Another day passed in blur and the new dawn arrived. Chloe served their breakfast and joined Markus and Sam on the dining table.

After having their breakfast in peaceful silence, Markus said, "I am going to the campus. You guys wanna come ? I can use some relaxation" Sam rolled his eyes, aware of his meaning and denied. Markus turned to Chloe and saw her wearing a confused expression.

"It might seem scary from outside but it's luxurious from the inside." He told her.

"I am fine here." She smiled.

"As you wish." Although a part of Markus thought that they should stay together to avoid any threats, he felt a sudden flare of hope as he realised by spending a little more lone time with Chloe, Sam might accept his feelings.

"Bye." Chloe waved her hand. He smiled at her, then left with a black Hayabusa parked inside the garage.

Once he left, Sam reclined in his seat and closed his eyes meanwhile Chloe cleaned the kitchen and returned to sit across him. As much as she tried not to, she ended up ogling him with rosy cheeks.

"You love staring at people, don't you ?" Quietly, he whispered without even opening his eyes. Her blush deepened and she turned into a shade of early morning sun. "No...no..I was..I was just checking your...wounds." She told him the half truth, looking through him, then at her fidgeting hands, knotted in between her laps. Sam opened his eyes and looked at her. He watched, and noticed her flushed cheeks. As much as his mind wanted to deny, his heart accepted that she looked and was angelic, pure as the driven snow.

She slightly lifted her head and peeked at him. She caught him looking at her yet it was she, who blushed over again while his lips curved up into a tiny smirk. He observed her bruises, from the faint bluish purple mark on her cheeks to the another one on her upper right arm. His jaws tensed as he blamed himself for her condition.

He believed that people can pretend to be genuine and kind but tough times show who they really are, and after knowing her for about a month, he could tell, without any doubt, that she was dragged into all this cause of that one night. Exhaling a deep breath, he stood up.

"You wanna go for a walk ?" He asked. Her head shot up. He simply asked her for a walk but butterflies inside her stomach fluttered as if he had asked her out. "Su...sure." Smiling, she replied.

They walked side by side peacefully while the gentle breeze caressed their skin.

"So you want to start your own cafe. Hmm ?" He asked, turning his head to look at her. In surprise, she stared at him. "Is he actually having a conversation with me ?" She thought.

It was only after a few seconds passed, she realised she didn't answer him.

"Yes. I do." Her lips twitched up while her eyes crinkled at the corners.

"You'll do great." He whispered, with no emotion reflecting on his face but his eyes said many unspoken words. She knew how badly she wanted to achieve her dreams. However, upon hearing it from him, her soul flooded with a newly discovered joy.

They glided by the bench to sit when, fortunately, Sam saw few men nearing the top of the hill. His senses shifted on alert. Instinctively, his hand reached to Chloe's stomach, as he backed himself and her against the wall.

"What happened" Fearful, Chloe whispered. "Shhh..." Was his reply. He watched them coming up and walking towards the door with pistols in their hand. He pulled Chloe with her towards the garage and hurried to the window by it's side, that was shut but not locked.

"Get inside." Quietly, he told her. She did as he said. After her, he plunged inside as well and locked the window. His black mustang was parked inside. He told Chloe to hide, taking the cover of the car and himself walked closer to the shutter, trying to hear them. He heard the sound of door being kicked opened, then he returned and crouched next to Chloe.

"Listen Chloe,.they are here.... "

"How many ?" She cut him, the edginess in her voice didn't go unnoticed by him. "5-7... I don't know..." She inhaled a deep breath. "Listen, we are gonna get safe out of here. Just stay here. Okay ?" He told her, unholstering his silencer attached pistol. He tried to move but she held onto his hand. "Please don't go." She said with tears glistening in her eyes. "If they came here, I might not be able to save you."

"I don't want you to get hurt." She spoke, finally allowing her tears to roll down.

"You know how to drive ?" He asked.

"Yes.." She choked out. "Just keep the car ready for me. Key is in the drawer at back. You can do that for me ?"

"Okay.." She mumbled quietly, wiping away her tears. He stood up and walked by the window, "Please be safe and come back." Worried, she said. He gave her a nod and jumped outside.

In hurry, Chloe stood up and closed the bullet proof window, then juggled in between finding the keys and keeping an eye outside.

Meanwhile, Sam stealthily walked towards the front of the garage. He saw a man approaching the shutter while he could see two men inside the living room. He kicked a stone, gaining his attention. The man aimed his gun and slowly walked in the direction of the sound.

Once he was away from the eyesight of those men, he was caught surprised by Sam's presence. Before he could fire, Sam held him in a rear choke and shot him through his back. His body went limp. Sam loosened his hold around him and walked to the other side, crossing the window on the way. He didn't see her and moved further ahead. He cornered against the edge of the wall, then peeked. Two men, who were silently approaching in his direction, saw him and one of them fired. Sam backed up immediately, missing the bullet by inches. He let out a breath, and blindly fired a few bullets.

For a minute or two he waited, then looked again and saw their fallen bodies.

Inside the garage, Chloe had covered her head. She was cowered by the car and was scared like a dear that has been cornered by the tigers. Uncontrollable tears were streaming down her face.

Meanwhile the single gun shot from that man's gun attracted the attention of the rest. However, before they could reach him and surround him from both the sides, they were ambushed by him. Two men, standing by the kitchen window died.

Lewis searched for Chloe inside the whole house and at last, he entered her room. Just by the way it smelled, he could tell it was her room. He slowly called out for Chloe, hoping that she was hidden somewhere inside but he got no response.

"Where are you, Chloe." He sighed, when his minded reminded him of the garage, he had seen while moving in. He walked to the window of Chloe's window and peeked outside. Upon seeing nobody on either sides. He climbed out.

Sam and Lewis were on opposite sides of the house. With Lewis being just behind the garage. He had his gun aimed ahead at anyone who was going to block his way. He silently walked ahead and saw the window and a limp body of a man close by. He didn't see Sam or Markus around.

He knocked at the window, thinking that she might be in there. He didn't see her. Thus, stealthily, he moved forward and peeked. He saw another of his man lying down unconscious inside the living room. He hurried, and opened the shutter.

Chloe's head jerked up. She got scared, as if she had seen a ghost but then shock overwhelmed it.

"Lew..Lewis." She breathed out. Lewis walked inside and lowered the shutter immediately.

"Chloe...thank God, you're okay." He whispered. She let out shallow breaths. Her eyes travelled everywhere. Her mind was in haze, she couldn't believe that Lewis was with those men.

"Are you...are you with those men ?" She whispered moving away from him. Lewis noticed her actions and moved closer.

"I am, Chloe but they are not here to hurt you nor am I. I am just here to take you....somewhere safe." Tears shined in her eyes a new. "So, you're one of them ?" She said.

"No...I am not, Chloe. I'll tell you everything but I can't do it right now. We have to go." He tried to remain as calm as possible and forwarded his hand. Chloe looked at him, but her heart denied to go with him and she backed off.

"Chloe, we gotta go." Lewis exasperated.

"I can't leave him. Just go before he comes" Chloe said. "Chloe...." Lewis trailed off, and lowered his hand. Hurt was visible in his eyes. "Please go." She begged. Just then the shutter opened again. Immediately Sam's gun aimed at him but before he could shoot, Lewis rushed by the window and jumped out.

Sam was about to chase him when Chloe ran to him and hugged him tightly.

___________________________________________

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