A Stranger's Mercy

The young man's smile faltered as he took in Ashley's disheveled appearance and the look of desperation in her eyes. He rushed towards her, concern etched on his face. "Hey, are you okay? What's wrong?" he asked, his voice filled with kindness. Ashley tried to speak, but her words caught in her throat. She felt a wave of dizziness wash over her, and her legs gave out from under her. She felt the young man's arms wrap around her, catching her as she fell. "Hey, it's okay," he whispered, his voice soft and gentle. "I've got you." As Ashley's eyes fluttered closed, she heard the young man pull out a phone and dial a number. "911, what's your emergency?" a voice crackled over the line. The young man took a deep breath. "I need an ambulance at the beach pier, just off the main road. There's a woman here, she's...she's hurt. I think she's been assaulted." Ashley's world went dark as she fainted into the young man's arms. She was vaguely aware of him speaking to her, trying to keep her awake, but she couldn't respond. As she drifted in and out of consciousness, Ashley felt herself being lifted into the young man's arms. She heard the sound of sirens in the distance, growing louder with each passing moment. The young man's voice was a steady presence, a comfort in the midst of chaos. "Hang in there, help is on the way," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear. Ashley's body relaxed into his, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, she felt a sense of safety. She was in someone's care, someone who wanted to help her. As the sirens grew louder, Ashley's eyes flickered open. She saw the young man's concerned face above hers, and the flashing lights of an ambulance in the distance. She tried to speak, but her voice was barely a whisper. The young man leaned in, his ear inches from her mouth. "What is it?" he asked, his eyes locked on hers. Ashley's gaze drifted closed, and she whispered a single word: "Kody..."