We Are No Longer Safe Here

"I don't know. I can't explain it. It's just a feeling," Helena said, her voice trembling.

Arthur's eyes narrowed as he scanned the parking lot. "Alright, let's get in the truck and get out of here. We'll be safe once we're back at your place."

Helena nodded, grateful for his reassurance. As they got in the truck, she continued looking around, her heart pounding.

"Do you know anyone who might be after you?" Arthur asked, his voice tight with worry.

Helena shook her head and lied, "No." She tried to put on a brave face and added, "I just wanna go home right now and rest to help me calm."

Arthur squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. "We'll get home safe. I promised," he said. Helena allowed herself to relax a little and genuinely smiled at him.

"Thank you! I don't know what to do without you," she said gratefully.

Helena's body had tightened with anxiety as she and Arthur drove to her beach house. Although he had whispered soothing words, urging her to stay calm, Helena couldn't shake the feeling of unease growing inside her, especially remembering the text message she got in the cafe.

Good enough that she hasn't seen the black Cadillac that has been following them in the town. But she knew inside her that Israel's parents won't stop now that they had found her.

As they arrived at the beach house, Helena breathed a sigh of relief. She felt her body relax as she stepped out of the truck and entered, with Arthur following closely behind.

Once inside, Helena went to the couch and sat, feeling exhausted. Arthur sat beside her and put his arm around her, pulling her close.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked softly.

Helena nodded, leaning into him. "Yeah, thanks to you."

Arthur smiled at her, his eyes softening. "I'll always be here for you, Helena. No matter what." Helena felt a warm sensation spread through her body.

"I'll get the grocery first," Arthur said, kissing her forehead.

She nodded at him. She stood up and took the initiative to ensure the windows were fully locked.

Once the groceries were inside and Arthur placed the dishwasher in the kitchen, he locked the door.

Helena poured them both a glass of chilled white wine before they sat in the living room, having pizza for dinner. Arthur manages to get them a pizza in the town before leaving. He estimated they would arrive late, and it would be tiring for them to cook dinner, especially since Helena was nervous about the feeling that someone was following them.

As they sat silently, Arthur's hand found its way to hers, and she felt him grip her tightly. It helped to ease the tension that had built up inside her. "Let's watch a movie?" Arthur asked. It might help you divert from the anxiety you're feeling."

"Sure." Helena felt grateful for Arthur's presence. She couldn't help but think about how lucky she was to have him. They continued to eat their pizza while watching a movie, enjoying each other's company.

Suddenly, the sound of shattering glass shattered the peace in the house. Both of them froze, looking at each other in panic.

"What was that?" Helena whispered, her heart thudding in her chest.

Arthur's grip on her hand tightened. "Stay here," he commanded, turned off the TV, and then got up from the couch.

Helena watched as Arthur approached the front door, his steps cautious. She could hear the sound of his footsteps on the hardwood floor as he walked to the door.

Suddenly, she heard a loud thud, followed by a string of curses on the window near Arthur. Helena's heart raced as she jumped up from the couch and ran towards Arthur.

"Arthur, are you okay?" she cried, her voice trembling.

Arthur turned towards her, a small cut on his forehead. "Yeah, I'm fine. But someone just threw a stone, and it hit me."

Helena's eyes widened. "Who could it be?"

Arthur shook his head and patted his forehead, which was bleeding. "I don't know. We need to find the stone," he said.

"We have to keep looking, then," Helena said, raising her hands and dropping them in frustration. "It's got to be here."

Arthur pulled a hand towel from the linen closet, pressed it against his forehead, and blood dripped onto the floor.

"I got it," Helena said as she retrieved a big stone with white paper covering it.

"There must be a message," Arthur said, furrowing his brows. His face was pale and sweaty.

Helena looked worried but focused. "Yeah, but first, let me attend to your wound."

"Baby, it's nothing, just a small cut," she said quickly, trying to keep her voice steady and strong. "Just check the message first."

She shrugged, uncovered the stone from the paper, and read: WE ARE WATCHING YOU! Her hands were trembling as she handed over the note to Arthur.

"Baby, we're no longer safe here," he peeked into the window where the stone hit. He checked if there was a trace of people outside, but there were none. "There's no one here. Maybe they left the car from here, so we couldn't hear them coming earlier."

"You're probably right. Arthur, what do we do now?"

"Let's leave before the break of dawn," he said, pressing back at his forehead that keeps bleeding.

"Where are we hiding?"

"To the campsite. I'm sure no one visited the place except the two of us. We will be safe there, and I'll make some traps in case they find the place."

"Well, that sounds like a great plan for me. Arthur, I trust you," she said and hugged him tightly. "But first, let me attend to your wounds."

Helena didn't wait for Arthur to answer; she took a washcloth off the countertop and wet it in the sink. She wrung out the excess water before dabbing at the blood on his face. The cut started to close up as soon as she touched it, leaving only a thin line of dried blood behind.

As Helena tended to Arthur's wound, her mind raced with the possibilities of what the evil men had planned for them. Once she had finished cleaning his wound, Arthur quickly got up.

"Baby, pack everything you need, including the things for your writing and painting, whatever essentials for your daily routine. We have to pack everything now, and I'll get them in the car at 3 in the morning before leaving for the campsite."

Helena could see the determination in his eyes and knew that he would do whatever it took to keep them safe. "I will."

She followed and went to her room and started packing her clothes, laptop, canvas, and everything she needed for painting. After Arthur finished packing their monthly food supply, he went to his room and packed his things.

"Baby, you can sleep, and I'll watch you. At 3 in the morning, I'll wake you up so we can get to the campsite early," Arthur said as he entered Helena's room.

"How about you?" Helena asked worriedly.

"Don't worry about me; I can go on a night not sleeping a minute."

"No. Baby, that's not fair," she said. "I can't let you do that. You need your sleep, and I need you to sleep with me. Besides, I don't think I can sleep after what happened."

He sighed, his voice softening as he cupped her chin. "What about if I sing for you? Maybe it will help you relax enough to fall asleep."

"You'd do that? Sing for me until I fall asleep?" She asked skeptically, her heart fluttering at the thought of him doing something so sweet to help her.

"I mean, it's not like I'm a professional or anything," he shrugged with an embarrassed smile. "But maybe my singing can help ease you into slumber."

Her lips perched into a small smile, and she shook her head. "You're always so sweet to me. What would I do without you?"

Arthur leaned in to kiss her forehead. "You don't have to find out," he whispered, his voice tender. "Now, let's lay in your bed."