I sat on the ground covering both the ears as the clock was continuously ticking. The light from the gas lamps on the street was lightening my room a little but still, it was covered with the darkness as the curtains covered most part of the window. I looked up at the ticking sound and couldn't get what time it was but now as I look back at that blurry memory, I can only say that it was somewhere between 2 to 3. My heart was thudding loudly and I could hear the cries coming from behind the door of the room at the very end of this first floor. It was the room my parents shared. 

Benjamin, my cat ran to me and sat closely. The noises weren't loud but those were enough to scare a 5-year-old child. I heard some footsteps out of my door as the thudding became louder when I saw the doorknob getting twisted. I breathed unevenly but started crying when my dad entered the room. He came forward immediately and hugged me tightly. He looked devasted as he cried his heart out keeping me in his arms. I was utterly confused as to what happened to the man who I have always seen keeping his head high. But I just stayed there too afraid to move away although his tight grip was making me choke. Where is mom? Why isn't she coming? Those questions grasped my little innocent mind but I was scared to ask. 

Dad moved backwards and looked at me with the rivers of tears flooding through his eyes. He was broken like something has been snatched away from him. 

"Where is mom?" I finally gathered the strength and asked him the question bugging my mind. He kept looking at me and broke down again as he kept on crying. I have never seen him so shattered till now. I have always known him as the strongest man that I even feared to talk with at a times but the man in front of me now looked different. Dad shook his head with disbelief and held my little face in his big hands. He didn't utter a single word. It scared me more. I gained enough courage to move aside and get up on my own little feet as I walked outside the room. Dad was still sitting on the same floor in the same position. I could hear his faint crying but I kept moving in the corridor holding the wall with one hand. 

I walked slowly with bated breaths and took the turn towards the final passage which leads towards my parent's room. The door was flung open but there was dark inside. I took a deep breath and walked forward refusing to move my gaze away from the door. I stopped at the door and looked back at the hallway but Dad wasn't following me. 

I looked ahead again and pushed the door open further. Mom was lying on the bed. The dim light of the candle was lightening the room but the wind coming from the window was making the light dance. I walked to the side of the bed to get a better view of her face. She looked peaceful sleeping on the white sheet with her favourite nightdress on. Her red hairs were dishevelled and her hands were wide open to her either side as if she was asking me to hug her. Her legs were clinging from the edge of the bed. I kept watching her sleeping like that. I moved closer to her and got on the bed with some efforts. I sat beside her and took my hand to her cheek caressing her. She was the same. She didn't move. I called her a few time and shook her body but she kept lying there in the same state, without moving. The tears flowed from my eyes as I cried my heart out to wake my mom up but she had no intentions.

I sniffed hard and rested my hand on her cheek as I kept looking at her with tearful eyes accepting the fact that she won't be waking up though it was too much for my 5-year-old self to come to that fact and get settled with reality. The harsh reality that her mother won't be with her on this further journey. I kept sitting there in the yellow light which filled the room with brightness but my vision was dark and cold. I looked down shedding a few tears when I heard silent laughter.  My head shot up and I looked around until my eyes landed on my mom. She had her eyes open which were pitch black as if someone sucked the soul from her. She had the crooked laugh on her lips and she was looking at me. A fear crept across me and I moved backwards. Her eyes moved along with mine but she kept lying there.

I moved backwards again a little with my breaths hitched in my throat and moved quickly to the side when she got up straight in a swift movement and held my wrist tight. I cried for help but no one came. Her wicked laughter was feeling the surrounding with my cries adding onto it. 

I jerked hard when I felt someone pushing me. I had tears flowing and sweat dripping from my whole body. I breathed heavily and looked around trying to get used to my surrounding. The clock stroke 10 in the morning. I wiped my face and looked at Aiden who was sitting on the edge of the bed and was looking at me with concern. I started crying as he held me tight in his arms until I was calm.

