Chapter 4: THE SURPRISE VISIT

Victoria's POV

Today was Thursday which meant that I was one more day closer to Sunday. Eventhough we returned home late last night after the ball, I was feeling refreshed and energized. I was awake before my alarm clock even went off. Today was so going to be my day.

I quickly got dressed, grabbed my bag after stuffing all my homework assignments in and went downstairs. The house was quiet, my father was probably still sleeping because he got home only after one o'clock. My mother was in the kitchen making coffee.

"Morning darling." My mom greets as she stirs the cup of coffee.

"Morning mum, is dad still sleeping? " I ask.

"Yes, oh before I forget the police commissioner called earlier, your father and I have to be at a convention this afternoon from three to nine, it is a few miles away so your going to be left alone tonight again. " my mother says with a sigh.

"Don't worry, besides I thought about staying late at school today to do some of my research projects. " l say.

"Sure darling, but please don't stay at school to late and please try to get someone to give you a ride I don't want you to walk to late and....."

"Mom, I'm always careful and I will ask Gracie or Leila to give me a ride back if it is late, but otherwise I will walk. I wanted to ask if it is okay if Jaydan and I could go to Starbucks Sunday?" I ask before she can continue.

"You mean like a date?" my mother almost screams,"wow Vici you sure move fast...."

"No mom, hold on," I interrupt her before she can read to much into a simple, friendly meeting, "this is not going to be a date, we're just friends trying to get to know each other better. And besides he might have a girlfriend."

"It doesn't matter darling, it is about time you went out and had some fun, I am just excited that you agreed to go. I don't know if he has a girlfriend, but if he had why would he invite you?"

"I don't know, but it will be nice to get to know him better, he seems like a charming guy."

"This is great news.....so what is your plans for sunday?" My mother asks interested.

"Well I thought about going to the mall with Gracie and Leila Sunday morning and then Jaydan is going to pick me up...."

"He is going to pick you up? What time?" My mother bombards me with questions.

"At four o'clock." I say.

"What a gentleman, picking a girl up for a 'friendly' date?" My mother says as she makes air quotes at the friendly part, obviously not believing me that it isn't going to be a date.

"You're right, it is just a 'friendly' date." I say mimicking her earlier movements.

"Sure, now help me make some pancakes and then we can get you to school. " my mother says as she collects all the ingredients she needs to make pancakes.

After breakfast my mother took me to school. I gave her a kiss goodbye and climbed out before she drove off.

The hallways were cramped while I made my way to my locker, to my surprise Gracie and Leila were already there.

"Vici! So how was the ball?" Gracie asks.

"Amazing and you'll never guess who danced with me." I say.

"Who? Prince charming?" Leila asks.

"Close enough, the famous Jaydan Stewart himself."

"Oh my soul! You actually danced with Mr dreamy himself? How lucky can you get." Gracie says.

"I know, at first I thought that it was going to be the longest night of my life, but then it turned out amazing. He even took me on a tour around the house."

"See I told you Jaydan was perfect. He is just the complete package." Leila says in a dreamy tone.

"Maybe....." I say.

The bell brought me out of my thoughts and I went to my first period, history.

Alec was sitting at his desk, he gave me a nod as greeting as I passed by his table.

Taking out my book and textbook I waited for our teacher Mr Barnes to arrive.

So I started to doodle to pass the time, and before I knew it I drawed the shadow's mask.
And then thoughts came rushing through my head as I remembered all the things I've recently discovered about him.

Who was he looking for and why didn't he take the jewels the other thief dropped?

Mr Barnes interupted my thoughts as he entered the room. He started to take register and handed our research projects out. Now I really had to stay after school.

After three more long insufferable periods lunch finally came around and I was at the point of starvation. I grabbed a few things to eat at the cafeteria before taking a seat at my usual spot.

Gracie and Leila weren't here yet so I sat alone. As I ate I listened in on the buzzing conversations around me, something I usually did when I was alone. Nothing new to listen to, just something about a girl stealing another girl's boyfriend and stupid things like that.

My thoughts on the other hand was more occupied by a certain Prince charming. I couldn't wait for Sunday to come and before I knew it I started to smile to my self.

Someone cleared their throats next to me and I almost jumped in my chair. I saw Gracie looking at me in a strange way.

"What are you smiling about so cheerfully?" Gracie asks.

"What or should I rather say who got you so excited for you to grin like an idiot?" Leila says from across the table, was I so lost in thought that I didn't even hear them?

"Well...you know how I told you about Jaydan.....and how he gave me a private tour....well he sort of...."

