How the Night Hides Scars

Chapter 2|Old memories

Cw: swearing
I was having the dream again. It wasn't a dream,more of a memory.

I was 17 sitting in the waiting room of the mechanic shop where my brother worked. We were supposed to hang out at his apartment after his shift was over so I did my homework while waiting for him to be done.

I remember writing something in an essay when a man walked in. Even though I looked at him for less than a second I'll never forget what he looked like.  He didn't seem that much older than me maybe 19. He was tall and seemed quite muscular wearing a tight suit with a long sleeve dark green button-up under a black vest neat black pants and nice dark gray boots. He had thick black hair that reached a little past his ears with a single neon green streak in his hair. He looked very handsome but terrifying at the same time.

"Excuse me, have you seen Akari Savalani ?" " he said looking at me.

"Yeah he's -" I started still looking at my laptop.

"Look at me when you talk you fucking brat" he snarled grabbing my chin and making me look at him

I swallowed shocked at the way he treated me. I looked into his bright green eyes as he smirked getting close to my face and speaking into my ear very gently.

"There's a good girl, now why don't you tell me where your brother is Jade " he muttered.

"How do you know my name?" I asked as a chill ran down my spine. Who was this man?

"That's not important princess now answer me" he hissed

"A-Akari is i-in the garage" I stuttered. Although he seemed very threatening and dangerous I felt attracted to him. I had never been treated this way but I liked it.

"Good girl" he chuckled. "I think that deserves a reward" he stated holding his hand against my cheek.

I shoved him off of me realizing that I had no idea who this man was or how old he was.

"Get away from me! I'm only 17!" I snapped.

That seemed to annoy him and he rolled his eyes.

"I'm 19. I'm not some 25-year-old trying to be creepy," he stated.

"O-oh, I'm sorry," I said blushing.

He chuckled "That's okay princess. You're just cautious. I get that. I have to talk to your brother but you'll get your reward in a few days." with that he walked away.

I remember he and my brother talked for about an hour and Akari kept looking at me through the large window looking through the garage. At the end of their little conversation, they shook hands and the black-haired man walked out through the lobby instead of the open garage. He made sure to stop by me to say goodbye.

I remembered to look up at him again when he walked past me. He sat down next to me and seemed to be in a better mood than when he came in. What happened next has stuck with me ever since.

He took my hand in his and bought it to his face. Very gently he kissed the back of my hand as I blushed.

"Goodbye daarin, I'll see you again someday I promise." he lovingly whispered in my ear.

Before I knew what I was doing I said something that neither of us expected.

"Kiss me" I mumbled.

Before I could even apologize he put both of his hands on the side of my face and bought our lips together gently.

It was my first kiss and it was amazing. He was so gentle with me and I never wanted it to end.

Eventually, he ended it. I knew it was only a few seconds but it felt like an eternity. He held my face for a few more seconds before getting up and leaving without another word.

The next day my brother disappeared. A friend had gone over to his apartment to find his apartment empty except for an envelope addressed to the landlord. All that was in it was the rent for the next few months and a note saying to give the apartment to someone else as my brother wouldn't be needing it anymore. There was no signature just an odd moon symbol.

I heard the news at school that day. I had gotten called down to the principles office and when I arrived there was a police officer. They informed me what had happened and how they would try and find my brother but there was very little to go off of. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Akari was missing and nobody knew where he was. My big brother, my best friend was gone.

The rest of that day was just a blur. My teachers just let me sit either in the back of the class or in the counselors office so I could think.

Eventually, when I got home I noticed that there were no cars in the driveway, and a note tapped on the door. It was from pastel who explained that he was at the police station giving a statement and that Sukara was still at work. I had expected this but What I hadn't expected was a present on my bed.

The present was a medium-sized box wrapped in beautiful wrapping paper that had shiny purple moon and star decals on a purple and black ombre background. Figuring it was from my parents to cheer me up I unwrapped it and opened it up. In the box, there was a small round cat stuffed animal with pink and purple blotches on it. It was holding a small heart that said I meow you. There was also a beautiful rose quartz bracelet and an envelope with my name on it. I remember how I picked up the envelope that was sealed with a heart sticker. I opened the envelope and realized that this was not from my parents. The letter read

Dear Jade,
I hope you like your reward for being such a good girl yesterday. I tried to pick out something that would be perfect for you. Your brother is fine but does not try to contact him and do not go to the police with any of this or there will be consequences. If anyone asks you who gave you this gift tell them that it's from a secret admirer at school. I'll be keeping an eye on you so be good. I love you Daarin.
~ A
I did as the letter said knowing that the dark-haired man from yesterday was A. I didn't know who he was or what power he had.

For months 'A' sent me all kinds of gifts all with letters giving me updates on my brother and small stuffed animals. I loved them all and kept them close but one day they stopped out of nowhere.

Sukara's voice woke me from my dream.

"Jade time to wake up we're here"