Push on

She wasn't going to be beaten, and if she could help it, she wasn't going to get caught like this either.

Staggering to her feet, part of her wanted to look around her, to make sure that no one could see, but she knew the longer she took the more chance there was of discovery. Leaving the remaining shoe behind Karen stalked into the food court, one arm clutched tightly across her heaving bosom and she let out a slight sigh of relief to discover the food court was empty. There was no one to see her in her almost naked state.

Of course, the realization soon dawned that if the food court was empty that meant there was no sign of Bradley either, or her dress. Moving deeper into the court, where she hoped she'd be able to use the tables for protection if anyone came by, she whispered "Bradley! Where are you?" as loudly as she dared, getting no answer.

Had he run out the other side? Was he currently hiding in one of the little outlets surrounding the court? The burger bar, the pizza place? Where was she brave enough to look?