CHAPTER 1

Water splashed out of the little puddle as she set her foot right into it and chuckled. That wasn't intentional but fun to do.

Anna ambled down the street, with the mid-April cool breeze blowing over her head, and leaves dribbling down droplets of the rain last night.

"Damn, I forgot my jacket" she mumbled through slightly trembling lips and she hugged herself. Ten minutes later, she was standing at the front door of her cafe, foraging through her bag for the keys. She could be really clumsy at times and was very well aware of it.

Finally inserting the keys into the keyhole, she opened the doors and was immediately welcomed by the jingling of the silver wind-chime above. A smile tugged at her lips as she flipped the sign board on the door to 'OPEN' before walking around the counter. Placing her old leather sling bag on the counter, she plopped down on her seat. The clock above ticked 7:45am as she sighed and closed her eyes. The images of the nightmare from last night came unbidden at her calm brain. The blood, bodies and hands, everything was still fresh in her mind despite of her attempts to erase them. How long until she would be able to get over it?

Anna was lost in her sorrowful reverie, when the jingling echoed in the empty shop, and her eyes drifted to the door.

Hope walked in with a wide, infectious smile stretched across her lips as usual. That was enough to pull Anna back from her sad thoughts and onto her feet. She smiled at Hope as they both hugged each other.

"Good Morning Miss. Smith," Hope's voice tickled the insides of Anna's ears.

"Good morning Hope and please, it's Anna. You make me sound so old." they both chuckled. The lady was in her late 30's, almost of Anna's mother's age. Over Ten years since the first day she met Hope, and she was still the same, all smiles and hugs.

"How is Aunt Mary?" Hope pulled back, her hands resting on Anna's shoulders.

"Granu is fine. Doing better then me I guess." Anna grinned.

Hope's smile seemed to falter a little but came back wider.

"I'll go get changed," Hope said and left for the staff's changing room, and Anna was once again by herself. She shook her head.

Clear your mind, girl. You got this.

By the time it was 8:20, the staff had arrived and the tables and chairs were arranged. All was set to start a fresh new day at the cafe, with the unwanted thoughts buried somewhere at the back of her mind. Customers started arriving as the day got busier. Anna was occupied with taking payment and smiling to each and every customer. It was a regular routine for her now.

She sat down on her chair and resumed her work at the computer. It was the month ending. There was so much to take care of. With eyes glued to the monitor, and fingers furiously typing over the keyboard, she was immersed in her work when a flat, female voice rang in her ears.

"I thought you died," Anna's eyes snapped up from the computer, to the owner of the voice and her fingers halted over the keyboard.

"Eva?" Anna raised her eyebrows in surprise. Whoa!

"What?" The tall, caramel haired girl crossed her arms and leaned on the door, an annoyed expression plastered over her beautiful face.

"What are you doing here, and why are you glaring at me?" Anna asked, puzzled.

"I'm hoping you'll spontaneously combust," Eva couldn't hide the irritation in her voice, nor on her face.

"I wonder why?" Anna's voice was calm, unbothered by her best friend's hollow threats. Shifting her gaze back on the computer, she continued with her work. Eva gave up trying to act cold and walked around the counter to Anna and pulled a chair for herself and sat down.

"Why aren't you answering my calls?" Eva asked, eyes drilling holes into the sides of Anna's head.

"Oh, that…" Anna giggled, "I spilled tea over my phone yesterday," She glanced at Eva who was rolling her eyes. Of course, that was the dumbest, and most unexpected reason.

"You need to stop worrying so much about me. I am fine." Anna smiled.

Eva seemed like considering her words but didn't speak anything. Would it be ever possible? To not worry about her?

"Why were you calling me though?" Anna fully turned to face the girl, who was running her fingers through her close-cropped hair. Eva shrugged.

"To check on you. You said you were having trouble sleeping," she said, her voice as clipped as ever. Anna on the other hand was feeling all warm and fuzzy from inside, once again becoming aware of the fact that she has a wonderful human being in her life, as her best friend. And as much as Eva tried to act cold and distant to everyone, she couldn't act the same way with her best friend.

"Thank you," Anna said.

Eva glanced at her her friend, and sighed before wrapping her arms around her, almost pulling her off the chair.

"Don't thank me," she said. Anna smiled and hugged her back.

When they pulled back, Eva was already on her feet.

"Wait, you are leaving?" Anna stood up as well, and followed her to the door.

"I left office to come here and meet you. I need to get back before my Boss finds out I'm missing," she patted Anna's cheeks, "Take care,"

Anna smiled, feeling like a little kid being instructed to behave, before nodding.

With that Eva turned around and walked out of the cafe. Anna watched her through the door as she got inside her car and drove away. She briefly wondered whether she would've ever left work and drive forty minutes to somewhere just to meet a friend.

They'd known each other for seven memorable years but never ever did Anna see her with a boy. So, she didn't push her luck either. If someone so pretty and intimidating as Eva didn't seem to be interested in dating, it was for a good reason, or so she thought.

