Stranger Danger

In the darkness words definitely came like a stroke of lighting. The soft expression in his face didn't breath any threat but he's still a random stranger forcefully holding a girl in a dark alley. 

“Why should I trust you?" I still attempt to push him away, but his grip is too strong. Like a steel wall embodied in front of me. 

“Because we are trying to protect you from Lisa. She's a witch, and she would do anything to get what she wants. That's the reason she betrayed Neacal. That's why she kidnapped you when you were just a little girl. You can't trust a witch. There's a reason why we don't get along with the , “ he says. His words shock me beyond understand . I don't even know what to think. A random stranger or my own friend. " Are you really going to trust a rogue witch over your own family? “ he adds to convince me. But I thought Lisa is my best friend. This can't be true. 

" But...“

" She's only been feeding you lies. Natasha think about. She stole you from us" he persues his argument with determination. 

" But I don't even know you. Why would I trust you? A stranger that cornered me in the alley. And why would Lisa do that? “ I question still struggling under his hold. 

“ Because we've been searching for you all these years and Lisa has been hiding you from us. No one knows what kind of sick plans she's plotting, and what she wants from you. But whatever Lisa is up to, I can assure you, it's nothing good. And clearly you're the one who stands between her success, “ he claims. The very same time at edge of the alley we notice someone drawing closer towards our direction. And it soon became pretty clear that it's a cop as he's holding a gun in his hand. “ C'mon Natasha. Come with me," he pleads not minding the company. Though I still couldn't trust him. And now not even sure if I can trust anyone at this point. 

And I'm trying to understand why wouldn't he forcefully take me away. I expected them to do that when they find me. But instead they are pleading with me. And it's so confusing. 

One thing though he's attentive to the cop, as he's let his gaurd down on me, ready to attack. Giving me an opportunity, with so driving a knee between his legs and stomping on his foot to distract him. He groans with pain as he stumbles away. Giving the cop a chance to shoot him in the leg and set him down. I run towards the cop as the stranger () on the floor with pain. 

He also rushes towards me. “ Are you okay?" he searches. 

“ You probably should..," Shaking I respond pointing to the man on the ground. He shoots him down again, aiming mostly his head, as the stranger has already half shifted to his wolf. Blood spray everywhere, and he falls to the ground almost looking like he was dead. But I was certain he's not, those wouldn't be enough to kill a werewolf as strong as him. 

“Let's go," I command overtaken with fear already running not wasting anymore time. I hear him mumble something before he follows right behind as we run to the end of the alley

And I wonder how he would explain that because he saw what he saw. But it's not the time to think about it now.

“My car is not very far," he states. He leads the way and I follow him, after a few seconds we were standing next to a car. He unlocks and immediately I jump in without hesitation. Starting the car, we disappear into the traffic. 

I keep looking out the window to see if we are not being followed. Though I don't think he's stupid enough to chase us. Because he would have to transform to catch us, and that's not ideal in front of so many humans. We are trying to hide the existence, not expose it. But I was still very skeptical. 

I sink back to my sit feeling my heart breaking out of my chest. I really didn't see my night going like this. I still couldn't stop looking out searching for anyone following us, as I still struggle to control my breathing rate. 

" Don't worry. I'm sure he's won't be following us. I already sent people, “ I hear him. Is he stupid? That man is werewolf. He'll probably kill them. 

I turn to my side to take a good look at him to shockingly notice it's my driver from earlier. I jerk from my sit with frigh and bewilderment. And my mind immediately floods with the dream I had earlier the moment I have set my eyes on him. 

My eyes open like a bug.“Uhmm... Hey… you're…" I stutter still perplexed. How? He surely doesn't look like a cop as I thought earlier, but the black combat uniform is proof of exactly what I saw in my dream. But most of all, my senses tell he could be a hunter. I think of the possibilities and they are endless. I only heard about them,but never really met one. But I can notice the silver chains around his neck, and the odd smell of wolfsbane surrounds him. ()

My heart races even faster when I think of what might happen if he notices what I am. I already know werewolves don't get along with hunters. They people live their lives hunting down every supernatural creature. If he finds out I'm one of them surely he'll capture and lock me away, or even just kill me. 

