Chapter 4
In that moment, Nina felt her heart completely shatter.
She suddenly remembered that Declan’s phone notes used to be her exclusive territory.
From major things like her birthday dreams to random comments like “God, I’m dying for those cinnamon rolls from the place on Fifth Street,” he’d solemnly write everything down and make it all happen.
When his mom once asked him to write down a grocery list, he’d actually refuse, wrapping his arms around Nina smugly: “Sorry, Mom–my phone’s notes are Nina–only territory!”
Everyone in the family would joke that he was totally “whipped” even as a teenager.
Turns out ten years from now, that notes app that once belonged exclusively to her was packed full of another girl’s joys and sorrows.
Nina couldn’t watch anymore. She shot to her feet, voice hoarse: “I need to use the restroom.”
In the bathroom, she kept splashing cold water on her face, barely managing to suppress that suffocating
grief.
When she came out, she didn’t even glance at their table and headed straight for the restaurant exit.
“Nina!” Declan immediately chased after her.
Twenty–eight–year–old Declan also followed, pulling Ruby along. “Declan, drive Ruby home. That old neighborhood she lives in has broken streetlights–it’s not safe.”
Ruby quickly waved her hands, though her eyes darted toward Declan: “No, no, that’s too much trouble for you guys. You should take Nina home–I can get back by myself…”
“NO WAY!” Twenty–eight–year–old Declan refused flatly, then turned to Declan: “Did you forget about those thugs who followed her and made her jump from that building? What if something else happens?”
Obvious conflict and hesitation crossed Declan’s face as he looked between Nina and Ruby.
Nina just felt utterly exhausted, wanting nothing more than to escape this whole mess immediately. She took a deep breath: “Take her first. I’ll grab an Uber.”
“NO!” Declan panicked instantly, grabbing her wrist tight: “You taking an Uber alone at night isn’t safe! I’ll drive you!”
But Nina’s heart was ice–cold with sarcasm: “What about her then?”
Chapter 4
Declan hesitated again, finally seeming to make a huge decision: “I’ll drop her off first–her place is closer–then take you. I’ll drive you both!”
With that, he practically forced Nina into the car.
The car quickly stopped at Ruby’s run–down apartment building. The area was dark, the stairwell entrance pitch black.
Twenty–eight–year–old Declan got out first, supporting Ruby, and said to Declan: “This building doesn’t have an elevator and the motion lights are broken. I’ll walk Ruby up. Come help with the flashlight.”
Declan looked at the dark stairwell, then at Nina in the car. After hesitating for several seconds, he finally said: “Nina, lock the doors and wait for me. I’ll walk her up and be right back down. Really quick.”
Without waiting for Nina’s response, he hurried after them into the building.
Nina watched his figure disappear into the darkness, her heart gradually freezing over completely.
Time ticked by–ten minutes, twenty minutes… Still no sign of Declan downstairs.
The cold night air seeped through the car window cracks, and Nina hugged her arms around herself, feeling chilled to the bone inside and out.
Suddenly, the car window was pounded violently!
Nina jumped in terror, turning to see several obviously drunk, sketchy–looking guys outside, leering and trying to pull open the car doors!
“Hey there, gorgeous! All alone? Come out and play with us!”
Nina’s heart stopped, scared out of her mind, screaming as she immediately locked all the doors!
The drunks got pissed and started pounding the windows and doors harder, cursing nastily, one even picking up a brick from the street!
In her extreme panic, Nina’s hands were shaking badly, her mind blank. Instinctively, she pulled out her phone and dialed the number she’d set as her emergency contact–Declan’s number.
The phone rang for a long time before being answered. There was some background noise on his end, and what sounded like Ruby’s weak sobbing.
Nina grabbed onto that lifeline, her voice breaking with tears: “Declan! Declan, get down here quick! There are drunk guys outside the car! They’re trying to break in! I’m scared…”
But what came through the phone was Declan’s hesitant voice: “Nina, I can’t leave right now. Ruby twisted her ankle–it’s really hurting, and I’m rubbing medicine on it. Just keep the doors locked, you’ll be fine.”
Chapter 4
Before Nina could say another word, he hung up!
Nina went completely rigid, her blood seeming to freeze instantly.
She couldn’t believe her ears, trembling as she tried calling back, but heard only the cold automated message: “Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently turned off…”
Outside the car, the drunk guy’s leering face was pressed against the glass, and the pounding was getting louder, cracks starting to spider across the window…
Chapter 3
Chapter 5