"Vici just spit it out!" Gracie screams at me.

"JaydanisgoingtopickmeupSundayforcoffee." I blurt out faster than lightning.

"You're going to go on a date with Jaydan?!" Leila screams as her mouth fell open.

"Yeah...." I reply, very certain that a few eyes were on us because of Leila's outburst.

"That is amazing, I knew you could catch that guy."

"Well it is technically a friendly date. "

"Who cares." they both say simultaneously.

"Whatever, Gracie can you give me a ride home today my mother and father have to go to some sort of convention and I have to do some research at the library. " I explain.

"Yeah sure....oh no wait I can't I promised my sister's kindergarten teacher that I would help her set up the stage for tonight's show directly after school." Gracie says.

"Oh I understand, how about you Leila? "

"Maybe, what time would you be done?" She asks.

"I don't know..."

"Because I have three appointments today so if you give me a time. ..." she says.

"Never mind, I don't want to bother you, and besides I only live a few blocks away I can do with some exercise. " I reply, maybe the walk would do me some good.

As lunch ended I went to chemistry, chemistry was fun but it was a lot of work and there was quite some complicated eqautions. She talked and talked about molecular combinations and how they react. It was quite interesting to know which chemicals reacted and which chemicals didn't.

After the day was over I went to the library, the school library always stayed opened after school until six o'clock.

I greeted Mrs Bakersfield, the librarian, and then went to the back of the library where it is the most quiet.

I gathered all the books I needed before settling down on the floor.
I read a book about molecules, French revolution, kings and their wives and made notes on all of them. I was so busy gathering information that I didn't even look at the time.

After I had all the information I needed I decided to start on my projects.

By the time I was finished with all my projects, Mrs Bakersfield was about to close, luckily she came to tell me before she locked the doors, otherwise I would've been stuck in the library. I returned all the books and took all my projects, I greeted Mrs Bakersfield before leaving.

Only when I stepped outside did I noticed the time, it must be nearly six o'clock because the sun was already setting. I took out my phone to call Leila but my phone was dead, oh well maybe the exercise would be good.

Securing my backpack on my back I started to walk home. I hated the street I had to walk because it was deathly quiet. The bank that was robbed last night was also on this street.

A few minutes later I saw the yellow tape that surrounded the building. Then I noticed a figure in the darkness, I walked closer to get a better look. The figure looked around and I quickly hid in the ally.

Upon a closer look I realized who it was, it was none other than the Shadow himself.

He had a big bag on his shoulder, what could possibly be in that bag?

Then something fell from the bag, it was a pack of hundred dollar notes, the Shadow looked around before picking it up and putting it back in the bag. What the hell? Why does he have a bag full of money and why is he bringing it back to the bank?

Then something clicked, maybe he didn't rob the bank last and he is just returning the money another thief stole. But the question I couldn't answer was why.

Then suddenly someone grabbed me and I let out a scream, the stranger threw me against the wall and held a hand over my mouth.

"What have we got here?" He says menacingly and my heart starts to beat in my throat. I tried to free myself out of his grip but he was far to strong for me.

"Don't worry sweetie, I won't hurt you." He whispers in my ear. I started to panick, all my limbs had frozen.

And then the guy was knocked out and he fell to the ground with a large thump.

I stared at him and then looked up at my knight in shining armour, only to come face to face with the Shadow.

My thoughts were racing and I didn't know what to do so I did the only sensible thing I could think of, I ran.

I ran as fast as I my feet could carry me. I just needed to get home. The only sound I could was my heart beating rapidly.

By the time I got home I was panting uncontrollably and I felt sweaty. After I locked the door behind me I went to my room and immediately took a shower.

Then my thoughts started to buzz in my head again, why did the Shadow return stolen money when he could've kept it? Why did he save me from that scrum?

Then a chill crossed my body as I realized what could've happened if it wasn't for that thief. I felt gratitude towards the thief. I wanted to thank him and at the same time rip of his mask.

I needed to know who he was.
We all got him wrong, he was never after the money because if he was he wouldn't have returned the bank's money. But if he wasn't after the money then what was he after?

I thought back to the video I watched in my dad's office, he was looking for someone not something. But who could this mystery guy be and what does he want from him?

I snapped out of my thoughts and climbed out of the shower. I dressed and I stared at myself in the mirror. I collected myself before exiting to my room only to find the Shadow sitting on my bed.

"Took you long enough." he says with a grin.

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Hey guys
So this is chapter 4, hope you enjoy it.
Comment and Vote.
-Amorie