It was around late noon, when Anna glanced up from the computer. There were only few people at the cafe, probably because the weather was rough. Being seated at the same spot since morning was making her spine ache, so Anna decided to have a little stroll outside and reward her numb backside with some exercise. She requested Hope to have a check on the shop in her absence, which she gladly accepted.

Anna stood up and stretched, and was soon out on the streets, hands crossed against her chest and looking around like a kid. It was something she loved to do and could never get bored of. Simply walking around places, watching people and doing nothing. Being the quiet self that she was, she enjoyed her alone time to the fullest. But today she wasn't enjoying her day at all. Since the moment she left home, her mind was restless with the thoughts of the nightmare, but now, something else was bothering her. She just couldn't place a finger on it.

Even after Eva dropped by, she was happy for just a brief moment. It was short lived and soon disappeared. It felt weird from inside, very weird.

Is something bad going to happen?

Her subconscious gasped dramatically. Anna ignored it. Good or bad she didn't know, but the feeling wouldn't leave her.

After another fifteen minutes of walking around she returned to the cafe and found Hope sitting at the counter filling the register. She smiled at her as she stood up and let Anna take her seat and then left to attend the customers. Anna decided to distract herself from whatever weird things that she was feeling and focused on the computer screen, going through the monthly records and stuffs.

It was quite dark outside as compared to the time which somehow indicated it would rain. Black clouds were hovering above everywhere with light sounds of thundering at a distance. And soon there were strong wind blowing outside. It was definitely going to rain. Anna looked out of the window slightly frowning when she saw how unexpectedly the whether changed.

"Oh No! I did not get my umbrella." Anna sighed as she stood at the window, peering outside through the glass as small droplets of rain began to hit the ground. There were very few people on the street, who started rushing back to the comfort of their homes for some warmth. Cool, strong winds blew across the streets as the rattling of leaves grew louder and the heavy downpour continued steadily.

All the staff left early as Anna asked them to, for the weather was unpredictable, but Hope stayed back for cleaning and even after Anna offered to help cleaning for the day, she did not give in. Hope cleaned the last table and changed her work attire into her casual clothes before handing over the keys to Anna.

"How are you going home my dear? Should I drop you home? It's raining quite heavily," Hope said taking out her car keys from the purse.

"Oh No, Thanks Hope but you're going in the opposite direction and I don't think going back and forth in this weather would be a good idea," Anna looked outside at the heavens pouring their hearts out. This weather was making the weird feeling grow in her and somehow she just wanted to get home and curl into her bed.

"You worry about everyone, don't you? You are so much like your Mother." Hope smiled, a smile that did not reach her eyes. She knew Anna's mother for over years until last February when...

Anna smiled, gulping down the lump forming in her throat. No, she wouldn't cry. She had promised to herself that she wouldn't.

"I think you should leave before the weather gets any worse," Anna said, changing the subject as Hope nodded. She was about to leave but stopped and turned around and took out an umbrella from her big carry bag before handing it over to Anna.

"Take care Anna. I'll see you," Hope smiled.

"Goodnight, Hope,"

Anna stood there for another few minutes, waiting for the weather to calm down, but the rain seemed to pour steadily outside.

The heavens are not stopping anytime soon.

She glanced at the wall clock which said 8:15 pm. Letting out a huge sigh she decided to just head back home before it's too late, not wanting to worry the old lady waiting for her at home. Shutting down the computer, she swung the bag around her shoulders, and picked up the umbrella. After switching off all the lights, she locked the doors and made her way through the heavy rain back home.

The walk back home was harder than she had assumed. She walked slowly along the side walk, fearing the strong wind might blow away her umbrella, the only thing shielding her from the heavy downpour. Clutching the handle tight between her trembling fingers, she shivered as the cool breeze sent chills down her body. She was already drenched from knee down as the continues strong wind made it more difficult for her to walk.

This was a bad idea.

You should have just taken the lift from Hope. Her subconscious grumbled at her.

She was half way through when a distant flickering light caught her attention. Anna tried to ignore it but it didn't seem like a moving vehicle since it was immobile. She tensed as her subconscious told her to ignore it and make it home safely. But curiosity got the best out of her as she found herself turning away from the main road that lead to her house, and onto the small junction as she tried to figure out where the lights were coming from. Maybe someone is stuck and is trying to call for help. But what is its a ghost waiting to lure a passer-by into their trap? Anna gulped. Clutching the umbrella tightly, and moving carefully against the gusting wind, she stepped closer to the source of the light.

As she came closer, the flickering lights got brighter. She held her sling bag close to her chest, water droplets hitting her face with every blowing wind as she counted her steps with every shallow breath leaving her lips. With her heart drumming at her ears, she approached the source in the darkness and let out a gasp. All the blood drained off her face.

The flickering headlights of the black Audi blinked with the rhythm of her racing heart, and much to her horror, it was wrecked upside down.