BANG! BANG! BANG!
I woke up startled by the sound of someone pounding on my door. My heart thundered in my chest. I swept my tousled hair out of my face. I remained quiet and waited on the couch where I had fallen asleep. Other than the crickets chirping outside my window, there was utter silence. It was as if the noise had been part of a dream.
As stealthy as a cat, I slipped out of the couch and tiptoed to the nearest closet stashed with the only weapon I possessed, my brother’s baseball bat. I was careful not to make a sound. I got down on all fours and crawled to the front door. My heart pounded in my chest as I leaned against it.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The hinges shook. Whoever was on the other side of the door was strong enough to kick it in. My hands trembled as I gripped the baseball bat tightly. I counted to three before I stood up. I leaned against the peephole, my breath fogging up the lens.
I strained my eye to look through the peephole. However, nothing out of the ordinary stood out. The only addition to the surroundings outside was the annoyed delivery boy standing on my doormat with a pizza box in his hands. Embarrassment crept up on my face. I shoved my baseball bat aside before opening the door wide.
“Ma’am, I’ve been trying to reach you-”
“Yes, I know. I’m sorry I fell asleep,” I apologised, bowing my head slightly. In my state of panic, I had forgotten about the food I’d ordered.
“You didn’t have to bang on my door so loud, though. It gave me such a fright,” I said, after he placed the order in my hands.
“I didn’t, Ma’am.” He blinked, a confused look settling on his face. “I came to your apartment because you weren't answering the phone. Before I could even ring the bell, you opened the door.”
I couldn’t think of an appropriate response. I knew I hadn’t dreamt up the loud banging on my door, yet the delivery boy looked just as baffled as I was. I thanked him once again and apologised for missing his calls. I watched him descend the stairs, still trying to figure out what had caused such a raucous. From the corner of my eye, the shadows cast by the naked light bulb shifted. Something big seemed to move within them. My skin prickled, and intuition told me to run. I ducked back inside my apartment, but before I could close the door, a hand shot out.
“You’re a difficult person to find, Ms Clark,” The deep, velvet voice said. I pushed the door with all my might. I willed it to move those last few inches so the latch could automatically slide in. However, I was no match against the person standing on the other side of the door. With a simple shove, I stumbled back. The pizza box flew from my hands and fell flat on the floor with a splat. The door swung open, allowing the uninvited guest to walk in.
I trembled where I stood as the intimidating man set foot inside and closed the door behind him. My eyes shot to the baseball bat leaning against the wall a few feet away.
“Please don’t bother. I’m not here to hurt you. However, I am here to take you away.” A disarming smile spread across his face. He sat down at my dining table and invited me to join him.
Warning bells rang through my head, and every fibre in my being told me to bolt. But common sense told me that I wouldn’t make it out of my apartment. The man sitting at my dining table was lethal. The compression, combat shirt he wore, showing off his sculpted muscles, told me he was a weapon. The daggers hanging from his waist were an added accessory. I picked up the pizza box from the floor and sat opposite him.
“Who are you and what do you want?” I blurted, trying to put on a tough appearance. I balled my fists to prevent my body from trembling so much.
“My name is Cassian. Like I said, I’m here to take you away, somewhere safe.” His smile was friendly. However, his dark eyes were not. If anything, he looked worried. "Julien sent me. I’m afraid your location is compromised.”
“He promised me he wouldn’t get me involved again.” My animosity towards the stranger sitting across from me lessened. But I kept my guard up nonetheless. Before Julien disappeared into the inky, black portal that connected our two worlds, he told me he would come back to get me himself.
“Julien held up his end of the agreement until he couldn’t.” Cassian’s eyes softened. From the pocket of his trousers, he pulled out Julien’s tag and slid it across the table. Like a comet, my heart plummeted. With shaking hands, I picked up the metal tag Julien wore around his neck. My eyes welled up with tears as I recalled his smiling face.
“If things escalate, I’ll come and get you and keep you safe. In case I don't make it, the only person you should trust is the person carrying my name tag. Don’t worry, though. I’m strong, and you’ll see this handsome face again,” Julien had laughed, his golden curls shaking around his head.
“I’m afraid you’ll have to mourn him later. We don’t have much time. We need to leave,” Cassian’s deep voice broke through the shock. I looked at him and waited for him to laugh and say it was a practical joke. And on cue, Julien would walk into the room. However, Cassian’s face remained solemn. He was telling nothing but the truth. No matter how long I waited, Julien would never show up. I nodded my head. I would mourn Julien when the time was right.
I stood up on shaking legs. In a daze, I walked to my room, picked up my travel bag and stuffed it with my essentials. Cassian stood at the threshold of my room, one eye always on the front door. From the way he stood, I could tell, whatever he was expecting wasn’t good. I wiped away a tear before zipping up the bag.
“I’m done,” I said, turning to look at Cassian.
“Good. Now let’s get out of here.” Cassian effortlessly picked up the bag and slung it over his shoulder. We walked to the door without exchanging a word. The moment Cassian placed his hand on the door knob, the lights went out. He took a step back, his free arm shot out protectively.
“They’re here,” he whispered. Just as he spoke, the windows to my apartment smashed open.
React
