I looked at the empty seat in the back and out in the rain. It's been days since it's pouring. It's usually the same in the rainy season. It pours for days and nights as we live close to the forest especially. I used to roam around the town along with Aiden, Emily and Edmund but nothing is same now though I wish it to be soon enough.

I didn't get to see Aiden after the last encounter. I visited his home twice. It was closed ones and I was greeted by his parents for the second time but I got no luck getting to meet him. I am sure his parents must have informed him but he still didn't make any efforts to come and see me or even telephone me even once. I wonder what is happening with him. Tyler is seriously no good.

He didn't belong to the school but he is pretty famous in the whole town. He is son of the gambler Elijah Davis who thinks he own the town. Those father-son do as they please and no one even ask anything to them. They run a club in the downtown. The part of the town which is famous for not so good things and ever since the childhood we have been warned to stay away from there. I wonder why did Aiden get involved with those goons.

I let out a sigh and looked at the board in front. Mr. Miller was scrubbing the math problems for us to solve. I groan gently and tilted my head to look at Emily.

"Did you see Aiden anywhere?" I asked and she shrugged without moving her gaze from the blackboard. She was trying to catch up with the speed of Mr. Miller who was on the spree of giving us a problem after the other.

"I haven't seen him for like 2 days now." She said and looked at me for a brief moment, "Did anything happen between you two?"

"Why did you ask?" I asked in a low voice giving her a confused look. She let out a laugh and moved her gaze back to the board.

"That means I was right and Edmund is still dumb." She said. I shook my head letting out a small sigh. Those two won't change.

"What does that mean?" I asked and started scribbling the homework problems in my notebook.

"I noticed you silently thinking the whole time." She said making me chuckle a little.

"Apart from your hidden killer there is only one person who would make you worried and that's Aid." She said and I let out a sigh stopping for a brief moment.

That's right! The look on his face and the tone of his voice that day did freak me out and I just couldn't get it out of my head. I kept thinking about him for the whole night as sleep refused to get me. But that's not all. I was scared of my nightmare. I don't want Aiden to take over them.

I didn't see him in school later. He is missing for the two consecutive days and making me sick worried but I don't want to go there again. Yup, he must be with Tyler and Jake and he has warned me not to show up there. I don't want to upset him again so I will be making a stop at his house today if I don't get to see him today also.

"He freaked me out." I said in a low voice looking down at my notebook as Aiden's thoughts started consuming me.

"What did he do?" I heard Emily ask. I shook my head gently.

"Nothing." I said. I heard her let out a sigh.

"Mrs. Baker..." She said and I gave her a confusing look.

"The art teacher." She cleared it for me. I nodded my head in understanding. She is new and I haven't yet paid attention to her.

"Right." I said and looked at her with curiosity as to where she is taking this.

"She was asking about him today as he is absent for a consecutive day." She said. I shook my head.

"We need to find his whereabouts. He is making me worried now." Emily said. I nodded in agreement. No matter how many times she has asked me to let go of Aiden, I know she cares just like me and Ed. After all, we have spent our whole childhood together and have been best of friends.

"Ed was looking hell too." She said letting out a sigh.

"We should." I said in a low voice when Mr. Miller started explaining the assignment and the date to finish it.

I need to focus in study else this time I am definitely going to fail. Thanks to my sweet boyfriend and the killer. Aiden is smart so he never had difficulty getting good grades but I'm an average student and always get a complex from my three best friends.

I let out a sigh and started scribbling everything before the bell rings. 

*******

Emily and I met Edmund and Rose at the locker. We stuffed our belongings in and made our way to the canteen. My eyes wandered around to catch a glimpse of that one familiar figure but I got no luck. Feeling defeated I stood in the long queue waiting for my turn to place the order.

Emily and I got settled for fries and burgers as the other menu wasn't of our choice. Edmund was about to put his hand inside my dish as I was putting it on the table when I gave him a death glare. I have spent almost 20 minutes in that freaking queue and I am not sharing it with anyone. Rose brings the tiffin sometimes and shares with her boyfriend and today is just that special day. 

