Shadows of the Night

Four

Sabrina

My face goes pale, catching Nathan's attention.

"It's him, isn't it?" He frowns.

"H-how?" I manage to whisper. It was all I could bring myself to say.

"Getting rid of me won't be that easy, beautiful." He utters.

"What do you want from me?" My fist clench down at my sides as I attempt to be brave.

"It's simple. I want you." He replies eerily.

Before I can respond, Nathan snatches my phone out of my hand and threatens him, "Leave her alone or I'll report you to the cops."

He pauses as he listens for a moment. He then replies, "Not happening. You'll be hearing from the cops soon." He ends the call quickly and hands me back my phone. "Block that number too."

I oblige and immediately block the number, despite it not working so well the first time.

As I slide my phone back into my purse, I say, "Thank you again for helping. I really do appreciate it."

"Not a problem. Just doing my job." He reassures. "I'll contact the police station once I'm off. You shouldn't be hearing from him again."

"Thank you." I place my hand on his large bicep with a grin.

"Anytime."

. . .

Walking towards my car, my heels clack against the pavement in the dead of night.

Suddenly, I hear footsteps behind me.

I stop in my tracks to listen. The footsteps come to a stop, then begin to creep closer.

Clenching my fist down my side, I carefully continue walking a few steps before quickly spinning around with my fist ready to swing.

A large hand catches my punch effortlessly as I gasp.

I exhale when I realize that it's just Nathan.

His eyes gesture to my fist in his hand. "You're gonna have to do better than that if you want to defend yourself."

I chuckle as he releases me. "You scared me. I thought you were Keith."

"I apologize. I didn't mean to scare you. I was just making sure you got to your car safely. I think this Keith guy could be dangerous." He explains.

I nod my head. "I know. I'm beginning to realize that too."

"I called the cops. I couldn't give them much information other than his first name and his description, but they said they'd keep an eye for him and keep us updated." He informs.

I sigh. "Meaning . . They're not much of help."

He exhales. "Unfortunately so, but I'll be watching for him too. I won't let him hurt you, okay?"

I pause for a moment as I come up with a sudden thought. "Hey, I assume you're pretty good at fighting, right?"

He chuckles. "Yeah, I've had some training, you could say. Why?"

"Do you think maybe you could teach me some moves, just so I'm prepared?" I ask.

He thinks about it for a moment, then replies, "Sure. I think I can arrange that." He huffs and adds, "Your moves are a bit rusty."

"Hey!" I giggle as gently punch his solid chest. "Thank you. I think I'll feel a little safer knowing I can defend myself . . If it ever gets to that point."