A tall well-built deceptively complex man with dark brown hair covering almost his eyes. His eyes were a shade of grey_so captivating that it can draw its prey close_as if they were being hipnotized.

He wore a black hoodie that made him more dangerous. Men in black are sure are a killer.

I knew the creep had an accomplice. At this rate I might get kidnapped or worse DIE!

I started struggling from his grasp.

 

My breaths were heavy. My vision started darkening. I could no longer breathe!

"Let me go! I said let go of me!"

"Wait! Hey, hold on! Are you ok?" He holds me firmly but strongly on my arms.

Passers-by bustled in the streets. The sound of car horns echoed into the night sky.

"He's after me!"

 "Who?" He tilted his head and blinked, a quizzical expressionon on his face.

"There's a guy behind me and he's after me!" I looked him straight into his eyes.

"What are you talking about. Who is after you?" His brow was furrowed in confusion, as he tried to make sense of it all.

A woman and her dog walked passed by us.

 

"A guy with a navy blue hoodie!"

I turn to look around. He tilted his head and furrowed his brow in bewilderment.

"He's coming from the alleyway..." I gasped.

"But no one is there..."

I was baffled. No words came out of my mouth. It was as if I had just woken up from a nightmare.

 

"You okay?"

"Yeah..." I said catching my breath. My lungs trying to grasp the little amount of air I was breathing in_ my mouth moving in the process.

"You're shaking!"

"Oh!" Looking at my hands, I recalled the series of events that brought me here. And I realised it was not just a dream.

"We should call the cops." He pursed his lips, the line of his mouth growing thin with disapproval.

"..."

"No..." I say while I shake my head.

"..."

 sigh, "I'm fine."

Then it hits me. He is still holding me. A complete stranger, is so concerned of the person he just met!

I was deeply puzzled in thought.

"ummm..." He stared at me.

"You can let go of me now."

Knewing the mistake he made, he let go of me quickly. "Sorry..."

I still feel his firm grip on me_ and the warmth of his palms. Wait! What on earth am I thinking?

I looked at him. He was rubbing the side of his neck.

A car sped fast opposite the pedestrian path, hooting impatiently.

 

I suddenly realised he was still close to me. With pure reflexes, I backed away from him.

The awkward silence between us, grew louder in the darkness. I held my left arm in embarrassment.

As if he read my mind, he looked at me and grabbed my hand. "Let's get out of here."

                                                                                              ...

Each ragged breath tore at my lungs, a burning ache that I tried to ignore as I collapsed onto the park bench nearby a convenience store. The wooden slats felt cool against my skin, a stark contrast to the radiating heat from my body.

My heart hammered against my ribs, and the world around me seemed to swim for a moment. I leaned forward, resting my forearms on my knees, trying to slow the desperate rhythm of my inhales and exhales, the world reduced into the simple, primal need for air.

Something cold brushed against my skin. I looked up and saw him with two cold cans.

"Here."

"Thank you."

He sat on the bench opposite me. A small gap left in the space between us. The sound of crickets surrounded us like a field of static, a constant, bristling hum from the foliage.

Slanting forward, he opened his can and drank, while I just stared at mine.

 Why on earth am I here, sitting next to him? Other people might have left total strangers alone so they are not involved with them anymore. But why is he still here?

I turned my head to face him. But to my surprise, he was already looking at me.

Embarrassment creeped all over me.

"You are not going to drink that? No one will steal it from you."

"Huhhh..." I saw I was squeezing it too hard.

Ok now I feel pissed.

 

"You should relax a little bit."

I turned to face him, again!

 " I appreciate your concern for helping me and buying for me this drink but I think I should leave now." I said as I shaked the can,_glimpsing at it.

"It seems you have calmed down."

I blinked. I think I had a perplexed look on my face.

Then he laughed. I tried to understand what the hell was going on, especially him.

"It seems you are still completely at sea." He fumbled a laugh, still acting cool.

"Are you making fun of me?"

"Hahahahaha"

He laughed. Again!

"You really love to brush things off easily huh?"

"Excuse me?" If he doesn't stop his cheesiness, I swear I will hit his face.

"You forgot that you were being chased a few minutes ago."

"No! I..."

It looks like he is enjoying this. This won't do.

"Sigh." At this point, I might leave.

"Would you mind telling me why that man was chasing you."

His earlier, easy smile was gone, replaced by a look of stern resolve. He changed into a completely different person.

His gaze lingered on mine, searching for an answer. I knew if I went on with his request, there will be no turning back.

He needed answers, and I was the only one who knew them.

I held my breath, and began telling him the train of events that led to this.

He just watched me. His features hardening as I explained.

I left out some parts that didn't match, and my own thoughts in the process, as I recalled the incident that occurred.

I think I need therapy if I am talking to a stranger about this.

Once I was done, I tried to gauge his expression on the matter. 

He was too hard to read. He didn't leave any traces at all.

After what seemed like a long pause in time, his lips opened, as I held my breath on what he was about to say.

"He maybe was a random stranger."