*********

Aiden was sitting on the couch along with mom on his side when I came out of the washroom. Their gazes moved up to meet mine. I smiled gently and looked at Aiden to ask if he has told mom about the nightmare and he gently shook his head giving me the look of assurance. I put my towel on the couch and got seated beside Aiden. Mom handed me a cup of tea. 

"Why are you here so early?" I asked looking at Aiden. He just shrugged casually. His posture was relaxed for a change and I could see a slight tint of my old Aiden which made my mood lit up instantly after that terrible nightmare I had.

"I got suspended so had nothing to do," he said again making me chuckle along with mom. Dad and mom were furious hearing that we got suspended because of Jake when the actual fault was his and also had a meeting with Principle along with Aiden, Edmund and Emily's parents but they all agreed to Principle's points and let us stay at home for another three days followed by the weekend.

"Wow I am touched that you thought of showing up at my place," I said faking a shocked expression and making him roll his eyes.

"You never sleep till late," Mom asked and I let out a sigh. I looked at Aiden who gave me a concerned look.

"Yes, mom, I just couldn't sleep well last night," I said winding up the act. She was convinced immediately as I, basically always have sleepless nights ever since she has known me. I have consulted doctors in the past when I got trauma of my mom's death but nothing was of any use and I could still see those exact events live in my memory playing them again and again. 

My grandmother used to say mom is conveying me something but dad rubbed her off saying she is scaring me even more and there doesn't exist such a thing. I was glad when he announced the shifting from Norwich but only if I have known to where. I had the worst nightmares at the start when we came here but it all got sorted once I got my friends.

"You make me worried," I heard mom as I looked back at her. She had worry written on her face. Aiden gave a nod of agreement to her and I glared at him but mom immediately sided him.

I have been thinking to ask this to either mom or dad since that event happened with Mr Gracias but had no courage to listen to anything more as the events happened following that. But I have to unveil who the heck is following us. Who was that maniac in the window? I want the answers and I definitely can't keep on waiting for him to get me when Police didn't even bother to question me about anything. 

I looked at mom who was engrossed in some conversation with Aiden. I took a deep breath and called to gain their attention. 

"About Mr Gracia..." I started with a low voice and unsure if she will tell me anything at all. "Did they find anything?"

Mom let out a sigh and shook her head. She adjusted the floral dress she wore as she looked out of the window. 

"Not yet," she said and looked back at me as she continued, "They are saying the same thing again. The killer has left no clue behind and it might be the same psycho."

I looked at Aiden whose body was toughened. His jaw was gritted and his posture looked rigid. He kept looking down at the cup in his hand and the black liquid inside. I wonder what more he knows.

"But why didn't they come to question me about that..." I asked again moving my gaze back to mom, "That person in the window?" She shook her head again. The frustration was visible on her face. She has questioned many times about the investigation but got the typical replies from everyone around.

"I have got no clue. I talked with Evans but he said they searched the whole forest but got nothing," she said. I let out a frustrated groan. 

"I am tired of hearing that already," I said with pure irritation, "I don't understand how can they not find anything?"

All I am hearing since George Doppler was found in the woods is that there were no clues, no witnesses and we haven't seen anyone or anything suspicious around. God, then I don't understand what are these people actually doing? I know there is a long process and it's easy to judge and say a few things without knowing the actual facts by sitting at home but I am freaking out here as someone tried to broke into my room and no one is even bothering to check on it. The killer is roaming out there and no one sees him? What the actual heck.

"I keep thinking the same," Mom said letting out the sigh, "That person literally freaked me out that day." Aiden was all the same without changing his posture much.

"But why Mr Gracia? and George Doppler? Do they have any connection?" I asked again just when his head raised up and he started paying attention to mom. 

"Apart from the fact that they both work for us, I don't know," mom said much to our disappointment.

