Chapter 14

'How will I confess to him? What if he says no? What if he won't even listen to me? What if he already has someone he likes? Should I just not confess and stay as we are?'

Eva was contemplating whether she should confess or not- running all the possible scenarios inside her mind- while walking to home from school.

'No, I have to confess. Don't chicken out.'

She hit herself on the forehead and took a deep breath.

'Okay that's it. I will make it short and simple.' She nodded to herself, being finally satisfied.

There were a total of three intersections that needed to be taken to reach Alex's house. She was on her last one but just when she was about to take it a hand grabbed her shoulder stopping Eva on her tracks.

She was startled at the sudden contact. She turned back and quickly checked the man who stopped her- to see if she knew him. He was taller than her, probably more than a few inches and looked like in his mid 30s, his facial features were well-defined and sharped- creases on his forehead and his white stubble were clearly visible. He looked over worked. 

The man too did the same- he took in Eva's features, as if trying to make sure of something.

"How may I help you?" Eva asked after she confirmed that she didn't know the man in front of her. 

The man didn't say anything- just stared at her. 

"If you don't have anything to say, then could I take my leave?"

With an awkward Eva tried to scoot away but the grip on her shoulder tightened.

"Looks innocent and is stupid." The man mumbled barely audible, but it didn't miss Eva's sharp ears.

Eva squinted her eyes.

"What? Who is stupid?"

The man called his phone.

"I found her; I am sending the location. Come soon." 

Then he looked back at her.

"You need to come with me." He had a stern tone.

"No, I don't need to."

She tried to escape from his grip but all in vain.

"Help- somebody!" 

Eva started flailing.

The man pushed Eva on the wall- his arms on her neck. "Don't even try shouting for help. No ordinary person will want to come in between the feuds between the gangs." 

That's when she noticed the streets were oddly empty. Even so she struggled to get away, but the man was too strong to even budge. Soon she gave up and glared at him- "You will pay for it." She mouthed before huffing and looking away- her nose flared up.

"I would love to see- argh." The man groaned- freeing Eva from his grip and grabbing his left shoulder- blood was oozing out from it. 

Eva looked at her right- her expression brightened when she looked at the person standing there.

"Derik!" 

She called out with a glint of relief and joy in her voice. 

He was one of the members of Alex's gang and Eva had met him once- at the gathering the gang used to hold regularly.

Derik pointed the gun at the anonymous man- who was still clutching his shoulder.

"Eva, get away from there!" Derik instructed; his gun still pointed at the man. 

Eva pushed away the man and dashed towards Derik. One thing she was good at was running away, be it from problems or people.

"You aren't hurt, are you? Just hold out till the backup comes, okay?" 

Eva nodded. 

Derik pulled the trigger and shot the leg of the man. "Who sent you?" He cautiously got closer. 

The man chuckled. "If I don't say then what? You're going to shoot me? Do it." Even after being cornered- there was a sense of arrogance in his tone.

"Oh, it will be way worse than that, trust me." Derik smacked the back of his head- knocking him out. He glanced back at Eva, trying to see if there were any wounds on her or not. After seeing no blood, he sighed in relief.

"He said there were people coming." Eva blurted out. Not soon after she said that they heard gunshots, alarming both of them.

"Eva get back, the boys will be here soon," Derik shouted, trying to shield her while exchanging bullets with them. 

Soon after the gang members of Alex arrived- Derik escorted her towards the car. 

"I will send you home, sit tight."

Eva nodded in response, her heart about to blast any moment from fear and nervousness. She got in after Derik opened the door for her. 

After 5 minutes of riding, they reached the destination and she got out of the car.

"Thank you." She smiled before loosening her seat belt. 

Derik replied to her with a smile as well.

"It's my job." 

She got out of the car and headed inside.

As soon as she entered her room, her legs gave up and started trembling- the shock was still there. Somehow, she slowly got up and managed to throw herself on the bed.

"Today was an unbelievable black day." She mumbled, staring at her still trembling hand- her eyes slowly giving up before she fell asleep.