Roselia Clerk joined our group the last as Edmund's girlfriend. It took us by surprise as he never even hinted at being in a relationship. She is a brown haired girl who gives slightly more importance to herself in every situation. Emily and I would exclude her from everything as much as possible without Edmund's notice though Aiden knew and never exactly bothered about it. Rose never got along well with me or Emily or even Aiden but she was in our group as we had no other choice. Her family runs a small mess in the town and has the best food out there. Just another reason for being good with her.

I put the fries in my mouth and it felt divine. I was craving food since the start of math. I saw Edmund giving some thought and I know what he might be thinking or preparing himself to ask maybe. He looked at me with the same thoughtful posture and shifted in his seat bending forward.

"Did you get any information on Aid?" Edmund asked finally. I knew it! I shook my head making him disappointed.

"No, but we need to find him." I said and I saw the rest three nodded their head. I took a bite of the burger being in my own thoughts. I saw Edmund, Rose, and Emily exchange a look before they shifted their gaze on me. I gave them a questioning look not sure what they had on their minds.

"Umm..." Edmund took the lead and gave me a small smile before he got serious again. He looked around one time to make sure if there is anyone else apart from us four. He then looked back at me. 

"About the shadow or whatever you saw in the woods, did you see it again?" He asked and I let out a sigh. I haven't shared anything about the killer or the shadow or Aiden with any of them. I was determined to not share anything with them the last time they didn't believe me. Not until they come and talk with me about it. I would have gone to Aiden again keeping my fears aside but I wouldn't have talked with them. That's how I am! I don't like begging people to believe me. If they do then it's good and if they don't then it's good too. 

"Why bother. I will see." I said with a shrug as the silence surpassed the table.

"We are sorry for acting that way but we were just being sure if what you see is not a piece of your imagination." Edmund said again giving me a look of assurance. I moved my gaze to Emily who nodded at me too. I let out a sigh.

"I saw him again and tried to catch him but Aiden stopped me from it." I said. I wanted to keep Aiden out as I don't want to go into his details and make him even more furious but Edmund and Emily deserve to know. I will tell them in detail but later when he is around.

"Aiden? He came over?" Emily asked with crooked eyebrows. Rose and Edmund gave me the gaze of curiosity. I don't know how to explain the whole thing now. 

"No, he came to drop me on my insistence. That's the last time I saw him." I said. 

"But I saw him going along with Jake." Edmund frowned at me.

"I followed him." I said sipping on the water and not matching anyone's gaze but I saw the questions and curiosity on their faces.

"What? Where?" Edmund asked. I shrugged.

"That's not a point now." I said and was about to speak further when Edmund cut me off making me frown.

"Of course it is. We might find him there." He said getting worried. Then why don't you go and follow him? I wanted to ask him but then I thought of letting go of my ego and going along for everyone's good.

"Edmund, I know you are worried but he was furious the last time and I don't want to make it worse acting the same way." I said trying to keep calm. I can't afford to lose my shit now. I need to be careful with everyone and everything. Edmund didn't look pleased as he gave me a furious expression. Really now? I am ready for another round of fights if he wants to go there. We never got along amazingly well ever. But as the years passed we managed to become good friends.

"She is right. We shouldn't do anything recklessly. Forcing yourself on someone is not an option." Emily came to my rescue. I kept my glare on him challenging him but he took a step back and let out a sigh.

"We will go and see him at his house?" Emily asked looking at both of us with concern.

"That was my exact plan." I said keeping my hard gaze on Edmund. He is sweet but gets on my nerves sometimes. If he cared so much then why don't have guts and go talk with Aiden first? Loser! I gritted my teeth. I had so much to say but I stayed quiet. So did he. We need each other and we both know that very well. So keeping out our difference is the best thing at the moment. 

"It's deal then." Emily said with a smile and looked at Edmund who nodded at her.

"About that killer, dad looked worried too as I guess they are not able to find any lead." Emily said getting worried.