"Were they close?" Aiden asked taking me by surprise. I was also curious about the same thing ever since the news about Mr Gracia took the town with a wave of fear. People are shutting the shops before the sunset. You won't find anyone on the road at night and that creeps me out even more.

Mom gave him a questionable look. Aiden put the cup of tea down and shifted in his seat to face mom.

"I mean if they might have shared something," he asked again. I shifted my gaze to my mom who looked confused.  

"Like what?" she asked again.

"Maybe they saw something and then shared with each other and got killed," he said using his words wisely. That was one angel which I didn't think much about till now but he has got a point. I did think about as why the people from the factory who held equal importance and thought about the possibility of us being the next target but I didn't give it a thought that maybe they knew something and got killed. The town is small and they might have seen or done something who knows. He has got a point. A very valid point. 

"So you think that it's not the same psycho and someone else's doing to hide their secret?" mom asked the question which I had on my mind hearing Aiden. He let out a sigh easing up his posture.

"Maybe. I don't know," he said and shook his head gently, "We should think of all the possibilities," he said and I nodded absent-mindedly. That's true. All the time I was so focused on the psycho that I didn't think of the other possibilities but it can be true as well. We should widen our thinking.

"That's true," mom said being in her own thoughts. Maybe thinking about the possibility of Aiden's words, "I don't know if Gracia and Doppler were close though. But I don't really know."

"Doppler used to be with her dad always and Gracia was handling accounts. If you ask if they know each other out of the company then it's a small town, people know each other since forever so maybe," she said which is true. The town is small and the people here know each other very well as they have seen each other and lived with each other all their lives.

"You have been living in this town since your birth so you know it very well," she said further. I looked at Aiden who looked kind of serious as he was thinking of something.

"Hmm..." he said being in his own thoughts and kept looking at the table in front. Mom let out a sigh and got up from her seat.

"Anyway, you both finish that breakfast. I will leave you two alone now. I got to take care of a few calls with my publication," she said with a smile. Aiden and I nodded at her as she made her way outside closing the door behind.

"You had the same dream again? About your mom?" Aiden asked once we were alone in the room. I nodded gently.

"Hmm..." I looked up at him with confusion as I don't remember telling him about the same, "How do you know?"

"You called for her," Aiden said. I groaned again with frustration. with this speed, I guess I might need to consult the doctor yet again. This whole thing is just bad for me as I fear it might take a toll on my health.

"I think I might go crazy," I said shaking my head and got up to get changed. I need to use this off day to know something more maybe. I am not going to ask Emily or Edmund to come along as I don't want them to suffer because of me. I know they will be furious but I just can't do that anymore.

"Where are you going?" he asked me with confusion. 

"To get ready," I said casually making my way towards the cupboard. Aiden didn't say anything so I turned to look at him. He looked clueless about my mission for today. I let out a soft chuckle.

"I will be on a mission today," I said giving him a smirk. 

"What mission?" Aiden asked getting up from his seat with irritated expressions, "Faith..."

"You can join if you want to besides I think you know something much more," I said eyeing him. He was taken aback by the sudden accusation but it didn't take him even a minute to gather himself up.

"I know nothing," he said with crooked brows looking pissed.

"I know you too well to buy that lie," I said making my way inside the washroom to get changed. Aiden stood there without speaking anything further as I am too stubborn to listen anyway.

*************

I and Aiden walked down the hilly road. It was afternoon but the weather was colder as it has been raining a lot lately. I held the belts of my backpack tight as I looked up at the cloudy sky. I let out a sigh when we met the main road. The crowd was less today and the remaining people were already starting to pack. I need to get back home before the sun sets as I can't risk Aiden going way back alone from that forest.

We kept on walking from the side of the street as some cars and carriages made their way in or out of the town. This was basically towards the boundary of the village and dad's factory lies at the very end so I have a fear that he or someone closer to him might spot me here. I can't even give any of the reasons as this place don't have many houses around and whatever houses are there are not of the people I know. I will think if he finds about it until then, let's focus on the excuse I need to give to Mrs Gracias. I just hope she doesn't doubt my intentions and if she does then I will just wing up saying I fear someone is after me. That should work. I hope so.

