Angela froze, cheeks bright red. "I don't want..."
"You can't talk your way out, either. You have to think and then act. Start with locking your ankles together and try to throw me off."
She did as he said - heart pounding, mind screaming - and Marc met her eyes.
"You have to get in control of it. Being scared makes you human, but you have to think too. Your hands should be trying to find a weapon while your legs keep trying to throw him off. Your gun, his knife, a rock; anything in reach, and don't waste your time yelling. It will only tire you out."
Angela sucked in air, closing her eyes against the fear in her heart.
"He'll be saying things, pawing at you, but surprise is your weapon. Distract him and then bite, punch, kick, whatever it takes, but don't let him turn you over."
She nodded, wanting him off of her, and Marc raised a brow. "Make me."
She surprised him with an almost gentle butt to the head, and then they were struggling against each other, Marc using only pressure, no force. The fear in her eyes was intense, preventing his body from responding.
After a full minute, he let her roll him over and off. She was on her feet in an instant, hair wild, eyes flashing as he stood up.
"Lesson two. When a man corners a woman, he watches to see if she's a runner or a fighter. Your eyes and body language tell him how to prepare for you, and again, surprise is your weapon. Keep your hands at your sides. Make him think you've frozen, and when he moves in, cup your hands into a fist and bring them up at the same time as your knee. Pound his nuts into his stomach, and run for a weapon or your car. If you miss, you'll be on the ground again. Ready?"
She was glad he had given her the warning this time, but couldn't help freezing when he rushed her. They were on the ground a second later.
"Lock those ankles, Angie. Use your knees! You can't hurt me, but I could hurt you, if I were a bad man. You need to pretend I am."
She answered him with a harder butt to the chin that sent tiny stars of vivid shades across his vision. He let her roll him over again.
Angela quickly gained her feet for a second time, and Marc took a quick look around as he got up. Clear. "Very good. Ready?"