Lucas Moore being the Sheriff is in charge of this whole murder mystery and as far as I know, they haven't able to crack any code yet. I guess they are just clueless. When the body of George has discovered from his house the rumor of the same psycho's involvement surfaced the town. Some policeman on the duty who was familiar with the old chain of murders noticed the similarity and reported it and since then, the town has been under the shadow of fear. Fear of that unknown face who might be even roaming around us without our knowledge.

"Did they search the forest?" Rose asked raising her eyebrows. We shifted our attention to Emily.

"I don't know. He doesn't share much." Emily said half-heartedly. I can understand like no one even share anything with me in the house. They just ask to be careful and take the precautions but no one tells exactly what is going on.

"I guess they did as I heard same from mom and dad. Mr. Moore comes to the house often to question dad." I said.

I have seen him countless times sitting inside the study with dad. I don't know what they talk about though as I am obviously not allowed. I overheard the conversation of mom and dad a few days back about how a team of police is searching around the forest to find if someone is hidden. I got happy thinking about the possibility of the killer getting caught but what I forgot was that he is too sharp. I mean, he got away a decade ago then what is this? 

"Why don't we take a look and see if we can find anything?" Rose said gaining my attention out of all. I had this in my mind for a few days but I was scared. Besides, I am not the smartest so I had no clue as to where to start or what to do.

"What are we going to find when the police can't?" Edmund asked with a slight hint of irritation. Ths boy always has his set of excuses to not get dirty. But when someone does the work, he comes running to give the lectures or his set of advice. I rolled my eyes looking at him.

"There is no hurting to check some facts for your own satisfaction." Rose said making him understand but he is just smart with books I guess. When it comes to applying that knowledge in practice, he fails. That's how he shows at least.

"Where would we find those?" Emily asked with her set of problems, "I mean dad won't come and have a chit chat with us." 

But she was right. I had the same question. Where the heck are we going to find anything? And how are we going to solve it? 

"There is a place in this town for collections of books, newspapers, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for use or borrowing by the public or the members of an institution." Rose spoke and I smirked at her. Emily and Edmund looked clueless.

"What?" They shouted making Rose chuckle.

"Library." I said gaining their attention. They both nodded with a smile. 

"We can get some history." Emily said with excitement as if we are going on some picnic. Well, I would admit it was cool but damn scary. But it's better than sitting along with the window and waiting for the killer to show up.

"Like what is the exact pattern and stuff." Emily said further and I nodded at her in agreement.

"That sounds cool." Edmund for the first time spoke something to make me feel good. I nodded at him. 

"And safe." I said and they nodded.

"Okay then, let's meet on Saturday morning?" I asked.

"Deal." Edmund said making us smile as we got back to finish our plates and tiffins.

**************

I jerked and opened my eyes wide when I heard my room door getting unlocked. My heart started thudding inside my chest loudly. It was dark and the only light that was coming in my room was from the window. The light of the moon brightening my room a little. I can't spot anyone around.

Looking around I could guess it's much later after midnight. My heart was still beating rapidly that I was afraid the person inside the room could hear it. I had no courage to get up but I can feel the presence of someone else in the room. Someone was hiding in the dark with their gaze fixed on me. My breaths were getting deep. I closed my eyes shut again in an attempt to convey to that person that I haven't seen them nor I have any interest in looking out for them.

Fear was surpassing me with each ticking of the clock. There was silence and I could hear someone breathing as I heard the footsteps approaching me. I gripped the comforter in my hand tight. I wanted to cry for help but I was scared to death. The footsteps stop after some time but the voice of someone breathing was still clear.

I heard a chuckle followed by some whispering. Was he whispering to himself or is there someone else accompanying him? I couldn't figure out what was being said nor did I care as I was too occupied in fearing for my life. The sweat was dripping from my forehead and from my whole body. My breaths were hitched in my throat and the tears started gathering in my eyes. The only person I wanted to be here now was Aiden but how can I call him now?

The whispering and the breathing sound stopped in the next moment. I heard the footsteps going back and away. I felt at ease as I let out a sigh of relief but didn't move from my spot, too scared that it will come again to me. I was reliving the moment when the comforter was pulled away from me and I could see someone standing closer to me.

