You are a mind reader!!!

If fate means you to lose, give him a good fight anyhow. ~William McFee

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Chapter 16 - Encounter

"Anything wrong?" Matt finally asked rather worriedly.

"N-no... I just need to... go to the wash room." I replied furtively eyeing on the spot where the tall stranger vanished.

I could not be mistaken. I'd recognize his lanky figure, his crooked nose, soot-colored hair and those eyes with a disturbed air about it that would, in occasion, haunt me in my sleep. He was that guy in the trench coat and bowler hat who stalked me a few days ago. I thought it was just some joke or some pervert fancy to scare girls, but if what I saw today was not a total coincidence, then I could presume that he was indeed, after me.

The thought gave me a shudder as I held onto the table for to steady my feet then rushed to the ladies' room where I could hyperventilate without questioning eyes.

I looked at myself in the lavatory mirror and found my ashen face panic-stricken. Who was that man? What could he possibly see in me that he's after? The fear that struck me made my legs tremble as nausea gripped on my stomach. What should I do?

Calm down. I told myself as I doused my face with cold water just to clear my head in an effort to pacify the panic that brewed inside my chest. You're not alone. He can't do you any harm. Or could he? Would he hurt Becky too? And Leon? No! Not Leon.

I wiped my face dry and decided to go back. Maybe I should tell them. That seemed to be the best idea just in case that weird guy appeared again.

As I wheeled back to the table, I saw him again. The weird guy walked slowly toward my direction, the perverseness in his eyes more terrifying as he closed in with an intent glare.

I took a few steps in retreat, only to find my back against the door of the washroom. I could've screamed, but no one would probably hear me. Leon and the others were seated at the other end of the hall; they couldn't have seen me fleeing.

The hallway to the comfort rooms were narrow and could only let a single person pass at a time so I rummaged inside my brain for possible other ways to escape. My luck might've all ran out because I can barely move my feet in fear.

"What's yer name missy," he spoke to me cautiously inching his foot toward my direction so that we were just two arms' length apart. His voice was quite rough with an accent that wasn't familiar to me. I looked defiantly into his eyes and found that they were very similar to a fish's... no like a goat that seemed to focus on opposite directions with a slightest angle at the same time.

"W-who are you? Why do you keep on following me?" I retorted with a false bravery that was betrayed only by my voice.

"Oh, nothin' personal, missy. Jush bushnes," the man growled as he uncoordinatedly shuffled closer.

"Get away from me or I'll scream!" I threatened him only to be answered by a horrifying grin that revealed a set of yellowish teeth.

"No one would hear you," he rumbled.

With an awkward flit, he was able to come within reach of my hand and upon seeing his chance, grabbed my arm with his bony hands.

"You are shumthin. He wush right." He sniggered menacingly as I writhed frantically against his grip.

"Let me go!!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs praying to god that someone heard me. His clutch numbed by arm with intense force. "What do you want from me?" I demanded as he tried to grab my other arm.

My vision started to narrow. It was more difficult to think rationally as my heart thumped like a drum inside my head. "HELP!!!" I shrieked as I blinked the haziness that clouded my eyes, wishing someone would come to my aid to no avail.

He immediately covered my mouth with his coarse hands and dragged me back to the ladies' room with his other arm looped under my chin, nearly strangling me as he did. The painful pressure on my neck and my mouth muffled my squeals. I could hardly breathe, but I mustered all my strength to struggle against him. But no matter how hard I tried to twist and thrash about, I was still overpowered by his brute force and size.

He used his back to push the door behind us and once inside, started to rip my clothes off, starting with my jacket, which he successfully snatched from my back. Then his hands fumbled with my shirt.

NO! My mind cried.

I heaved and thrashed harder against his bony arms before he could do more.

"Don't shtruggle missy, it'd jush be harder for you." He muttered coolly though he wasn't making any progress.

With all the effort I could put in it, I managed to dig my elbow into his skinny ribs. With the slightest yelp from him, the hand that clasped on my mouth loosened for a while and upon seeing the opportunity, I sunk my teeth into his thumb until I could almost taste blood.

When his arms finally slackened off me, I kicked him on the knee with as much force as I could gather, his leg giving in with a soft crack.

The tall man snarled with what I would assume an excruciating pain as he leaned on the sink for support, his eyes widening with utter disbelief and terrifying frenzy.

"You'd pay for this!!!" he growled as I took a few steps back heading for the door.

I spat the blood from my mouth and glared at him and his bleeding hand. It was pure adrenaline that fueled my previous resolve. As soon as the hormone surge subsided, I groped to my escape, taking two attempts before I was able to pull the door open with my trembling sweaty hands.

