Natalie pov
That night paranoia had taken hold of all my brain functions I checked and double checked with newfound ferocity making sure that every single door and window was locked and every curtain smudged out anything and everything outside.
I lock up my door and keep pukki at my side. Lying down I grip the pocket knife so hard I think I'd break it along with my fingers if I held it any tighter. The knife in my hand didn't make me feel any safer every shadow to me was that man, every tiny movement put me on edge. I shut my eyes and plug my ears trying to shut out anymore inspiration for my paranoia to write about.
I finally open my eyes. Thankfully it's morning, I assume I drifted off due to not being tired anymore. But I didn't feel awake either. I need to clear my head I go where I always go when I have to relax. I do my best to make sure no one is following me. Staying in populated areas I take pictures of the morning sky and head into the cafe I've known all my life smiling to myself I remember this is where min song and I are going to meet tomorrow. I take a seat inside and order some coffee.
While waiting to get my drink I figure I should see how my pictures came out. I scroll through my photos mentally checking off the better ones in the pleasant atmosphere I nearly scrolled past a picture of me. Sleeping. I frantically check to see when it was taken. 2:43am. My blood turns to an icy slush and I can barely find the strength to text min song the picture I nervously wait for a response. And I get a response.
Just not the response I was hoping for or expected. "I'm sorry" the fog of horror cleared it's way for confusion "what do u mean?" "min song???" Why was she sorry? "Not min song." "min song is dead" "I'm sorry" "forgive me" "not on purpose" The texts came in so fast I didn't even process it at first.
I just stared at the screen. A tear drop splashed on the screen. Then another and another before I realized what was happening I desperately typed back "min song ur joking right?" I prayed to every God I could think of that this was a joke "No. I'm sorry. Please forgive" Forgive? I could barely accept what was happening and this person this thing behind a screen wants me to forgive? She's dead now.
I feel like the entire world stopped. I felt sick, a brew of anger and sorrow stirring in the pit of my stomach and threatening to come out. I have no one left. I don't even bother responding I lay down my head against the cold coffee table and cry I don't look up when I feel the coffee being served and I don't look up when I suddenly feel a warm hand on my shoulder. I hear a small voice murmur concerns that envelope me in a welcomed embrace. I don't bother fighting it, I know that a hug is something I really need.
A hand lifts up my face to reveal a fair skinned man with dark concerned eyes staring into mine I look away in a flush of embarrassment he lets go allowing me to glance down at the table. My embarrassment grows like a wildfire as I see a small puddle of tears on the table I hurriedly try to wipe away the tears while muttering apologises that sounded shakier than a paint mixer. The man gently gathers several napkins quietly helping me wipe down the table and offers to drive me home.
I whimper tiny refusals I didn't want to inconvenience him anymore than I already I roughly try to wipe away the tears forming before they spill over as I shakily walk away he took my hand "wait please you're in no condition to get home alone" he quietly insisted "Please" he was right. I was a wreck I opened my mouth to accept but the lump in my throat only allowed a small croaking "yes" that I wasn't even sure he heard my doubt was cleared when he gingerly helped me to his car. Before taking off, I see him flipping through a notebook then typing something into his phone.
I gave a quick thank you in between short sharp breaths. He sings me a song while driving, his soft voice eventually lulls me to sleep. I awake to a soft tap on my shoulder and a soft voice saying, "wake up, we're in front of your house now." I drowsily get out of the car and he carefully holds me walking me to my door.
I weakly take out my keys and unlock the door. He makes sure I get inside safely and sits me down on a chair. Pukki immediately runs up to the both of us and starts licking leo's shoe. He smiles at pukki and pat his head a few times before handing pukki to me. After making sure I was physically ok he starts to head back to his car, I quickly grab at his sleeve. "What's your name?" I ask. "Um...I...Leo" he says a bit hesitantly. He turns back around and brushes my hair away from my face and whispers a barely audible "Please don't cry anymore, Natty." with that he walks back to his car and drives away.
