Alarmed

Lei woke up the next day with a strange noise outside.

"these people is jobless to gossip this early"

she look at her phone,it was nearly 7 am. it was cold outside so she change into a sweater and jogging pants. she went out to buy breakfast.

"Hey Lei!"

Her neighbor called her out. she rolled her eyes before turning around,giving them a sweet smile.

"is the girl from your school hasn't return home yet?"

"huh?"

why would they asked her that?she's not even a school guard. moreover,she didn't care at all.

"it was said that she ran away with her boyfriend,but after investigation,it was declared she was missing."

"oh i didn't know about that"

"how can you not know?"

"as if you don't know Lei,she doesn't care about things around her"

so someone went missing?might be another love thingy. she wanted to escape them but questions kept coming.

"it has been 4 days"

"have you heard about the killer from the north?"

Her eyes shifted on them,suddenly becoming interested on the topic.

"what if it's his doing?"

Him?but how?he's from the north! and why would this people drag his name here?

"the girl was also 21. didn't his victim were all the same?"

Right!it might be him.

"that can't be,a girl just found dead on the north two days ago and this girl are missing for 4 days,he kidnapped them both?"

How would he do that?maybe it's not him. it's impossible to held a captive then travel all the way here to get another girl.

"Hey Lei,you're 21 as well right?be careful on the road,you might never know what could happen"

She's also 21,the thought made her shiver.

"nothing can beat Lei,she might be the one to skin that bastard to death"

they laugh at her neighbor's joke. she bade goodbye and walk down the alley to find a stall of foods. the street were quiet unlike her front house that was already invaded by her noisy neighbors. she walk slowly,appreciating the coldness and silence. it was not sunny,the sun hasn't up fully yet. she hummed her favorite song. Suddenly,she heard a footstep from behind. she turn around and found no one.

"What the F*ck"

She silently cursed. she continue walking this time,a little fast. she was already focused on the road. she heard faint steps following her. without turning around,she run. and she heard the footstep running too! she took the shortcut and turn right. she needs to go home. her neighbors were outside so she'll be safe there. there are so many turns in that part of the street,she got a little confuse. luckily, a mobile patrol was on standby not too far. she yelled for help.

"officer!"

she quickly got the attention of the cops. two cops were on the area and as soon as they saw Lei sweating and running,they immediately aided her.

"officer help me!someone's been following me! he chased me on that way!"

she pointed out the dark alley where she run from. The other cop immediately go to the alley to see if someone is there. He examine the whole area to seek evidence. the other stayed with Lei. He called a back up to help while he's calming her.

"I need to take you to the headquarters for some question. After that we'll drop you off your house,is that fine?"

she nodded,still shock from what happened. she clenched her fist and bite her lip,stopping herself from crying. it was the her first time being on that situation. She suddenly remember those girls from the news who got raped and survived. she can't imagine the trauma.

the mobile stop in front of the station. Lei was a bit out of herself that the officer had to open the door for her to move. she felt relief as soon as she saw the word POLICE on the entrance of the station.

"Lei?!i heard you were chased"

she recognized him as her neighbor's husband. Officer Rider was written on his name plate. concern was all over his face. Officer Rider lead her in an empty room and turn the lights on. Lei sit in one of the chairs on the table.

"you're so pale right now,how scared you might be"

she didn't response. not that she doesn't like to,she just can't formulate answers right away. her hands was ice cold and she trembles a bit remembering the sound of his footsteps.

"it's so dangerous for you to walk around alone in this hour"

Officer Rider gave her a cup of water. He sit across Lei. She look to him and he was already holding a pen and paper.

"I'll be the one to interogate you,have you seen his face?"

She shook her head.

"it was so dark in there,i only get to see his shadow when he chased me"

Officer Rider write something on the paper.

"tell me what you remember of him"

"he was wearing a black ballcap,a black sweater and pants. His built was huge. His Height,probably around 6'9 or something. that's all i could remember officer"

"it's fine,it's fine. He's tall. once he got you there's no way you can fight back. it's good that you found the patrol there"

Officer Rider excuse his self. probably has something to do with the paper. Lei was about to step out when he heard two officers talking about her incident.

"that guy who chased Rider's neighboor,it must be the guy from the north"

"eh?he might be in the city,but in our area?"

She was slightly shook. but she kept listening.

"her description perfectly fits him. people are alarmed now that they know he's here. 2 or 3 months more this could be a national security problem. that guy was so good at hiding,not even leaving traces behind"

"wait,that girl. how old is she?"

"21"

"oh my,then she might be the next target!"

"the girl who recently went missing in the city were the same age as her,and they both attend the same school."

"then this newly target must be protected!"

All throught out their conversation,Lei kept her thoughts in her head. she was frightened. she might be the next target. She now look calm but her insides are panicking,afraid that it could be true. so the northern killer really made it to the city?and her school mate,was it really him?