Chapter 2: The Stop

Emma

I step off the bus the moment its doors swing open, my heart pounding in my chest. I quicken my pace down the sidewalk, my mind consumed with the need to escape. The prickling sensation on my skin only grows stronger, sending shivers down my spine. I try to change direction, but it's as if an invisible force is holding me in place. I'm trapped.

Today has been a series of close calls, each one more harrowing than the last. Why can't I catch a break? Where is my sanctuary? Does it even exist anymore?

As I look around, I realize I'm surrounded by a group of bikers. But something feels off - not all of them seem entirely human. A chill runs down my spine, and the tingling sensation on my skin becomes unbearable. "Well hello, gorgeous," one of the bikers leers.

"Don't worry, we'll take good care of you," another one says, his voice dripping with malice as he advances towards me. The situation is dire, and I can feel the danger closing in around me.

Fuck! I slowly retreat, only to find myself face-to-face with a wall of menacing men. A chilling voice pierces the air, setting off every alarm in my mind. "This is our lucky day, boys," the voice declares. I know instantly that it's the same guy from the bus, no need to even turn around. With a sense of dread, I turn to face him. "You forgot to say thank you," he taunts.

I take a cautious step back. "Thanks. I'll be on my way now," I respond, edging further away. I need to put distance between us, and quickly.

"Where do you think you're going in such a rush?" the unsettling man from the bus demands.

I want nothing to do with these men, especially not now. "My grandmother is expecting me," I lie, desperate to escape.

"She's lying," a familiar biker interjects. It's the same guy from the bus, adding to my unease.

"It doesn't matter who's expecting me. I have somewhere to be," I assert, trying to stand my ground.

"No, you don't," he insists, advancing towards me.

"I do, and it's not here!" I retort, my heart pounding in my chest.

"But here you will stay," the creepy man with long black hair sneers, his eyes glowing eerily. I refuse to meet his gaze, determined not to fall under his spell. I must escape, no matter the cost.

"You will look at me," he growls menacingly.

"Nope!" I continue to step away, attempting to create distance, but I am suddenly grabbed.

"You aren't getting away this time," the man in ripped jeans from the bus declares.

"We are going to have some fun first," the creepy guy replies with a sinister sneer.

"No!" I scream as I stomp on the man holding me with my spike heel, causing it to snap. He lets out an animalistic whine, resembling an injured dog. Could it be a werewolf? Legends suggest they exist, but I have discovered the existence of the Underworld, and Louisiana is said to be the gateway to Hell.

My boss is a vampire or something similar, and these bikers are far from human. I have no desire to uncover their true identities. I just want to escape! I break free from the man holding me, but my freedom is short-lived.

"I said you were staying," the creepy guy bellows, gripping my hair. I glimpse his dark past, filled with heinous crimes and murder.

"Let me go!" I attempt to scratch him, but he only laughs, relishing in my fear. However, I manage to kick him in the groin with my non-broken heel, causing him to release my hair enough for me to slip away. I discard my shoes and run, knowing they are hot on my trail. In my panicked state, I collide with someone, but miraculously, I remain on my feet.

"Shit! Sorry!" I gasp, before continuing to flee.

"Excuse me, Miss," a commanding yet gentle voice calls out. The tone is filled with compassion, immediately capturing my attention.

"I require assistance."

"I've got you covered," he responds. As I turn to face him, I am taken aback. He is stunning, like a modern-day Adonis. His medium-length, wavy dirty blonde hair and piercing blue eyes leave me breathless. Despite exuding power, there is a sense of safety and warmth emanating from him. He releases his grip on me.

"There's a group of... individuals, I suppose."

"You suppose?" he questions.

I let out a sigh. "You'll think I'm insane." He smirks, raising an eyebrow. There is something mysterious about him that I can't quite put my finger on, but in this moment, I feel secure in his presence. "They're not all human. I'm certain one is a werewolf. The others, I believe, are vampires and demons." He throws his head back and laughs. I fear he doubts my sanity. Desperate, I reach out and touch his hand, pleading, "Please, trust me."

I see nothing. This is strange. He must have a past. Why can't I see anything? There's this weird energy, and honestly, it makes me uneasy. I have never felt this type of energy before.

He must feel it too, as his skin is heating up. He stops laughing and just looks into my eyes. "I believe you. But what are you?"

"Human."

