When Shadows Rise | I

Ch. 13 | Good Samaritans

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Talia had no idea how many times the old man's words repeated themselves in her head, but it was all she could think about. After about the 20th time of looking over her shoulder after hearing some minuscule noise nearby, the determination to get home was fueled faster than shoving coal into the firebox on a train.

Touching more on that, she never let go of April's hand throughout the journey home— not even when they got on the subway. April's hand went paler and paler the stronger Talia griped it, but she did not protest no matter how much her hand was begging to be released. The redhead saw the visible worry in her best friend's face, and it was like nothing she had ever seen before. April figured if the only way she could ease up Talia was having her hand in her grasp, then so be it.

In fact, as soon as the subway stopped at their desired station, Talia stood up rather hastily and pulled April behind her like a mother would do to her child. Talia did not look nor talk to anyone, but only kept walking ahead. Even when her phone vibrated in her pocket did she not bother to see who or what it was.

On the other hand, April had difficulty keeping up. Although being glued to her best friend's hand, she could not keep up the pace and felt more like she was band with rope and dragged by a pulling wagon.

"Ach! Taly, slow down, would you?" April winced when she felt a spasm in her hand. But it was like her best friend was deaf; she only continued walking.

April sighed. It was not like what Mr. Jiang had said did not frighten her, either, but what she was seeing her best friend do, it was almost like Talia had fallen into a paranoia-filled state where she believed no one could be trusted. Who was to say that the woman coming out of the store with a brand-new stroller was not watching them? How about the man walking his dog? Or heck, even a trio of blonde-haired triplets skipping merely down the sidewalk while munching on a few sweets?

It was crazy, but April felt a sense of deja vu coming back to her. She did not know where that feeling was coming from, but for some strange reason, she felt the need to be slightly frustrated and annoyed with Talia. Why? She had no clue, but she had to say something.

"Talia. Please." April said in her most serious tone— something she found herself being shocked at because she could not remember a time where she talked that way with her best friend. "I know that you're feeling scared right now, and you have every right to, but can you let go of my hand? Please? Look, nothing is going to happen, alright?"

Hearing April use that certain tone made Talia stop what she was doing. She finally had the courage to turn around and when she did, she saw how her best friend looked at her with a look that held all the worry and seriousness in the world. As much as a tiny piece of Talia did not want to let go of her friend's hand, she also took in and thought about her words. What was she doing? Was she really that in over her head after hearing Mr. Jiang's warning?

Talia exhaled and slowly released April's hand from hers. "I am sorry," she whispered, feeling ashamed of her actions. "I did not mean to hurt you in any way. I just-" she wove fingers through her curls, getting rid of any present knots, "-have a strong feeling Mr. Jiang was referring to The Foot. And when he said they have eyes and ears everywhere. . . it made me realize how deep we are in, April. There is no turning back now. It is because you are with me that I am afraid something will happen to you. I would never forgive myself if it ever came to that. You mean so much to me."