"This is one shitty idea and we might get caught," Aiden said in a low voice as he looked around to check if we had any eyes following but thankfully there were none. 

"We will see about it later. Don't cry, Wright," I said pulling him along with me by holding his hand. We stopped outside the gate of Mr Gracia's house. It was silent and nothing like the last time I was here. The sound of the river flowing at the back of the house could be heard from where we were standing. The birds were chirping and butterflies were taking a halt on the flowers which were dancing with the light wind flowing in the front yard. The gasoline lamps on either side of the stoned path were lit as we walked on it. Aiden rang the doorbell as soon as we reached the door. I turned back to look around the surrounding just to make sure of things. 

Mr Gracia's son, Oliver, opened the door. He looked quite confused seeing us at the door. I got awkward all of sudden not knowing how should I behave. He gestured us to walk inside when Aiden said his formalities. I am truly grateful that he came along. I took out my hat giving him a small smile and followed Aiden inside the house. I was relieved to see no coat on the coat hanger or any shoes in the entryway. I took out my boots and got inside in the living room.

Mrs Gracias along with her daughter was sitting on the chair in front of the woodfire. I looked at Aiden not knowing what I am supposed to do. I saw Aiden shaking his head gently. Mrs Gracias noticed us by now standing inside her house.

"Hello," Aiden said giving her a polite smile. She nodded and got up from the wooden chair. She looked messed up with her dishevelled hairs which were out of the bun. Her eyes said she has been crying. She adjusted her dress and hair as she walked on uneven feet with her daughter and son by her side.

"Hello, Mr Wright," she said coming near us with a small yet sad smile. She then looked at me, "Hello, Ms Anderson." I smiled back at her with a gentle nod. I felt sad looking at her smile. No one deserves this. I felt anger surpassing me for that killer. What did he get from this?

"I wasn't expecting you both," she said gently.

"Sorry for showing up unannounced," I said as she smiled and gestured us to sit on the couch. I got comfortable on the couch which was kept on the side of the window. I kept my bag to the side and hat above it. The house didn't have many things of decoration giving it a sad vibe or maybe it was just me. The curtains were pulled down making the room dark which I didn't like.

I adjusted my red-coloured check skirt as I was feeling uncomfortable with the three pair of staring eyes. They were suspicious of our intentions.

"That would be fine. What would you like to have? Tea maybe?" she asked and looked at her daughter who was ready to go inside the kitchen.

"No we are fine actually," I said shaking my head, "We thought of..."

"I mean..." I made another attempt after shitting on the first one but again the same. I just don't know what to say further. I got stuck as she narrowed her eyes at us.

"We just thought of meeting you three and asking if you might be needing anything," Aiden came for the rescue again. I let out a sigh of relief.

"It was all of sudden," She said as some tears flowed through her eyes which she wiped with the white handkerchief she had in her hand. He son and daughter were by her side consoling her but I could see they were going through same.

"Why him? That's the question I keep asking myself every other day," she said again with a sniff.

"First, Doppler and now..." she said and broke a little. I took some deep breaths to calm myself down. I don't want to get the same panic yet again. I felt Aiden's hand over mine as he gestured me with his eyes. I smiled gently at him as he moved his hand back.

"What does he want from us?" she shouted making us jerk. Her son held her in his arms.

"Mom," he said in a low voice pleading he to stop. She looked at him hopelessly bit didn't protest.

"Sorry she is just the same since dad," her daughter said. I don't actually remember her name as I had no kind of contact with her considering she was a little older to me. As for Oliver, he has been my direct senior and would have been socially active in all the events so everyone knew him.

"It's okay," I said giving one awkward smile. I adjusted in my seat as I felt guilty for coming here for my own purpose. 