And maybe this is what my dream was warning me about. But a stupid me chose to ignore it. 

“ We meet again.My name is Dale, by the way. I never got yours earlier, “ he reaches out his hand. I shake it, as I fully notice him better than I did earlier. A marine haircut and sickle shaped eyebrows. Piercing eyes with a shapely face. The light rightfully illumined the pinched-in cheekbones that rested on skin that was stretched tight by exercise. And giving light to the fulgent, smaragdine-green eyes. And it's a gone moment as he focuses back on the road. 

" Natasha... But —What are you doing here? “ I attempt to get answers to my confusion. And hoping not to expose my identity. 

" As you already saw a few moments ago. The town is in crisis. Strange disappearing of young girls, with strange animal attacks. And we have to protect the town from these dangerous creatures," he explains. " And you should be more careful next time. Walking alone at night like that is very dangerous. And we not sure what these creatures are up to, “ he continues. 

They know about werewolves? But how? That's impossible. And what about those missing girls? If so? Who's so stupid to put the existence of werewolves on the line. 

“ Like the one earlier?" I ask. Though I'm certain he saw what he was. Even though he doesn't know I'm one of them. 

“ Most likely. And I know you have more questions but I can't answer them at moment. But if you ever want to talk—," he pulls out a pen and a small note pad and starts scribbling down on it . “This is my number.” After tearing it he hands it to me.   

“Thank you," I accept the paper, shuffling between the cloth garment bag and finding my bag to throw it in. 

“Special event?" He motions at the garment bag. 

" Sort of, “ I sigh as I throw my head back.

“Sad I'm not invited," he says. I laugh though I don't answer. I already know inviting would be a bad idea, and wouldn't want to add another problem to my already suffocating problems. 

Just thinking about the disaster happening in my life is draining. Hunters are at play and I don't even want to see the conflict it will cause between everyone. Now that they know, they won't stop hunting us down. Especially with those missing young girls. 

And then Harold. Why didn't he attack me? He tried to convince me that Lisa is lying. And that they want me to come back home. 

The dream from earlier, and somehow this guy resembles everything. What does it mean? And the kind of danger I'm in should he find who he's helping. 

The wedding and everything in between.  

' Ugh…I think I need a break. Maybe disappear into nothingness. And probably never come back again.' 

“Are you okay?" Sure he could notice my brokenness. Anyone would notice. 

“Yeah I'm fine. I'm just a little flustered," I reply. I'm not sure a 'little flustered “ is fit to even explain how I'm feeling right now. 

I'm trying so hard not to hyperventilate, and sweart a river. But right now I'm at a breaking point. It's too much. 

" Don't worry. You're safe with me. You don't have to be scared,” he assures. When I have every reason to be scared. 

" And how rude of me? I didn't even thank you for helping me earlier," I reply.

He chuckles,“ No need to thank me. Just doing my job. And a beautiful lady like you deserves to be protected, don't you think?" 

" Well the guy from earlier sure enough didn't think that, “ I claim. Knowing very well I'm lying. Because after all he told me he's trying to protect me. 

“ He's just stupid.“ We both laugh at his remark. Even though I'm scared, at least he makes me feel a little safe. We continue to chat as he drives me where I was supposed to meet Lisa.

I texted her to come fetch me, as I know it's not a good idea to bring the hunter along with me. The guy would have to drop me off along the road and I would continue with Lisa.

Hopefully he doesn't suspect anything. As I told him she was supposed to fetch me earlier. And she was supposed to drive us where the " special event" is happening. And that I don't want to worry my friend and trouble him. Since the event is very far away. 

And sure enough, Lisa can't know about this experience. At least not yet.