'Yes mom, everything's fine. I'm okay. I've found a nice apartment to rent with a roommate... Yes, he's a nice guy.'

Larry coughed at that.

It was three days after our first meeting with Steven Blazing. I was moving in with my stuff from Larry's to my new humble abode. It took three days because I was stuck with some legal issues. Blazing had gone out for the moment, as we were informed by the Landlord, possibly to get me a duplicate key for the apartment. So, I unpacked most of my stuff in my bedroom, my toiletries went on the bottom shelf in the bathroom.

I was pleased to see the overall cleanliness of the entire apartment. I heard Blazing didn't allow anyone else to dust and broom the apartment, he cleaned it all by himself. That was admirable at the moment, before I realized who would now be cleaning the apartment WITH him.

Larry was actually a bit hesitant to leave me here.

'I don't like this idea, man. He creeps me out.', said he.

'Relax, Larry. It'll be fine. There's nothing to worry about.', I assured him.

'But still, just to be safe, I'll call you every evening at 7 p.m. If you don't answer, I'm calling the cops.'

Even though I laughed at his joke, I silently wished it wasn't one.

Steven Blazing returned soon. After exchanging a few pleasantries with him and a few last words of advice to me, Larry left, and then it was just me and Blazing. That day, and the next passed by without much discomfort. We got to know each other better.

I asked him about our present location, and some local tourist attractions.

'You are currently in apartment C4 on Unionport Road in Parkchester, which is in Bronx. It might interest you to know that this street is the most affordable and one of the most peaceful in all of NYC. You have the Bronx Zoo nearby, as well as the Yankee Stadium, and the New York Botanical Garden. Manhattan is quite close, too. '

I realized he is not actually that scary as people think. Although I did cause an awkward moment when I asked him about his childhood. His reaction was quite a severe one.

' Ask me anything and I will not hesitate to answer, but please don't, under any circumstances, ask me about my past.'

But the real scares began two days after I moved in.

It was early morning, and I was still dreaming about that lovely lady in the previous apartment that we went to, when I was suddenly awakened by a dull thud. I sat up, unable to ascertain what it was. The thudding continued, I came out of my bedroom, and I couldn't believe my eyes.

Steven Blazing was in the sitting room, wearing boxer shorts and a light vest, mercilessly attacking a standing mannequin fixed to a pedestal.

He looked at me and smiled.

' I'm sorry, did I wake you up? I didn't mean to, I was just practicing my Krav Maga, which I told you about.'

So THIS is Krav Maga? Who knew?

Blazing went back to his task. I noticed his attacks were very rough and brutal, all aimed for the soft spots, the eyes, nose, throat, even the genitals, completely unlike the graceful and systematic moves of Kung Fu and Karate (the only martial arts I know about).

Watching him in his vest and boxers, only now I realized he had quite an athletic figure. His biceps, chest, abs, legs, were all muscular, but not like body builders, so he looked human.

I guess with a sexy body like that, he was very popular among the ladies. Perhaps if I lost those few extra pounds...

'The Israelis got it right.'

Blazing interrupted my thoughts, while walking over, wiping his face with a towel.

'Pardon?'

'Krav Maga. Its an Israeli martial arts, very violent and brutal, effective in ending a fight quickly. Its not known to be forgiving.', he winked at me.

That was not all that happened that day. He showed me some basic moves, explained where and what to look for to quickly know about a man, told me about our new cleaning schedule too.

Oh, before I forget, let the reader know that besides being an expert in fighting, Steven Blazing is an expert in Psychology and Manipulation. Twice that week, he somehow tricked me into doing his laundry.

Till this day, I have NO IDEA how he did that.

He told me that he was 29 years old, and that he worked in the 7-Eleven nearby. He said that his job allowed him to 'meet and study different types of people.'

This man really intrigued me. What is his passion? Why does he do what he does? What dark secrets from his past is he hiding? I wonder if I'll ever know the answers to these questions.

Blazing was honest. Except those three days of the week when he went full Rambo, he was extremely silent. He never disturbed me when I was busy, nor did he attempt to prod me about my private details. He was quite likeable as a roommate. Larry came by occasionally. He seemed to be relieved too.

Steven Blazing was an excellent guide. He showed me some of the best spots in the city, and also the best restaurants, depending upon how much I was willing to spend. I even started working on a new book, and he was helpful as a proof-reader. He was fluent in Spanish, French, German, Hindi and was learning Bengali after it was voted 'the sweetest language in the world.'

Life would have been nice if things stayed as they were, but that's NEVER how it works out, as an event which occured soon after, changed the course of our lives FOREVER.

It was exactly a month after I moved in. We were sitting at the table with our breakfast after I finally joined him for a tiresome bout of jogging. When suddenly, without warning, there was a bang at our door, which only began speeding up even before we could ask them to come in. Whoever was on the other side of the door might have broken our door that day, had it not been unlocked.

The door opened, and in came a gentleman about 45-50 years old, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers. His face was all red and swollen, presumably from crying, and if there was an expression which had fear, confusion, grief and anger mixed together, it was the expression which he bore. He struggled to even stand up.

'Michael?', Blazing looked surprised.

'Steven, my wife...my wife...', he replied, his voice shaking.

'What about your wife?'

'My wife... She's been murdered.', he whispered, 'And I've been taken in as PRIME SUSPECT.'

Hey guys, so now the real mystery finally begins! I'm so excited, I can't wait to see what you guys think about the next few chapters. Chapter 3 will be up VERY soon, so please follow and stay tuned.

Please don't forget to vote, comment and read the next chapter!

As always, you're welcome to follow me on Instagram @therealtroubletimes for all exclusive info and updates.

The mystery will resume again soon. Till then, Happy Unscrambling!

-S. B