Before I had time to react, Scott grabbed my wrist, stopping me from falling backwards. My boots skidded on the ground as I struggled not to fall. But as Scott pulled me forwards, I didn't have time to resist, not as he dragged me to the side.

There was a small gap between two nearby buildings, perhaps once the gap had been larger, but age and lack of maintenance had caused the space between them to grow tighter to a point there was hardly enough room for once person to fit. I couldn't manage to free myself before Scott pulled me into the darkness between the buildings, slamming me against the wall. I felt the cool crumbling stone press against my back, a deep ringing in my ears.

I thought for a moment that this was it, this was how I was going to die.

I was desperately trying to ground myself, struggling to process the reality of the situation. Scott covered my mouth with his hand as he held me against the wall, his body practically pinning me in place. My mind was racing, adrenaline pumping. I was struggling to breathe, struggling to breathe.

"Please... trust me..." his voice was below a whisper, a breath of words. When I finally realized what he said, I could hardly even take it as serious. Trust you? That was the very least of what I wanted to do at this point in time. Trusting him would be foolish.

Scott had an arm against the back wall behind me, his face so close I could feel each uneven breath against my skin. But when I looked in those eyes, I found myself caught up in them, seeing something I never expected that I would see.

Fear.

It's not so easy to fake fear like that, true fear is near impossible. Whenever I would watch actors playing roles on television, I always found those to give them away. They could hold every emotion, even love, and suspend my disbelief through even the most doubtful of storylines.

But they never were truly scared.

They would widen their eyes, gasp, tremble or even stutter their words. But it was a ploy, just an act, and it was so easy to see that they were safe. That they weren't truly scared of the monster in front of them, just pretending to be. It always took me out of the illusion.

But when I looked at Scott's eyes, I didn't see that act, I didn't see that ploy. Because behind those glasses, was raw and genuine fear. The kind of fear that makes your heart sink, your mind race and you feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.

I slowly nodded, and Scott dropped the hand from my mouth. I felt as though I could breathe again, despite being pressed against someone who terrified me to no end. But Scott wasn't acting, he wasn't playing some sick game, he was just as scared as I was.

There was a loud bang, so loud that the building against me seemed to rumble. It rattled my bones, made every muscle feel like jelly. I couldn't help but gasp, and Scott quickly brought a finger to his lips as if to let out the sound shh although he stayed silent.

Perhaps I had been wrong. Again.

Perhaps I knew Scott's intentions, perhaps I didn't. Perhaps he was evil and just looking for his next victim, or perhaps he was simply a boy lost in a world just as much as I was. Perhaps he loved Jessie, but what was more likely was that he didn't. Perhaps I had just overreacted.

When I had been little, I often would go to the very worst possibility. I had a habit of taking the smallest scenarios and taking it as a much bigger issue. I never found that habit to die. I always have gone to the worst-case because then I wouldn't be shocked if it did happen.

But it was clear that perhaps it wasn't the best idea.

Scott wasn't evil. I realized that now. Perhaps he didn't always have the best intentions, but nobody was perfect. Perfection in of itself is imperfect. Perfection would be a flaw, with no room to grow or change. It would be a stagnant husk of a person. Blank. Cookie-cutter.

"Please!" a woman wailed, her voice echoing around the small crevice between the buildings. They were so close, likely just outside. She continued to cry, "That's my son... he's just- please. Please! No! NO-"

Bang. I risked a look, a glance I shouldn't have taken. Turning my head to the small sliver of light which cast between the crack, I squinted to see what was happening. I couldn't see much, but what I did see made my heart fall. A body, slumped on the ground, blood oozing from the hole in the centre of her head. Bright blue eyes wide open. Empty.

"I'm sorry..." Scott's voice was still so quiet that even though I was centimetres from his face I could hardly hear him. I looked to him, not knowing if I could see that woman's eyes any longer. Even in the low light, I could tell that he wasn't putting on an act, "I... I know I overreacted. But- I couldn't risk it..."

