I wiped away the last of my tears and put on my clothes, then I noticed my backpack lying on the ground beside a bush. With all that had happened, I hadn't even realized it had slipped off my shoulders. Cautiously, I picked it up and made sure nothing was missing before heading back home, still a little shaken.
I nervously walked along the dirt path Kael had pointed out to me, scanning my surroundings for any signs of danger. The only sounds were the rustling of the trees and my own pounding heart. I was scared, but I kept going until I eventually reached the main road. I let out a breath of relief as I made my way out of the woods.
As I walked down the dimly lit street, my heart pounding in my chest, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was following me. I kept looking over my shoulder, but the empty street offered no answers.
Finally, I arrived at the drugstore. I cautiously approached, scanning the area for any sign of Kael. I knew he could be anywhere, and I was terrified of running into him again.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door to the store. The bell jingled above my head, announcing my arrival. I nervously looked around, my eyes quickly scanning the shelves of vitamins, chips, and other drugs.
I walked over to the woman behind the counter, who looked exhausted but alert. Her eyes met mine as I softly asked for a morning-after pill. She gave me a once over, looking suspicious, before asking me a series of questions.
I was taken aback by her scrutiny, and I had no idea how to answer. All I knew was that Levie had told me she had to take one after a crazy night out.
The woman's eyes narrowed, and I could feel the tension mounting in the air. After a few moments of awkward silence, she finally offered me a few brands, her voice was suddenly gentle and understanding.
I exhaled in relief and quickly paid for the pill, eager to get out of there.
As I stepped out of the drugstore and back onto the street, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched again.
I stopped in the middle of an empty street. I tried to stay calm and not let my fear get the best of me.
Letting out a deep sigh, I turned around and began to make my way back to the store, constantly looking over my shoulder and praying that Kael wouldn't jump out from the shadows. I was on high alert, my senses were heightened, and my heart was racing.
When I arrived at the store, I approached the same lady at the counter. My voice shook as I asked if they had a comfort room I could use. She looked at me with the same gentle yet suspicious look before pointing me to the door in the corner of the store.
I quickly bought a bottle of mineral water, eager to use the comfort room and escape the gaze of the woman at the counter. My hands were shaking as I made my way to the door, constantly looking over my shoulder.
Stepping into the comfort room, I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, trying to catch my breath. I was surrounded by the sound of my own heartbeat.
I tried to focus and calm myself down, but it was no use. I closed my eyes, and flashes of what had transpired that day flooded my thoughts. It was all too much to take in one day, and I felt overwhelmed by everything that had happened.
Kael. His name alone gave me goosebumps.
I opened my eyes, and the world came back into focus.
The light in the drugstore's bathroom was bright, illuminating every inch of the small room. But despite the brightness, a creeping feeling of unease lingered in the air.
I quickly washed my face by the sink, trying to shake off the fear that still gripped me. I reached for the small brown bag that held the pills I had been given, my hands shaking as I pulled it open. Without a second thought, I quickly popped four pills into my mouth instead of the recommended dosage.
But just as I swallowed the pills, I felt a sudden, strong grip around my neck, choking off my air supply. I gasped, trying to pull away from my attacker, but the grip was like a vice.
With all my strength, I reached out and grabbed the edge of the sink, trying to pull myself free. My fingers scrabbled against the surface, trying to find a grip, but it was no use. I was losing strength, and I knew I was going to black out.
And then, just as suddenly as it had started, the grip around my neck was gone. I fell to the ground, gasping for air. I looked up, and I scrambled to my feet when I saw him.
"Kael."
"Trembling with fear, I cowered beneath the imposing figure of Kael. His face partially hidden by the familiar red mask. Although I was frightened, I couldn't deny the mysterious charm the mask brought.
But why did he continue to conceal his face, even after our two intimate kisses?"
His fists were clenched tight at his sides. I was backed up against the corner of the bathroom with nowhere to go.
"What did you do?! Didn't I tell you not to do anything stupid?!" He bellowed, his face contorted with rage.
"How did you find me? How did you suddenly get in here?" I stammered, trying to make sense of what was happening.
"You're going to spit out those pills right now," he ordered, his voice low and menacing.
"I-I can't," my mind raced, trying to figure out how to get out of this situation. "Get the hell away from me!"
"Don't you dare play games with me now, Pet," Kael growled, his grip on my arm tightening.
"Please, just leave me alone," I said, desperation creeping into my voice.
"Spit them out now, or I'll make you regret it."
I shook my head, tears streaming down my face as I tried to back away from him. "No! Please, help me! Somebody help me!" I screamed, my voice hoarse from fear.
But Kael was not deterred. He advanced on me, his eyes filled with a cold, calculated rage.
"Go ahead, scream for the nice lady outside. Just remember, whatever I do to her, it's all on you," he threatened, his voice dripping with venom.
A cold sweat beaded on my skin as I realized the fury in his eyes was telling me he was dead serious. And I was trapped, with no way out, and I had no choice but to comply with his demands.
With shaking hands, I reached into my mouth and retrieved the pills, coughing and gagging until the pills finally came loose. I spat them out onto the sink, gasping for air as I tried to catch my breath.
The expression in Kael’s eyes softened slightly, and I could see a hint of relief in them.
Standing there in the light, I could finally see his feature that weren’t covered in the mask. The color of his hair was a warm, chestnut brown that was a perfect balance between light and dark, with a glossy sheen that caught the light with every movement.
But it was his steel blue eyes that captivated me the most—the eyes of a man who was both charming and lethal. Like two piercing gems through the holes in the mask, they seemed to look into one's soul - my soul, no doubt. But they were sharp and calculating, reflecting a mind that was constantly weighing options and outcomes.
Suddenly, Kael was on me in an instant, his body pressing against mine as his fingers dug into my cheeks, pinching my skin. I could feel his hot breath on my face, and his eyes were blazing with a dangerous intensity.
"Think about the brother you love," he said. "Think about what will happen to him if you do something stupid like this again."
I was paralyzed with fear, unable to move as his words echoed in my mind. The thought of my brother being hurt because of me was more than I could bear.
"Do you understand?" Kael growled, his grip on my face tightening. "I won't hesitate to end his life. I will do it without a second thought, if that's what it takes to protect what's mine."
I nodded, unable to speak as I felt my heart pounding in my chest. I knew that Kael was not someone to be trifled with, and I would have to be careful from now on.
The moment was broken as Kael released me, and stepped back. He looked at me for a moment, his eyes full of warning, and then he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, trembling with fear.
I mustered up all of my courage and stumbled out of the restroom. Then I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me. The lady behind the counter shot me a strange look, her disapproving gaze piercing through me. "You really should take care of personal things at home," she scolded.
I suddenly realized she must have heard my screams, and Kael must have fabricated a story to explain the situation to her. I didn't want to stick around and find out what he had said. I quickly gathered my courage and briskly walked home, trying to shake off the overwhelming feeling of fear and shame that lingered with me.
When I stepped out of the drugstore, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. However, it was short-lived. As I entered my home, a feeling of dread washed over me when I noticed my brother was nowhere to be found.
I went straight to my bathroom and locked the door. I stripped off my clothes and stood under the hot shower, letting the water wash away the fear and shock that I had gone through.
When I finished and looked at myself in the mirror, I saw the bruises and hickeys all over my body.
When I reached my bed, I broke down in tears, sobbing until exhaustion claimed me. But as I drifted off to sleep, a haunting thought lingered in my mind—would I cross paths with Kael again?