This is for @-plottwist I see you starting to read my book. I hope you keep reading and voting❤️

I sat in the car in the parking lot feeling anxious. I warned the guards, but they didn't listen. They laughed it off even telling me I worried too much. But I wasn't.

I saw how he easily overpowered everyone that night. He took people down with a glance and he doesn't seem the type to make empty threats. I groaned in my hands, my stress giving me a headache. The forest connected my house to the institution. Even if he didn't know where I lived, he could probably figure it out as the village was so small.

He clearly was different. I would be a fool if I couldn't admit it. I wasn't too sure what kind of difference. He had heightened senses of some sort and was physically very strong. The hardest bit about all of this was I strongly believed in science. I liked the facts and science was facts. Malik, however, went against everything I knew even things I thought I knew about myself.

I picked up my phone to ask Karl for a rain check when he suddenly messaged me.

Can't wait, super excited to see you. - (K)

Shit. I was the type to have a guilty conscience. I knew Karl would be upset if I showed him up after that confession he made.

I sighed, frustrated. Malik was playing with me. Why should I allow him to mess up my date? That's what he wanted, right?

Well, I wasn't going to let him control my life. I texted Karl back with a smiley face and pulled out of the car park. He wasn't my responsibility. The security there could handle him. Not me.

I pulled up outside the inn, smoothed my hair in the mirror and reapplied my lip gloss. I took out my hairband and tousled my hair. Better.

I was a few minutes late and as I strolled in, a few heads turned. Karl was sitting in a small cosy booth for two and shot up when he saw me. He cleaned up well, his light brown styled in that messy look. He wore a tight black shirt and jeans but he traded his usual trainers for a nicer pair. Noticing me once over, he grinned lazily at me and gestured for me to come.

I strode to the booth ignoring the knowing looks from his parents, John and Jada.

"Hey gorgeous", he whispered. "You look so beautiful - I'm tempted to get a job at Holston to see this every day".

I blushed a little under his scrutiny and sat in the booth. He sat opposite me and stared at me.

"Why do you look so stressed?"

"Oh, just a difficult patient at work", I replied vaguely.

He asked me a few more questions and I answered with the same vague tone, my mind on Malik. Would he hurt people? I knew nothing about him and what he could do. He could be a threat to all of these people and here I was on a date. Would he come after me? My breath hitched at that thought. Did I want him to come after me?

"Arya, are you okay?" Karl asked, interrupting my train of thought. "You look flushed - are you sure you're okay?"

"Oh yes, I'm fine", I quickly answered. "You know what, I am sorry. My mind is elsewhere. Work was really difficult and I'm taking it out on you".

He smiled at my confession and reached over to pick up one of my hands, gently caressing and rubbing it - the same hand Malik held. The soothing feeling made me feel relaxed. Karl seemed different, he was acting more mature than normal. The fact that he was putting in all that effort made me smile.

"You can tell me anything you want", he said softly.

I sighed. "It's just this patient that threatens me sometimes, it makes me feel worried".

"Why don't you report it?"

"I can't, and even if I did, the patients are all from elite families and have a lot of influence. I wouldn't be listened too". 'And Holston's is up to something dodgy so I can trust them', I mentally added.

"Hmmm", he responded thoughtfully. "How about we get some food - that might make you feel better".

"Yes, it would actually", I smiled in appreciation. He was still holding my hand but I didn't mind.

We gave our order and made small talk until our food arrived. Then we tucked in. I didn't miss the way his thigh touched mine under the table or the way he couldn't take his eyes off me.

"Try this", he said holding a forkful of his food.

I was going to decline, but it did look good so I hesitantly opened my mouth. He placed the fork in my mouth and he was right, it was good. The moment, however, felt so intimate - and so wrong.

We finished the rest of our meal, him sneaking glances at me every so often and people in the inn staring at us with burning curiosity. We quickly finished off and he led me out by hand into the cool weather outside which helped with the red in my cheeks.

In the middle of the square, was an old fashioned clock tower with a fountain surrounding it like a moat. The vintage style street lamps were lit, casting a warm glow across the square. He pulled me along the cobblestones to a mahogany bench and we sat together, our hands clasped together tightly. From the inn, we could hear the sounds of talk and laughter and people strolled along, often giving us curious looks.

My face heated up with the extra attention so I turned my head to Karl, my hair covering my side profile.

"You're really beautiful", he whispered. "Have I ever told you before?"

"Only a few hundred times", I whispered back in a giggle. I felt drunk and heady but I didn't even drink much.

"It's the food", Karl said, guessing my thoughts. "Mum loves to marinate food using wine".

He pulled me closer, so my head was resting on his shoulder and we both sat there, watching the expanse of the night and moon. Stars glittered, a view I couldn't normally get from living in the city and it took my breath away.

"Forget the movie, it's late", Karl said. "Let's spend some time here and then I'll drop you off home".

