CHAPTER : 5

I'd never given much thought as to how I'd die. But dying in the place of someone I love seems like a good way to go.

I had just started watching the movie when the doorbell rang. I glanced at the old analogue clock hanging on the wall.

10:30 pm

It was not that late, but undoubtedly very late for someone to come to an isolated house amongst the woods with no other houses around. Lisa was not supposed to be home because she was spending the night with Max, and there is no one else who is supposed to be standing outside my door at this time of the night. So I did what everyone should do.

I peeped through the peephole.

It was quite difficult to see who was on the other side because of the darkness, but I could see a silhouette.

The silhouette of a man.

There was something just not right about the situation as a heavy feeling settled in my stomach, or maybe it was just the cold and dark and fog that creeped me out. This person was lean but not lanky, and I don't know why, but I think he knew I was peeping. They must have understood that I was being suspicious as I didn't make any noise from the other side nor did I make any move to let him in.

"Hey uhm I am sorry to disturb you, but my car is not working. Can you please help me? My phone... it's dead. I promise I won't take too long. I just need to make a call, that's it. It will be quick I promise, and I swear I am not a serial killer or any threat. I just need a little bit of help"

It must have been a very hard day for him because he sounded tired and exhausted. It was snowing outside and extremely cold too, and so I felt sorry for him and opened the door to a total stranger. He sounded desperate and at a loss for words, saying things which were not exactly convincing, but it would have been heartless of me to leave them outside in such a weather. It was beautiful, but not so much to a person struggling to survive the night.

"I am sorry for not opening the door sooner...it's just hard to trust people. Come on in."

He walked in with his snow-covered boots and greased hand, clearly showing the struggle he has been through and confirming his previous statements. He looked not too older than me, maybe in his early twenties, with shaggy strawberry blond hair and light lavender eyes. Lean built, but it made him look more handsome. He was wearing a denim jacket with dark jeans and boots, with a print t-shirt of Bruno Mars's Lazy Song. All in all, he looked tired.

"I think it will be better if you go just wash your hands and get a bit fresh. I will make some tea or do you prefer coffee?" I asked him with a concerned voice. He had a black smudge on his left cheek, which he might've not noticed.

"Anything hot is fine, and thanks for helping." He said with a kind smile.

I showed him the way to the bathroom and returned to the kitchen to make some tea. After a while, he entered the kitchen minus his denim jacket, which totally shocked me. His arms were inked like a canvas with intricate designs and doodles of things that weren't easy to decipher at a single glance.

"Hey, do you play the piano? I saw an old piano on my way back. Hope you don't mind." He scratched his neck nervously. 

"No, it's fine. Yeah, I play the piano. Actually, it's one of my subjects in school. I just bought it off from an elderly person. You said you needed to make a call? Here, you can use my phone." I gave him my phone, and he quietly thanked me while excusing himself to go in the living room to talk.

I started preparing dinner because it was already very late and although it was Saturday, tomorrow I had to wake up early to go to my shift. My job at the supermarket did not pay much, but it paid enough to manage my bills.

It didn't take him long to come back into the kitchen as he made a quick call to whoever it was and walked in with a warm smile on his face.

"Thanks for the call. Here you go, your phone. My friend lives nearby, and he said he will pick me up. Actually, I was headed to his place, but somehow I got lost." His casual laugh made me feel better, warming me up to him and his friendly personality.

"Yeah, that happens sometimes. I used to get lost too. So where do you live?" I wasn't good with talking to strangers, but I was surprised at how easy it seemed this time as I smiled back at him and tried to be polite with a small conversation.

"Oh! I am so sorry I didn't introduce myself. I am Ivan Lancaster." He raised his hand in a way of a handshake.

"Well, I am Rose, Rose Dawson. I know it's cliché, but it's stuck with me." I said while shaking his hand. He gave me a small smile and I returned it.

"Well, I think it's very pretty. It suits you." Not prepared for the wink he sent my way, I blushed a little and looked away. Feeling awkward and unable to decide how to react.

"Thank you." I am sure I was very red at that point.

"Do you know that my friend loves playing music too? Actually, he is a teacher. A music teacher. I would like to introduce you to him. He is a total charmer" he said with a smirk.

The friendly personality he had was nice, but a little too quick, as I decided to keep quiet and sipped tea from the warm mug after handing him one for his own.