WHISPERS OF THE PAST

CHAPTER FOUR: THE SCAR PART ONE

LENA’S POV:

A growl—

Our eyes snap to the direction of the sound.

It is a man…or so I think. At least from the shape it looks like one. All that is visible are those eyes—those red eyes. That can't be a man.

“Let. Her. Go.” His voice is low, a growl.

“Who the fu#k do you think you are?” The man scoffs, pointing his gun at the mysterious figure.

Jerking his head, he signals to the other men and they move towards the figure, leaving me alone. My clothes are already torn, I wrap myself tight to cover up. The men lunge at him and they get embraced by the darkness, chaos erupts. I hear a muffled gunshot, the sounds of bones cracking and painful grunts. The figure moves fast, like a shadow.

Something flies from the darkness and crashes beside me, leaving a heavy thud as it lands.

It's a man—one of the three men. Lifeless.

I gasp, my eyes wide with horror. I cover my mouth with my hand and crawl away from the body. The loud grunts of pain still continue. My heart races, my chest rising and falling in rapid panicked breaths.

**what the hell is going on?** I stand up gradually, my body trembling when—-

“Hey!!!”

I squeal as a hand touches my shoulder from behind. I turn abruptly and on instinct, I swing my arm—

“Okay, tiger.” He smirks as he catches my arm mid swing. His grip is firm but not painful.

I retract the arm and hug myself again.

It's the stranger from the uphill mansion.

Without hesitation, he pulls his jacket and hands it to me while shifting his gaze away to give me some privacy.

“Here.” His voice, low.

“Thanks.” I grab the jacket and slide it on, covering my nearly naked body. His coat smells clean and woodsy.

“It's not safe out here, follow me.” He offers me his arm, and looks towards the car. I hesitate, furrowing my brow.

**Can I trust you?**

He glances at me, “you can stay here if you wi—”

A loud thud interrupts him. Jerking in fear, I take his hand. Another body.

He doesn't say a word, he just leads me quickly to the car parked in front the alley. I look behind me one last time and that is when I get a little bit of a view of him.

His eyes are still red, blood on his face, and…a scar?

**What the hell are you?**

“Get in Lena.”

I turn toward him.

The backdoor opens and I get in. He closes the door and enters the driver's seat. Without wasting any minute, he drives away. I try to calm my nerves down. My groceries, whatever shall I tell my stepmother? Fresh panic sets back in. She would never believe I got attacked.

“We are going to the store to do something about your groceries.” His voice cuts through the silence.

My face lights up but the worry doesn't leave. My stepmother will call me a slut—just as she refers to my late mom—if I came home with my clothes like this.

“We also need to get you a new set of clothes.”

I glance up and catch him staring at me through the rearview mirror. He smiles softly, then shifts his gaze to the road.

“Thanks.” I whisper, swallowing the lump in my throat.

“It's nothing really, I just don't want you taking my favourite coat home.” He grins widely.

I think it was his attempt at cheering me up, but my brain and body are so numb right now. The experience still leaves my body feeling tense, the fear hasn't left me. I just want a cold shower and the comfort of my bed.

A brief silence.

“I'm Shawn by the way.” He glances at me again via the mirror.

“Thanks a lot Shawn. For saving me…the second time.” I whisper, fighting the tears that sting the back of my eyes.

**How do you always know when I'm in trouble? Are you some sort of stalker? Or…A guardian angel of some sort?**

I part my lips to speak—

“There is something enigmatic about you, Lena.” His brows furrow, his eyes still stuck on the road, “I don't know why you have been involved in an accident and a near-devastating experience just in the space of 24 hours. You have made him lo—” He stops and grunts, his grip on the steering wheel tightens. His eyes still glue to the road.

** Him? Who's him?**

I look at the mirror, his expression has changed, worry lines no longer fill his forehead.

Questions linger in my head, but I know better than to ask him. I remember the events that occurred at the estate vividly. Shawn may be a nice guy but he still scares me. His mood is unpredictable.

We drive in silence the rest of the way.

We arrive at the shopping mall and he parks, turns in his seat to face me;

“What's your size?”

My brows knit together and I blink in confusion.

“I mean your clothing size.” He smirks.

I tell him and he walks out and enters the mall. Couple of minutes later he returns with a huge bag. The car opens and he gently gives me the bag—it is filled with clothes.

“I forgot your size so I bought all the various sizes within your range. Go ahead and try them on.” He leaves the car and stands outside, giving me privacy.

For someone who seems so wise, he sure has an awful memory. I force a smile and try on one of the clothes. It fits so perfectly.

I signal to him and he gets back in the car. He looks at me through the rearview mirror and grins.

“The cloth is lucky it's on you.” He smirks and faces the road again.

I tuck some hair behind my ear, forcing a soft smile; “Thanks.”

He nods. He drives to the grocery store, parks and gives me the money to buy the groceries which I did hurriedly. Once we are done, he drives me home, keeping some distance from my street to avoid prying eyes. I get out of the car and turn to face him.

“Thanks so much Shawn. And–”

I hesitate, debating if I should say it or not.

**say it**

“Please…thank him for me.” The words spill out from my lips.

A brief pause. He studies me.

“I will do just that.” He smiles; “now go before the universe plots something else again.” He shifts the car into reverse.

I chuckle, and start walking.

“Lena!!”

I turn to his car. His head peeks out of the driver's window.

“He will see you tomorrow.” He grins and retracts his head. I wave as he drives off.

**Why would we see tomorrow?** I raise a brow. I shake my head, and exhale loudly, I walk home with a quickened pace—I hope my stepmother isn't home yet.

Her car isn't parked outside. She's not back home yet. I exhale with relief.