Part3
1179 Words
Allena sat in a small café at the corner of the city, her fingers gripping a cup of coffee that had started to grow cold. Her eyes kept scanning the surroundings, waiting for the figure who had sent that strange message last night.
The café door chimed as someone walked in. Nathan.
As usual, he wore a dark shirt that fit snugly on his body, his jacket draped over his arm, and his expression was unreadable. But there was something different—his gaze was sharper, more alert.
Nathan walked over and sat down in front of Allena without saying a word. He leaned back in his chair and looked at her intently.
"Thank you for coming," he finally said.
Allena crossed her arms. "Don’t beat around the bush, Professor. Why did you want to meet me outside of campus?"
Nathan sighed. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope. With deliberate movements, he placed it on the table.
Allena frowned. "What’s this?"
"Open it," Nathan said, his voice tense.
With some hesitation, Allena took the envelope and pulled out its contents. Several black-and-white photos fell onto the table. She picked one up and looked at it more closely.
Her heart nearly stopped.
They were pictures of her—Allena, taken from various angles. On campus, in the library, even in front of her apartment.
Her hands trembled as she picked up another photo. This time, there was a man standing in the corner, watching her. The same man she saw talking to Nathan yesterday.
"Who took these?" her voice was barely a whisper.
Nathan looked at her seriously. "Someone’s been watching you, Allena. And he’s not just anyone."
Allena swallowed hard, her eyes widening. "What do you mean?"
Nathan leaned forward, his voice low but firm. "The man in the photos is someone who’s been after me for a long time. He works for people you should never get involved with. I don’t know why he’s interested in you, but I’m certain it has something to do with me."
Allena felt her body tense. "Wait… So this is all because of you?"
Nathan nodded slowly. "I can’t explain everything right now. But one thing’s for sure—you’re in danger, Allena."
Allena clenched the edge of her skirt, trying to process the situation. She should be scared, but something else was bothering her.
Why did Nathan seem so concerned?
She looked at the man in front of her, searching for answers in his unreadable expression.
"Why do you care?" she asked softly.
Nathan stared at her for a long moment before finally answering, "Because I know what could happen if they get to you."
Allena held her breath. There was sincerity in his voice—not just a professor protecting his student, but someone who was genuinely worried.
But before she could say anything, the café door chimed again.
Nathan instantly tensed.
Allena followed his gaze and saw a man standing at the entrance. The man from the photos.
His eyes locked on them immediately.
Nathan stood up quickly, grabbing Allena's wrist. "We need to leave. Now."
Allena didn’t have time to react as Nathan pulled her out of the café, his breathing heavy.
They ran through the rain-drenched streets, their footsteps echoing on the empty sidewalks.
"What’s going on?" Allena shouted as they ran.
Nathan didn’t answer, only tightening his grip on her wrist.
And behind them, the man started to chase.
Allena could feel her pulse racing, her heart pounding as their steps quickened through the narrow alleyways. Her breath became ragged, but Nathan didn’t let go of her hand, as if making sure she stayed close.
Behind them, the mysterious man kept pursuing.
“Allena, don’t stop,” Nathan warned, his voice firm.
“But—”
“Allena!” Nathan pulled her into a dark alley, pressing her against the wall as the man ran past, oblivious to their hiding place in the shadows.
Allena could feel Nathan’s body heat so close to her, his heavy breathing warming her skin. Her heart raced, not just from fear, but from the sudden intimacy between them.
A few tense seconds passed in silence.
The man paused, glancing left and right before finally running off in another direction.
Allena let out a sigh of relief, but Nathan didn’t move. Their eyes met in the darkness, and for a moment, Allena forgot about the danger lurking around them.
“Nathan… who is that man?” her voice was almost a whisper.
Nathan looked at her deeply before replying, “Someone who must never find you.”
Allena swallowed hard. “You haven’t explained everything…”
Nathan finally stepped back, putting some distance between them, but his gaze remained intense. “Because the more you know, the more dangerous it becomes for you.”
Allena scoffed. “You think I’m not already in danger?”
Nathan sighed, then took her hand again. “We need to get to a safe place. I promise I’ll explain everything there.”
Though hesitant, Allena nodded.
They ran again, weaving through the deserted alleyways lit by flickering streetlights. The rain began to pour harder, soaking their clothes.
Eventually, Nathan led Allena to an old, abandoned building. He opened a rusty side door and pulled her inside a dimly lit room.
“Allena, listen to me carefully,” he said seriously. “I’m not just an ordinary professor. I’m involved in something much bigger, something dangerous. And now, you’re caught up in it too.”
Allena looked at him, confused. “What do you mean?”
Nathan was silent for a moment before saying, “The people chasing me… they’re part of an organization that won’t hesitate to kill anyone who gets in their way.”
A chill ran down Allena’s spine. “And they’re after me because… of you?”
Nathan nodded. “They think you’re more than just my student. And if they believe you’re my weakness… they won’t stop until they get to you.”
Allena held her breath. “Am I… your weakness?” she asked slowly.
Nathan’s expression darkened, but he didn’t answer right away. He just looked at her with an emotion she couldn’t quite read—a mixture of fear, regret, and something else.
Something that made Allena’s heart race.
Before Nathan could say anything, a noise came from outside.
They had been found.
Nathan immediately pulled Allena behind him. “Stay behind me.”
The door burst open, and a group of men in dark uniforms entered. One of them, the man who had been chasing them, stepped forward with a sly grin.
“You can’t run forever, Nathan.”
Nathan growled. “I won’t let you touch her.”
The man chuckled. “Oh, but it’s not her we want. You know what we’re after.”
Allena looked at Nathan in confusion.
What did they mean? What was really going on?
But before she could think further, the man made a gesture—and in an instant, the room erupted into chaos.
- Writer
