The room was pitch black when I opened my eyes. Barely auricular music came from an unknown source. A spot of light sparked to life from a hidden corner, casting thick shadows on the wall. The music was soothing. Lulling me back to sleep. I rolled on my side, pulling the covers up to my shoulders and snuggled into the soft pillows.

The faint music continued to play in the background.

A reminder of my new reality was the softness of the mattress. So comfortable that I couldn't help contrasting it to my rusty bed at the shelter.

I'm living with Akram now... Sleeping in his room... And he insists on calling it mine... How unreal!

All of a sudden, my head cleared up a little and I could place the background music I'd been hearing, along with the buzzing sound near the bedside.

My hand stretched toward the nightstand as I pulled my body back from under the covers, reaching for the cellphone. Akram's name flickered on the screen.

With a grateful smile, I sat up quickly and hit the receive button.

Akram's calming voice rang from the other end. "Good morning, Mel. Someone's here to see you."

My heartbeat increased. "Who is it?"

"It's me, Melo!" Asha's chirpy tone was impossible to miss.

"Oh my God! Ash?!" I squealed, tears forming in my eyes. Hearing her voice brought immediate relief to me. I'd been worried sick about her all night, but then confusion dawned on me.

"Ash, why are you....?" I wanted to ask what was going on and why she was talking from Akram's phone when the tapping on the door interrupted my muddled thoughts.

The bedroom door screeched open, introducing the light from the outside hall and Asha's petite form breezed into the room.

"Did you miss me?" Asha trilled. She ran across the room and hugged me.

The cell phone dropped from my hand. Completely stumped, I hugged her back and pulled away from her friendly embrace, wiping my tears. "Y-you're still in New York? What happened?"

It didn't make sense to my sleepy mind. She was supposed to be thousands of miles away.

"Weird things happened!" Asha furrowed her thin eyebrows. "We were at the airport when Mom called and she didn't know what accident we were talking about."

"What?" I asked, eyes wide. "Does this mean... she's ok?"

"Thank goodness, she's fine. I guess the phone call from the hospital was about someone else. I just don't get it!" Asha shook her head and shoved her long hair over her shoulder.

My brain revved up, a million questions jumping in my head. Could this be coincidental? Or someone had been messing around with everyone?

It's her! I swear it's the damn cobra! Who else could it be? But... How could she plan all of this? And why? I don't understand why?

"Wait! How did you know where I was?" I tilted my head in confusion.

"I've been trying to call you." Asha pursed her lips. "I couldn't reach you, so I called Akram and he told me."

I grabbed the cellphone from my lap, checking my calls. It showed eleven missed calls from Ash... I'd been stone-deaf!

I raised my eyes to her and whispered, "did Akram tell you... everything?!"

Asha nodded, her doe eyes showing concern and a slight gloss of tears. She leaned in, wrapping her little arm around my shoulders. "You should've told me."

"I'm so sorry." My eyes watered again, reliving the past few days and how I'd ended up crippled on a dirty sidewalk until Akram rescued me.

At least I'm safe for now... my best friend is back and Akram will make sure everything is okay.

"We should get you out of here," Asha commanded with a sudden grave expression.

"We should what?! I-- "

"Just listen!" Asha interrupted quickly, her voice getting a frantic edge. " After I called Akram, the police came looking for you at the café. I think it's serious. They mentioned drugs and a dead girl! " Asha shrilled and dragged me off the bed. "Come with me, I'll find a safe place for you."

"But... But I promised Akram I'd stay!" I exclaimed, trying to balance my steps while Ash pulled me outside by the arm.

"Where's he?" My eyes panned the place, searching for Akram, who was nowhere to be found.

She ignored my question and held my face gently. "Melo, they could find you here. There's no time."

Staring at her round eyes, my breath became shallow as her words sank in. A bubble of hysterical fear swelled up inside of me.

"I need to talk to Akram... I can't just leave without telling him." My pulse quickened and I lurched toward the living room. "Akram! Akram!" I called out his name.

The living room was vacant. My heart quaked as I spun around to check the kitchen, with Asha skittering in my wake. My legs began to buckle like cooked spaghetti all over again.

Something's awfully wrong! Where's Akram? How could he disappear like this?

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

Asha and I froze on the spot. We stared at each other, then at the front door.

"I think they followed me," Asha mouthed. Her lips trembled and her baby face twisted in terror.

I swallowed, too shaken to form any words.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

The knocking repeated as urgent as war drums.

"M-maybe it's Akram," I whispered, eyes glued to the door. My stupid words couldn't even convince me. Akram would've used his keys.

"Let me check," Asha said and slinked towards the door. She stood on tiptoes, peeking into the peephole. It took her two seconds to turn her blanched face to me. The look in her eyes spoke louder than words.

The police are here for me!

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

The knocking got louder. I wished Akram would materialize in front of us and makes things better... He didn't.

My eyes darted back and forth between terrified Asha and the rattling door.

Asha crept back up and jerked​ my arm. "Go hide. I'll open the door."

Hide? From the police? What if they searched the place and found me? It's Akram's apartment. I'll get him into trouble!

"Don't," I breathed and gripped her arm.

A resolution was forming in my mind. I wasn't going to make things bad for Akram. In fact, it was better for him not being here when this happened. He would try to prevent it and then things could get worse. There was no other way out other than accepting the inevitable.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

I gulped. "I'll answer the door."

I've made my decision... I'll let them take me... Maybe I can convince them that Akram doesn't know I'm here so he doesn't get involved.

Asha's eyes went rounder. "But they'll..."