"Sorry I shouldn't be asking this at this very moment but did he knew Mr Doppler? Closely?"I asked finally as this might be my only chance to get something. Those three pair of eyes rested on me with questions in their eyes. Maybe thinking why would I be asking that. I didn't say anything more. Aiden stayed quiet as well.

"Close? They weren't," Mrs Gracia spoke finally making me a bit relieved. She let out a sigh before continuing further.

"He wasn't close to anyone. He was the kind of person who would just mind his own business. What would anyone get from killing him?" she said looking down at her hands helplessly. I let out a sigh and looked at Aiden who had his gaze fixed on the three people at the front.

"But I remember Doppler might have shown up here more than he should be in the past few weeks of his own murder," she said giving a thoughtful face. I looked at her with confusion.

"Why?" I echoed my thought. They weren't close then why just a few weeks before? What happened that made him come to Mr Gracia?

"I don't know. He said it was about business," Mrs Gracia said again. 

"But Dad looked worried when Mr Doppler was murdered," Oliver said as Mrs Gracias nodded.

"He sure was. He would get nightmares and he would shout in his sleep. He would ask someone to not kill him. He feared something like this might happen," she said as Aiden and I exchanged a look. Does that mean what Aiden said was true? Do they both know something? Something about psycho which made him start his murders again? Or something else?

"Did anyone come here before," Aiden asked. Those three looked at each other with thoughtful looks. Mrs Gracia looked out of the window and bent forward.

"Mrs Whittnaker came by once to meet him," she said in a low voice. Mrs Whittnakar is the same lady who would be seen often with Aiden's family. She is a beautiful lady in her 40s who always look elegant in her imported dresses and hats. She kind of seems mysterious to me. My mom attends some club where she is a regular but I have never seen her at my house as my mom doesn't like her much.

"Mrs Wittnakar?" Aiden asked with confusion as he crooked his eyebrows, "Why would she?" he said furthermore like talking with himself.

"I have no idea. He didn't share his business-related stuff with any of us," Mrs Gracias said shaking her head. I again looked at Aiden who seemed to have drowned into deep thoughts.

I wanted to ask him about it but stayed quiet. He kept on being in his own thoughts as I took the conversation ahead with Mr Gracias's family asking them if they will be needing anything or about how they are holding up these days. I asked about the police investigation and they said the same thing mom told me in the morning. I could see the hint of disappointment in Mrs Gracias as she spoke about that topic. I can understand why. Even when I'm in no way related to Mr Doppler or Mr Gracias, it still makes me frustrated.

Oliver went to get the door when the doorbell rang. I prayed that whoever it might be, he or she shouldn't be related to mom or dad.

"Ms Anderson?" We moved our gazes to the voice and I got the shock of my life. Mr Evans stood there with surprise and shock on his face. Shit! I'm so done. He will definitely tell this to dad. What am I suppose to do now?

"It was surprising to see you here," he said further.

"Umm..." I was still in the shock and was thinking of all the excuses but nothing was coming on my mind. I looked at Aiden who was giving some plain looks. What the heck is wrong with him?

"She just stopped by," Mrs Gracias finally came to my rescue and I couldn't be glad enough. It sure made me feel embarrassed about my selfishness but I promise to myself that I will do everything to get closer to this mess. Evans moved his gaze back to me as I gave a gentle smile.

"I am glad you did, dear. Thank you for checking on us." Mrs Gracias said and walked towards me holding my hands in hers.

"No problem," I said with the shake of my head, "Let me know if you need anything."

"Sure," she said with a smile.

"We should get going now. Bye, take care," I said and got up taking my backpack and hat. I gave her a brief hug. William Evans gave me a suspicious glare but Aiden pulled me out of the door as soon as possible.

In no time we were back on the road walking fast so even Evans comes out he won't be able to find us. We made a few turns inside the town and chose the rough path to go back home. The sun was setting behind the mountains and I was glad it still wasn't raining. We need to hurry else Aiden has to live with me today.

