Chapter 36 Shadows in the day

Chapter 36 Shadows in the day

Nyx's p.o.v

“Here it is ma'am,” the pharmacist handed it over to me. He smiled and ran his hand over his head nervously.

I collected and thanked him, then I walked out of the pharmacist, it wasn't so far from the house, so I opted to walk back.

My wrist tingled, the mark had left a burning sensation. One I had been oblivious to until Travis made me remember.

He has been staring at my hand with so much intensity, I feared my hand would snap into two.

That uneasy feeling crept up my spine again.

The same one.

The one I’d felt that night it rained so hard the sky seemed to split open.

I slowed.

My instincts screamed before my mind could catch up. I glanced over my shoulder casually, pretending to admire nothing at all…and that’s when I saw them.

Two men. Dressed in black. Standing a short distance behind me.

They were talking to each other, heads bent slightly, their voices low. Too low. My stomach dropped. I looked away quickly and resumed walking, telling myself I was imagining things. That I was being paranoid.

But then…

Footsteps.

Not mine.

Measured. Deliberate.

I turned again.

They were walking now.

Following.

The moment our eyes met, they stopped. Too abruptly. One of them laughed softly and said something to the other, like they were just two friends out for a stroll. My heart hammered painfully against my ribs as I turned forward again, my pace quickening.

Fear slicked my skin.

I clutched the bandage tighter to my chest, my fingers trembling as my steps became faster. So did theirs.

My breath shortened.

Don’t panic. Don’t panic.

But panic came anyway.

I broke into a run.

Their footsteps followed heavier now, closer. My vision blurred as tears pricked my eyes. The neighborhood was painfully quiet. Doors shut. Curtains drawn. No voices. No cars. No help.

Was this how I’d die?

The thought struck me like a slap. Or worse…would they rape…

I didn’t finish it.

The house came into view and adrenaline surged through me. I fumbled with the door, nearly sobbing when it finally gave way. I burst inside, slamming it shut behind me just as my legs gave out.

Travis was in the living room.

So was Topher.

I didn’t think. I didn’t hesitate.

I crashed straight into Travis’s arms.

My body shook violently as a sob tore from my throat. He caught me instantly, arms wrapping around me like iron, steady and warm. Safe. I buried my face into his chest, breathing him in like oxygen.

“I…I’m being followed,” I stammered, the words tripping over each other. “Some men… they’re after me.”

His hold tightened, his hand rubbing slow, grounding circles down my back. I felt his body tense beneath mine coiled, dangerous.

“Topher,” he said, his voice calm but sharp. “Check.”

He gently guided me to the couch, sitting me down as if I were made of glass. I barely registered him kneeling briefly in front of me, his eyes searching my face, before he straightened and followed Topher toward the door.

The house felt too big. Too quiet.
I hugged myself, still trembling, my heart refusing to slow as dread pooled deep in my chest. Whatever was happening?

Bianca walked through the kitchen door, a plate of desert in her hand, her eyes widened as she saw me quivering on the sofa

“Where did they go?”

“Someone was following me, they went to check.”

She scoffed disatisfactorily. “Why would they do something so ridiculous?”

I didn't answer.

She begins to pace. Glaring at me at intervals. “Aren't you a grown ass girl,” she snapped. “Can't you fucking take care of yourself.”

Anger flared in my chest. “how do you expect me to take care of myself against two hefty men?”

“You are just a liabil…” her words were cut short as the men returned, Travis beelined towards me,

Travis crouched down in front of me and pulled me straight into his chest.

His arms wrapped around me firmly, possessively, like he was afraid I’d vanish if he loosened his grip. My face pressed into his shirt, his heartbeat loud and frantic beneath my ear fast, angry, alive.

“We didn’t find them,” he said softly, one hand cradling the back of my head. “Did they hurt you?”

The question wasn’t just concern it was fear. Raw and barely restrained.

I shook my head against him. “No.”

His fingers brushed my hair back, slow and reverent, tucking loose strands away from my face. His thumb lingered at my cheek, tilting my chin up just enough for him to see me. His gaze searched every inch of my face, like he was memorizing proof that I was still here.

He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my
cheek

Too close.

Dangerously close to my lips.

My breath hitched. My body melted instinctively into his warmth, into the safety of him. His arms tightened, and I felt it him checking me without words. His hands skimmed my shoulders, my arms, my sides, grounding himself as much as me.

“They won’t hurt you,” he murmured, over and over, like a vow. “I promise.”

His heart was still racing.

It was like he was reassuring himself, blaming himself even.

Then his eyes dropped.

To my wrist.

I felt his entire body tense. His jaw clenched, something dark and feral flashing through his eyes before he masked it just as quickly. He didn’t say a word but I felt the shift. Like a storm pulling itself together.

Suddenly, awareness crashed into me.

We weren’t alone.

Topher stood near the door, arms crossed, watching quietly. Bianca was a few steps away, her glare sharp and cutting but what chilled me wasn’t the anger.

It was the lack of surprise.

Neither of them looked shocked.

They knew.

The realization hit me like ice down my spine. They knew whatever this was, whatever he was to me, whatever line we were crossing.

Before I could push Travis away or say something…anything he stood abruptly, lifting himself to his full height. The warmth vanished too fast, leaving my skin cold where he’d been.

“Do you know how they look?” he asked, his expression now ice cold.

“I didn't see their faces but they were dressed in all black, on their head were black bandanas as well.”

Travis exchanges a look with Topher.

“From now on, you won't leave the house without supervision.” He declared, earning a frown from me.

“I will drive you wherever you want to go.”

He stared me hard in the eyes, expecting me to refuse his help, kick against it. But I didn't.

I just stood up and headed towards the stairs. “Excuse me.”