Devil's Snare

Chapter 14- Ochi Carini....

Alzea was at her school today, she wanted to feel a bit better, and there is no better way to do that than attending classes and going to the library afterward. The library is a crowded space, and it made her feel better about being there.

She was crunching numbers and trying hard to concentrate on her work but failed to. She was worried about Matt; he hasn't called her since the incident at the club, "was he okay? was he hurt?" she thought to herself. Just as when she was about to leave, she saw him.

"Matt!" she shouted across the hall, grabbing her stuff. Matt looked at her and smiled. He seemed to have handled the situation better than her.

Alzea walked over to him and asked, "Matt, you okay? I haven't seen you since the day after the club. I was worried about you," she said, trying to catch her breath.

Matt smiled at her, feeling happy that Alzea was worried about him. "I am fine, Zea, just regular things, you know? School, assignments, and stuff". Alzea agreed with him; she had been busy with the exams and her babysitting work.

Alzea and Matt started to walk together, and Matt wanted to initiate a conversation but was unsure what to say. Does he bring up the day at the club? Does she even know that he was locked in a room by a raging psycho?

"Zea," he called, stopping in his tracks. "Hmm. Alzea responded, looking at him".

"What happened at the club?" he asked, stilling her on her spot.

Alzea avoiding the conversation, said, "What do you mean what happened at the club?"

"It's just that.........." He wanted to say something but couldn't.

"You are scaring me with your silence and half-sentences, Matt, were you hurt at the club? Did someone say something to you?" she asked, looking at him for any injuries.

"It's just that a guy was asking about you at the club the other night; he locked me in a room, and let me tell you, Zee, he seemed dangerous. Do you know him?" asked Matt remembering that night at the club.

"What do you mean he asked about me? What did he ask?" Alzea asked, not trying to shake.

"He asked me if we both are in love and if I know where you live," Matt said, motioning for Alzea to sit on a nearby bench.

The weather was chilly but listening to Matt's statement Alzea was tensed and sweating a bit; the night at the club was still fresh in her mind as much as she tried to forget.

"What did you say to him, Matt," asked Alzea, fiddling with the computer in her lap.

"Nothing Zea, I told him we were both in one class and a project together, and I told him I had no idea where you live," Matt said, trying to calm her down.

Alzea had a distant look on her mind, she is a natural worry wart and an over-thinker, and this is a result of her past trauma, which she is still working on. "Did he believe you, Matt"?

"I don't know, Zee; he didn't say anything after that and let me go. Do you know him, Zea? I can't think of how you know him; he seemed dangerous and demanding. It would help if you were careful, Zee; he seemed to be someone who would not tolerate someone crossing his path. It would help if you let the police know about the incident; he could be a stalker or worse, killer" listening to this, Alzea stiffened even more and looked worried.

Matt squeezed her hand and continued, "I am not saying this to scare you, Zee. I am just worried that there is a possibility of him hurting you".

"Hmm! I know, Matt, but going to the police will cause trouble. I don't want this to end up on my reports or whatever you know. Besides, I haven't seen his face. Have you seen his face?" asked Alzea, hoping to get some form of idea about the guy