Chapter 0.4

Kate sat on the bench, listening to music through her headphones. She watched Nick and his friends play a round of basketball.

At some point during the game, he stopped for a second, just to throw a wink her way, making her blush even more than she already was. Nick was charming and surely had an effect on her. In his present, her face would warm up and heart would start racing, all because of how he made her feel.

It was another afternoon where she had decided to accompany him, to one of these friendly games. It had been a while since she'd done it due to being busy lately.

It felt good to be able to find the time once again.

She felt relaxed and in a good mood. Shed even brought along a few stuff, to keep her a little busy. As he'd gotten back to the game again, she took out a notepad and pencil, and began to draw.

At that moment, childhood memories came to mind. There was a time where laugher was more natural for her to experience, caused by the simplest of things, like running around and playing games.

She paused from drawing and looked around, admiring nature and the Creston royal town which she now considered home. Creston Royal town was a small town which had about 8000 people living in it.

It had been known for its beautiful mountains and forest, as well as its warm people.

Most importantly, it was famous for its beautiful lake, which was known to be mesmerizing at night but mostly on very hot days. The town had been called a sleepy town by some visitors and everyone knew everyone, murders had occurred over the years but were few, to the point that it became almost became a distant memory. Calmness had overtaken the town atmosphere now.

One thing was for sure, Kate arrived at the right time, where noise about murders had remained silent.

Kate caught sight of something worth a smile. Two little girls were playing and laughing at a distance. They looked so happy and thag was contagious in its itself. It's unfortunate however that her eyes wondered elsewhere for a moment, which was enough to affect her. Her smile slowly dropped as something struck her attention.

She found herself frozen in place as her heart dropped to her knees. Her eyes widened, the longer everything settled in mind.

She couldn't believe it, she couldn't believe that this was happenings before her very own eyes.

At a distance he stood, in his black leather jacket and black boots, he did not move but stared back at her. Her heart started to beat really fast when he started towards the road, with intention to cross it and head her way.

Suddenly a big truck drove passed, totally blocking her view of the strange man. Seconds felt like hours in waiting, for the truck to completely move past. The minute it dud, a frown settled on her face when that figure was no longer there. All she saw was he empty street once again. It's like he wasn't there in the first place.

She almost jumped out of her skin by the feeling of something touching her shoulder. The call of her name had her look away from the spot, only to see Madison standing behind her. She blinked twice, wanting to make sure that she was still in the same place.

Having gotten back to reality, she stared up at Maddison, or better yet Maddie, who was her classmate and part of the school netball team. Maddie surely thought that Kate was a kind person and was drawn to her good nature. It almost felt natural to be around her.

She, being a netball captain and all, she did pretty well in school and had a bright future. She was admired for it. Kate considered her a friend in time of getting to know her.

''Kate, are you okay?'' She asked.

''I'm fine, I'm fine,'' Kate breathed out, trying to mask her initial shock.

''I don't think so, you're crying.'' Maddie pointed out, a frown now present on her face.

''Oh um, must have been the wind, from staring for too long.'' Kate mumbled, quickly taking a drink of water right after wiping away the visible tears.

It worried her that someone was able to witness her in such a state. More than that, it caused a slighf panic within her. She used the time to switch off her music, as a distraction to pull herself together.

Maddie watched worriedly as Kate pretended to look for something, in her bag. She worried that something might have upset Kate, which she didn't want anyone to notice. Maddie noticed and it was hard to pretend that she didn't.

Kate almost sighed out in relief when something seemed to distract Maddie. She was able to use that distraction as a given time to calm herself down.

Unfortunately, Nick appeared right at that moment and immediately sensed something off.

''Babe, are you okay?'' He asked.

''Yeah, I'm good.'' She replied, forcing a smile.

Him looking unconvinced made Kate feel slightly nervous, his observing eyes made her feel both small and fragile, like a little bird. It always put her on edge, when she would receive those overly worried looks or pity. The feeling of being normal was thrown out of the window then.

''Well I should get going, bye guys.'' Maddie excused herself already taking the hint, hat the couple needed time alone.

''Are you done?" Kate asked.

''Yeah, lets go." Nick said.

By the time Nick's friends bid them goodbye, she was more than eager to leave. She had her fair share of spooky moments today and she wished for no more.

''I think we should also leave.'' Kate mumbled, already taking her bag and walking away before he could say anything.

He followed behind without a word, disappearing in his thoughts along the way.

He wished for more than anything, that she would let him in more. He needed more of her vulnerabilty, to let him know when something was wrong, instead of keeping it from him and pretending to be okay.

He wanted to be there for her anyway he could, to be her comforter, her protector, but somehow he just couldn't reach deep enough. There just seemed to be some wall placed between them, this being a challenge to knock down. He loved her so much and was always willing to fight for his relationship, though at times it had been rocky.

This was due to the frustration he experienced when he couldnt help but feel, that she held him at armslength, more than anyone else.

As much as she was reserved and closed off, she was his girl, his love and his first in every part of the word love. She made him happy and was such a good listener.

She was selfless and he adored her.

He wouldn't dare want to lose her because what they shared was special, it was beautiful, one of the best things that was the center and inner core of his life.

He released a sigh when he arrived at Kate's home, relaxing in his seat after. Worry filled Kate as she watched him, she could see the dark circles under his eyes, sometimes he overworked himself when she wanted nothing more, than for him to take it easy, before he went to college.

Colleges and scholarships lined up for him, she wanted them to spend as much time as they could, at this time, before both ventured out to college.

