Chapter 1 – The Witness
Mei Ling had always taken the same shortcut home through the alley behind her apartment. Its narrow brick walls... familiar and comforting, until tonight.
A cold breeze brushed past her cheeks, which made her stomach turn.
Something felt off. The alley seemed darker than usual; even the street light flickered on and off.
Her footsteps echoed too loudly in the street, each step increasing the quiet as if the night itself were holding its breath.
She paused for a moment, thinking perhaps she imagined it. Then she heard a strange metallic bang ahead. Again.
Her feet suddenly became wobbly as if in protest to carry her.
Her eyes strained through the dim light, trying to see past the shadows.
What could that be?
And then she saw them. Two men in black suits, their movements quick and tense, as they exchanged a heavy briefcase between them.
Her curiosity battled with her instincts; a part of her wanted to run, and the other wanted to stay and watch.
I should just turn back, but I have to see what they're doing.
Her palms went damp, slightly soaked with sweat. She pressed them against her thighs, trying to steady her already shaking hands.
One of the men's heads turned toward her. Their eyes met, and something in his gaze made her stomach turn. Again.
"Hey! Did you see that?"
The shout echoed through the alley, sharp and urgent.
They are coming to get me!
Fear flooded her body.
I have to run… I can't let them see me.
She turned in an attempt to run, her instincts screaming for her to escape. But the shadows of these men seemed to almost catch up with hers.
I can never outrun these men! I am doomed!
As if the mother nature had sent a saviour, a figure stepped in front of her. Out of nowhere!
This figure was tall, dark and unmoving.
His eyes were cold as ice, yet strangely calm, like he had anticipated her fear before she even felt it.
"Don't move," he said, his voice low. It was commanding, yet calm.
Her heart skipped a beat. She swallowed hard, her throat, dry.
Who… who is he?
She smelled leather and something metallic around him.
Ishe also one of them? should l run or stay put?
Her instincts told her to run, but she stayed frozen as the men in black approached, their footsteps echoing in the alley.
The stranger didn't flinch. He simply shifted slightly, standing tall as if every move had a purpose.
Mei Ling's mind raced.
Is he on my side? Or is he worse than them?
She took a step back in fear.
He watched her from the corner of his eye, but stayed between her and the threat.
His eyes swept the alley, taking note of every shadow, every movement, every detail.
She could feel the tension in the air; it was that of danger looming around them!
I should scream, someone will hear me, but will they come fast enough? Her inner voice trembled with uncertainty, unsure if yelling was the best idea.
One of the men lunged forward suddenly, and her pulse quickened.
Without thinking, the dark figure moved and stopped the man quickly, which made her gasp.
Her eyes widened as she realized the stranger was very skilled, and clearly dangerous.
He isn't one of them, but clearly more dangerous.
"Stay behind me," he said quietly. His tone sounded casual, but left no room for argument.
She followed his command without thinking, pressing against the wall as her heart raced.
Mei Ling could hear her heavy, shaky breaths as she trembled with fear.
The men in black paused for a moment, uneasy, clearly unsettled by the man in their way.
Again, her mind raced.
Who is he? Why is he here? Why is he protecting me?
He didn't answer. He just looked, thought and moved.
Everything about him showed control. The tilt of his head, his eyes scanning the shadows, the slight movement of his fingers near his belt.
Mei Ling felt a mix of fear and safety, as if she were caught between danger and protection.
"I need you to trust me," he said, finally breaking the silence, his voice calm but firm.
She swallowed, trembling. Trust him? I don't even know his name. I barely know anything about him.
A shout from behind made her jump. The men moved forward again, their weapons catching the faint light.
Mei Ling's mind raced, her thoughts scattered.
He's so calm... so precise.
Every instinct told her to run, yet something about him... protective and commanding, made her pause.
The alley felt smaller, shadows closing in sounds growing louder, yet he stayed calm and steady in the chaos.
Mei Ling's fingers clenched into fists, knuckles white as she tried to find courage.
The first attacker moved suddenly, and she flinched, holding her breath.
The stranger moved quickly, stopping the threat easily without saying a word.
Her chest rose and fell. She had been holding her breath.
For the first time she noticed the little things; his calm face, eyes always watching for danger and the slight tension in his muscles.
Mei Ling shivered, feeling both fear and awe.
She couldn't tear her eyes away, even though every instinct told her to run.
The metallic smell from earlier still lingered in the air, sharp and unsettling. Her heart pounded so hard it felt like it would jump out of her chest. Her hands shook with fingers curling and uncurling on her thighs.
Don't move, stay calm.
She told herself, trying to control her panic.
Her mind knew that staying still could get her killed. The stranger moved a little, his coat brushing the wall quietly. He didn't look at her, but she felt strangely safe with him there.
The men in black suddenly backed away, slipping into the darkness as if they had given up.
Mei Ling's knees felt weak, as she pressed herself against the wall, trying to catch her breath.
The stranger stepped closer to her, while she leaned back a little.
He lifted his hand and softly touched her cheek.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice calm but filled with concern.
Mei Ling's heart raced, a mix of fear and something she couldn't name.
Her mind was filled with questions.
She wondered who he was, why he had appeared out of nowhere, and why his presence made her feel strangely safe.
She swallowed hard, unable to speak, staring at him as he waited for her reply.
The alley was quiet now, the danger was gone but her mind was still full of thoughts.
Who was this man, and why had he chosen to protect her, a stranger from a danger she didn't even understand? This was a question she didn't have any answers to.
She didn't know if the danger had truly passed, or if it was only waiting for the next moment.