Chapter 5

Ira and Jace had already left for the day, as today was my turn to close the cafe. 

The closing time was in five minutes and the last customer was finally gone. The demon was gone as well; he had left sometime in the evening. 

I went around the machines and counters once, making sure that everything was locked, and the temperatures were set right. 

"All done," I murmured, reaching for the remote to turn off the television. 

On second thought, I switched the channels. I wanted to see if yesterday's news was still being shown today. My hometown was a dull place, and nothing really happened there. So, repetition of news was not uncommon.

Watching the news at home was not a great idea because Mom and Dad would be unnecessarily triggered again. 

"They're still showing it," I told myself, turning up the volume. 

Blake's photo made me want to curl up and die right then. And then the picture of that monster made my blood boil. I did not feel even a bit of remorse at his death. 

"Hey," said a voice. "Can I—" 

I shrieked at the sudden presence behind me, the remote dropping from my hand.

"I'm so sorry," he said, "I did not mean to scare you." 

I turned around in the flash of a second, coming face to face with the demon. 

He is here. He came back at night. He was probably keeping an eye on me. He came in when he saw that I was alone. 

"What—what are you doing here?" I asked, my hands becoming numb. 

I glanced around frantically in the hopes of seeing someone walk by the cafe. There was no one. The street was deserted. 

I was alone with him. 

"I lost my wallet and I think I left it here. Can I please take a look around?" he asked. 

I was frozen. My knees were shaking. 

"Hey, are you all right?" He took a step towards me. 

I stumbled back. "Stay away from me." 

"Okay, okay." He raised his hands up defensively. Then added, "Why does it feel like I know you from somewhere?" 

My breath hitched. Screams hit the back of my throat. He was putting the pieces together. 

Relax, Zuri. 

Calm down. 

It does not look like he's armed. 

Relax. 

You were already prepared for this situation. Just act according to the plan. 

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "It's closing time. You have to leave." 

He sighed. "I understand. But give me just one minute to take a look around. Please." 

He was not stressing on remembering who I was. Why? 

"Fine—" The rest of the words got caught in my throat, as my eyes followed his gaze to the television. 

The news had caught his attention. 

Oh no. What now? 

A million emotions flashed through his eyes. He sucked in a sharp breath. Distress clouded his face and his jaw visibly clenched.

I slowly moved away, stealthily making my way to the drawers behind the counters. 

He fell down to his knees, bending his head down in silence. 

Had he not known already that his partner was dead? Had he just found out? 

Then he started to laugh. 

I opened a drawer quietly and my fingers curled around the sharpest knife that I could find. 

His laughs echoed throughout the empty cafe. Then his head slowly lifted up and I saw the tears glistening in his eyes. 

There was unexplained joy written on his face. He laughed and cried at the same time…as if he was relieved. 

What is going on?

"I have to close the cafe," I said. "You need to leave." 

His head snapped towards me. With a scowl on his face, he stood up. 

I raised my hand, pointing the knife at him. "Don't come closer. I will really kill you." 

"What?" His eyes grew wide. "Are you mad? What are you doing?" 

My body trembled but I held my ground. "Leave." 

"Something is seriously wrong with you," he said, shaking his head in amusement. 

He's not taking me seriously. 

He turned sideways and swiftly walked over to the table that he usually occupied. Then bending down, he picked up something from the ground. 

"There," he said, holding up a black leather wallet, "I just came to get this." 

I was quiet. 

Was he serious? Had he really come back only for his wallet? 

But then his reaction to the news…? 

"Do you want me to call someone to help you?" he asked. "You're shaking all over. And will you please drop that knife? Goodness." 

"If you don't leave immediately, I'm calling the police," I said. 

He let out a long sigh. "You know what? I should be the one calling the police because you are the one threatening me with a weapon. But whatever. I don't care. Even you can't spoil my mood tonight. Not after that wonderful news," he said, turning on his heel and walking towards the door. 

My heart lifted a little on seeing his retreating back. 

Thank goodness. Thank goodness.

When he reached the door, he suddenly stopped. 

My heart dropped again. 

Turning around swiftly, he said, "I remember now. I remember who you are. You're the girl that I saved a year ago."