Run! I told myself, but before I could bolt outside, a gnarled hand caught a fistful of my hair. The tall man got to his feet and hauled me back, my head slamming against the edge of the door in the process.

The throbbing pain was unbearable, blinding me for a few moments as he dragged me without so much as a decent resistance. I went limp with stupor after several unsuccessful attempts to claw belligerently on the hand that yanked my hair. It was no use. I could not defend myself. I was weak and all my efforts were put to waste.

The throbbing pain on my head seemed to have numbed my whole body. I wanted so much to fight back... and run as fast as I could but my limbs were not listening to my brain anymore.

I could see no more hope as the tears welled from my eyes. Pathetic. All I could do was cry.

At least I put up a good fight, or did I?

I could hear nothing more but my weak sobs and his disgruntled breathing. This could be the end.

He hurled me to the rear of the room without much effort then limped toward me, with that disturbing smirk again.

It took me all my remaining strength to lug my feet across my chest and curl in a corner to await my nightmare. "P-please..." I pleaded as the tears blinded me. "Stop."

A snigger echoed reverberated as he shook his head when he bent to grab me once more.

"Let her go," a voice said as the door opened with an ominous creak.

With a blink of an eye, the gnarled bony hands were off me and the next thing I knew, the tall man was on the floor flat on his back.

It was my angel who stood before me, clenching his fists and gritting his teeth as his once tranquil blue eyes smoldered; his body literally shaking with rage.

"What are you doing here?" he growled.

Leon snatched the aggressor's collar. The man's head lolled to his side so that his face eyed on my direction with a masochistic sneer.

"WHAT!" Leon's voice was even more ominous as he raised his fist which landed on the man's face. "Did he order you to do this?!"

I closed my eyes tightly and clasped on my ears but I could still hear every blow. And with every thump, the limp lanky man on the floor would groan in pain.

Once, twice, thrice... I couldn't have known how many punches Leon had thrown.

I've waited for the pounding to cease, but it didn't and all I could do was whimper as I curled in the corner. No. He wasn't my angel. I was terrified of him.

"Stop..." I croaked in between my sobs. "P-please... make it stop," I said no more than a whisper.

A hand stroked my face ever so gently.

"No!" I squirmed as a pair of arms enveloped me. I could feel millions of tiny needle pricks where his arms touched on my skin. "G-get away..."

"It's me Sarah," said Leon.

I kept my eyes shut even though I knew all along that it was him. It made me cringe at his slightest touch. The irrational fear overwhelmed me and I was afraid for my life; afraid of the other side of him that I had just witnessed.

He gently lifted my chin and whispered. "You're safe now." His velvety voice made me open my eyes and as I did, found his serene blue orbs gazing at me.

"Leon!" I cried burying my face on his chest as he sat beside me stroking my hair.

I couldn't put in words how relieved I was with his arms around me. I trembled with fear and trembled at his presence; where I felt contented and out of harm's way. His embrace vanquished all my fears and reassured me of bliss. With him I can be afraid for he will surely replace it with serenity; be in tears for he will, in turn, dry them with his smiles. With him is my happy place.

"Sshh... I'm here now," he whispered reassuringly as his lips touched my forehead.

I clutched tightly on his arm as my other hand wrapped on the tear on the collar of my shirt. After I realized how close I was to being violated, I buried my face in my hands, struggling to contain the uncontrollable sobs.

His arms tightened around me once again then laid his jacket over me. There was that extreme anger in his face once more. I didn't like seeing it. I would have eased it if I could. But I was in no position to be the one to comfort him. Not in my current state of mind.

"Leon..." I hung on to his hand which he gently removed and replaced on my knees with a sad little smile.

He walked away and dragged the flaccid tall man in the trench coat quite forcefully out of the ladies' room with an expressionless façade.

A few minutes passed but Leon did not come back. I was miserable and alone once more. The feeling of security, of contentment, of happiness left with him.

I would have gone after Leon if it weren't for the fact that all I could manage was to crawl a few steps from where he left me.

The walls shook and whirred around me. So did my thoughts. There were so many questions in my head that needed some answers.

Who was that man? Leon seemed to know who he is. Who sent him? And why?

I couldn't seem to point out where to start. But I would find out.

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Hi there!

After a long break.. here it is finally. Sorry for the delay guys! I really hope you like this chapter. Chapter 17 will be posted shortly after this so it's a double chapter week hehehe...

hmm... yet again don't forget to vote or fan if you liked it... :)

ciao!