"He was Evans, right?" Aiden asked taking me back from my thoughts. I nodded at him.

"You know him?" I asked. He shrugged.

"He comes to the house to meet Dad," He said. Of course! His dad knows all of these people. I might get some help from him as well but it will cost me bigger. Our families know each other so well, after all.

"Oh," I said and thought of coming to the question which was on my mind since the time I heard it, "Why do you think Mrs Whittnakar would meet him?" Aiden shook his head slightly.

"I am not sure. She is not even related to the factory," he said in a low voice and kept on looking at the ground as we walked forward. Something was going on in his mind.

"She is close to Mrs Clerk," he said. Well, she is close to your family too. But I didn't say it.

"You mean Rose's mom?" I asked instead. Aiden nodded still being in deep thought.

"Hmm..."

"Then we know our next stop," I said with a smirk. He stopped and gave me an unpleasant look.

"Faith, don't be..." He was saying but I cut him off.

"Reckless, I know. But, Aiden, I can't sit quietly and do nothing," I said to which he just let out a sigh and looked around shaking his head in between.

"Fine. But don't go alone anywhere," he said making me smile wide, "I am letting Emily know what are you up to so..."

"So when you will be with your new-found friends then she will keep an eye on me," I completed the sentence for him. Aiden let out a sigh but didn't say anything more. He just kept walking silently beside me. The wind blew making my hairs ruffle as we walked on the main road. I held my hat in a fear that wind might blow it. The shops were closed already. There were just a bunch of vendors who were selling vegetables and side by side gathering up their stuff so they can go home amongst this fearsome dark cloudy weather. I looked up in the sky but still no trace of blueness or sun. It was dark as if the sky was reflecting the state of this town. Dark, lost, scared under the terror.

"Why Tyler?" I asked randomly playing with the owl neck-piece hanging from my neck till down the chest. Aiden didn't look at me.

"Just," He said in a low voice with a slight shrug of his shoulders. His dishevelled hairs were hiding his forehead. His eyes were fixed on the ground and in between would wander in the surrounding to make sure of the things around us. He had his hands inside the pockets of the black jacket he wore above white shirt inside. I smiled unexpectedly looking at him. Because only he can do that.

"I wonder why do I share things with you when you don't even bother," I said letting out a sigh and shifting my gaze on the road ahead looking at the rush of the people around. Aiden still was quiet.

"You say that you love me but do I really know you? Can I trust you?"  I asked and looked at him. He shifted his gaze to lock it with mine. Some emotions flashed through his deep ocean blue orbs but before I could read them a car halted before us making us stumbled a bit. I was confused as I looked at Aiden and held his hand tight. He had his jaw greeted and I could feel his tight muscles under the two layers of cloth he wore. He knew who it is going to be.

I moved my gaze at the red car at the front. The door got opened and the most unexpected person got out of it. Tyler Davis made his way towards us by shutting the car door behind him. He had a wide grin on his face as his eyes moved between me and Aiden. 

Well, I don't exactly know much about him besides he runs a club and is into gambling along with his dad Elijah Davis. He is rumoured to smuggle drugs and has been famous for beating people around just because he wanted to show his power. People fear this father-son duo for the same reason. 

"Woah, Wright. I heard you got suspended," he said chuckling and taking out a cigar box from his shirt pocket and liting it. 

"You heard it right, Tyler," Aiden said without any emotions in his voice. Tyler let out another laugh as he adjusted his platinum blonde hair to the side and looked at me.

"You must be Faith, his girl?" he asked with a smirk. I didn't say anything. Aiden chose to stay quiet as well. Tyler let out a weird laugh again which for some reasons sent creeps inside my body. I compare that laugher with the one in the window. Why do they both resemble so much?

