The Masked Stranger

Chapter 4

Jade's P.O.V

I felt the hand come over my mouth I tried to scream I tried to run but I couldn't move what was I going to do couldn't stay parents we're dead, but I couldn't leave because I was held back by some unknown person or figure not that I really could leave anyway my pain went numb I didn't know what to do. All I can do is stand there and watch their dead bodies, and wonder what happened. I felt a long blade against my throat. I knew I was in trouble now I twisted the person’s arm and then dropped to the ground and crawled through my parents bloody bodies and cimbed onto the kitchen counter and over the kitchen sink an used my arm to sheild my face before falling out of the kitchen window into the backyard on the weeds and glass from the freshly broken window. I stood up and ran to the fence trying to climb it, the person chased me and cornered me. I realized I couldn’t climb it that fast to escape so I chose to be prepared to fight when suddenly someone jumped the fence from the other side and got between my attacker and I. The person seemed familiar. I looked closer and realized it was my teacher Mr. Demotov. I was in complete shock but at the same time grateful for the help. With one swift motion Mr. Demotov ripped my attacker’s throat out with his teeth. I fell to the ground grabbing onto the chainlink fence with my knees pulled to my stomach and my feet still on the ground. I was absolutely terrified. The blood turned the ground around them a deep crimson color as the blood mixed with the dirt. I watched as the blood pooled around the now fresh corpse. I saw it drip from Mr.Demotov’s mouth as two large fangs replaced his canine teeth.

“Are you alright?” He turned to me and asked as he wiped the blood from his mouth. I just sat there in shock before eventually refocusing on what he asked me.

“Are you seriously asking me that right now of course I’m not okay I’m scarred for life. What the heck are you?” I asked as I stood up and pointed at him.

“Ah well you know what that’s not uh important.” He said trying to brush me off I just stared at him in disbelief.

“Oh the heck it’s not important considering ya just murdered someone!” I screeched at him.”I’m gonna be a witness in a murder investigation now.” I whispered to myself.

“Look, just trust no one after all they’ve found you pretty soon there will be others not just this guy who will come and try to kill you, you need to get out of here now I’m sure more will show up soon.

“How soon? And if I can’t trust anyone, what makes you think I can trust you.” I asked.

“Fair enough look, just trust Apollo nobody else he’ll explain everything. When he eventually finds you till then go somewhere you don’t go to often they’ll be less likely to find you.

“Who are they and who is this Apollo person? What is going on?” I asked frantically.

“The people trying to kill you are hunters and they are trying to kill you because- There’s no time to explain it. I can hear more coming this way. Look, just run and hide your face. Go Now.” He said and I climbed the fence and started running towards the first place I could think of which was coincidentally the place I just left right back to where James took me after k********g me, hey if I have the option between a kidnapper or killers I’m going with the kidnapper it’s sorta a no brainer.

***

I ran until I finally reached the place James had taken me and he ran out of the front door of the mansion.

“Jade, what are you doing here? Why are you covered in Blood? Are you alright? What's wrong?”

I burst out crying from shock at everything I had just witnessed.

“Let’s go inside first.” I said and he led me into the mansion where I calmed down a bit.

I got cleaned up and my clothes were ruined so James gave me one of his shirts and a pair of sweatpants to wear. I then explained everything that happened after he dropped me off. And he was surprised to learn that people were trying to kill me.

“Jade I’ll do what I can to keep you safe no matter what.” He said before hugging me.

“James no offense but how exactly do you think you're going to keep me safe?” I asked him when he finished hugging me.

“I guess I should tell you since you seem to have zero confidence in me and my abilities.” He said smugly.

“Oh really I didn’t know being cringy was an ability to be proud of you should get a medal.” I deadpanned.

“Oh shut up you jerk.” He said jokingly.

“No, I don't think I will, King Cringy.”

“I give up.” He replied, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

“Come on, let's go. If people really are trying to kill you we need to get you out of here now.”

“Agreed.” I said then put my shoes back on, we went down the stairs and to the garage and got into a Black SUV and he started driving us somewhere.

What was wrong with me? Why did I trust him? I hardly know him. Yet somehow I felt completely safe with him and I thought of him first to keep me safe and not my friends and I feel guilty about that most of all. I was upset about the loss of my parents now I was an orphan with no family left, sure my parents weren’t great heck they weren’t even okay. They pretty much ignored my existence entirely, but for some reason I still felt like a part of me was missing. The one that consumed my mind the most though was what Mr. Demotov said, Trust Apollo. Who was Apollo and why should I trust him? None of it makes any sense.