Through no fault of ours

Chapter One

“DON’T DO IT. Don’t do it”

Hope turned on her side, a short whimper escaping her throat as she buried herself in her blanket. She hugged her knees to her chest, her breathing harsh and her eyes shut tight as she moved her head uncomfortably on her pillow. Beads of sweat scattered across her forehead, her sheets and pillow soaked, leaving her shivering from the cold and in fear.

“Please…” _the voice continued_ “Help me”

She let out a small cry through her throat, shaking her head vehemently and clutched unto her blanket.

She struggled to open her eyes, to escape the grasp her dreaded nightmare had on her, but to no avail. She could only let out strangled whimpers and sobs. She was in a lot of pain. She felt like her whole body had been torn apart, yet she couldn’t scream even if she tried.

“Help me, Hope” _the voice sobbed_ “I can’t feel anything…”

There it was again; the voice Hope had begun to fear. At first, she thought she was just hearing things and eventually, it would go away, but it never did. Night after night, it would haunt her like a ghost and leave her in heart wrenching pain.

The way it talked scared Hope no more than the words it said. It sounded like it couldn’t breathe and every word it said contained thousands of emotions that Hope couldn’t even begin to comprehend.

The deafening sound of siren’s blared through the air and echoed painfully in her ears. She could hear the distant mumbles of strangers but couldn’t, for the life of her see them. As the sirens blasted through and the murmurs continued, slowly, they began to subside till all she heard were the gentle sounds of wind blowing against trees. Just then, she heard a voice yell;

**“HOPE!”.**

She awoke with a loud gasp and her heart dropped all the way to her back. Her eyes widened in horror as she stared at the silhouette of a girl floating above her. Her breathing grew even harsher as she wrestled to part her lips. *Just a scream!* She pleaded. What would a scream do? She had no idea, but she didn’t care.

“Don’t...do it…”, The silhouette repeated wheezily. Hope, stricken with fear, started to struggle.

“It’s ….a trap”

The girl’s hair was soaked in thick liquid Hope suspected to be blood and it dripped unto her face as she tried to wriggle her way out of the bed. The silhouette slowly reached for Hope’s face and Hope attempted to scream, but nothing came out. *Don’t touch me! Please don’t touch me!* She cried out internally.

It’s hands were a mere centimeters from her face. Desperate to escape the situation, she mustered up whatever strength she had left and turned on her side, falling off her bed. She remained on the floor, her arms over her head as a shield and her heart beating against her chest. She slowly looked up and when she saw nothing there, she hugged up her knees and broke into a sob.

QUINN CAFÉ sat in the middle of town, right after Spoon’s street. The glass windows in-built around the building covered half the walls, making it easy for passerby’s to get a glimpse of it’s enticing furniture.

The café was spacious, it’s chairs and tables spread across, leaving enough room for the employees to walk about and serve customers with ease. It had a kitchen where most of the delicacies served were whipped up and put in a huge display glass right on top of the large counter.

The coffee machine and blender sat on the right side of the counter, with a large display freezer on the left. Right beside the kitchen settled Hope’s office with a sign reading 'Manager'.

It was a few minutes past seven when Hope arrived at work. Due to the café being in the middle of town and a fair distance from her apartment, she’d wake up really early in order to arrive as early as possible. As the manager, it was her job to arrive at least an hour before the first shift and she used that time to clean the place. She swept the café, wiped the tables, chairs, coffee machine, blenders and the counter.

As she made her way to her office, the door opened and the café was greeted with it’s owner; Ms. Naomi. She was a tall, beautiful and suave woman in her early 40’s who owned over three business establishments in town. She was a busy woman, but was never too busy to visit the mall.

Ms. Naomi never repeated clothes. At least that was what Hope believed. The woman rarely dropped by, but when she did, she was always in new clothes, all of latest designs and trends. Despite looking like a complete diva, Hope saw Ms. Naomi as an amicable and kind hearted woman.

“Good morning, Ms. Naomi”, she greeted.

“Morning dear. Be a good girl and get me a coffee to go. Black with one sugar”

“Yes ma’am”. Ms. Naomi glanced around, as if inspecting the room.