Tyler looked up at the sky and let out the smoke in the air as it got dissolved. I put a hand over my face covering my nose as the smell made me sick.

"You didn't show up yesterday, Wright," Tyler asked again as his easy posture toughened and he took some two steps towards Aiden, "I suffered a huge loss."

"We can talk later," Aiden said through gritted teeth. Tyler looked down at me and chuckled again.

"Of course but I want a good deal this time," he said shoving in a finger into Aiden's chest making him stumble back. I moved along with him as Tyler continued, "You beat Jake and then this. You are getting wings and I think you should stop spreading them more before I feel the need to cut them off." He gave a cold glare to Aiden which made me scared for life. I don't understand why Aiden is holding up with him. But what I heard about Tyler is true all along. He looks wicked. 

"See you tomorrow at court," he said and turned into his tracks and towards his car making me relieved. He got into it not before giving us an ugly smirk and drove off with speed and making a huge sound that people stopped from their work to stare at the noise.

"What court?" I asked once Tyler and his car were out of the sight. Aiden let out a sigh yet again.

"Nothing," he said with the shake of his head. I frowned looking back at him. That's enough! Can't he just share it with me? He is making me seriously worried. The thoughts about his involvement in something... 

I shrugged off the thoughts and looked at Aiden.

"Aiden," I said with a glare.

"Let's get you back home," he said and started moving with holding my hand but I refused to move from my place. 

"I will walk alone," I said and jerked his hand away. I started walking past him without sparing another look at him. 

"Fighting court. He baits on them as you might know so I will be meeting him there tomorrow," he said following me behind and holding me by my arm. I looked at him with confusion.

"Why?" I asked. Aiden shook his head slightly.

"You heard him," he said. I let out a frustrated sigh. 

"I am not asking about tomorrow but everything in general," I said clearing up for him. Aiden looked at me for a few minutes with a thoughtful face. For a moment I thought he might open up but I forgot he is complex than a mathematical problem.

"I will tell you when it's the right time," He said.

"You asked me if I would stay with you if you do anything wrong," I asked again but this time pleading him to share things with me. "What are you doing, Aiden?"

"As I said, you will know it soon," Aiden said and forwarded the hand for me to hold."Let's go?"

I let out a sigh and held it anyway as we made our way on the hill road upwards.

**************

I put the blank white paper in between me and Aiden on the bed. I am going to put down all of my research on the paper now and see if we get any clues there. Aiden thought of staying for a bit longer as my parents are out and won't be back till late. Dad has been asked to give his statement at the police station. Mr Moore suggested that he would come and record his statement at home but he refused and thought of following the regular procedure. Mom said she had some business in town and will try to come back as soon as possible. So I thought of making use of this time and draw a few things to clear up the mess. 

First, the two murders. Then, the things that bind those two murders to the previous murders those are the patterns followed to kill them and the mark left on random parts of the body. That's where the possibility of the same psycho showing comes up. But as Aiden pointed out, there is another possibility of someone else doing the same as well but then why? Why follow the same pattern? Why he is killing people? Why Mr Gracias and Mr Doppler? The thing that bound them is gone with them unless there is another person who knows it. That's where Mrs Wittnakar comes into the picture. Why did she meet Mr Gracias? What does she know? And most importantly who was the person in the window the other day and what does he want from me?

So many questions and no answers. Everything is just so blurry at the moment and I have got no clue how to unravel it. Maybe I should meet Mr Moore again or maybe I should just go and meet Rose's mom but what am I going to tell her? Maybe I should take Edmund's help for the same. Yes, that will do. I came out of my thoughts when Aiden moved on the bed and got up to walk towards the window. My eyes followed him and in the meantime, I wrapped up the sheet in front of me. I got up and kept it in my drawer locking it so no one can know about it. I followed Aiden to the window. He was looking outside in the woods. Those were dark and were giving me chills. I have no courage left to stare in them like before. The wind was blowing lightly and the rain has started lightly. The gasoline lamps were lit outside with just a few people guarding the gate. 

