Same guy

The night air was crisp as Nora left the hospital.

Her mother was stable and though it pained her to leave her side, Nora knew she needed to rest and gather her strength because she need to be strong and healthy for her mother.

The events of the day had left her drained emotionally, physically, and mentally.

She decided to walk home on feet to help clear the fog in her mind.

As she walked through the dimly lit streets, she wrapped her coat tighter around herself, shivering as the cold wind bit at her exposed skin.

She decided not to dwell on the worries that plagued her instead, she tried to focus on finding a way to make things better, to somehow fix the shattered pieces of her life.

Suddenly, a car pulled up beside her, blocking her path.

Nora felt a surge of unease wash over her. She froze, her breath catching in her throat as she watched the car door swing open.

A man stepped out, his movements smooth and deliberate. His presence was commanding, almost intimidating, and as he approached her, Nora's heart skipped a beat.

"Heading my way?" he asked, his voice low and smooth as he held the door open for her.

Nora's eyes widened in recognition. It was him, the man from the hotel, the one who had nearly knocked her down and have spoken to her with such coldness.

Her first instinct was to run, to put as much distance between herself and this man as possible.

She quickened her pace, her mind racing. Maybe he's upset with me for colliding with him?

But before she could take more than a few steps, she felt his hand close around her wrist, pulling her back with surprising strength.

She gasped as he pulled her close, so close that their faces were almost touching. His grip was firm, but not painful, and as she looked up into his eyes, she saw something in them that made her pause. His expression wasn't one of anger or malice instead, there was a glimmer of something else, something softer, almost concerned.

They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity, neither one speaking.

Nora's heart pounded in her chest, her mind torn between fear and confusion. Who was this man, and what did he want from her?

Finally, he let go of her, his hand lingering for just a moment longer before he stepped back.

They both coughed awkwardly.

I just want to help, he said, his voice softer now, almost gentle.

Where's your place? I can take you home.

Nora hesitated, her mind racing. Every instinct told her to get away, to not trust this stranger, but something in his demeanor made her pause. He didn't seem dangerous right?

And truth be told, she was exhausted, both physically and emotionally.

She looked at him, searching his face for any sign of deception. His eyes met hers steadily, his expression calm. He didn't seem to be in a hurry, didn't seem to be forcing her into anything. He was just… offering to help.

Finally, she nodded, though her heart was still pounding.

Okay,

she said quietly, her voice barely audible.

He nodded, stepping back to allow her to get into the car. She slid into the passenger seat, her body tense as he buckled her seatbelt.

The car was warm, the leather seats soft, and for a moment, she allowed herself to relax just a little, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly.

He got in on the driver's side, closing the door with a soft thud.

For a few moments, they sat in silence, the only sound the soft purr of the engine as he started the car. Nora kept her eyes forward, unsure of what to say, unsure of what was happening.

Finally, he broke the silence after driving for some minutes.

My name is Alex, he said, his tone casual, as if they were old acquaintances.

Nora glanced at him, surprised by the normalcy of the introduction. Nora, she replied, her voice still hesitant.

He nodded, as if committing her name to memory. Nice to meet you, Nora.

The rest of the drive was quiet, the tension between them slowly dissipating as they navigated the city streets. Alex drove with a practiced ease, his hands steady on the wheel, his eyes focused on the road ahead. There was something reassuring about his calm demeanor, and Nora found herself relaxing more and more as the minutes ticked by.

Still, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the back of her mind. Who was this man? Why was he here?

Nora watched the buildings go by, her thoughts drifting back to her mother, to the hospital, to the strange events that had unfolded over the past few days. Nothing made sense anymore, and the more she tried to piece it all together, the more confused she became.

Finally, Alex pulled up in front of her house, he turned to her, his expression still calm, still unreadable.

Here we are, he said, his voice gentle.

Are you going to be okay?

Alex asked.

Nora nodded, though she wasn't sure she believed it. "Yeah," she said, unbuckling her seatbelt. Thanks for the ride.

He nodded, watching her as she gathered her things and opened the car door. As she stepped out, she paused, turning back to look at him.

Why did you help me? she asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity.

He met her gaze, his eyes dark and intense. For a moment, she thought he wasn't going to answer, but then he spoke, his voice low and serious.

Just take care of yourself.

Nora didn't know how to respond to that, so she just nodded and closed the door. As she walked toward the building, she glanced back, half expecting him to drive away. But he didn't. He just sat there, watching her until she was safely inside.

As she walked Nora's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

Who was Alex, really?

And why do I feel like this wasn't the last time I would see him?