I screamed on the top of my lungs but that shape jumped on the bed and tried to shut my mouth off. I was crying and struggling but it was of no use as that thing was way too stronger than me. I punched it and pushed it hard that it got stumbled back and I shouted again getting up from my bed.

My eyes were wide open by now as my heart was still thudding inside my chest. I gulped the tear back as I looked around taking the contrast surrounding and still shaken with another nightmare within the span of a week. This killer theory is taking a tole on me and I am scared I might end up doing stupid or something worse might happen. I threw the sheets away and walked towards the telephone dialing Aiden's number without even looking at the clock on the wall.

I was just too scared to do anything. It was so real that I think someone is watching me even now. I want to get out of here. The rings went on with no one picking up the call. I used this time to look at the clock hanging on the wall. 7 in the morning! It's not too early. I am glad for that. I let out a sigh and was about to cut the line when someone picked up.

"Hello?" A tiring voice said from the other end. I could only depict that person came running to receive the phone.

"Sorry to bother you so early but can I talk with Aiden? It's kind of urgent." I said being as polite as I can. I still was in a state of shock and it always takes me some time to overcome this shitty feeling I get after each nightmare.

"Faith?" I heard the voice cheering up. It was his dad. Mr. Wright always gets up along with the Sun and makes himself busy in the garden work as soon as he sees light outside. He loves plants and so do I. I have always made it sure to help him in his gardening and hear his knowledge about different species of plants.

"Yes." I said.

"Where are you these days? I haven't seen you around lately." He asked with a complaining voice. I let out a sigh. I honestly don't want to be rude to him but I want Aiden at the moment.

"I'm fine, Uncle. I will come and see you soon. Right now, can I talk with Aiden?" I asked again. He chuckled thankfully.

"Oh yes, I will check with him. Hold on for a moment." He said and I could hear the noise. He called for Aiden a few times while I waited patiently tapping my legs or scratching on the dial on the phone.

I heard some footsteps running as my heart felt some joy.

"Hello?" I heard his voice finally after what like 4 days in a row.

"Where the heck have you been? I went to your house but there was no one and then..." I was screaming by the end of that sentence which Aiden didn't let me finish.

"Relax. Have you been having nightmares again?" He asked immediately. I have been having nightmares since I was very young. Ever since mom... And everyone close to me knows about it. Aiden, Emily, Edmund, and of course my parents.

They know I get reckless and couldn't think straight for some time at least but over the course of time, I have managed.

"Yes." I said in low voice still scratching the dial of the phone.

"Faith." Aiden said and let out a sigh. He took his sweet time to speak again. I could tell he was making sure no one is around when he said those words, "That's why I want you to stop thinking about it."

"I am going to do the exact opposite." I said being the rebel I am. If he is not going to tell me anything about his doings then this is what I am going to do.

"What?" He asked and I could feel the slight bit of irritation in his voice.

"I'm going to do my research and get to the facts." I said with a shrug.

"I guess there is a department to do that?" He asked being annoyed.

"Yes but I can't be at peace unless I find him." I said shaking my head a bit.

"Faith." Aiden made his voice a bit louder but I ignored him.

"I along with Emily and Edmund will be going to the library today. See me there if you can." I said.

"Don't go." I heard him say. He was sounding calm now. There were emotions hidden which I failed to understand.

"Tell me what you know." I asked making my attempt when I very well know he won't tell anything. But if he is stubborn then I am as well and I know how to have my ways with him.

"I just know you shouldn't be reckless." He said in a plain voice. I let out a sigh.

"Bye, Aiden. Hope to see you. We have many questions which I don't want to ask over call." I said and he hung up. It made me sad and I put the phone back. I kept looking at it for some time but shrugged the thoughts away and thought of getting ready for the day ahead.

************

I waited for Edmund and Emily at our usual hangout spot. I had no hopes about Aiden showing up. The wind was cold and I was glad there was no drop of rain. The black clouds surrounded the mountains making them look sad. The surroundings were greyish with no sunlight coming down to greet us for days now. The only good thing around me was the trees and flowers which were looking ever so happy like someone has given them a new life. The drops of water on them were making them shine bright like a diamond. I smiled a little when the wind passed rubbing me. I moved my gaze to the front at the market rush.

