Chapter 1

Grace's Pov 

AT HOME

Crap!

I am going to be late again!

Where the hell is Noah? He was supposed to be home 30 minutes ago.

I pulled my bag on my shoulder and turned to Sophia who was looking at me from the coach.

“I am off to work, Soph. I made spaghetti, it is in the kitchen, make sure Mum eats and takes her medicine after she wakes up. Make sure you eat also,” I walked closer to her and kissed her forehead.

“Do you have to go now? You promised to stay home tonight,” her tiny voice sounded sad. 

‘How the hell did you forget that?’ my subconscious screamed

‘Well, if I weren't busy working overtime, I would remember.’ 

“What about after my shift, I take a few days off and spend them with you, Noah, and Mum?” I smiled at her and she returned the smile, nodding her head. 

“Don't open the door for anyone except Noah,” I walked to the door and bent to put on my shoes. Suddenly, the door opened, knocking me off.

“Sorry, I didn't know you were there,” Noah apologized immediately, shutting the door behind him.

“Where were you? You were supposed to be here 30 minutes before my shift,” 

He placed his hands in his pockets, looking elsewhere, apart from me.

“Sorry, I lost track of time,” 

“Why do you always do this? You know I don't like leaving Mum alone with Soph. I just asked you to do one thing for me, and that is to watch over them, but that is too much for you to do, huh?” I was pissed. Not because she was late but because he always does this. 

“Well, I said I was sorry. I don't know what you want me to say again,”

I scoffed but didn't say anything again. I was late and didn't have time to exchange words with him. 

“Are you on shift at the hospital again?” He asked as I finished putting on my footwear.

“Yes, why?” I stopped, my hand on the door knob.

“Do you ever take a break? You are barely home and again you are off to work. You are getting older from too much stress if you don't know,” I rolled my eyes at his words and opened the door. I stepped out and replied to him.

“We need money and it isn't going to come if I sit around. If you were to get a job, then it would be nice, but you find it better to stay idle,” I pushed the door to close, but Noah held it.

“Well, not everyone is as hardworking, demanding, and in control of everything as you are. Take care of yourself and goodnight,” I jumped slightly as he slammed the door shut.

I heard the click sound from inside and blinked to get myself together. It was just one of the few nights I quarreled with Noah.

Nothing new about it. I strapped my bag closer to me and started walking to the road. 

The night was cold and there wasn't any cab on the road. 

I switch on my phone to check the time. Oh my God, I am going to be late.

I'd better start walking to the hospital. It would take me 20 minutes I think. 

I started walking and noticed the night was strangely quiet and colder. There wasn't anyone on the road apart from the old lady I saw earlier who came out of her house to drop refuse.

No car has passed me by since I started walking to the hospital and it has been over 10 minutes.

I placed my hands inside my scrub and fastened my steps. 

All of a sudden, I heard a loud noise. At first, it was short-lived, then it continued, loud. The hair all over my body stood. I looked back and there was no one behind me.

I started walking fast.

What if the danger was at the front? Was I running into danger?

I didn't wait to listen to my mind, I started walking fast while looking behind me to see if there was anyone following me. 

Suddenly, a body collided with me, making me stagger backwards.

My eyes fell to the floor and I saw blood dripping from the stranger's body. I started to look up and my eyes widened when I saw a folder and a gun in his hands.

I let out a scream but my scream was muffled when the stranger placed his hands over my mouth.

“Shh. Don't scream. Nod your head if you won't,” I nodded my head, closing my eyes, afraid he was going to shoot me.

He removed his hands from my mouth and I screamed louder. He covered my mouth again. 

“I asked you not to scream, dammit,” he winced and looked behind him.

“I am going to remove my hand from your mouth and if you scream, I will put a bullet to your head,” I nodded, a streak of tears falling from the corner of my eyes as I felt the cold metal against my hips.

Slowly, he removed his hand from my mouth and I opened my mouth to massage it.

“Okay, I will be quiet because there is nothing harmful about a guy with a gun,”

A gunshot sounded in the air and immediately the stranger fell on me.

“Hey mister, stand up,” I said, panicking.

I should run but the stranger's weight was so heavy. I tried shifting him to the floor and saw my hands stained with blood. 

Shit. He was shot.

The sound of the gunshot was getting closer and I needed to protect myself.

I can't possibly leave him to die here. He is bleeding so much, I have to help him.

I dragged his heavy body with me to a corner of a dark building.

My breathing was fast and loud after dropping him on the floor. 

I heard the sound of steps running to the spot where I was before and I covered my mouth with my hands.

“I shot him twice so he can't go far without assistance. Find him and bring him to me,” I heard a loud voice say.

“Yes, sir,” I heard a chorus of voices. Then there were footsteps scattered around.

I lay low beside the unconscious man, my heart almost in my mouth.

I should have listened to Soph and stayed for the night instead of walking all the way.

Now I have put myself in danger with an unconscious man.

Oh, lord, help me. I closed my eyes praying for a miracle to happen.

I heard a loud creak sound like someone stepped on a branch, not far from where we were, and my eyes shot open in fear.

“Shit,” I heard someone cuss out loud.