Chapter 15

I stared at him.

What the hell was he talking about? How on earth was he responsible for his sister's death?

"I always picked her up from her dance class. But we had fought earlier in the day, and I refused to go pick her up that night. She was angry as well, so she did not force me and decided to walk back home. But she was mugged and then she died." Kol's voice cracked.

It took me a moment to process everything that he had just said. 

My heart was numb. I could feel his pain and the utter loss that he felt. I was familiar with the pain and the guilt. The pain could sometimes be bearable but the guilt… it tore one down from within, murdering the soul and leaving a hollow shell in the name of a person.

I touched his arm. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." 

"I die a little every time I think about it. She died because of me, because I failed as her brother," he said, wiping away the tears from his cheeks. "The Lord knows that I still haven't gotten over losing Liza. Now I've lost Freya too." 

"Kol, Freya ended things herself. She chose to do it. You can't blame yourself for that," I said, "She is going to move on with her life and find love again. I'm sure you'll find the person destined for you too." 

Kol shook his head. "You don't understand. Freya was there with me through it all. She was right by my side. Without her, I would have never gotten over my grief. I wouldn't be here." 

"If you really love Freya so much, then let her go. Let her find the happiness she seeks," I said, squeezing his arm. "And trust me, everything is going to be fine." 

"I moved here to be with her, to turn our long-distance relationship into a better one." He closed his eyes and leaned back. "This sucks so bad." 

"I know," I said, taking another bite of the cake.

If I told him about Freya cheating on him, then he would not be this upset about the breakup. But he would be another kind of upset and I did not know which one was worse. Therefore, I chose to be silent.

"What about the car?" I asked. "What are your thoughts about it?" 

He shrugged. "Nothing. You heard what the police said. Probably some rowdy teens." 

He was too casual about it. Was he not worried that maybe the police were wrong and that it was not just some unruly teens? Was he not concerned that someone had probably targeted him? What if this was a warning of some sorts to him? How could he be so detached about it?

Was I the only one who had changed after the trauma? Had Kol not changed at all? Was he not always as hesitant and jumpy about things as me?

Should I tell him about the car, or rather cars, that were following me? 

No. You're not even sure about that yet. Besides, it happened only twice. 

"Zuri," said Kol, his voice a whisper.

"Hmm?" 

"Thank you for listening." He smiled.

"Smiling suits you," I said, "Tears don't." 

***

For the next two days, Kol did not come to the cafe. 

His replies to my texts were short and to the point. As for calls, he did not answer even once. 

I had learnt from Jace, who out of concern for the customers' safety had found out, that the police had brushed and dusted the vandalisation case. Like I had suspected, they were least bothered about this offence. They had given Jace the same answer as well—that they were busy with more serious crimes. 

However, my conscience was telling me that this was not a matter of how big or how small the crime was. The concern was the intention of the act. It had been a warning—an indication of the worst that was yet to come.

I was so sure about it now because I had found the car following me back home from the cafe again last night. And then I had found it parked outside Coffee Tales this morning. 

There was no doubt in my mind now that this was no coincidence. Nothing had been a coincidence up until now. The gaze that I had felt on me on more occasions than one, the two different cars tailing me, and the sense of fear that I developed when I was alone outside. 

I pulled into Kol's driveway. 

I had decided to check up on him and give him some snacks and a coffee on my way back home from the cafe.

I also wanted to tell him all about the cars and the stalking. From what I had understood, I was not the only one being targeted. Kol was too and his car was the proof of it.

Locking my car, I walked up to the front door and rang the doorbell.

I tapped my feet nervously as I waited for him to open the door. 

I had no idea if he wanted to see me. For all I knew, he would probably either appreciate my gesture or become irritated because I was encroaching upon his alone time. Kol could be pretty unpredictable.

Seconds turned into minutes but there was still no sign of Kol.

I rang the doorbell again. Was he not home? 

As I stood deciding whether to go back or try calling him again, the door opened and Kol stood before me.

"Zuri," he said, surprised, "hi."

"Hi." I smiled. "I brought you some snacks and coffee." 

He moved aside to let me in and thanked me for the gesture. 

"How are you?" I asked, as we headed into the den. "You didn't come to the cafe."

"Just resting up a little bit and sorting out my thoughts," he said, giving me a small smile.