His words hit me. I think I am overreacting. A little. My thoughts started jumbling up all at once. Maybe his right.

Maybe he was just a random stranger. But my thoughts says otherwise.

I fumbled with my hands. I was too embarrassed to speak not even to look at him.

I forgot I was holding it. The can became warm from my touch, the now lukewarm droplets sliding down the can. I realised that I still hadn't opened it.

"But just in case, you should report it to the police." He said while he threw his can into a nearby bin.

Show off.

 "When that time comes, I will."

"What..." I raised my eyebrow. "Is there something on my face?" He had a strange look on his face as he watched me. Then he looked away.

Huhhh.

What's his deal anyways. If he has anything to tell me, he should say so. But it looks like I'm not one to talk.

A gentle wind stirred the air and caressed my cheek. I closed my eyes to the touch. Now that I think about it, it is starting to get chilly. When I opened my eyes he was facing up, taking in the scenery before him.

 The leaves rustled in the wind as they fell in the darkness. Bugs were playing under the street light. The sounds of the night always soothes the soul. 

But I just faced him.

 His jaw, a concrete block of determination, met his high, sculpted cheeckbones that appeared from his hoodie. His nose, long and slightly crooked from some forgotten scuffle, seemed to cut through the air, giving him an assertive presence. The constant, tight-lipped expression gave nothing away, making him seem both powerful and guarded. 

His features were breathtaking. I never knew a man could look this good. He should not be worth prying eyes. He should be placed in a museum!

His adam's apple moved. I traced it to his eyes, but he found my gaze. Cold but unfamiliar. It was as if I saw this expression before. I was lost in thought.

"You will bore a hole into me if you continue staring at me like that."

"Ahh..." The unfamiliar feeling in his gaze disappeared and I was brought back to reality.

Busted.

"It's getting late. I should go." I got up in a hurry, carrying my things, "I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused. And thank you for helping me."

"Wait!" He grabs the sleeve of my white blouse before I make it two feet away from him, "Those look heavy. Let me help you."

I turn to face him. "I can manage." 

"It's pretty late for a woman to be seen walking at night."

What is wrong with him. He gives me a cold stare then he decides to give me a helping hand.

 

Well then, it is better, than staying here with a man I don't know.

"I'll just take the subway."

He kept his eyes fixed on me in an unsual manner.

"Nothing will happen to me."

"Are you sure?"

Unbelievable.

He gave me an odd look.

"Yes." I said.

Disapproval was written all over his face.

"Let me accompany you halfway." He takes my luggage from my left hand.

"Hey!" But he is already in front of me by five feet. I follow behind him.

                                                                                       ...

The streets had recided into the quiet of the night. The streetlights shown their light on every pavement the pedestrians walked on. His back engulfed my view ahead while we walked.

"Why're you helping me?"

No answer. I try speeding up to match his pace but he is just too fast and too big!

"Did you here me?" He still faces forward, "I said, why are you helping me?" Still keeps quiet.

I finally made it to the front, blocking him. He catches my gaze, staring down at me. He holds it for a few seconds.

"Just because." Then he walks away.

We remain quiet, only the night speaks in our silence.

I bump into him only to find out he has slowed down. I stare up at him but he keeps walking but at my pace. We are now side by side with each other.

"Here," He hands me a card.

"What's this?"

"It is my office card."

"Huhhh!?"

"The company that I work for is hiring people. There are few spots left. If you are interested."

"What makes you think I'll go." He glances my way then faces forward.

"Just because."

Seriously. What is wrong with him.

He then suddenly holds my arm and pulls me close to him. I got startled by the sudden touch. A cyclist rode past by us. I immediately didn't realise, he rang his bell. By the time it was out of sight, he released his grip. Then we shifted sides so he could be closer to the road.

"Don't space out on the sidewalk."

For a second thought, I thought he cared but then I realised, he's just a stranger. I should not let my guard down around him.

"I'll put in a good word for you."

"What?"

He glanced at me then looked away.

I looked at the card he gave me, my breath dying in my throat. How can this be? It's not possible.

"I'll be waiting for you. I'll look for you when you come." He said with a nonchalant expression.

I needed to get away from him as soon as possible. This, can't be real!

"It's fine here. You can leave." I said, trying my hardest to disguise my quavering voice. He just stared at me.

"Thank you for accompanying me." He watched in silence as I took my luggage from him. 

"I don't want to keep you any longer so I'll leave first." I ran towards the crossing, "Oh! and don't worry. I'll be safe." I smiled at him then I left. 

He never said a word nor did he follow me. He just watched me as I disappeared into the crowd.

The further away I am from him, the safer I will be.

When I turned around to see if he was still there, he was looking my way. This gave me the shivers; my heart beating so fast, it's weight clogging my throat. I walked fast, trying to not look behind.

                                                                                             ...

I took the keys from my bag and opened the front door. A little troublemaker appeared in front of me and bounced at me.

"Woah, easy there. I have a lot on my hands."

He looked up and grinned at me, "Welcome back."

"I'm home." I said while I smiled at him.