It was still early in the morning and vendors were setting up their stalls of fruits and vegetables. There were a few buyers who shopped to run the mess or restaurants. The smell of the fresh bread coming out from the bakery was making me hungry even though I just had my breakfast. The chimneys let out the smoke of the fire as it vanished in the thin air. The horse carts were carrying the vegetables and in between a carriage would stop which carried some passengers coming from the near towns. 

It was colorful with women wearing colorful frocks and hats as the men were in their usual attire wearing pants and shirts. I put my open hair behind my ear and adjusted the green bow on my head which was merely binding my hair together. I let out a sigh and moved back and forth. It was a beautiful morning with the view of mountains and trees. 

I saw Emily walking towards me with her big smile. She wore her favorite white shirt along with blue jeans. Her blonde hair ruffled with the wind as she crossed the road holding her side bag. I waved at her as she walked towards me. Edmund came from the opposite side on his cycle and greeted us stopping right at the front. We made our way towards the library which happened to be in the central town. It was an old building build some 50 years back with stones entirely. This place has always attracted me because of my hobby of reading. 

We entered the giant building which was the tallest in the town so we can spot it from anywhere. I looked around the library with a smile as the smell of old books hit my senses. It is my most favorite other than the smell of the rain. The library had huge wooden racks containing thousands of books and different sections divided by the genre of the book. The walls held paintings of some of the biggest writers and politicians around the world who have made a big contribution to the literature and history of the world. We walked through the passage in between. 

The people around sat with the books in front at the table and others were roaming in the aisles between the racks. Some of the people were up on the moving ladder to take out the books kept away from the hands reach. The wooden floor made a creaking sound when my sandal rested on the sensitive area of the floor making me chuckle at the whining of the floor.

We made our way further inside the library in the newspaper section which contained the collection of different newspapers from over the four-five decades to this date. I looked around the huge hall. The chandelier hung in the middle of the room was brightening the otherwise dark room because of the gloomy weather outside. I let out a sigh and walked further inside to find one table for us. The library was crowded today as it was a weekend making it impossible for us to find a seat. I searched for the 1960s section moving mu gaze around and noticed it right away from far away. We don't exactly have the idea as to when the incidence from the past occurred but according to the information which Emily got from sneaking into her father's research she said it happened in the autumn of 1960s. 

I took my side bag from above my head and put it on the table. We then parted ways and went in a different direction to search the newspapers which belonged to the 1960s. I need to be extra careful about getting spotted doing the research as I don't want anyone noticing me and telling dad about the same. I gathered all the folders containing papers from that era and made my way towards the table again.

Emily and Edmund were already sitting on their respective chairs by the time I was back. The look on Edmund's face told me that he has got his hands on something informative which made me feel slightly happier but it's too early to predict anything. I got seated beside Emily, putting down the folders in my hand. Edmund turned to the side and took out a diary from his bag. It was literally swollen with so much knowledge stuffed inside it. He opened it and spread before us keeping in the middle so all of us three can have a look inside it. Edmund adjusted his giant specs and looked at us.

"Alright, before diving directly into the deep, let me brief you about all of the things." He said as I and Emily nodded looking at him with curiosity clearly visible on our faces. Edmund adjusted his specs looking around us one time before starting to fill up with the information he has about Northwood being the history student. His voice was lower than usual which required us to bent forward to get a clear hearing about what he was saying.

Even though I have been in the town for about twelve years, I still don't know the deep history of this town I live in. I just know the events which happened after I came here but that's all. So everything goes decade back from here when the body of the woman in her early 30s was discovered along the rough river road of the town. Her hands and legs were tied by the piece of cloth. Her eyes were wide open and the expressions on her face were of the shocked one. There was some black particle found all over her body which was some kind of chemical substance. There were some deep marks on her neck stating the use of some rope to kill her. The struggle marks were visible on her legs and hands. The whole town went into a state of shock as they couldn't believe someone from them will show this kind of cruelty. The investigation started and the body was sent to postmortem. 