“Anything wrong, ma’am?”, Hope queried when she noticed.

“There’s so much room, it’s beginning to look a little too empty”. Ms. Naomi pointed out. “How long has it been since we redecorated?”

Hope gave a small smile. “Almost a year now,” she replied and watched as the woman scanned the room. She poured the coffee in a mug and placed it before her.

“Order new sofas and place them at the end of the room. It’ll be good for couples to have a nice and relaxing afternoon meal”

“Yes, ma’am”

Taking one last glance around, Ms. Naomi gave a curt nod and sipped the coffee. She let out a small sigh and shot Hope a content smile. “As usual, your coffee made my day”

“And as usual, I’m glad it did”, Hope smiled.

“Make me a lot of money today”, Ms. Naomi said and took her leave. Hope took in a deep breath, exhaled and got back to work.

THE café was busiest during the day time. A lot of people stopped by before work to grab a cup of coffee or a quick bite to eat, and in the afternoons, customers were mostly college students. Sometimes, Hope would stare, wondering what it felt like to be in their shoes.

The thought of school didn’t particularly excite her, but she did like the idea of having a school life. If things had gone differently, she’d be in college hanging out with friends after school, studying for exams, having sleepovers with lots of pillow fights. Well, that was her idea of college.

*At least I wouldn’t wake up to an empty room after a long night of terror*. She mused.

As her eyes scanned the room, she noticed two people seated at a table.

*College students?*. They looked her age. She watched as they conversed with such familiarity, their eyes sharing a glint of infatuation and she unconsciously smiled. A smile that faded as quickly as it came. Sighing, she decided to cut short her inspection on the employees and retreat to her office. She felt a little too distracted around the customers.

“I’ll just distract my distractions with work” _she forced a smile_ “can’t be that hard, right?”. She was used to overworking. At least that was what kept her sane. There was a knock on the door and Louis; the barista entered.

“There’s someone here to see you”, Louis informed and Hope rose a brow.

“Me?”

“Yeah”

“They must be mistaken”

“I don’t think so. He knew your name and gave a pretty detailed description of what you look like,” Explained Louis.

Hope stared at her for some time, trying to recall the possibility of having made a friend.

“I'll be right out, then”, she dismissed and Louis shot her a small smile before leaving. She took a minute to go over her thoughts and sighed when she couldn’t come up with a single encounter.

“Do I have a twin somewhere?”, she whispered and left her office.

She walked up to Louis who informed her that her visitor was waiting outside. She looked out and noticed a boy with dark hair standing; his hands shoved into his pockets and his broad shoulders tensed. She exited the café and he turned with a whirl and an astonished expression.

He wasn’t at all what she expected. Hell, she had no idea what she was expecting. But he was beautiful. *I definitely do not know him*. She told herself as she ogled him from head to toe.

“Do I know you?,” she managed to say after scolding herself internally and tears ran down the stranger’s cheeks. “Why are you-- are you okay?” she rushed out and he quickly turned away with a nod. He cleared his throat and turned to her, a bright smile on his face.

“I’m good”, he replied. Hope stared at him still confused, but nodded in return.

“How do you know me?”, she drilled.

He peered at Hope, ignoring her question.

“Excuse me,” she sighed, “You’ve got the wrong person. I think it’s best you leave now”, she turned to leave and the boy unwittingly grabbed a hold of her. Hope let out a gasp and swiftly withdrew her hand. She took a few steps back; her breathing harsh and her heart threatening to explode.

“I’m sorry,” He rushed out. “I forgot”

“What do you want?”, Hope fretted.

“It’s nothing. I just-“, he paused, his gaze fixed on her and she saw a glint of emotions she couldn’t understand in his eyes.

“I’m Isaac”, he said. Hope stood there; a few feet away from the strange boy who’s eyes seemed to hold a deep feeling of familiarity. *Why does he look at me like that?* She asked herself. For some reason it scared her.

“I think you should leave”, she instructed, and without giving him a second glance, entered the café. Isaac’s shoulders slacked and he stared at Hope through the glass door till she was out of sight.

“It’s really her”, he half whispered.