I nodded in agreement and snuggled in closer, the warmth from the dinner and drink making me sleepy. In the distance, someone started to play an instrument and the music drifted towards us, preserving the moment.

I must have drifted off because the next thing I felt was Karl nudging me awake softly. We both headed to the car, our hands still interlocked. The drive home was peaceful and I could feel Karl's watchful gaze. He pulled up and we both got out, him leading me along to my driveway.

"Arya", he said, stopping in the driveway. "That was nice, let's do it again".

I hummed in agreement. The cool air had started to turn cold now and I was about to head in when he grabbed my arm and pulled me close.

"Arya, can I... Can I kiss you?" He asked, hesitantly.

I looked at him in surprise and was about to reject him when the decision I made reminded me that I could do whatever I wanted.

I nodded mutely. He leant forward, my whole body turning numb in anticipation. His hands grasped either side of my face softly and he pulled me in closer. The little voice in the back of my head decided to remind me I was tipsy and I should do this when I was sober, but I ignored it. My eyes were wide as he came closer and closer until finally, his lips touched mine. There were no fireworks, but there was this unexpected warmth and heaviness that came from his lips and I could taste the wine he had at dinner.

His lips closed over mine as he tilted his head, one hand trailing through my curls, pulling me closer. His eyes were closed, his warm intoxicating breath fanning over my face. I leaned into the kiss, slowly closing my eyes. As I was about to lose myself in his lips, I saw gold.

No, no, no.

My eyes shot open. Two gleaming orbs of molten gold silently watched me from the forest. I could feel the silent rage creeping across towards me and the intoxication lost its grip on my senses. I was kissing Karl, and he saw me.

I recoiled back from Karl who hadn't noticed anything.

"Arya? What's wrong?" He asked, concerned.

"Oh, it's- it's nothing", I stuttered. "I need to go. You need to go".

He grabbed my hands. "What happened?"

"Nothing, text me when you get home. Be careful and lock the doors, okay?" I pushed him along as he watched me in confusion and headed towards his house.

I spun around to look in the forest. The eyes were gone, but the damage was done. I ran inside and hastily locked every lock sending mental thanks to my dad's need for the security.

I grabbed the cricket bat from my room, shut all windows and pulled the curtains across. The house was bathed in darkness, so I turned on all the lights nervously.

It hit me then, like a ton of bricks that Karl dropped me off home and I had no car. If something were to happen, my only getaway would be on foot. Would he hurt KK? I would have to take KK with me but how. Where was she anyway?

"KK?" I called out hesitantly. I clicked my tongue to get her attention but there was silence.

He hadn't done something to her, had he?

I searched in horror throughout my house, tearing through every room in desperation. I couldn't find her. Anywhere. I collapsed at the top of the stairs, about to break down. KK had been with me for a while, and I took care of her like she was my child. She was the only thing I had here.

"Meow". KK sat at the bottom of the stairs, her head cocked sideways as she watched me.

"Oh, you son of a bitch", I snarled. "I was about to have a freaking breakdown and you were here this whole time?!"

She mewed at me as if to say 'duh' so I half-ran downstairs in relief and grabbed her, hugging her close to me and kissing her.

She hissed at me and jumped out of my arms onto the sofa, knocking over my handbag. Paper, pads and pens spilt out all over the floor.

I swore at her and at her 'oops' look and roughly gathered all the things together, dumping them into my bag. A folded up paper caught my eye and as I opened it, I realised it was the paper that he wrote on and I smuggled out.

I nearly ripped it as I opened it in a rush. Each question was written out with the answer underneath.

"Write down anything about yourself that you're willing to tell me or think I should now".

I never give up.

"Tell me about your medical history".

There is nothing.

"What is your family history and do you have any relationships?"

No family, no relationships.

"Tell me something you find frightening"

You.

"What makes you happy?"

You.

"What things do you like?"

You.

I stared in surprise. The fact he had no medical history, confirmed to me that normal biology didn't apply to him. He had no family and he doesn't give up?

That single word; "You" scared me more than the man himself. Why did he want me? What did he want from me?

It scared me and excited a small part of me at the same time. Why did he choose today of all days? It must have been because of Karl. I remember how he reacted negatively the night of the incident. He tried to stop me from touching the guard. He growled, even. Was he feeling territorial of me? Did he want me the same way that small irrational part of me wanted him?

A text from Karl snapped me out of my reverie.

Home safe. Is everything okay? - (K)

No, everything was not okay. I had to think with my head and not my heart. He was a dangerous man and should be treated as such. I picked up KK, the bat and my phone and headed for the centre of the living room. When he came, I wouldn't hide. I would be ready.

I sat on the sofa, the bat in my hand, watching the door.

Um, hi?

This is an early update. I have exams next week so I wrote it today in preparation but the illogical part of me is making me release it today.

I know I am going to regret this later XD

I might be slightly inactive because of the exams so if you need me, send a pigeon to London. 

Anyway, how was the chapter?

Um Karl lol hehe

Question for today:

What is your favourite song?

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