpster, his face pale. Joel's eyes landed on Esme's body, and he felt his world shatter. He dropped to his knees beside her, his hands cradling her head. "Esme," he whispered, his voice shaking. "Oh, God, Esme." The police sirens echoed in the distance, but Joel didn't move. He held Esme's head, his eyes locked on her face, praying for her to wake up, praying for her to be okay.