Danger

Audrey's P.O.V

It has been a week since my last interaction with Ethan. He only went to my café to get his blazer which I thank the heavens that it was just in my car so I simply gave it to him before he went on his way. Today, I am doing my morning routine as I am listening to the news. Odd for me but I woke up early so why not enjoy my free time.

"A man in his late 20's is currently missing since he broke out of jail last night. Police are currently passing on the flyers to notify the people about the most dangerous man in town. They are giving safety protocols to every citizen to secure their homes in case of an emergency. Curfew is given that all people should be in their respectable homes at 8pm sharp. This is Grenda Edwards, reporting."

As the reporter ended her report, I also finished my morning routine and dressed into some comfortable outfit since it is a bit chilly today. I put some grey tight slacks, white oversized V-neck polo, and top it off with a beige coat. I put on my heels and grabbed my car keys. I picked up the flyer that was on my front door and examined the missing man's face for me to keep my eyes out. Driving is always a fun thing to do sometimes yet you'll never know when accidents will happen so don't have too much fun while doing it. 

As I was driving down the street, a man suddenly walk across the street when the green light was on. I angrily pushed the honk at him as he almost gave me a heart attack. He looked at me with blank expression and smirked. Creepy. He went out of the way and I quickly drive to get him out of my sight.

***

Work went well and I bid goodbye to Andrew since he is always the one who go home last, other than me. I went to the parking lot and noticed a man picking the lock on my car.

"Excuse me!? What are you doing?" I asked but made sure that fear is not overtaking me. The man slowly looked at me and it gave me chills. 

Wait, he's the man I saw this morning. 

He slowly walked towards me as his knife glistened under the moonlight.

"Don't come near me, I'm calling the police." I warned which he just gave me a laugh. Again, chills. I quickly opened my phone but due to my fear, I long-pressed the number 1 and speed-dialed a phone number. I kept on backing away as I noticed that the man was having fun. 

"Hello?" A voice answered as I noticed the familiar voice.

"Ethan? Ethan! Help!" I sobbed as I quickly ran inside my shop. Thank God I don't use padlocks so I easily pressed the password on the touch-screen and I quickly got in to lock it again.

"Audrey!? Where are you?" He asked as I heard shuffling from his end.

"I'm at the coffee shop." I cried as I felt my anxiety slowly kicking in. I gradually grabbed the telephone and dialed the police with shaky hands. As soon as they answered, I explained to them what happened as quickly as possible as I found the man trying to break the front door.

"Audrey, please tell me you're safe. I'm on my way." I heard Ethan said as I put him on speaker. I can see that the glass is slowly breaking so I ran upstairs and hid inside my office.

"I'm in my office, Ethan." I shakily said as he tried to calm me down since he knew about my anxieties. I heard the glass broke downstairs and I let out a gasp. "He's in." I whispered and tried to fight back my anxiety attack.

"Calm down, baby. I'm almost there. Stay safe for me." He said as I heard his car speeding up. That's when the cabinet that I was in suddenly opened and met the eyes of the man. I let out a scream and tried to fight back but he was much more stronger. 

"Stay away from me!" I screamed and kept on thrashing around.

"Darling, I'm not going to hurt you." He lowly said as he dragged his knife on my skin. One move and I'm going to hurt myself. "Just a little," his hand slowly touched my waist, "touch will do." he then grabbed my breast as I let out a sob. 

He was about to lean in when I felt myself dropped on the floor. There I saw Ethan having a fight with the man. Their fight made me scared even more because Ethan was getting hurt. Fortunately, I saw blue and red light flashing outside the shop and police started to barge in. They arrested the man and turns out he was the missing man on the news. Ethan approached me immediately and checked my condition.

"Did he hurt you?" He hurriedly asked and then he saw the scratch that I got from all the running, the bruises I got and the small cut that the man did. "I'm gonna fucking kill that bastard." He muttered as he was about to follow the police but I stopped him.

"No, Ethan. I'm fine. You're not." I said as I saw his wounds from the fight with that filthy man. "Let's go to my house, I'll treat your wounds." I mumbled. I was still shaken up about what happened and any minute now, I am so gonna cry. He then pulled me into his warm embrace and tears suddenly started to fall.

"Sshh, you're okay now. I'm here." He said as he deepened our hug.

***