Music Box 2

Chapter 3

I stare before me, watching the serial killer that pointed a gun at my head. His eyes pierce into mine. He wears the same mask he used to wear before he set up the bomb. My mind is racing, thinking if he's now good or a bad person, but no answer comes out.

I turn around, not facing anyone, and walk away. I hear Monica calling my name to go back, but I don't listen and walk out of the building and go sit by a nearby bench. It's made of wood, and when you look up, you can see the stars shining in the night sky.

I take my phone and call Lucas. However, he doesn't pick up. I dont call the police because I'm not sure what to actually think of Helen. I remember Hener as a killer, yet he gave us the code to dismantling for the bomb. What do I need to believe now? And a better question: if he's here, are the other as well? I don't like the idea of it and just sigh deeply, staring into dark, deep, overgrown forest.

I hear the door open, and footsteps are slowly coming up to me. I suspect it's Hener, but I wish it wasn't. The footsteps stop. A shadow is standing over me, not letting the moonlight hit my skin.

"[Name]..."

Hener's voice is soft and gentle. I refuse to look at him, and my eyes turn to the ground.
There is a long moment of silence, and I decide to break it.

"How long have you been here?"

Hener is silent for a moment, seemingly to think about it. "Since I escaped, I guess..." "Escaped from what?"
The anger and annoyance take over me. I was the being kidnapped, I was the one who had to stop the bomb! Where could he possibly escape from?
"Others..."
"Others? You escaped your friends?"
"They aren't my friends."
"Then what are they to you?"
"Enemies."

I sigh, feeling more confused than ever. "What are you even doing here?"
"I wanted to apologize to you. But when I came here, you weren't. And you never came either, "he says softly. "I would be stupid to come back to that place," I say. "Yet you're here."

The silence takes over me. But I don't want to admit he's right, because he is...

"Let's talk inside. It's cold, "says Hener. I don't speak a word. I don't want to go inside, but I don't feel safe alone with Hener either. I try to hide my frustration.

Hener touches my shoulder, but I immediately stand up. Brushing of Heners hand in the process. "Let's go inside," I tell him and walk away back into the building.

"[Name]! I'm so glad you didn't run away, "says Monica. "Not yet, but I still can. You have to explain some things to me."
Monica sighs but smiles softly. "Yeah, it would only be fair." I take a seat, preparing for her story.

"Not long after I bought your building, I found Hener. He told me pretty much everything that happened, and I felt kind of bad."

I did to, look where it brought me...

"That's it?"I ask after she stops talking for a while. "Is there something I must add?" She replies. "Hener is a serial killer, I let him free, and he kidnapped me."
"That was six his work," interups Hener.
"I don't care! Maybe you weren't the one who brought me there, but you sure as hell didn't free me. After that, he put a gun to my head, "I say to Monica. "In my defense..."says Hener carefully. We turn to him.
"...I gave you also the code to dismantling the bomb."

"[Name], I get why you angry. And believe me, you have the right to be. But stay here for one night. Besides, Aston is going to protect you." I glance at the bored boy that rolls his eyes after hearing Monica's last sentence.

I don't think he will...

"So what do you think?" "How is he going to protect me?" "You sleep with him tonight."
Hener coughs loudly, and I look shocked at her. "Excuse me?"
"No no!" She laughs. "Not like that! In the same room. Unless you want another room. However, the windows are smashed because of some annoying teenagers. I suggest you lay a weapon next to your pillow for when someone tries to break in."
"I make sure no one breaks in, ma'am," says Hener. "Alright, I will sleep in the same room. Just one night, "I say.

"Why would you? I'm an experienced serial killer!"

"Yeah, there for."

"Then it's settled then," says Monica happily. I glance at one of the broken windows of the building and see a car driving. It stops before the building. "A police car," says Aston. "Police? Why would they be here?"thinks Monica out loud. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Hener slowly walking backward, a little more in the shadow. Like a criminal hiding for the police, which is technically the case. He has a defense look. The police car opens, and I see a familiar figure walking out of the car.

Lucas...