"He's already broken..." my voice was strained, and I tried to desperately ignore as the bangs continued, cries of both agony and what I realized was a pleasure, likely from Vextine. Laughing and crying intertwined into one as it rang in my ears. I closed my eyes as if it might block out the sounds.

"A broken man has nothing to lose..." Scott whispered slowly, hints of sympathy in his voice. I realized now that, being this close to Scott, I was able to hear his heartbeat. Oddly, it was somewhat calming, remembering how loud I sometimes thought my own heart would be.

"I was scared..." Although I could feel tears pricking the backs of my eyes, I held them back. When I opened my eyes I could see that Scott looked down at me with those same green eyes. Those eyes which changed, always seemed to belong to him. I continued, trying to ignore as the bangs continued to fire even after the screaming stopped, "I... I thought you might hurt me..."

Scott removed his hand from the wall behind me which he had been using to prop himself up, briefly pushing up his glasses before he returned it. He looked down at me, something unrecognizable in his eyes. Gently, he brought a hand to my face, carefully curling a small strand of hair behind my ear.

"I wouldn't even dare..." although he almost seemed sad in the way he spoke, he gave a small smile, a smile which only just managed to reach those fear-filled eyes. He let out a long sigh, his hand lingering on my cheek for just a moment, "I... I don't want you to be scared of me... I want you to feel as safe around me as I do with you..."

Softly, he brought his lips to my forehead, landing a light kiss before resting his head on my shoulder. Despite the chaos surrounding me, the gunshots which seemed to last forever, the small gesture sent a comforting warmth through me, and I found myself feeling far safer than I had for a while.

It wasn't too long after until the firing stopped, the sound of thudding boots drifting into the distance. My heart was still racing as we made it out from between the two buildings. Scott seemed to freeze once we took the step out, and before my eyes could properly adjust, he grabbed my shoulders.

"Just look at me," his voice was stern, and although I was still cautious, I stared at him, holding back curiosity to glance. However, it soon occurred to me about what he meant. He seemed nervous as he said, "Just... close your eyes for a moment. You shouldn't see... this..."

I nodded, before gently closing my eyes.

There's something that requires extreme trust when it comes to closing your eyes, allowing someone to guide you. You're blind, vulnerable and at the hands of whoever is guiding you. And despite how foolish I had been to trust him, I knew I had didn't have any other choice.

And even if I did, I found myself wanting to.

Each step was that of concern, his hands on my shoulders gently guiding me. What felt like hours, yet only mere minutes, before he said I could open my eyes. I didn't want to think of how bad it had been back there, how long we had been beside the relentless firing of gunshots.

Although there was no carnage on the return, weaving between buildings, I saw blue powder scattered everywhere. Vextine. Each time I passed it I was reminded of how strong that smell had been on the train station. Along with how much there seemed to be, it was as if every corner was manned by guards.

It would be a while before I would get another chance to see Charlie and Lillian.

"How did you find me?" I asked as we finally left the Lower City region, sitting down as we waited for the train to arrive. It had been a question that I found myself unable to answer. Scott looked to me, as if wondering how he should answer.

"I... I had a feeling I may have frightened you," he admitted, looking away and avoiding my gaze. He adjusted his glasses again, "I knew that you would visit Charlie and Lillian... because that's where you feel safest..."

He paused for another moment, the bright billboard against the grey landscape shifted into that of another advertisement. It was of the newest celebrity, the name 'Bridgett' printed alongside her face and I assumed the name belonged to her.

"I understand if you have some regret..." he continued slowly, and when he met my eyes again, I found that the sadness had returned, "But... please know I never intended to harm you. Although I know I may not seem it- and you have every right to go against it. But- I ask for your trust again..."

Although it may not have seemed smart, foolish perhaps, I wanted to. I wanted to trust him. When I looked into those eyes, I did not see the devil, I saw someone with a lot of pain, a lot of emotions which he refused to acknowledge.

I didn't see the eyes of evil, I didn't see malicious intent or manipulation. I saw the truth. I saw sadness and a sense of loss. I saw the eyes of not just that, but of someone who was deeply hurt. And although it may be a mistake, I decided.

I wanted to trust Scott Preston, and I wanted to see where it would take me.