Laci was staring at the article she had clipped from the newspaper earlier that day. It was about a local Private Investigator named Trent Malloy. She thought long and hard. She had to get free from her boyfriend Scott. He had beaten her for the last time she decided.

Her strength gathered she called her best friend Ashley for help. Within minutes Ashley picked her up and they were on their way. Laci used Ashley's car phone and called Trent, who arranged to have them meet at Thunder Karate. Ashley pulled up and parked in front of the dojo and noticed that a Durango was parked in front of Trent's Corvette. She looked at Laci and said, "Good - Carlos is here too." Ashley put a hand of her friend's shoulder. "Don't worry - it will be all right. We won't let anything happen to you".

Once they were inside introductions were made and Laci told Trent why she needed his help. Seated across the desk from Trent she tried to fight back the tears as she recalled the events that led up to this point.

She talked about Scott - the man that had been beating her - the man she always thought she'd spend the rest of her life with.

Trent never took his eyes off of her while she spoke. He had such compassion for people and this woman had touched him in a special way. He listened to every word and when she paused and started to cry he reached out and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Let it out Laci, it's all right. You're safe now, and everything is going to be fine. He will never, ever get near you again, I promise".

When Laci finally looked up, she saw that he was right. He had a determined look, full of confidence, and suddenly she felt stronger and certain that the future would be bright. She smiled for the first time in a long time.

Trent smiled back. He had taken an instant liking to her.

"I have to get my things out of my apartment, but I don't want to go back there alone", Laci said.

"We'll all go there together", Ashley said, smiling at her friend.

"Don't worry Laci, we'll have you out of there in no time", Carlos said.