In the shadow of Love

night. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw those hooded men enclosed o

son stared at the screen, debating whether to answer or let the call

I going

before picking up the phone to se

ll today, Rachel. C

y almost came

riou

o you

s goin

her phone and collapsed onto her couch, pulling a blanket over h

was the only one who had ever done that. Besides, no one wa

ng her kitchen, fixing up her apartment, folding up her laundry, scrolling through her pho

rself she was being paranoid. Quickly, she pi

take a quick walk," she muttered to

nt would calm her. She passed by known landmarks - the corner bakery with its cheerful window disp

behind her. She peered over her shoulders and saw the same men at the parking l

wasn't imagining it.

lm. Don'

. She needed to lose them. Her eyes scanned her surro

grew louder and came slower

out, his voice dripping with mena

n to her phone, her fingers shaking uncon

r, their steps int

" she demanded, he

mirked lowly.

stepping back. Her heel collided w

die casting a shadow over his face. "No need

out what?" she

ends." The leader of t

ath, "Dad never had friend

from me?" she sc

d we think you have something

talking about. Let me go p

nother word, a voice c

you to b

ar

the alley, his hands in his poc

u?" The leader of th

e man. "Doesn't matter who I am. What matters is you

here and tell us what to do? You think you are

just five counts before you find o

leave guys." O

. It felt more like a battle of thrones. He rea

he man's arm and twisting it behind him. The leader

owled, with his v

delivered a swift kick to one man's knee, sending him crashing to the ground.

three men were gro

son, his breathing s

er legs wobbl

ending his hands. "Let'

cautious. Madison stayed close

ilding, she finally broke the

ou answered. "I had a feeling you

. "That's n

r his neck. "Let's just say I've

even mean? Who

t I'm going to figure

nd am I supposed to just sit back and

going to be safe.Go upstairs now. Lock your doors and don't

uth to argue but

to trust that I won't let anything happen

id, with a sen

Get i

she turned a

hat just happened?" but that was just a hanging question. Her thoughts, however, zeroed in

ow, that'