ESTHER ALDRICH

Rithu's mind voice said "Oh no should I run, will he take a knife and stab me, maybe he will kidnap me, should I call Rian?"

"Hey, Rithu aren't you going to invite me in?" asked Max.

"Oh yes, sorry I was lost in my stupid thoughts. Come in Max." Rithika said.She had no other choice but to act like a good host. Max was wearing a blue t-shirt and a coat over it, he looked like a perfect gentleman but that doesn't mean he is not a killer. "Max do you need some tea?" asked Rithu. "Oh its alright, I actually drank a cup this morning " he replied. There was an awkward silence for few minutes. No one knew how to start the conversation. "Ok so what brought you here Max?" asked Rithu breaking the wall of awkwardness. " I had to tell you something really important." he replied and sat up from the couch. "Oh ok,but can you just give me one minute, I think I left the tap open. I'll be right back." Rithu said and walked to the bathroom .Of course the tap wasn't left open ,she went in the washroom and texted Rian about Max's strange arrival at her house.She then came back to the hall . But Max was not on the couch. She looked into kitchen and there he was standing with a sharp pointed knife in his hands. "Max what are you doing with a knife?" asked Rithu with a giggle to avoid the fear in her. " Oh ,I had a knife just like this, that made me attracted to this knife.You know it's pretty sharp that it can kill a person in just one stab." he said while he was examining the knife.

Now Rithu just wanted to see Rian.She gave a tensed smile and asked "What is the matter Max?" She just wanted him to put that knife back. "Rithu,it's about Rian .His ex's name is Esther , as you might or might not know.She is dead and she was kill....."

"Hey Max,what are you doing here?" interrupted Rian from the front door.

Rithu was now relieved. "Oh nothing buddy,I just came by to say hi to Rithu" replied Max. Rithu felt that something is going on.Max clearly wanted to say something to Rithu but didn't want Rian to know about it .Rian stared at Max ,it seemed like he wanted to kill Max .That was indeed a death stare.

"Get out" said Rian with a strong voice. Max's face was blank, expression less. He was not scared at all. " And who are you to command me ?" asked Max with the same strong voice. It seemed like a war was about to happen. "Woah guys ,chill out . Rian it's fine .Now that you are here , I am safe." said Rithika who didn't want to witness a frightening werewolf fight.

" I am heading out Rithu, see you later." said Max. After Max left,Rian came running towards Rithu and said

~CONVERSATION ~

"Thank God you are fine "(Rian)

"You came right on time, Rian" (Rithu)

"Well, what was he upto?"

"Nothing happened, he just stood there at the kitchen and asked about my life in NYC, that's it."

Rian gave her a kiss and left the house in a hurry. Rithu had doubts about Rian. Max was about to tell something really important and Rithu really wanted to know what it was. After her classes in the university , she went to Rian's house hoping to see Max. She opened the door and entered.

"Hey Rithika Ramakrishnan?" called Max from behind.

"Haha, that's me" replied Rithika wondering how he know her last name.

"Are you trying to break into Rian's house?" asked Rian, like a joke.

"Ya I am here to steal him!" replied Rithu by winking her eyes.

Max laughed and asked her to take a seat.

Rithika was relieved as Rian was not home.

"So Max, what was that thing that you wanted to tell me in the morning?" asked Rithu.

"Ya, I just wanted to say be careful. " replied Max .

Rithika was more curious now.

"Why would you say that?" Rithu questioned back.

"Because your boyfriend's name is Rian Duras , duh!" he replied.

"Woah, are you telling me that Rian is dangerous?" asked Rithu.

Max stared at her in surprise.

"Ok Rithu, well let me explain this. Esther Aldrich was Rian's ex girlfriend. They were perfect for each other. The love between them always made me wonder that how can two people be so in love like them. They made the whole university jealous of their love." As Max was explaining, Rithu interrupted him.

"So are you trying to make me hate Rian by bringing up his ex?" asked Rithu.

Max gave her a pathetic stare.

"Rithu you should seriously stop interrupting people between their talk, let them finish." said Max.

Rithu nodded her head which meant that he can continue the flashback.

"All of a sudden one day Esther was looking so depressed and disappointed. We all asked her the reason but she never told us. Rian was nowhere to see, it seemed like he was hiding from us. One day, Esther didn't come to any of the classes. As her friend, I was so worried about her acting strange the recent days so I decided to check on her. I went to her house and rang the door bell but neither Katherina her sister nor Esther attended the door. I got really scared and I got in through the window. I walked into her room and saw two legs hanging from above. She took her own life. I went down with my knees on the floor. I couldn't accept what I saw. Looking at her face I could only remember the smiling and joyful Esth who used to irritate and annoy me always. She is indeed the most caring, loving and beautiful person I have ever seen. " Tears were dripping from his eyes. Even Rithu's eyes were filled.

"I am so sorry for your loss" Rithu said by patting on his back to calm him down.

"Oh its fine. I told this story to you because I don't want you to end up like Esther. Esther was one of the triple walker. A triple walker is a person...." Rithu got in between Max's talk.

"What in the world??! Esther was one of the triple walker? That means she is one of my partner" exclaimed Rithika.