Chapter 5 The protector

Madison paced through her apartment, her nerves fractured from the previous night. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw those hooded men enclosed on her outside the gallery. Their sinister presence burrowed under her skin.

Her phone, however, vibrated on the small desk. "Rachel, again." Madison stared at the screen, debating whether to answer or let the call go to voice mail. It was 9 a.m. The time she usually arrived at work.

"What am I going to say?"

She let the phone ring for a while before picking up the phone to send in a text after a few minutes.

"I'm not feeling well today, Rachel. Can you cover for me?"

Rachel's reply almost came in instantly.

"Seriously?"

"How do you feel?"

"What's going on?"

Madison couldn't bring herself respond to the text. She dropped her phone and collapsed onto her couch, pulling a blanket over her head, as she let out a muffled shriek underneath the blanket.

"It was totally fine to take a day off. It wasn't like she was the only one who had ever done that. Besides, no one was going to miss her at the gallery," She thought to herself.

As hours went by, Madison tried everything possible to ensure she got distracted- organizing her kitchen, fixing up her apartment, folding up her laundry, scrolling through her phone and watching old sitcoms- but nothing could erase that unsettling feeling in her chest.

When the sun began to set, she'd convinced herself she was being paranoid. Quickly, she picked up her keys and headed towards the door.

"Some fresh air will do. I'll just take a quick walk," she muttered to herself. "Five minutes. That's it."

Stepping outside, Madison stuck to familiar paths as she moved around her block, hoping the movement would calm her. She passed by known landmarks - the corner bakery with its cheerful window display, the small park with its worn benches, the cozy book store that always smelled like old coffee.

After walking a few blocks away from her apartment, she noticed figures trailing behind her. She peered over her shoulders and saw the same men at the parking lot, and she sped up, her sneakers scraping against the sidewalk. The men did same.

Her heart pounded. She wasn't imagining it. She was being followed.

"Stay calm. Don't panic."

She darted into a narrow side street, her mind racing. She needed to lose them. Her eyes scanned her surroundings for an escape route, but alley was a dead end.

The sound of their footsteps grew louder and came slower, echoing off the brick walls.

"Hey, darling," one of them called out, his voice dripping with menace. "Why are you such in a hurry?"

Madison's breathe shortened as she held on to her phone, her fingers shaking uncontrollably over the emergency call button.

The men came closer, their steps intentional and slow.

"What do you want?" she demanded, her voice quivering.

One of them smirked lowly. "Just a chat."

"Stay away from me," she snapped, stepping back. Her heel collided with the wall, trapping her in place.

The leader of the group stepped out, his hoodie casting a shadow over his face. "No need to be scared. We just need to talk to you,"

"Talk to me about what?" she replied rudely.

"We are your dad's friends." The leader of the group spoke calmly.

She muttered under her breath, "Dad never had friends... so who are these men?"

"What do you want from me?" she screamed with tears.

"We are from the syndicate and we think you have something we are in search of." He said.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Let me go please!" She cried the more.

Before she could say another word, a voice cut through the tension.

"She told you to back off."

"Aaron!"

He stood there at the mouth of the alley, his hands in his pockets with an expression so calm.

"Who the hell are you?" The leader of the group turned to him.

Aaron took steps closer, his eyes solely locked on the man. "Doesn't matter who I am. What matters is you and your friends getting yourselves out of here. Now!"

The man snorted. "You think you can just come up here and tell us what to do? You think you are going to stop us? That's three against you, man."

Aaron didn't shudder. "You have got just five counts before you find out if those odds are in your favor."

"Come on, let's leave guys." One of them said.

But the leader wasn't ready at all to back down. It felt more like a battle of thrones. He reached out for Aaron's face with his fist swinging.

Aaron on the other end, dodged with ease, grabbing the man's arm and twisting it behind him. The leader cried aloud in pain, but there was no mercy this time.

"Leave!" Aaron growled, with his voice threatening.

The other two man came at him, but Aaron was ready. He ducked under a punch and delivered a swift kick to one man's knee, sending him crashing to the ground. The third swung wildly, but Aaron caught his arm and threw him against the wall.

Within moments, all three men were groaning on the ground.

Aaron turned to Madison, his breathing steady. "You alright?"

She nodded, her legs wobbled beneath her.

"Come on," he said, extending his hands. "Let's get you out of here."

The walk back home was somewhat cautious. Madison stayed close to Aaron, as she found safety.

When they entered into her building, she finally broke the silence. "Why were you there?"

Aaron took a few seconds before you answered. "I had a feeling you were in trouble and needed help"

She frowned. "That's not my reply."

He sighed, running his hands over his neck. "Let's just say I've been keeping my eyes on things."

"What does that even mean? Who are those guys?"

"I don't know yet, but I'm going to figure it out." He admitted.

Madison still in her head replied. "And am I supposed to just sit back and fold my arms? I need answers, please"

"Maddie, please listen," he said, holding her gently. You are going to be safe.Go upstairs now. Lock your doors and don't go out alone. If you feel anything off, you can call. Got it?"

She opened her mouth to argue but resisted the urge.

"I know you don't trust me. But I need you to trust that I won't let anything happen to you. Not on my watch." He said softly.

"Okay." She said, with a sense of gratitude.

"Good. Get inside."

He watched as she turned and walked away.

Back at her apartment, Madison leaned against the door while her eyes filled with tears. "What just happened?" but that was just a hanging question. Her thoughts, however, zeroed in on Aaron. The one she wasn't sure she wanted to solve but tonight, he'd been her protector.

And for now, that's enough