DEADLY DECEPTION

CHAPTER 10

I finally reached the comforting embrace of the orphanage and hurried inside. Sophia greeted me with concern, noticing my damp clothes and distressed expression.

"Avery, what's wrong? Where have you gone? You look frightened," she asked.

"I... I think someone was following me," I stammered, my voice shaky. "I saw a man across the street, and he seemed to be watching me."

Sophia's reassuring presence offered some comfort. "It's probably just a passerby," she said. "But I'll lock the doors, just to be safe. You should go to your room and try to calm down."

Nodding, I made my way to my room, still feeling the weight of unease. As I closed the door, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had seen that man before, but I couldn't find where.

I sat on my bed, my mind racing with possibilities. Could it have been a random stranger, or was it someone with more sinister intentions? The scars on Maria's face flashed in my mind, a haunting reminder of the cruelty that existed in the world.

As I tried to steady my breathing, a sudden realization hit me like a bolt of lightning. The bookstore! The man I collided with, the same man I saw at the crime scene, and now this figure in the rain; could they all be the same person?

My heart pounded, and a wave of fear washed over me. But then again, could I really trust my own memory right now? My mind had been consumed by thoughts of Maria's murder, and I was probably just seeing connections where there were none.

Trying to calm myself, I reasoned that it might have been a coincidence. After all, this was a busy city, and people came and went all the time. Maybe it was just a homeless man seeking shelter from the rain, and my mind was playing tricks on me.

I decided to distract myself by looking out the window, focusing on the raindrops cascading down the glass. The sound of the rain was soothing, and I tried to take deep breaths, grounding myself in the present moment.

As I gazed out, I noticed that the figure was no longer there. Perhaps they had moved on, just like any other passerby. I sighed with relief, convincing myself that I had let my imagination run wild.

Feeling exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster, I knew I had to clean up before trying to get some rest. The cool rain had left me shivering, and a hot shower sounded like the perfect way to wash away the lingering unease.

I made my way back to the bathroom and turned on the shower, letting the water heat up. As the steam began to fill the room, I stepped under the warm spray, feeling an immediate sense of comfort and relaxation.

The hot water cascaded over me, soothing my tense muscles and washing away the chill from my body. With each drop that fell, I imagined it carrying away my fears and doubts, leaving me feeling lighter and more at peace.

As I stood there, I closed my eyes and let the water envelop me. The sound of the shower drowned out the noise of the outside world, creating a cocoon of solace where I could find a moment of respite.

Images of Maria flashed through my mind—the way she would laugh heartily at the children's antics, the warmth of her embrace, and the sound of her comforting voice. I clung to those memories, holding onto them like precious treasures.

Yet, even amidst the tranquillity of the shower, the image of the mysterious man persisted. I couldn't help but wonder if he was somehow connected to Maria's murder. Perhaps it was my mind trying to find a reason for the senseless act that had taken her away from us.

Trying to regain my composure, I reminded myself that dwelling on fear wouldn't bring answers. I needed to stay focused on the present and take things one step at a time. As I finished my shower, I wrapped myself in a soft towel and stepped out of the bathroom.