She's Not Afraid

Chapter Three

Nicoleta opened her eyes slowly drifting away from the voice she had heard in her dreams and slowly coming back to reality. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes as she remembered the dream she had. It was so strange. The dream was nothing special but was so strange. She remembers sitting in front of a shop during the day. Everything was peaceful as she talked with someone. That someone was the man from last night. She didn't know what they were talking about, but they were just talking as if they had been friends for a long time. Nicoleta remembered the pleasant feeling she had when he talked. His voice was so calming and serene. She didn't think about it too much. Nicoleta heard that you often dream about people you've just met. She got out of bed and headed into the kitchen. She searched through her fridge for orange juice. Pouring herself a glass, she sat down on the couch. She felt her phone vibrate. She looked at her phone and saw a text from Adam. 'Turn on the news! Right now!' he texted. Nicoleta didn't know what this was about, so she found the remote and turned the TV on, on the far wall. She flipped to the news and saw something interesting.

"Today makes the tenth person to go missing. A young woman named Allison Rolland has been reported missing for several days now. Police have been searching night and day for this missing woman. This isn't the first person to go missing. In the last month there have been reports of people missing. All of the reports involve the person going out at night, and then never returning in the morning. If you have any information on the missing persons, please contact the police," the anchor announced.

Vlad watched the television as the reporter continued to talk about his heinous misdeeds. "Do not worry, Master. They will not find you," Scotty reassured. "I am not worried," Vlad said. He took a drink of scotch and continued to watch the news. Vlad didn't pay much mind. His mind was elsewhere. Vlad wanted the night to come quickly. He paced the room with his scotch in hand. "Master, does something trouble you?" Scotty asked. Vlad took a drink of scotch. "Is it that woman from the bar?" Scotty asked. Vlad crushed the glass in his hand and glared over at Scotty. "Leave me. You have business to attend to," he growled. Scotty bowed his head and left the apartment.

Nicoleta turned off the TV not caring at this point what else the news had to say. Nicoleta got up and decided to get dressed. She changed into a pair of athletic shorts and t-shirt. She tied her tennis shoes and grabbed her keys. She walked down stairs to the lobby of the apartment building. "Morning Christian," Nicoleta said. She looked at a man who was struggling to keep five dogs under control. All of them whimpered and whined to go on a walk. "Sorry I kept you waiting," she apologized and started to take the leashes from him. "Long night at the bar?" he asked. She nodded, "Thanks again for watching them, Christian." Christian waved her to leave, and Nicoleta left the building. When Nicoleta wasn't in the bar, she was a dog walker. She took this job when she switched to the night shift. Nicoleta walked down the sidewalk with all the dogs pulling at the leashes to smell new things or try and eat something off the sidewalk. Nicoleta wasn't really paying attention for her mind was in another place. She kept thinking about that dream she had. It felt so strange to remember it. Nicoleta remembered sitting there staring at the man she met at the bar. She couldn't quite understand the conversation they were having, but she just remembered the feeling of peace and safety. Suddenly one of the dogs pulled on the leash bringing Nicoleta out of her trance. She continued to walk the dogs down the street and around the block.

She returned to the apartment building and began to return the dogs. Nicoleta knocked on the door of the last owner. The door opened to reveal an old woman. "Thank you so much, Nicoleta," she smiled taking the leash. "It was no problem," Nicoleta replied. Nicoleta was about to leave with her head still in the clouds. "Nicoleta," the old woman called. Nicoleta looked. "Are you alright? You seem a bit off," she commented. "Yes, I'm fine," Nicoleta replied. The woman wished her well and Nicoleta left. She went to her apartment and went to her bedroom. She laid down on the bed and looked at the ceiling. The remembrance of the dream was still in her mind. She closed her eyes, and she could see him. She could see that man Vlad. She remembered his smile. It was a smile that was stuck in her mind. The smile she wanted to see again.