Two different colleges.

He worked hard to get to where he was, he was determined to achieve in life and ofcourse, he was the best boyfriend any girl could ask for. She loved those moments of them cuddling, the cold days where she would snuggle against him, drinking her coco. He sure knew how to make her blush and cause her heart to race.

His attention was drawn back to her, when she kissed his cheek. In the midst of opening the door after they had arrived, his hand reached out to stop her.

''Stay, just for a little while.'' He pleaded softly, before switching on music.

A romantic sounding song came on, this affected the atmosphere in the car. Kate felt her face warm up because she sensed it am too well.

He sang along to the song. When he noticed her not joining in, he suddenly attacked her with tickles on her sides. Laughter bubbled out of her, making him smile.

The moment all too soon ended, when with the corner of her eye, she noticed a dark figure at the far end of the street.

It was the same man, she was sure of this.

''Stop, stop Nick! " She nearly screamed, this confusing Nick.

Despite his confusion, he respected her decision and stopped.

She felt embarassed after her little episode and tried avoiding eye contact.

She mentally rebuked herself for being so silly over nothing.

''I'm sorry."

''It's okay. I think we are both just tired." He trailed off, not knowing how to respond after what just happened.

''I think I should go." She didnt waste time in getting out of the car, taking her bag along with her.

''Hey!" He called out to her retreating back.

Kate faced him in response.

''I think you forgot something." He said, peeking out of the window.

Knowing what he meant, she quickly made her way back to him, giving him a kiss right after.

'' Goodnight," she said against his lips.

''Night." He replied, watching her head towards her house.

He drove off once the coast was clear and Kate, was safe inside.

The engine of a black van that had been parked a few feet away started. The driver grinned slowly, he had quite an interesting and goodnight, tonight. Driving past Kate's house, he spared a glance, his eyes automatically looking at the top window. His eyes lingered on the side mirror, watching the house disappear from the view as he drove down the street.

He turned on the radio and a metallic rock song filled the car, like always, it served as his company for the night.

Kate opened her curtain slightly, staring out into the night after it seemed the coast was clear. She couldn't believe how paranoid she had gotten, now she had acted silly and weiredly to Nick.

'How was she going to explain what happened if Nick ever asked?' She wondered.

After a while, she went on to sleep, with that thought lingering in mind.

******

A few days later.....

At the library, Kate was busy looking for books to read. There was a problem, the book in which daughter her eye was too far up. She couldn't quite reach it.

She tried to jump a bit, extending her arms to finally capture it in hand. Unfortunately, sighing her grasp, she disturbed a few more books, which fell on the floor.

Thankfully it wasn't alot.

She started placing everything back, only for one book to be picked up by someone. She glanced up to the owner of the hand, only to meet Max's eyes, the guy from across the street.

She quickly pulled away, a blush warming her cheeks. He instead took the book, rising along with her before placing it back in its place.

'' Sorry," he said.

''It's okay, um, thank you." She gestured to what he just did.

''I see that you are looking for a good read." He said, glancing to the books in her arm.

''Something like that.'' Kate responded with a shrug.

An awkward silence took over and both didn't like that.

''So Max, I haven't seen you around here....'' Kate spoke up again, trying to break the awkward silence.

'' I was away for a while but I am definetly not new. I just came back." He said.

'' Oh I see.'' She trailed off.

''What about you, lived here all your life?'' He asked curiously.

'' I used to live close by, but you know, we all need a change of scenery." She sounded careful to her ears, her words were slow and careful.

She was still uncomfortable about any talk regarding her past.

Words were lost from her tongue afterwards and that made it all the more awkward. Wanting to escape before she embarrassed herself even more, she nodded her head before walking past him. She had gotten what she wanted and so felt no need to keep on standing there.

Max on the other hand felt slightly desperate, he felt the urge to ask her about little Amy, whether she had any knowledge and her but at the very last moment, something held him back.

She suddenly stopped in her tracks, as if she could sense that he wanted to say something." So, do you go to college or..." She trailed off, glancing at him.

''Nah, I'm off school. I think I'll go next year to college but for now, I'm looking for work." He said.

''Well there are a lot of jobs which need extra hands, so look around, I'm sure you will find something.'' She encouraged.

Anymore that needed to be said, was lost in the air because she got distracted by the sight of Nick and his friends.

''I'd better go." She said.

It was unfortunate that at the perfect moment, Max was tongue tied. He watched helplessly as she walked away.

*******

The same black van that had passed by Kate's house, stopped by the nearby forest. He waited patiently until the girl he had been waiting for, reached his van and he pulled down his window.

''Hi." She said.

''Hi, please come in.'' He said, displaying a grin, just to seem friendly.

'' Sure." She said, running over to the other side, before entering the van.

Nervously settling in, she glanced at him, taking in his frame. She admired his side profild, muscular body and black hair, everything about him interested her and she found herself relaxing.

Not wanting the date to turn out awakward, she reached over to switch on the radio.

'' Sorry." She said with a blush.

''Oh no need to be sorry. I like a girl who takes charge." He said," sorry, but I only have rock.''

'' No, I love rock." She quickly said.

''My kind of girl.'' He complimented, his eyes already checking her out her slender frame.

The minute he turn away, a devious grin took over as he started the car.

''Ready?'' He said.

''Ready.'' She nodded.

''Good."

The van drove off into the night. In his mind, he believed that he deserved a bit of fun, brfore he finally got down to business.