27. Who is he?

Tristan rubbed his eyes, looking over the items on display, turning each to face the right direction. The lights above him flickered. He leaned on one of the shelves, glancing into one of many cameras this convenience store had to offer.

Their father didn't care to return, or perhaps he finally understood the gravity of his actions in a moment of soberness. Regardless, in his absence, Tristan had to find an income.

The door slid open, letting in a chilly breeze.

Tristan's eyes stretched wide as Anne entered the quiet store. The lamps outside illuminated the street in warm yellowish cones, leaving patches of darkness in between.

"Anne," Tristan said, his voice a mixture of surprise and worry. "What are you doing here?" 

Anne smiled. "I figured you could use some company. It's been a while since we've had a proper conversation."

Tristan nodded, trying to hide the tiredness in his eyes. "Yeah, it has. But you shouldn't walk alone so late at night."

She shrugged, moving closer to the counter. "Nothing more important than checking up on my brother. Plus, I brought coffee."

Anne couldn't stand being alone, left in the house made of the same bricks prison could be. She was selfish, secretly praying for their father to abandon them and never return, even if it meant her brother's health would suffer.

She ignored the dark bags under his eyes when she handed him a steaming cup.

Tristan's face softened, and he couldn't help but smile. "You always know what I need."

The warmth spread through his fingers. They stood there in a comfortable silence, the quiet hum of the store's refrigerator filling the background. Anne brought him a latte. 

'She's observant.' 

Kristina found herself attached to Anne. The duty of keeping Tristan's sister safe changed into genuine care. Slowly, Kristina grew fond of her life in Tristan's body.

The cup turned cold in his hands. He drank the last sip before sending Anne home reluctantly.

"Be careful, text me when you get home, and-" Tristan's eyes darted back and forth between Anne and the darkness outside.

"Of course, mom," Anne giggled. 

Tristan sighed. "This is not a safe neighborhood. I'm worried, that's all."

She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, alright? It's not like someone's gonna snatch me. And if it ever came to that, I'm quite strong." 

Tristan watched her leave, the door sliding shut behind her. 

Her eyes darkened. She was unable to overpower her father when he forced himself on her. Anne folded her arms around her torso and stuck to the well-lit sidewalk ahead as she walked past a dark alley. She never stood a chance against any man. 

Behind her, a shadowy figure peeled its back off the cold wall. 

A set of footsteps followed her.

Her ears quickly picked up on the strange noise.

'Is someone following me?'

Anne wasn't foolish enough to show her possible stalker the way to their house. She had to confirm her suspicion first. She picked up her pace, careful not to walk too fast. The last thing she wished to do was give the person behind her the feeling of being the one in power. 

'Don't run, don't run,' she repeated in her mind.

They enjoy the idea of hunting, the rush from catching their victims like prey.

Anne turned left. The steps followed, echoing in sync with hers. She squeezed her hand in a fist, taking another sudden turn. She crossed the road, her feet betraying her as she almost broke into a sprint.

'Calm down, damm it.'

A deep breath should calm her raging mind. Unfortunately, it did not. A branch cracked a few feet behind her. Her fingertips trembled as she squeezed her arm, feeling her heartbeat. Resisting the urge to turn around, Anne crossed the road again. A harsh white light prickled her eyes, blinding her momentarily. A loud honk followed as she fell on the other side of the road, back on the sidewalk. The car which almost hit her sped into the death of night.

She sat on the icy ground, stunned. The sound of her heartbeat pulsing loudly in her ears. The one following her stood still on the other side of the road. She hits the ground in frustration, hands tight in fists.

Back on her feet, she dusts her clothes, glaring at a tall figure standing in the shadow between two street lamps.

"I know you're following me!" She yells at the top of her lungs. 

Her stalker emerges from the dark, looking left and right before crossing the road, discreetly mocking her poor escape attempt.

His features become blurry when he stands tall, closer than she'd like to. Anne focuses her eyes on the man in front of her. He extends his hand with a wide smile. "Nice to meet you."

She stares at his hand, caught by surprise, the adrenalin pumping through her veins. 

Noticing her eyes wide open, he retracts his hand. "Oh, my bad. We haven't met yet, right? I saw-" his gaze trails off to the distance. "I saw someone follow you and..." He scratches the back of his neck. 

Anne takes a subtle step back. She never noticed more than one set of footsteps. 

'Strange.'

Her hand rests on her bag, which hides her last resort - a pocketknife.

"Actually, I know your brother." The man glanced at her bag. 

"Luka, does it ring a bell?" The man extended his hand once again.