3 Chapter 3

[Hide or Run?]

Without a moment to lose William decides to hide. He vaults high up to the nearest oak tree and makes his presence scarce. He watches, full of concentration, as the two men get closer and closer.

50... 40…30...10... 5... 4... 3... 1 meter away

He holds his breath. With intense focus, William waits for the two men to pass him by.

Running ahead of Richard for a few good meters away, Nickolas is able to take in his surrounding. Coincidentally, a faint glint from William's windbreaker's zipper catches his attention making him glance up briefly.

With that quick glance, William couldn't help but bite his lower lip and clench his fist. [Did he see me?] Willaim watches Nickolas closely to see any signs that he did.

Nickolas's shoulder gets grazed this time by Richard's shot, so he makes a gamble. He fakes a stumble just before Richard could reach the tree where William is hiding. Then Nickolas screams for help while looking at what he thinks to be a person's barely visible silhouette.

"This motherf*cker," whispers William as immediately jumps down to avoid being shot by Richard. As soon as he lands he swiftly kicks away Richard's gun out of his hands.

"Wha-" before Richard could even finish what he is about to say, William whacks him in the head with a fallen branch nearby making him unconscious. Then, he throws the branch far away with such force as if it was a disgusting thing.

William picks up the gun and tosses it to Nickolas who's just been standing there. Just watching the whole ordeal not even bothering to follow up his fake stumbling act. William puts his trembling hands in his jean's pocket. He didn't even bother to look at Nickolas as he starts walking away.

"Hey! You're just gonna leave me here helpless?" Nickolas calls after William. William briefly stops and angrily glares at Nickolas.

"Helpless? You got his goddamn gun, don't you? Use it." after saying his piece William once again vaults to one of the branches. Without looking back, William annoyed jumps from one tree branch to another so fast that only the delayed sound of creaking branches is heard. Leaving Nickolas alone as soon as possible.

Nickolas could only catch a quick glimpse of his rescuer's mysterious obsidian eyes. It can't be helped that he could barely see any distinguishing features since the moonlight can barely pass through the thick canopies to illuminate the place. After giving Richard, who's still unconscious, two hard kicks on the head, Nickolas smirks and thinks about having such incredible luck as always.

[Well, I'm really am quite a lucky bastard after all, heh.] Hearing running footsteps towards him, Nickolas promptly makes his escape from the woodlands while humming to himself and twirling the gun in his hands.

William eventually reaches his other part-time with ease. Unfortunately, one of his coworkers coincidentally sees him walking away from the electric fence bordering the woodlands.

"What were you doing there?" William's coworker asks harshly as he points at the electric fence.

"Um you see, I thought I heard someone calling for help, only to realize that the noise is beyond the fence." William apologetically answers while making his way to the site for work.

"Better mind your own business. It's nosy goody-two-shoes like you that get in trouble when you stick your nose into things you aren't supposed to. Besides, that place is off-limits for a REASON."

[I could've used that advice a while ago,] Williams thinks to himself.

"Okay. I'll stay far away from it then. Thanks for the advice." William politely answers to pacify his coworker's suspicious gaze at him.

"Hmpf."

After that incident, the rest of his work hours pass smoothly and William even got a bonus for finishing his tasks quickly. He thanks his boss and bid farewell to his coworkers and plans out what to do with his salaries. He's in a good mood knowing he can finally pay off some bills and have leftover cash to buy some pudding.

As William is making his way home, passing through the same street as yesterday. He shivers hoping he won't meet those troublesome gangsters again. In his state right now, he might not be able to restrain himself and let himself loose with great violence. He sighs. Having a boost of strength, speed and stamina are all good but being a mad man prone to violence is quite a catch to pay when it comes to unwanted transformation.

Speaking of transformation, William remembers the awful stench from his clothes this morning. He already feels nauseous just thinking about the smell. He desperately needs to wash his clothes near a laundromat, which costs money.

"There goes my pudding money," William murmurs as he sighs.

Thankfully, he didn't meet any unexpected delays on his way home and he is even able to buy some groceries. Just before entering his apartment, just like yesterday night, he sees the lady next and so greets the neighbor again only to find her gaze unnerving. She didn't even give him a nod or even a greeting. She just stands there and stares at him with a frown.

"Have a good evening," William politely bids her and quickly enters his apartment. "Weird." William then flicks the light switch on but nothing happens, he only then remembers that his lights were cut off yesterday. Again, William sighs for what seems like dozen or more times already today.

William then puts his groceries away, which wasn't much, two bundles of bananas, a cartoon of milk, dozen of eggs, two boxes of cereals, three cans of pork and beans, and a box of trash bags. After putting away his groceries, his ears suddenly pick up some murmurs. At first, it is faint but as his ears get more attuned, he can clearly hear the neighboring lady talking about him.

"George, I think my neighbor is dangerous. No, I'm not talking nonsense! Of course not! I'm not high stupid! What?! Shut up! I told you I'm not being hysteric sheesh! "

William hears his neighbor slams her phone but then it seems she picks it soon enough since she begins to talk again.

