Almost home

Penny had a bit of open ground to cover, but she was almost home.

Maybe she was too eager, or maybe the **** impaired her judgement. But as she rounded the last corner around a tall hedge, she ran straight into Mr. Travers.

Mr. Travers was in his 50s. He had an average build, certainly not thin or handsome but still aging well by modern standards. He wasn't exactly a friend of the family, but he made small talk while walking his dog during the day.

He was on good terms with everyone in the neighborhood but this definitely wasn't the best time to run into him.

He was currently walking his medium-sized bulldog, Max, around the block. Penny was lucky she hadn't tripped over Max.

Well, maybe it was lucky.

"Penny?" Mr. Travers grabbed her arms to steady her. "Goodness, what are you--"

He was looking down. Penny held her cardigan shut with one hand and covered her crotch with the other, but it was fairly obvious that she was not fully clothed.

"You smell like booze and you're sprinting around like this? Have you any respect for law or decorum?" He sounded tense. Not angry, but not calm.

"I didn't--It's not by choice, I got jumped by scanners! And I can drink, it's my birthday!"

Mr. Travers fidgeted with his grip on her arms, drawing attention to the fact that he was still holding her.

"Is it, now." He looked down at her body more boldly. "This was careless of you, young lady."

"Mr. Travers?" A sick feeling was forming in Penny's stomach. She had never thought of Mr. Travers as dangerous. "Please, let me GO!"

The last word came out a bit too loud. Mr. Travers suddenly moved his hands to her head, one holding her mouth shut and the other holding her in place.

She reflexively moved up her own hands to grab his wrists, exposing her body to view. In confusion and fear, she didn't immediately try to break free.

Not this again, not when I'm so close to home!