"No, you are..." Just then, those men catch up. The stranger drapes his arm around me aggressively and protectively.

"You. You will pay!" the creepy guy yells.

"Maximus, I hope you're not talking about my girlfriend," the protective stranger says. I know my eyes widen.

The creepy guy scoffs, "Charming, drop the act. She ain't yours. You don't do girlfriends, only whores. So, is she any good?"

"I'm sure as hell not yours! You can go back to Hell where you came from, you evil murderous scum!" I yell.

The warm, kind stranger chuckles. Then the guy from the bus, who I think is a werewolf, says, "Charming is lying as usual."

"Fuck you, you dirty dog. I want nothing to do with you sadistic pricks. Go chase a car or something. Or better yet, get hit by one!" I'm usually never this bold, but being close to this stranger empowers me. The stranger, the murderous creep called Charming, chuckles and kisses the top of my head. It felt good, I won't lie. I feel safe. Why does he make me feel this way?

"Emma, it's fine," Charming said. Wait! I didn't say my name, only that I needed help. He just smiles. God, it's gorgeous. What is wrong with me? Is he psychic or something?

"No way you have a girlfriend. Cunts you fuck, sure," the werewolf replied. How can a man of integrity associate with such despicable individuals? How can he stand their presence? They are nothing but cold-blooded killers! Well, perhaps not all of them are murderers, but they do rally behind that monstrous figure known as Maximus. But is Charming one of them? No, I would have noticed. Yet, I saw nothing - a blank slate, a void unlike anything I've experienced before. The confusion is overwhelming, and it's giving me a pounding headache.

“Sweetheart, just breathe. We will get dinner soon, I promise,” Charming’s tone soothes me.

I'll play along. But can he hear my thoughts? “Okay.” Then his name just comes to me. “Sorry, Chase, but these guys harassed me. They want to hurt me.”

Maximus shook his head, “No, I wanted a thank you.”

“Fuck you! I know what I saw.”

Chase pulls me closer as he stares at Maximus, “Clearly, you've upset her. So here's what we are going to do. My girlfriend and I are going to leave and if you are ever near her again one of two things will happen.”

“Yeah, what?” the werewolf cockiky asks.

“You will be arrested or I will let her kill you,” Chase flatly responds.  My eyes bug out again. He just smiles and strokes my hair. His touch is confident and light. There's no harm directed at me, but I do feel his power. He could kill everyone here without much effort. Just what is this guy?

Maximus grumbles, “Fine, take her. She's probably a boring fuck anyways.”

I clenched my fists, “I hope I get to kill you one day.”

Chase's piercing gaze bore into the men before him, his voice commanding them to leave immediately. The gang, intimidated by his presence, turned and departed without hesitation. The mysterious man, known as Chase Charming, then took my hand and led me to his luxurious sports car. As we settled in, he drove us to a nearby restaurant, where he turned off the engine and turned to face me, gently grasping my hand.

"I am Chase Charming, a lead detective for the SIA," he introduced himself.

I was intrigued. "What is the SIA?"

Chase smiled. "The Supernatural Investigation Agency," he replied.

I shuddered, recalling the sinister intentions of the men we had encountered earlier. "They were planning something terrible for me, weren't they? Rapists and murderers."

Chase sighed, his expression grave. "For humans, yes. But for beings like you, different rules apply. You are not entirely human, are you?"

I lowered my gaze, feeling a sense of unease. Chase gently lifted my chin, his eyes locking with mine. "Emma, please look at me. You are not alone. Some discover their true nature after it has been concealed from them, while others stumble upon this world unwittingly. Do you know what you are?"

I shook my head. "I am just an empath, but I possess the ability to see the past and sense emotions. However, I cannot see your past. It is shrouded in mystery."

Chase produced an amulet, explaining that it shielded him from magical influence. "But you spoke my name," he pointed out.

"You mentioned my name first!" I retorted, puzzled. "How is that possible?"

Chase nodded knowingly. "Just as you knew mine. It is a connection that transcends mere words."

I gasped in realization. "It just came to me. But why? Can you read my thoughts?"

Chase gently pats the back of my hand and whispers, "Let's eat, and then we will talk." I nod in agreement, but my mind is racing with questions. Why now? What is all of this about? And most importantly, is that amulet protecting him from the same madness that has driven other men to insanity in my presence? Chase may not have lost his mind, but something sinister is at play here.