"Look what you made me do! Fine, Good. Back to what I was saying, I really think the guy next door is dangerous and weird. I mean yesterday he comes home reeking like shit and all broken and bruised,then, then, the next morning he comes out all healed up like nothing happen! You know like one of those shapeshifters! What?! of course not! WHAT? you think I'm making this all up? F*ck you. Whatever bye!"

William hears his neighbor cursing and yelling for a bit then it quiets down again. Recalling her saying 'shapeshifters', William couldn't help but take deep breaths to stop his shaking body and rub his arms for warmth.

[Should I move? There's that thing that happened in the woods as well...]

Standing in the middle of the dark and cold kitchen, William keeps pondering whether to move out soon or wait just a little more to earn some cash. But before he could even make a decision, he hears a knock on his door. William shaken out from his thoughts quickly make his way to the door and opens it while asking who's there and sees...

A clean-shaven, platinum blond-hair man who's almost two meters tall, wearing a classy suit with some tear in the shoulder, and stares boldly at him with his amber eyes. Nickolas, the exact same man he saved in the woodlands.

Seeing him, William almost slams the door shut on Nickolas's face but he on the other hand is quick enough to forcefully open the door up.

"Hi there savior~"

"I don't know you, so please get lost."

"Pfft, I'm quite sure we're well acquainted, William."

Hearing his name from this stranger, William's instinct is to kill him there and then, but he is able to restrain it with all his might making his back be soaked with cold sweat. Willaim with hostile eyes stares at Nickolas.

"I. Don't. Know. You."

"Ah~ Where are my manners, I am Nickolas Von Dives," Nickolas introduces himself as he mocks a bow. He then provokingly smiles at William as if his name says it all.

Nickolas Von Dives, one of the most notorious tycoons in district A. It is said that he is able to become a self-made billionaire because of his immense intel network and wide range of manufacturing businesses. He is also known for his sick hobbies of kidnapping child shapeshifters.

Before he could stop himself, William's fist is already centimeters away from hitting Nickolas's face. Fortunately, he's still time to avert it, making him hit the post next to Nickolas instead.

*Bam!*

Rather than getting scared, Nickolas's grin only got wider as he looks at the deep dent in the post made by William's hit. He even let out a whistle. Hearing the ruckus, William's neighbors shout to keep it down.

William disturbed by his impulse, tries to calm himself by closing his eyes for a moment. He then reluctantly lets Nickolas in. Nickolas then heads straight for the sofa and sits. He then smiles at William.

"What do you want?" William asks coldly staring at Nickolas.

"Is it too much to say that I came here to say thank you?"

William couldn't help but snort at that comment, "Right. That's almost as believable as pigs sprouting wings to fly."

Nickolas chuckles, "Good to know my savior has good humor as well."

"What. Do. You. Want." William emphasizes his words while watching Nickolas closely.

"Fine, straight to the point. Another good trait to have~ Well, I want you to be my personal and exclusive bodyguard."

"No."

"Don't be so quick to disagree now Willy. You see I'm quite a catch myself if I say so myself."

"Stop your nonsense." William glares.

"Oh, I'm sure knowing that you're one of those shapeshifters is one of my nonsense then." Nickolas clearly sees William stiffen and clenches his fists, exactly the thing he wanted to happen. His calculative smiles at William and adds,

"You see Willy, if you become my bodyguard, you'll be able to hide the fact that you're a shapeshifter more securely with me backing you up. Besides working for me will be easy and fun."

"Right. Being shot at is fun."

"My, your humor really is quite nice. No wonder you're so unique. And being unique is the best trait of yours."

"So, you mean to say is that you need/want me 'cause I'm unique?"

Nicholas arrogantly looks at William up and down. Seeing William's honey oval furious face and glistening obsidian staring at him, Nickolas couldn't help but stare back with a teasing temperament.

"Yes, you certainly look *interesting*," and smirks.

William glares at him. If it weren't for the fact that this man happens to know his secret, he would've long ignored him. He is able to stay hidden for so long by living out his life like a normal person so how the hell did he attract this pompous person's unwanted attention. He really regrets unknowingly getting involved with this person.

"I can help you," Nickolas looks around William's barely furnished apartment and adds, "as a matter of fact, I can even make your life easier if you agree to my request."

"Help me how? by sitting pretty and spend money?"

"Of course," Nickolas answers smugly.

William shakes his head and with false politeness opens the door, "I apologize *good* sir, but your offer is too good for a *humble* person like me. Do try asking someone else,"

William then gestures to Nickolas to get out. Nickolas then stares at William for a long while then smiles, gets up, and walks towards the door near William. Before he exits, his back facing William, says arrogantly "I'll be back again, because this *good* sir is patient enough to wait for you to agree. And I know you will," he then turns to face William and whispers "*humble* Mr. Shapeshifter" in his ears. William's hands faintly tremble but he still meets Nickolas's gaze steadily, smiles, and answers "Goodbye." He then slams the door in Nickola's face.

Even with the door almost hitting his nose, Nickolas bursts out laughing. "You're quite charming, William." He then leaves in a good mood.

William's hearing the laughter sighs and walks towards the kitchen trying to ignore what just happen. It wasn't easy getting to the point where he is now. All those years struggling just to survive, all alone.

William clenches his fist. "Never again will I let myself suffer. Even if that means being heartless."