"It's all right." I cut her off, patting her on the arm. "Get inside. They only want me."

If I turn myself in, there's a chance to explain the truth... Maybe. But even if there's not, at least I could save Akram and Ash from this mess. They don't deserve it.

"Melo," Asha placed her tiny hand on her mouth.

"Just go." I waved my hand for her to get into Akram's bedroom. She tearfully complied.

Pausing for a second to brace up, I inched to open the door. The police uniform and hat were too conspicuous through the peephole. My hand quivered and I slowly unlocked the door lock and pulled it open to face my destiny...

At first, I thought the cop would bust in and arrest me. I was wrong.

There was a female cop, and she stood casually in front of the door, her head hanging low and her hat hiding most of her face.

The chills that ran through my body gave me the first warning sign.

Her curvaceous body, dirty blonde hair, and venomous vibes caused me a sudden stab of panic.

"YOU?!" I stumbled backwards and almost fell on my back.

She raised her head, revealing her invidiously pretty face, stony grey eyes, and mocking smile. "Hey there, hon. Long time no see."

I choked up. "You... you can't be a cop."

"It's New York, hon. Anyone can be anything." The cobra folded her arms nonchalantly, her eyes glinting with deadly amusement.

"I don't believe you." I rasped. "Show me your ID."

"Sure thing." Vivian grinned sweetly, showing her sparkling white incisors.

The image of the cobra baring its fangs attacked my mind again and made me shudder.

Readily, she slithered her hand down her uniform, fixing her hypnotic stare on my eyes. Her eyes were beautiful, yet cold and threatening. Like a little bunny mesmerized by the headlights of a speeding car, I couldn't take my eyes off of them.

"How about this instead?" She hissed, cocking her head to the side.

My gaze moved down to her extended hand and froze at the heavy metallic object she held. A gun! No! A huge gun!

For a minute, air stopped flowing into my lungs. I staggered back, my limbs stiff and heavy.

"Now you get two options. Either come with me quietly, or say adios to your miserable life. Whatcha say?" Vivian asked. Her sweet smile making it seem like she's inviting me to dinner.

"You're not going to get away with this," I croaked. "I told Akram everything and he'll..."

"Your prince is not coming back to save you this time." She arched a daring eyebrow, waving her weapon at me.

My heart tumbled down my stomach. Her words held a meaning I dare not think about. I tried to cry out 'LIAR', or kick her outside and slam the door, but my body couldn't respond. All I could do was shake my head in a daze, refusing to believe what she implied.

No! She can't hurt Akram! No!

"Oh yeah!" She laughed and nodded. "Exactly what you're thinking. I made sure he won't interrupt us... ever."

Holding her weapon firmly, the cobra pulled a piece of glossy paper from her pocket. A Polaroid photo. She held it up, straight to my face. "Look closely, hon."

I stayed frozen on my spot, eying the small photo like an ice sculpture; motionless and dead cold.

She's lying!

But... this picture looks like him!"

It's a fake! He's okay! He has to be okay!

What if he's not okay? He's already been missing!

"Bluffing is for cowards, remember?" Vivian emphasized, waving the photo back and forth.

Shaking my head repeatedly, a series of convulsive shivers and silent tears began to rack my body. I didn't want to show her that I believed her. Hell, I didn't want to believe her... But she was standing confidently, aiming a gun at my face and flashing a photo of Akram tied up and bruised on the ground. How could I not believe her?

"Aw! Listen to me, hon." The cobra stepped closer and plastered the photo on my teary face.

I flinched and squeezed my eyes shut, pressing my back against the wall.

"This is for your benefit," she continued, wiping my tears with her snaky fingers. "You can choose to be on my side, or..."

My eyelids snapped open when I sensed the icy muzzle poking me on the forehead.

"I'm not... afraid of you!" I gritted my teeth.

"Oh, but you're afraid for your pretty boy, aren't you?"

"I swear, if you ever touch him..."

Her raucous laugh interrupted me. "Actually, I can touch him all I want. Take my offer, or get a broken prince charming, your choice."

Words choked in my throat to imagine what this heartless witch could do to Akram. A sob escaped against my will and a dozen horrible scenarios played in my head and rendered me speechless.

Vivian exaggerated a theatrical sigh. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you s..."

"I'll come with you... Just let him go." My words came out without much hesitation.

Vivian raised her eyebrows and parted her lips to say something.

In a matter of second, things rolled very fast...

The bedroom door behind me screeched open and Asha catapulted through it, her small body a blur.

"Run, Melo, run!" Asha shrieked and lunged at Vivian. She pushed the gun away from my head and tried to detach the weapon from Vivian's hand.

"Asha! No!" I screamed.

"You little... piece of...!"

BANG!!!

The sound echoed in my ears a hundred times, reverberating through my whole entity. Instinctively, my body whipped toward the direction of the noise, eyes round and heart willing to explode. The wild pounding of my heart knocked onto my skull, blowing louder and louder like a ticking bomb.

The scene before me looked like a still photograph from a horror movie; The cobra with a vile expression on her face...

The smoke blowing from the tip of her gun...

The petite form crumbled on the floor...

The pool of blood getting bigger and bigger, mixed with a cloak of long, dark hair...

And a pair of lifeless doe eyes staring at me...

*****

A/N

Now you know why it took me too long to update. It was REALLY DIFFICULT! X(

*Ducks and hides under the desk* please don't kill me now, okay?

I'm not going to ask questions, just a small quiz:

• Find seven words that are related to snakes in this chapter.

**REMEMBER, I still love you even if you hate me after this update... 🙄😐

Most_bay