There were no witnesses around and the killer didn't leave anything behind which made everything difficult than it already was. The postmortem reports also were of no much use. A few people were questioned but they had their alibies based on which they were set free. The case was short of any kind of leads and thus was on the verge of getting closed when someone reported seeing something in the woods. When sheriff along with his team reached into the forest they discovered an old man with the same kind of pattern in the middle of the forest. Everything was the same apart from one thing. He had something scribbled on his wrist. It was a roman number (II). It made people to think from the start.

The reports and documents of the first murder were reopened and were found that the woman had a roman one (I) written on her left leg. There was no doubt if not caught then the town was in for more blood. The fear surpassed over the town and it was instructed that no one should come out on the streets after the sun is set or no one should wander on the road where there are no people around. It was followed for some days but that was of no use. Nothing was as it wasn't safe for anyone out and around.

The boy in his early 20s went missing from the playground where he went to play a football match under the eyes of tons of people. No one saw him going out. The search for the missing person for day and night. The forest was scanned, the old mill and factory nothing was left but still, nothing came in hand until some villagers saw something floating inside the river. There was no doubt about who it was going to be. Again the same pattern with roman three. 

Another wave of fear surpassed the whole town. A few people shifted to the neighboring town out of scare of getting killed. There was no similarity in age groups or personalities or backgrounds of the people getting killed. It was random with a similar killing pattern. Next, a few months went into discovering more bodies regardless of age and one day after a half year wa passed by, it got stopped suddenly. The last discovered body was close to where I live and it had roman eight (VIII) on the forehead. There were no killings after that. The murderer vanished in the thin air without leaving any traces behind. The police searched the forest and mountains again and again to find some clues but got nothing. The neighboring cities were also had nothing to offer.

Everything started getting back to normal as the days passed. And since then there has been no news of anyone. Just some villagers spotted someone roaming inside the forest and on the mountains but they have no validity of anything. Some say he still lives in the mountains and others say he killed himself as well but the truth still remains hidden. I let out a sigh shifting uneasily in my seat. All this information made me sick. How can people be so cruel? Could it be the same shadow I am seeing in the woods? If yes, then what he or she wants? 

We spend some more time sitting in the same position and going through the newspapers. There was nothing new but the same information we heard from Edmund. We saw some blurred photos of the bodies found around the different parts of the town and the smiling photo of the same person beside it. I felt my head and heart heavy looking at everything. We noted down all the necessary information in the diary which might be useful somewhere in the future.

We thought of roaming around the riverside for some time to get fresh air before heading back to our respective homes for the lunch. There was a coldness in the air which made me shiver. The dark clouds were still in the sky and surrounding the mountains. It is going to rain tonight. Emily and Edmund went closer to the river to experience the chilling water inside it. They laughed loudly when the small fishes tickled on their hands. I chuckled looking at them and got seated carefully holding my dress below the tree resting my back on the trunk.

I closed my eyes when the wind passed letting the leaves of the tree fall on me. I stayed still thinking about everything. It seems the ruffling leaves of the forest and the sound of flowing water try to tell us so many secrets for years. They have witnessed many dark things happening around this town over the years. No wonder why these mountains look so sad. They have witnessed the cruel side of humans. We should be ashamed to face them. 

I shot my eyes open when I heard the ruffling of the leaves beside me. I looked at the side and let out a sigh of relief seeing Aiden standing close to me. He shook his head a little in disappointment. I gave him a lazy smile as he got seated beside me.

"Got anything?" He asked tilting his head to look at me. I shook my head gently and looked ahead of us.

"The same thing but it's new to me as I basically got no idea about anything that happened." I said shaking my head slightly as I took a deep breath. I moved the strands of my hair that were coming on my face.

"You okay?" Aiden asked with a worried face. I shook my head gently again and stayed quiet for some time.

"It's disturbing." I said in a low voice. Aiden let out a deep sigh and shifted in his seat to look at me.

"I told you not to go there." He said making his voice a little louder. The worry, anger, and frustration were visible on his face and in his voice.

"I needed to know." I said in a calm voice looking down at my hands.

"So what next?" He asked wasting no time. I looked at him by tilting my head to the side.