BY 9pm, the café closed and as usual, everyone else left but Hope. Technically, it was her job to stay behind. Not that she complained. she spent that time working or trying her best to keep herself busy. She was afraid of going home and falling asleep from exhaustion because she knew it wasn’t going to be a good night’s rest.

She stared at her table and looked around her office, desperately looking to find something to spend an hour or two on. Anything. She sighed when her effort proved in vain and decided to call it a day. She packed her things, switched off the lights and locked up.

“Hi”, the deep voice spoke behind her and she jerked back with a scream. The moment she caught sight of the young man she met earlier, she breathed out shakily.

“You’re just the guy from earlier”, she sighed and leaned against the wall for support. Her legs felt weak and she couldn’t feel her chest. *What the hell is he doing here? Wait...don’t tell me he’s a stalker!?*

“Isaac” _he corrected_ “and I’m sorry if I scared you”.

“What the hell are you doing? Have you been out here?”

“Yes. I was waiting for you”

Hope stared at him confused and pressed her lips together. “Why?”

“I want to walk you home”

She let out a sigh and looked up at him. “Isaac, was it?”

“Yes?”

“Are you bored?”.

Isaac rose a brow.“What?”

“Are you bored?”, Hope repeated with her hands on her hips. He broke into a smile and shrugged.

“I’m not. I just have a feeling that you might be without me”

Hope snickered and Isaac just stood there, the corners of his mouth turned up as he watched her, almost in awe.

“I’ll give it to ya” _ she shrugged_ “you’re funny”

“I hear that a lot”. He shrugged in return. Hope stared at him, trying to figure out what went on in his mind. But all she could see was the familiar shine in his eyes and a smile that could melt a person’s heart.

“What is that smile for?”, she questioned. It was strange. A stranger who claimed he knew her stood before her late at night and she didn’t mind it as much. She wasn't particularly scared.

“My smile?”, he repeated and she gave a nod.

“Nothing, It’s just..,” he trailed off and for a second his smile faded. “it’s just a smile”. Hope stared blankly at him.

*He’s too weird.*

“Okay then, Isaac” _she pulled away from the wall_ “I’ll be heading home. Goodbye”

“Wait, what?”. He quickly followed after her.

“I’m going home”, she repeated. “You don’t have to walk me home”, Hope stated and he shook his head.

“I want to”. He persisted.

“That’s not how it works. You don’t just show up and insist on walking a girl home. Don’t you have something better to do?”

“Not really. I enjoy spending time with you”

*Confirmed. He’s crazy.*

“C'mon,” she chuckled. “With looks that impossible, your flirting should match”

“I apologize for the rusty lines. I’m not used to talking. I just smile and girls follow,” he boasted.

“Does that mean I’m immune to your charms?”

“No. It just takes a little more time with you”

“Ah. Confident, are we?”, she chuckled and earned a grin from him.

She noticed the distance he kept between them, as if afraid to scare her away. Silence drafted over them, the sounds of distant cars driving by and crickets chirping.

“You’re serious about walking me home, aren’t you?”, Hope asked, breaking the silence after a few minutes had passed by.

“Glad you caught on”, Isaac affirmed.

There was a loud bang to their right, startling both of them. Hope, unconsciously, stepped behind Isaac who peered curiously into the dark alley. They both heard a 'meow' and a cat emerged from the darkness, it’s fur covered in dirt.

“It’s a cat”, Isaac said and Hope quickly stepped out from behind him. “He’s a cute little guy, isn’t he?”

She watched the cat purr as Isaac petted it’s head. She squatted beside him and slowly reached for it’s neck. Her lips tugged upwards as she felt it’s soft fur tickle her hands. It lay on it’s side, stretching it’s tiny little paws and trying to get a hold of her fingers. “He’s really cute”, she agreed.

“Is it a stray?”, she asked and looked around.

“Maybe. He’s a little too comfortable around us though. Probably he got abandoned”. Hope's smile faded and she withdrew her hand, staring at it with sympathy. “Who would abandon such a cutie?”

It let out a small meow towards the direction of the alley and dashed into the darkness, leaving Hope to her thoughts. She stood up with a sigh and continued down the road.

