Chapter 1

Watching the darkness of the night slowly taking over the now empty road as the street light was no more in my vision.

I felt the coldness of it. The torrential rain keeps dribbling harsh and heavy by the time. It was late and the road was almost empty by now. If not for a few cars drive here and there.

Maybe then I would be the only one to drive this late at night.

" One hour to your destination " the sound of the computerized female voice from the GPS erupt rendering me sigh for the thousandth time.

Do I have to know the way to my own house where I keep living for the past seven years?

" How absurd " I utter blaming an unknown soul. Why did I even turn on the GPS guide?

For safety majors? Guess I might have accidentally turned it on while intervening inside the car or I forget the way to my house, doubtful if that ever happens or so.

The biting cold was making the hair on my nape raise. Even though my body seemed so affected by it. Inside I might not perceive anything.

You need to be home on Friday. The message from my mother early this morning keeps ensuing in my mind.

Friday. Maybe the family meeting. It's quite lame, they keep naming it as family hours when they just have to point out the mistakes I did the whole year or that I was never a good daughter and make money, unlike my two brothers. Stephen and Alexander.

I wasn't in the mood to ruin my already sour mind. I had to work late at night checking the papers before signing some documents and I was too emerged that I didn't notice it was past two in the night.

It was the beginning of my company. And to call it was getting my all sense beneath the surface. I have to work on every project with full concentration. Any problem and I knew it won't be the second time.

My brows knitted together focusing on the now dense road which was covered in the heavy downpour, the rain wearisome for my narrowed gaze to guess the right way I keep turning.

The darkness evaded throughout the way I kept driving and perhaps a question slowly invaded my mind. Did I take the correct route? My question was quickly answered when an unfamiliar playground fall into my sight. The headlight of my cars was visibly helpful to discern somehow.

" Great. what else could go wrong by now " I stammered through the cold weather gazing at my rearview mirror to take a turn before I get lost in the maze of this unknown location.

But it seemed like everything vowed to not let me go home this soon. The path was too narrow for me to make a U-turn.

My hands clenched around the leather of my steering wheel. Nails almost stab the dark pelt with the growing displeasure inside me.

" Does it have to rain this heavy?! " my temper was slowly losing, the frustration and irritation for being out this long were already making my head ache and now this unknown place.

Shifting my gaze toward the GPS to show my location in an unknown area I had never been in made me scowl.

Why was it taking so long to reach home? I felt the annoyance burning inside me glancing a peek in the direction of my GPS screen which showed the path I was no longer associated with.

" Damn it " The low condemnation came out with desperation to be out of this place. I was tired and wanted to rest.

Pulling the car to a halt on the side of the concrete. I leaned against the headboard of my seat. Staring at the heavy rain hitting the ground. The rain didn't seem to stop at any moment.

My eyes automatically closed feeling the desire to sleep off the tiredness. The sound of the drizzling rain makes it a calming tune. The headlight of my car turned off as I felt no strength to drive home and just here if it's possible.

Life seemed tiresome. And I didn't want to accept that it was bothering me to the core. I felt lonely and it was getting hard every passing second of my life.

The frown on my complexion would be evident with my dark visions. A sudden loud screech of the car roared. And my eyes snapped open.

The bright light emitting in the darkness before vanishing somewhere made me grunt with bitterness. Can't people just ride conventional in this storm?

" My head keeps throbbing like hell " rubbing the side of the temple wasn't helping much and I decide to go in that direction. Hotels or any stay-over will do good by now.

Starting the contraption of the car before it starts and the light turns on. I sigh before shifting my gaze at the unknown road. " Just have to find a hotel "

Surpassing the increase in thoughts of not so fortunate made me blow out a whiff of distress. Slowly the dark road seemed to be provided with some lights coming out from the houses nearby. The dim light fought to last longer.

Then suddenly a figure standing in a near-closed shop hiding from the sleet of hefty water in the darkness made me scowl. It wasn't how he never move that made me curious but it was the blood which keep gouging his body that made me hitched.

The person didn't look like a grown-up man but show how the way his built was crouched down as if his whole physique was in pain made me halt the car a few feet away.

" Don't bother me " the whisper of his cracked voice sensing my presence made me stare at him with an unfazed look. " How did you get all this wound? "

My gaze never leaves his bloody mess. His long hair almost covered his eyes revealing the part of his cheeks and busted lips with blood.

" Who are you? why do you keep asking me questions as if you know me? " he stammered. His head hung low. While the small glimpse of his hand in the dim light showed how his clothes were all soaking wet.

" Come with me " my voice left with a stern command and the way his gaze lifted to meet mine. I saw the dead orbs of his darkened gaze staring at me with pure discontent.