"Tell me about what you know." I asked. He moved his gaze away rapidly. He gave me no time but at that moment I was even more sure that he knows something. 

"I know nothing." He said shaking his head.

"Where were you?" I asked with my curiosity getting best out of me. I adjusted myself in my seat and faced him. He said nothing and kept looking in the direction of Edmund and Emily who still had no clue about him being here.

"With Tyler?" I asked when he refused to speak anything further, "I am touched that you still came when I had no hope." Aiden moved his gaze back to me with no expressions on his face. He went cold all of sudden. 

"You said you have questions." He said making me let out a laugh.

"You came all the way for that?" I asked raising my eyebrows. Aiden nodded slightly.

"I don't want you to follow me." He said and moved his gaze away again.

"Very well." I said when Edmund approached us.

"Aiden?" He shouted with shocked and surprised expression and ran towards us.

"Hey, Ed!" Aiden said with a lack of any kind of warmth inside him. Edmund's face fell looking at this cold treatment from his only best friend. I felt bad looking at him. I wonder how Aiden didn't feel anything?

"Wow, I didn't expect you to be here. It looks like old times now." Emily said as everyone stayed quite. Sure the people are the same but the bonds are different now I guess.

"But the people are not the same anymore." Edmund said with a slight chuckle. I eyed Aiden who gritted his jaw.

"Where are you these days?" Emily asked again making the environment even more tensed that it is already was.

"With his new friends. Jake and Tyler." I said as Aiden gave me a tough glare but I wasn't bothered by it.

"Tyler? What's wrong with you?" I heard Edmund. Even I was shocked when I got to know about his new hideouts and friends.

"Mind your own business." Aiden said and got up from his seat. He wiped out his clothes.

"I am doing the same." Edmund hissed at him. I was afraid that Aiden might do something looking at his expression but instead, he started walking away.

"Aiden, wait!" I got up and rushed after him. Aiden stopped but didn't turn away.

"You said you will answer our questions." I shouted. I saw him let out a sigh as he closed his eyes briefly for some moments.

"I like their company. Happy?" He said tilting his head to look back at us behind.

"Company of Tyler?" Edmund asked and let out a laugh as he came a little forward to continue further, "What do you like exactly? How he bet? How he uses girls? How he does drugs or those fighting matches he holds? What exactly?" Aiden clenched his fist and gave him a tough glare.

"Everything." He said in a low voice and started moving again.

"Aiden!" I shouted.

"I will see you later, Faith." He said without sparing any of us another gaze, "I remember I have promised to come over."

"Okay, don't be late." I shouted for him to hear but he was long gone and out of our sights. Edmund's mood was long gone but still he managed to stay calm. The good thing about him. He won't take out his anger on just anyone.

After spending some more time there we said our goodbyes and made our way back to the home. I was glad to find the lift up to the mansion when Dad was making his way on the hill. He asked me about my whereabouts and I told him that I visited library keeping the details out. He knows about my hobby so he didn't question any further. I looked in the woods on the both sides as driver sped the car on that hilly road. Dad was closing his eyes as he rested his head back on the seat. I just hope I am able to find the culprit soon. I don't want my dad to end up like them.

We had our lunch discussing about mom's new book and dad's next business trip to London yet again. I filled them about my studies and school. Aiden kept his promise and visited when we were just done with the lunch. He chatted with mom and dad for sometime. We roamed around the garden talking about random things. I kept the topics which made him angry out of the discussion but he made sure to ask me about my nightmares and yet again asked me to stay out of the matter. This time his eyes looked pleading. I just gave him a node with assurance and promised to stay safe. The disappointment of his face was visible but he didn't say anything much and said his goodbye by giving a quick kiss on my cheek. I chuckled and waved at him. 

As I was making my way inside, I looked at the woods briefly. The rain was starting to pour but this time with clouds thundered along with it. I jerked hard when the sky lighened. It frightens me alot. The electricity got cut off immediatly making it slight dark in the evening. I let out a sigh looking up at the falling rain drops. This is going to be a long night yet again.

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🥀 a u t h o r ' s  n o t e 🥀

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