I looked at Aiden. His face was brightened with the yellow light falling on his face. 

"What are you thinking?" I asked tilting my head to get a better view of his face.

"About your clues and trying to connect them together," he said being in his deep thoughts and still looking at the woods. He let out a sigh and moved his gaze to meet mine, "We still have a long way to go." A smile formed on my lips hearing him. 

"We?" I asked as Aiden chuckled a little shaking his head, "I am glad to hear that." I said holding him from the side.

"Would you meet Mrs Wittnakar?" he asked getting serious all again.

"I don't know what to ask? I can't possibly go and ask her what was she doing with Mr Gracias," I said moving aside and looking out in the dark. The raindrops were visible on the yellow bright light as they fell on the ground.

"Maybe through Rose? Ask Edmund," Aiden asked again. I nodded lightly letting out a sigh. 

"That's the plan," I said absent-mindedly as the thoughts about the whole thing and the look of the shadow in the window made me shiver. I looked at Aiden showing him my vulnerable side, "I am just a little scared."

"What if he comes after me knowing that I am doing my research?" I asked again. Aiden shifted to face me and cupped it. His hands were cold as they were resting on the window sill which was cold due to rain and cold weather.

"I won't let him hurt you, okay?" he said as I nodded with a smile. Aiden bent down to kiss me as I closed my eyes. His kiss was gentle. I moved my lips with him. Aiden pulled me closer by grabbing my waist and I pulled him through holding his neck. He pulled back asking me through his eyes as I crashed my lips on his again. The kiss was rough this time making me realize how much I missed him all the months he drifted away from us. I struggled to open the buttons of his shirt as we moved to the bed. 

Aiden kissed on my neck and jaw as his hands managed to pull down the chain of my top making me exposed. He was showering me with all the love as he adjusted himself on top of me. He kissed me wildly making me moan. I managed to take out his shirt as his dragon tattoo got visible. I caressed it by moving my hands up and down above it while he was busy kissing my neck and sucking on it making it difficult for me to stay sane. 

I breathed heavily as he started kissing every inch of my body. I was trying hard to suppress the moans escaping my mouth. I kissed his shoulders and neck but then some huge sound erupted making us break from each other's embrace. Aiden and I looked to the side with terror as we breathed heavily. I covered myself with sheets and looked around as to know what the sound was. Aiden slipped his pants up and moved towards the window looking at the ground. He bent down at the small distance from the window and picked up the white thing. In the meantime, I managed to get into his shirt and buttoned it to cover myself. 

"What's that?" I asked moving closer taking small steps. Aiden rushed to the window and ran outside without speaking anything. He just handed the white thing to me and took his jacket before blowing off the room.

I didn't know what to think. I kept on registering the things. I rushed to the window and looked outside and then moved my gaze to the thing at hand. It was a paper wrapped on the big stone. My heart started thudding loudly as I took the paper away from the stone. The stone fell on the ground making a loud noise.

With the shaky hands, I turned the wrinkled page of paper to look into it. The handwriting was shabby. I narrowed my eyes to read the font. The page in my hands fell on the ground and I moved a few steps backwards stumbling on my feet. I held the dressing table with my hands tightly so I won't fall on the ground. My breaths were uneven as I looked at that piece of paper in horror. Aiden came back to the room. He was drenched because of the rain outside. He was breathing heavily because of exhaustion from running fast. He rushed to my side asking if I am okay. I moved my hand pointing at the paper resting on the ground without moving my gaze away from it. Aiden rushed to pick the paper up as the look on his face changed. His eyes widened as he kept looking inside the content of the page.

❝ YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE GONE THERE. YOU SHOULD STOP DIVING DEEPER SO THAT I CAN SPARE YOU ELSE YOU WILL BE THE NEXT ONE. I PROMISE. ☻ ❞

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