He did seem to be doing better. He was not as defeated as when I had bid him goodbye that night. 

We sat down and talked for some time. Kol laughed and cracked jokes in between. And I knew that he was fine. 

Then I decided to tell him.

"Kol, the police aren’t serious about the incident with your car," I started, "But I don't think it's just some random teens." 

"What do you mean?" He frowned.

"I think we should worry about this a bit more. I mean, out of all the cars in the parking lot, why was only your car targeted? We can't forget that only one of those two criminals is dead. The other one is still roaming freely. And I'm starting to think that maybe he's around us," I said, closely watching him for his reaction.

Kol sighed. "I don't think that's the case, Zuri. You're overthinking. This is not such a big issue. I'm sure it was just a coincidence." 

"No," I said, firmly, "I thought that too, at first. But then someone's been following me. It has happened three or four times in this past week. I can literally feel someone watching me when I'm out." 

"You're scared," said Kol, his face blank. "And that's why you're imagining things. It's probably paranoia." 

I clenched my fists. "It's not. I saw the cars with my own eyes. And today the same damn thing was parked in front of the cafe. I'm not mistaken."

"Cars?" He raised an eyebrow questioningly. 

"Yes. There are two of them. Half of the time it's a black one and the rest of the times it's a blue one," I said, stressing on my words to somehow make him believe.

"Two cars?" He sighed again. "Then it's definitely a coincidence." 

His nonchalant, careless attitude was getting onto my nerves. How could he not see the clear danger signs?

"Don't you think you're being too calm about this?" I asked. "We are both being targeted. What bigger indication do you want?"

"I'm just not in the state of mind to worry about some speculations," he said, dismissively, "there are much more important things that need my attention right now." 

Tears welled up in my eyes and rolled down my cheeks. I tried to hold them back by biting my tongue, but I failed miserably. 

Here it was. My breakdown. The dam had broken. Kol had pushed my last buttons. He had pushed me over the edge of the cliff.

"Goodness, why are you crying?" he said. "It's not that big of a deal. Relax." 

I stood up abruptly. "Not big of a deal? Tell me that when he makes a bigger move and shakes your ground once again." 

He stood up too. "Don't talk like that. You're being irrational."

"Irrational?" I snapped. "And you are being very rational, huh?" 

He folded his arms across his chest and faced me with a determined look. "Yes. And there's no reason to become this emotional, okay?" 

"Now I can't even be emotional?" I asked. "What do you want me to do? I'm surrounded by choices and trials and fear from all sides and I'm losing my mind. I can't take this anymore." 

"What is going on with you?" He frowned. "Tell me what choices you are being faced with. Talking helps." 

"Not when you're going to try and convince me that I'm being irrational," I said, through gritted teeth.

"Now you're just being difficult," he said, his voice as calm as ever.

"Fine." I picked up my handbag. "I'll just leave. I'm sorry for adding to your troubles. Have a good night." 

I walked out of the den.

"Wait. Zuri, wait." He followed me to the front door.

When I did not stop, he caught hold of my arm.

I turned around, freeing my arm from his hold and then glared at him. "I said it's fine. I don't want to talk anymore." 

"Please don't be like this," he said, "Freya's already messed up my mind. Let me get over that first. Then we can—” 

"She broke up with you. So what, Kol? It happens and it takes time to get over it, I know. But when your life is on the line, you have to grow up and try to look past it," I said, raising my voice.

"No, you don't know," he said, raising his voice as well. "You've never fallen in love. You don't know what it's like to lose the person you love."

The moment the words escaped his lips, his eyes grew wide, and he shook his head vigorously. 

"No, no, no, I did not mean that. I'm so sorry. I really did not mean that," he said, his eyes pleading.

I swallowed a cry that hit the back of my throat, the memories of seeing my brother lying dead in a coffin clouded my mind. 

"I know what it's like to lose someone you love. I've grieved just as much as you have," I said, taking in a deep breath and wiping the tears away. "And you know what? Keep mourning your breakup. I don't ever want to see your face again."

I opened the door and walked out. He followed me again.

"Zuri, no, please," he said, "I didn't mean it like that. I meant it in terms of a breakup and things like that. I'm sorry, please." 

"Sure," I said, not even turning to look at him. "I don't know how it feels to be cheated on and then broken up with."