It was a cold winter's night in mid-February and Molly was out on her nightly run. She ran the same course every evening and never had any trouble before. Most of her run was under street lights, it was just a bend by the wood that didn't have streetlights. Molly was always leary about running through there especially since black ice built up in winter. Not to mention the local myth that something large and dark lived deep in the woods. Still it was a nice trail to run on so she jogged there nightly.
Little did she know that Jerry Byrne had been watching her for the past few weeks. He had just been released from prison a few months ago. During that time he had been watching her from his apartment balcony. Jerry had seen Molly running and had wanted her more than anything. He hadn't had a woman the entire five years he'd been in prison. Jerry had never been popular with women before that. Molly was everything he desired. He was determined to have her one way or the other.
The next night as Molly rounded the dark corner, she was blitzed out of the darkness by Jerry. He hit her over the head with a branch and tried to drag her into the woods to have his way with her.
Molly slid on the black ice and fell. Pain seared through her body. She at least had twisted her ankle. The branch to the head had caused Molly to pass out. Before she passed out, she could have sworn she saw a huge creature with wings towering in the woods. Molly thought she'd heard her attempted rapist yell
"What the fuck?" Then screams of pain.
Jerry didn't know that while he had been watching Molly someone else had been watching him. This creature knew the malicious thoughts that had been percolating in Jerry's mind. This beautiful young woman did not deserve the terrible fate that Jerry had planned for her.
The creature had waited for Jerry to attack Molly before he acted. The man still had free will and a chance to back out of his evil plans.
"Are you alright?" came a voice out of the shadows. It was low and breathy. " He didn't hurt you did he?"
Molly was still recovering from the blow to her head and a twisted ankle. "Uhmm, sure I'm alright. I think... how can I thank you for saving me? How can I repay you?" Molly questioned in earnest.
A sad sigh came from the dark. "I don't want repayment. Just knowing you're safe is enough for me."
Molly's head was becoming clearer and clearer. "No please, I insist on thanking you somehow. How about you come over to my apartment for dinner tomorrow night? It's the very least I could do."
"Alright, if that's what you want. I'll be there tomorrow night." said the sad voice. Molly heard footsteps departing into the woods. She continued back to her apartment, limping all the way. It was only when she got home that she realized she had forgotten to give her savior her address. She also realized that tomorrow was Valentine's Day. Molly hadn't meant anything by it. She just wanted to repay him by having him to dinner.
The next night Molly was at her stove making a pot of Minestrone. She hadn't forgotten the kindness of the stranger but she didn't expect him to show up for dinner. He didn't have her address after all. That's why she was startled when a knock came at her door. She limped over to it.
Looking through the peephole, she saw a very tall man. Still nervous from last night, Molly grabbed her baseball bat from the closet and opened the door a crack.
"Can I help you?" she questioned timidly.
The man was tall, tan and had very messy black hair. Molly thought looked like a young Bruce Springsteen. She could have taken him then and there but she wanted to know what the hell was going on.
"Can I help you?" she repeated.
" err...my name is Elessar. I was the one who helped you in the woods last night. You invited me here for dinner. Does your invite still stand?" asked Elessar cautiously but kindly. It had been a long time since he had a conversation with anyone, especially a mortal woman.
"Sure, sure, sure Elessar. Please come in...I just wasn't sure since you were coming since I forgot to give you my address last night. I'm Molly by the way. I'm making Minestrone since it's wicked cold out. I hope you're not vegetarian or vegan or anything...if you are we can order something or toss one of my frozen pizzas in the oven." said Molly. She was nervous so she was babbling.
"I'm sure whatever you have cooking will be fine." said Elessar. He strode in. Molly noticed that despite the cold mid-February weather he wasn't wearing a coat. She knew she had to make conversation but how do you make conversation with a stranger? She was shy around new people too, still she owed this man a debt of gratitude. She probably owed him her life.
"You from around here?" asked Molly.
"Not really, I'm from a long way away. But, I had to leave." said Elessar with a despairing sigh.
"I'm not from here either. I'm from Boston and sometimes it just seems so far away. I miss the ocean so much." said Molly.
Elessar smiled sadly "I'm from alot father away than Boston. I'm not even from this country."
"Are you from Ireland?" Your name sounds Irish?" asked Molly.
Elessar laughed softly. "I'm from farther away than Ireland too."
Molly was still nervous. So she spoke very fast. "You'll have to tell me about it someday...oh look the soup is boiling over...let me get it." She limped very fast over to the stove to turn it off.
Elessar wasn't about to tell Molly that he wasn't even from this world...not yet. It had been a long time since he had anyone to talk to. Molly was kind and he felt like they could get along. So he continued to spend the evening with Molly. The two had Minestrone, bread and a bottle of red wine. Then they talked, played checkers and enjoyed one another's company.
"Holy shit! It's 2 am. I have work tomorrow. It's time for me to go to bed. We've talked the whole night away." exclaimed Molly.
"Goodnight then Molly, I hope to see you another time." said Elessar. He really meant it too. It had been a long time since he had anyone to spend time with.
"Well, how about we go bowling this Saturday...then dinner?" Asked Molly. She had never asked anyone on a date before and was afraid to do it. But, she was lonely in this new town and wanted someone to talk too.
"Alright, it's a date then. Sleep well, Molly." he said as he departed.