---- Chapter 4 When I got back from the restroom, Claire was surrounded by a few drunk guys. "Hey, drop the innocent act. How much for a night, huh? Come on, show us a good time." The fat one in the lead was wearing an ill-fitting Armani suit and a huge gold Rolex that, with his greasy bald head, screamed new money. As he spoke, he reached for Claire with a hand soaked in booze. Claire was terrified, trying to dodge him. But that just seemed to excite them more. "And she's a mute! Come on, boys! We'll make sure you have a real good time tonight!" Seeing them about to tear at her clothes, I grabbed a whiskey bottle from the table and smashed it over the fat one's head. "Get lost!" I screamed. ---- Blood instantly streamed down the fat man's head. He stumbled back, caught by one of his cronies. When he got his bearings, his eyes were wide with rage. "You hit me? Get her! Get the goddamn bitch!" His men charged me like a pack of wolves. They outnumbered me. It only took a few seconds for them to grab me and drag me in front of their boss. "You cheap slut, you dared to hit my head! I'm gonna crack yours open, too!" He raised the same broken bottle I'd used on him and brought it down hard on my head. CRACK! My head rang, and warm blood poured down my forehead. The restaurant's other customers scattered, and the ---- soft music died. The fat man dropped the bottle and loosened his tie, walking toward Claire with a disgusting smirk. "Don't... don't touch her..." The memory of my parents' death flashed in my mind, and I couldn't even feel the pain anymore. I tried with all my might to get up and protect Claire, but one of his men kicked me back to the ground. "This one's not bad either. You guys play with her first. I'll take the mute!" Claire's eyes went wide. She tried to run to me, but the fat man shoved her to the floor. Just as he was about to pounce, Claire closed her eyes in despair. But at that exact moment, a single, muffled gunshot echoed through the room. BANG!