Safe

chapter 1

My eyes were scanning the tall buildings as I passed them along my way home from work. Looking down dark alleys, scared of what might come of them. Tapping my fingers on the side of my leg as I listened to the familiar tune coming out of my headphones. Watching people walk home just as I was doing. Some in scarves and coats, dressing warmer as we headed deeper into the autumn season.

I brought my feet to the front steps of my house, walking in to find my dad scattering around in his office. Flipping paper quickly, eyes scanning the words as he blazed through them.

"Hi dad" I said stepping into office. "Are you alright? You seem a little..off" I tried to find a gentler word to use then what I actually was thinking.

He looked like he hadn't slept in days, when it was actually only a few hours ago that I left him to go to work. "Rae, we have a case." He said grabbing my hands a slightly shaking them.

I got excited knowing I could work on another case with him like I usually do, before my eyebrows furrowed as I looked at him questionably, not knowing why he looked like this for a case. Any other case he wouldn't have been a lot calmer, normal looking.

"What's the case about?" I asked trying to get more information as to why my father looked the way he did.

"We're defending that young lad you know, Aiden. He was at the scene of a murder, and has been accused of the murder from another young man." Just bringing up Aiden's name made my fist curl into little balls. I did not like him, such a flirt. Has his hands where they shouldn't belong. Rude comments. But of course he'll charm up in front of my dad, knowing how over protective he was of me. "He goes by the name of Harry. Heard of 'em? My dad finished his sentence asking me if I knew of the mysterious accuser.

I thought back to the one night I had went out with my friends and he had been there. He had dark curly hair, his tall frame could be seen from miles away. He had a hint of darkness to him. But his bright green eyes could tell you otherwise. Remembering some of the stories my friends had shared about him. Always up to no good. His job requiring secretiveness, but also a frightening side of him that he possessed all on his own. His hasty fights which people say is quite the scarer.

"I've seen him once, he's rather scary." I told my father whilst shaking my head. He didn't seem to happy about my answer. He took deep breathes as he looked at me.

"Rae, when this case starts to get more involved, I want you to stay away from that boy. You hear me?" I shook my head obeying what he had told me. He's been overly protective of me since I was born. My mum's last wishes to him before she passed was to keep me safe. He did as he promised, much to my obligation as I became older. Never having boys near me often as my dad would scare them away with the questions he patronised them with.

It was times like those I wished I still had my mum here. I never knew her. She died whilst giving birth to me due to complications. Although I didn't know her, I still missed her. My dad tells me I look like her. Dirty blond hair, with hazel eyes. Same height, which there isn't much of. For all those reasons I believe that this why my dad and I are so close, because I remind him of my mum.

I let my dad get to back to his work as he started to get more into the case. I headed to my room thinking about the the new case we have on our hands. Knowing my dad and the growing liking towards Aiden, I knew he would defend him to the best of his ability.

As for Harry, I grew a new sense of nervousness toward him. Just thinking about how he could be accused of murder, has my mind putting frightening images in head, scaring me more then I would have liked.

Harry invaded my thoughts throughout the whole night. His frightening self had me seeing the outline of himself around the house. I never thought I could be so frightened of another person.

I excused myself from the dinner I was having. To go up to my room.

I loved helping my dad with the cases he had. But this was different, I knew both the defendant and the accuser. I wasn't sure how the outcome would play out. Knowing my dad, he probably thinks Aiden is purely innocent, but with my other encounters with him would suggest he isn't as innocent as he seems.

As for Harry, I'm unsure. I know little of him, only knowing some of him through friends, and once when he was with Aiden. If they were together, then how are they against each other in court? Something must've happened at that moment of murder. Turning both boys against one another. Taking their disputes to court and letting the people of the jury decide their fate.

I couldn't help to think that there was a lot more to what happened. Sides that were not being told, information kept from us. My dad told me earlier that night Harry had to stay in the prison until his trial was over and his verdict was chosen. The thought of someone in prison sent shivers down my body. No-one knows much about Harry besides his dark demeanour. No-one has ever been brave enough to find out. I started to drift of to sleep as I gathered my last thoughts about Harry, and what's to come.

His over powering persona had my head in a daze. As I finalised my thoughts, I fell asleep with one last question, is there more to what's being told?