Just like that, the mysterious hold on him was broken, but he had no time to even feel any relief. He saw Claire slip and begin to tumble, and just like at the gym, instinct took over. This time, though, it was even stronger than before. This was not just some girl who he was hoping to get answers from anymore. She had been trying to help him, to protect him. He couldn't...wouldn't see her get hurt.
"No," he yelled, as he reached out for her. For that split second, he had even forgot about the stranger in the room, the one who wanted so badly to hurt him. His only concern was catching Claire...which, thankfully, he did.
He fell to his knees, with her in both arms. He looked down at her and asked "are you okay?" But before he could wait for an answer, he suddenly remembered the whole situation he was in, and looked up towards the other man, who had also been lunging forward to catch Claire and was thus only inches away.
Instinctively, he squeezed Claire tighter to his own body, as if to use her as a shield against any further attacks. He meant her no harm - of course not - but it was all he could think to do.