“Are you okay?”, Isaac asked, having noticed she was down. “Did you want to adopt the kitty?”

“I can barely take care of myself. Let alone a kitten”, she chuckled and her smile quickly turned to a frown. Isaac watched her, the silence drifting by again.

“Wonna talk about it?”, he questioned.

“Talk about what?”

“The reason you haven’t fallen victim to my charms”

“Is that supposed to make me laugh?”, she smiled with an eye roll. “It’s not funny”

“But you’re smiling,” he shrugged and she shot him a playful glare.

“Ah. She finally smiled”, he teased.

“How on earth do you know me, Isaac? I’m pretty sure a character like yours wouldn’t be so easily forgotten”. Isaac tensed up, as if hitting realization.

“Uh…”, he trailed off and Hope’s head snapped towards him.

“Uh?!”, she exclaimed.

“Well, you see—“

“You started with 'uh'?!” _she gasped_ “Are you really a stalker?!”

“What? No! I meant—”

“You’re unbelievable”, she burst out laughing and clutched unto her stomach.

Isaac stared at her, searching for ways to correct her misunderstanding and ended up watching her laugh her heart out. *Without even trying….I managed to make her laugh.* He told himself as a wide smile spread across his face. *That’s a relief.*

“It’s not funny”, he argued. Hope ignored him, laughing even harder at his childish pout. *He looks too adorable!* She thought to herself as she struggled to catch her breath. It was the first time in a while that she laughed so hard with someone next to her.

“You finished?”, he muttered, feigning annoyance and she nodded with a wide grin on her face. He looked away with a smile.

“This is where we’ll part”. Hope announced when they entered Jim street and Isaac looked around.

“This isn’t your apartment”, he pointed out.

“It isn’t,” she agreed. “It’s strange enough that you waited outside the café and insisted on walking me home”. He rose a brow and Hope breathed out a laugh.

“As much as I enjoyed your company, I just met you today. Ergo, I can’t let you know where I stay”. He laughed, earning a confused look from her.

“Is that funny?”, she grinned and folded her arms.

“Sorry,” he apologized, “It’s nothing”.

Hope stared at him for what felt like the hundredth time that day and shook her head in amusement.

“Goodbye, Isaac”. She said, noticing the slight frown on his face. Choosing to ignore it, she turned on her heels. *After all, this will be the last time we meet.* She thought and waved him off with a smile.

Isaac watched as she got further and took a few steps forward.

“Hope!” he called out to her.

**"HOPE!"** . A familiar voice echoed in Hope’s head. Her vision blurred and she turned around with a stagger, her heart throbbing against her chest. She struggled to catch her breath and for a second, she swore she could hear sirens in a distance. She focused on the young man standing ten feet away, his hands shoved in his pockets as the street lights cast a shadowy glow on him.

“Can we be friends?!”, He asked.

She felt her world stop spinning and within seconds, the familiar voice disappeared along with the pain. She placed her hand on her chest and looked up at Isaac who stood there, awaiting her reply.

“Are you being serious?”, she asked and he nodded. She crossed her arms and unconsciously smiled. “You won’t get anything out of my friendship”

“I beg to differ”

“I don’t even know you”

“You know my name”

Hope breathed out a laugh and started at him with disbelief. “You are strange. You know that right?”, she asked with a wide grin on her face and Isaac grinned back.

“I wear it with pride. It’s part of my charm”. This earned him a chuckle from Hope. At that moment, she didn’t bother questioning the young man’s motive. It was strange how they came to meet, but what she found even stranger was the fact that she wanted them to meet again.

“Oh what the hell,” she sighed, “Sure”. With that, she waved and started off, leaving Isaac with a big smile on his face.

BEHIND an old and abandoned truck; parked right in front of an empty house inside peach street, stood a man in a black hat and clothes that looked like they were pulled straight out of a 90’s movie. On one hand, he held his tobacco pipe, and on the other; a golden coin which he tossed high into the air as he strolled.

“Heads or tail,” he whispered and just then, it landed on his palm showing ‘Heads’. He gave a half smile and clutched it in his hands before putting the pipe in his mouth and breathing out smoke.

“You foolish boy”, he sighed and vanished into thin air.