Chapter 2 Lena's Pov

I woke up with eyebags in my eyes and I was extremely late for work. Last night had been the worst night of my life but after crying, I slept off.

I pushed against my restraint as I got out of bed and out of my house. I avoided the alley trying to be safe. As I passed by, the people were whispering and I knew something was up.

"It was murder." I heard some say as I passed by the cafe, which was near the flower shop. I stopped to listen but I had no Idea why.

"It was just a few blocks from here. The cops had found a guy dead in the alley and I heard it had a caving."

"Another one?" The other lady added, "This is the third body this week and it had the same symbol."

My legs slowly carried me there. I didn't know why I was moving towards the crime scene but I did. When I got there, there was a little crowd. I pushed through the crowd, as I walked up front. The police tapes were all over and a police man stood at the entrance of the alley but not too far was the body.

I froze because it was him. The man who wanted to rape me yesterday night. He was dead–killed. I moved to take a closer look, the body had been carved up. My body still moved closer but I was stopped by the police officer.

"ma'am, you need to step back, this is a crime scene." The police officer warned me but I was too focused to move.

"Ma'am..." he called again, my eyes darted towards the officer as tears rolled down my eyes. I wanted to move but I was frozen. I could feel my anxiety peaking up as my lungs collapsed on itself.

"Ma'am, this is the last warning, step back."

Just then I felt someone take my hand and pulled me back. The person dragged me through the crowd and away from the scene.

We were back at the cafe and I couldn't breath or see (my eyes were clouded with tears). The thought of me being dead yesterday night was glaring at me.

"Hey, hey, look at me. It's okay, nothing is going to happen to you."

The person who pulled it said. I looked up to see a man but I couldn't get a clearer picture of his face.

"I need my drugs..." I said to him

"Sure, where is it?" He asked and I pointed to my bag. He quickly opened my bag and handed me the drugs. I opened it and swallowed two pills. My knee felt like jelly and I wanted to throw up.

"I don't feel good." I said

"Let's get you out of here" he said and pulled me up. We walked into the cafe and he led me to the bathroom. He stood outside the female bathroom as I walked inside.

My heart couldn't stop beating fast and I could feel bile rising up to my throat. I ran to the sink and threw up what I had left in my stomach.

I splashed water on my face, hoping the coldness would ground me. My hands trembled as I clutched the edge of the sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror. I had bloodshot eyes, pale skin and a haunted expression I barely recognized.

I should have been the one lying dead in that alley. I should have been the one with carved-up skin and lifeless eyes but I wasn't.

Why?

The thought clawed at me, refusing to leave me alone. That man-he wasn't just killed. He was butchered, just like the whispers had said. A third body with the same symbol, a pattern. It was a message but for who?

Why was I spared? Was it just coincidence, or was someone watching?

Or were they protecting me?

I wiped my face with a paper towel, still shaking, and opened the door slowly. The man was still there, leaning against the wall, arms crossed. He straightened when he saw me.

"You okay?" he asked gently, eyes scanning my face like he was trying to read me.

I nodded but didn't trust my voice. He guided me to a small booth in the corner of the café. The lights felt too bright, the air too heavy. My stomach twisted, but I held it in this time.

"Drink this," he said, handing me a glass of water.

I sipped it slowly. He sat across from me, watching me like a storm waiting to hit. I finally asked, "Do I...know you?"

He gave a small smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "No but I saw what happened yesterday. I was the one who followed you when that man tried to attack you."

I blinked. "You were there?"

He nodded. "I didn't make it in time to stop him, but you fought him off. I stuck around, just to make sure you got home safe."

My blood turned to ice. "You were following me?"

"Watching," he corrected calmly. "Not for anything bad. I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

"Why?"

"Because I know what it feels like to be hunted."

Something in his voice cracked. It was something cold and distant. His fingers traced the rim of his coffee cup absentmindedly. I didn't know what to say, so I just stared at him.

"What's your name?" I finally asked.

He hesitated for a second too long.

"Ray."

"Ray..." I repeated, my voice trailing.

He leaned forward slightly. "Lena, whoever killed that man last night......."

I shivered and waited for him to complete the statement but he didn't.

Ray said nothing else but he reached into his coat and pulled out a folded napkin, sliding it toward me.

My eyes widened.

There, drawn in black ink, was the same symbol the gossiping women had mentioned. It was a black tulip flower. It was a signature.

"I've seen this before," I whispered. "And every time it appears... someone dies." I recoiled slightly. "Why are you showing me this?"

"Because I think they were trying to send you a message last night." He paused. "And I think someone else sent a message right back."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," he leaned closer, voice barely a whisper, "someone killed that man to protect you."

My pulse thundered in my ears. "That doesn't make sense. Who would-why would anyone kill for me?"

"I don't know," he said, frowning, "but I intend to find out."

My hands clutched the glass, suddenly cold again. "You think they'll come back?"

"I know they will," he said, eyes locking onto mine. "Because the next body they find..."

He looked around the café, his jaw tightening.

"...might be yours."

Before I could respond, the bell above the café door rang and Ray stiffened.