Fear Or Concern

The breaking news on the television sent shockwaves through the restaurant, leaving everyone in a state of fear and distress. The report detailed the gruesome acts of two young serial killers, not older than 25, who had been terrorizing the Sanghi neighborhood, which happened to be Anna's own neighborhood. These psychopaths were responsible for a string of brutal murders, often targeting girls and children, and leaving the entire community in a state of dread. The news mentioned 10 murders and the disappearance of two girls and a 10-year-old boy, intensifying the fear among the local residents.

Anna looked deeply disturbed by the news, and sympathy for the victims welled up within her. She couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, knowing that the danger was so close to home. Porsche, equally concerned, ordered her to take precautions, advising her to carry pepper spray and a knife whenever she left the house. His tone was filled with genuine worry for her safety.

Anna, however, tried to downplay the seriousness of the situation with a careless remark, saying, "Haha, don't worry. It's not easy to kill me. I am very brave."

Porsche's anger flared, and he responded sternly, "You should not joke about this matter, at least. Please follow what I said, and tonight I will accompany you to your house. Please take this seriously."

Anna, seemingly taken aback, asked bluntly, "Are you concerned about me?"

Porsche replied without hesitation, "Yes, obviously. After all, you're my one and only friend, and I should care about you."

After settling the bill, they left the restaurant.

"......."

As they continued on their way to the store, Porsche couldn't shake his concern for Anna's safety. He asked her, "At what time do you leave the store?"

Anna replied, "I leave at 6:00 pm from the store, then I have to go for tutoring near the place where you work, and I'm free by 8:00 pm to head home." She tried to reassure him, saying, "Hey, you don't have to worry about me. I'm quite brave when it comes to these things."

Porsche's response was stern as he emphasized, "Nobody asked about your bravery. Once you are done tutoring, I must see you at the SunSky Walmart, and then we'll both leave together from there."

Anna was a bit taken aback by his insistence and retorted, "Hey, don't act like we are close."

Porsche, undeterred, replied with a hint of determination, "Okay, then let's get close."

As they reached the store, Porsche waved goodbye to Anna and left. Deep inside, Anna's facade of bravery began to crumble after hearing the news. She had been trying to act tough and confident, but now, alone and with the news of the serial killers on her mind, she felt increasingly vulnerable and unsafe as Porsche has also left.

As the evening wore on, a masked man entered the store where Anna worked. He requested a packet of cigarettes, and Anna obliged by providing it to him. However, as he was leaving, he suddenly turned back and leered at Anna, giving her an unsettling feeling. Anna, trying to maintain her composure, asked, "Do you need anything else, sir?" The man's response was bizarre and uncomfortable as he simply uttered, "So pretty," before departing, leaving Anna feeling extremely insecure and unnerved by the encounter.

At exactly 6:00 pm, Anna finished her work and left for her tutoring session. Throughout her journey, she couldn't shake off the unsettling words of the masked man.

".........."

Anna had just finished tutoring her student, and the student's mother approached her with a concerned tone. She said, "I'm sure you must have heard the news about the serial killers. So please be very careful on your way back home."

Anna appreciated the woman's concern and nodded in acknowledgment. As she left the tutoring session, she initially walked towards the SunSky Walmart, where she was supposed to meet Porsche. However, she hesitated, not wanting to disturb him. 

But her thoughts were soon consumed by the words of the concerned mother, and a growing unease gnawed at her. Just then, as she stood there in contemplation, Porsche spotted her. He rushed to her side, breathing heavily, and exclaimed, "Thank God you're here. Now, let's leave."

Relieved and grateful for his presence, Anna nodded, and they quickly made their way out of the area, the fear of the serial killers lingering in their minds.