The Falling Kingdoms: The Hidden Coffins

Chapter Two: The Two Guys

"Thank you," I passed a sweet smile to the last costumer of the day.

When she left, I frowned and sprawled on the chair behind me like a dog.

It was already 01:00 AM and I could feel every inch of my body aching badly. I took up this new job at a cafe near our school to earn some money and pay off my bills, at least. Also, I had to pay for that expensive beaker and chemical I ruined at the school.

Anyway, it was time to close up now, so I got up and walked behind the curtains towards the kitchen. I turned off all the machines and wiped the stains off the floor and the stand. When it was all over, I took off my apron and came out.

"Oh God!" I jumped in fear, seeing a guy standing at the cash counter, leaning his elbows on it.

"I didn't mean to scare you," he said, smiling kindly at me.

I recognized him immediately. He was the guy that came banging in the chemistry lab, the first one of the good looking buds.

"Well, you did." I said, narrowing my eyes

"I would like a decaf." He took a stool and put it in front of the cash counter, sitting on it.

"I'm afraid the cafe is closed now." I said, wiping my hands.

"Oh come on, I badly need a coffee." He gave one of those flirtatious smiles to me - the one guys use to get laid.

"No." I plainly replied and started walking out of the counter.

My arm was pulled by him, making my body face him again.

"What?" I snapped.

"I'll give you fifty bucks as tip. I know you need money right now." He said, "and sorry for what happened that day. This is the least I can do to help you."

I pulled my hand out of his grip and quietly walked inside the curtains again. Switching on the coffee machine, I started preparing his decaffeinated.

"Here," I gave him his cup of decaf and sat down on my seat in front of the counter.

He smelled his hot drink, looking up at me and raising his eyebrows in a surprising way. I looked away, yawning unattractively.

I heard him take a sip and moaning softly.

"Delicious." He smiled and said.

I couldn't help but smile back at him suddenly.

"Thanks," I mumbled.

"And she smiles!"

"Shut up!"

Glaring, I exclaimed.

"Okay." He whispered and sipped his hot drink again.

"What's your name?" I asked him.

"I'm Adrian." He smiled again.

"I'm Aileen." I smiled back.

"Nice to meet you. Here's your fifty bucks." He kept a fifty dollar bill in front of me and shrugged.

I took it from the counter and slipped it in my jeans pocket.

"Thank you,"

He hopped out of the cafe and disappeared as soon as he appeared. I sighed and went to finish the remaining work again. When I was done, I locked the cafe and started walking in the direction of the Villa.

Staring into my watch, I got kind of worried. It was already 01:30 AM and the streets were so dark and lonely that the horror thoughts were sending chills into my bones.

I hugged myself tighter and increased my speed.

And then I heard the footsteps.

Someone was walking right behind me, in the same pace as mine. Horror filled in my veins, making my legs joggle. Anxiety ran through me as I started running, hearing the footsteps running behind me too. I ran faster, afraid of what might happen if I stop in my tracks. Behind me can be a murderer, a thief, or both? Or maybe, a ghost!

But then this town was the safest town I've ever heard of. It's so safe that they don't even need cops here. Then why was I running? How ridiculous of me!

I stopped running and turned around.

All I saw was an empty lane behind me. Winds were blowing my hair like the dancing sea waves. My teeth clattered. It was frightening.

Was I hallucinating?

No. You weren't.

The lady in my head said making my eyes widen and body shiver.

"Hello, Aileen."

A male voice called behind me, making my whole body snap towards the man in a second. A few yards away from me, there stood a figure that seemed like a guy. A guy of my age.

"Who are you?" I asked, my teeth gritting with one another.

His feet took two steps towards me as I backed two steps too. As soon as the street light hit his face, I recognized him. The other guy from the school, the one that took responsibility for Adrian's shocking entrance.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you following me? You scared the sh*t out of me!" I yelled at him, placing a palm at my heart.

"You got scared by this?" He smirked and asked me. "Boy! I thought you were braver than that."

His mockery wasn't doing the best job considering I was already pissed at the guy and I was damn sleepy.

"Yeah, because if you're a normal human being, you get scared if someone follows you in a dark alley after midnight." I crossed my arms and annoyingly said.

"That's the point. You're not normal," he walked towards me and I walked backwards.

"Yeah, the weird theory again. All right, I get it. I'm weird! Now, leave me alone."

In fear, I pushed him a bit as he came near and ran away. He was really scaring me by his strange behavior and words. I just knew that I had to run.

He obviously followed me.

Very easily, he caught me and stood in front of me with deadly serious expressions planted on his face.

"WHAT?" I shouted.

"You come with me right now!"

"Shut up! I don't want to!" I tried breaking free from his grip around my arms.

"I said, come with me." He sounded angry now.

"Nick, you've to leave her alone right now." A familiar angry voice caught my attention. I moved my eyes towards the owner of those words and saw Adrian coming closer to us.

"I hate beating around the bush, Adrian and you know that. She has to come with us." Nick tightened his grip around my arms and replied.

"It's not the right time. I tell you to leave her alone this very moment!" Adrian almost ordered him.

His grip loosened and he backed away, glaring at me.

"What are you guys talking about?" I questioned. "Why do I've to come with you?"

Sweat had started dripping down my forehead and due to anxiety, my legs were shaking and I was shivering.

"Like I said, not the right time." Adrian stood in front of me now, staring at me worriedly.

He slowly took my hand in his and held my palm between both of his palms.

"You have a good night, Aileen."

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- Ana