Shadows of Deceit | MilkLove AU

Ch7: Suspicions

An eerie silence enveloped the dark corridor, interrupted only by the sound of hurried footsteps. A man, eyes wide with terror, sprinted down the hallway, his breath hitching as he glanced back over his shoulder. The air was thick with foreboding, each echoing step amplifying the tension that prickled at the nape of his neck.

Suddenly, a chilling noise broke through the stillness: the slow, rhythmic knocking of a gun against the doors lining the corridor. The sound was deliberate, almost mocking—a sinister warning that sent a shiver down his spine. He could feel the weight of the masked figure closing in, stalking him like prey.

Desperation clawed at him as he searched for anything to defend himself. His eyes darted around, landing on a jagged plank of wood lying discarded on the floor. He snatched it up, barely able to steady his shaking hands as he pressed himself into a dark corner, the shadows swallowing him whole. His breath came in sharp gasps, and he could hear the masked figure's approach—slow, deliberate, the sound of boots scraping against the floor sending chills down his spine. The man's mind raced, concocting a desperate plan as the figure drew nearer, the gun's rhythmic bumping now a harbinger of violence.

In a moment of sheer instinct, he lunged out of the shadows, swinging the plank with all his might. The wood connected with a sickening thud, and the masked figure staggered back, momentarily stunned. Seizing the chance, the man bolted, fear propelling him forward as he dashed down the corridor.

***

The familiar warmth of TwentyWendy café usually enveloped Pat, but today, it felt suffocating. The comforting aroma of coffee and baked goods did little to ease the turmoil swirling in her mind as she sat across from Pan. The latter's relaxed demeanor was a stark contrast to her growing apprehension.

Pan leaned back in her chair, a playful smile dancing on her lips as she attempted to weave their conversation into lighthearted banter. "Hey, this feels nice, right? I mean, I feel like it's been a long time since I've seen you."

Pat raised an eyebrow, her thoughts still tangled in the complexities of their last dinner and their tense encounter at the police station. "Haven't we seen each other a lot lately?" she replied, a hint of challenge in her tone.

Pan's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Well, that doesn't mean I can't miss you." The flirtation hung in the air, but Pat remained guarded, her silence pressing down on the moment. She wanted to address the elephant in the room but found herself stumbling over her words.

"Besides," Pan continued, undeterred, "it's just a brief moment. We haven't even had the chance to go on another date."

Pat allowed a faint smile to escape, but it quickly faded as she steeled herself. "Well, I'm not sure this is the right time for that. Besides..." She seized the opportunity to tiptoe around the subject that loomed over them. "Don't you have a charity event to organize?"

The question startled Pan, her playful facade cracking for just a fraction of a second. She masked her surprise by taking a deliberate sip of her coffee, the steam curling around her face as she collected her thoughts. "How did you know about the event?" she finally asked, her tone suddenly serious.