ONCE BETRAYED: TWICE RECLAIMED

The man emerged from the darkness, holding Chloe's unconscious form in his arms as if it were featherlight. His expression was serene and inscrutable, yet the careful manner in which he moved caused the atmosphere to feel chillier. His dark eyes glanced at Noah, then at me, before a slight, almost indifferent smile curled his lips.

"Come with me," he instructed, his tone silky, as if he wasn't ordering us but anticipating our agreement regardless.

I tensed up, instincts kicking in. "Follow you?" "Why is that?"

"To speak," he answered nonchalantly. "You seek answers, don't you?"

His tone was infuriatingly casual, and the knot in my stomach tightened further. I looked at Noah, who was holding Chloe closely, his eyebrows knitted in skepticism.

"Where is it?" Noah insisted, his tone soft and cautious.

The man cocked his head, a smile playing on his lips. "An area that has seating." "You'll want to take a seat for this."

I disliked how self-satisfied he appeared, but with Chloe passed out and defenseless, we couldn't afford to dispute. Suppressing my discomfort, I offered Noah a hesitant nod.

"Okay," I whispered, scowling at the unknown person. "However, you should not attempt anything."

He laughed quietly to himself while turning, walking with a relaxed and assured pace, as if he were guiding us on a tour rather than pulling us further into a mystery we never wanted.

The roads were hauntingly silent, the orange light from streetlamps creating elongated shadows on the damp ground. Each step seemed weightier, my thoughts racing with the direst possibilities. I looked at Chloe in Noah's embrace—her complexion was white, her body entirely motionless.

"She'll be fine," I murmured, more for my own reassurance than for Noah.

"She must be," Noah replied softly, his tone tight yet resolute.

The unfamiliar person eventually halted in front of a quaint café nestled in a corner of the road. Its illuminated sign buzzed softly, and a warm yellow glow poured onto the pavement.

"Here you go," he stated, keeping the door ajar for us.

I paused, looking at him as if he had gone crazy. "Is it a café?" I spoke with disbelief. "You took us to a café?"

"It's calm," he said, his voice straightforward. "Nice for a discussion."

Noah glanced at me, his jaw clenched. I didn't require him to speak it; I understood his thoughts. This was an unwise choice. But what options were available to us?

I entered first, my senses sharply attuned. The café felt warm and inviting, yet almost unbearably typical. The gentle murmur of jazz resonated in the atmosphere, blending with the aroma of coffee and pastries. A few customers were placed at tables, their soft discussions merging into the background.

The unknown man moved directly to the counter, smiling and greeting the waitress as if he hadn't just rescued us from a terrifying situation. Noah and I hung around the door, sharing anxious looks.

"Noah murmured, 'This dude is strange.'"

"Strange doesn't quite capture it," I said, my tone subdued.

After a brief pause, the man faced us again, his demeanor as relaxed as usual. "What would you like to order?"

"We're okay," I replied hastily, folding my arms.

He leaned his head, his grin narrowing. "I didn't inquire."

The subtle menace in his voice caused my stomach to sink, but before I could reply, he faced the counter and made an order.

A few minutes later, he came over to our table, pushing hot cups of coffee in our direction. I kept my hands clenched in my lap, not touching mine, while I observed him. Noah sat rigidly next to me, holding Chloe against him as if she were a lifeline.

The unknown man reclined in his seat, effortlessly sipping his coffee with irritation. "Therefore," he remarked, interrupting the quiet, "share about yourselves with me. "How did the two of you meet?"

I blinked, taken by surprise by the inquiry. "What relevance does that have?" I retaliated, my tone more cutting than I meant.

"Indulge me," he said, unbothered.

"No," I retorted.

He grinned, shifting his focus to Noah. "And Chloe—she belongs to you, correct?"

"Yes," I quickly interjected, interrupting him. My tone was assertive, allowing no opportunity for debate.

He observed me for a brief time, his dark eyes sparkling with something I couldn't identify. "Fascinating," he whispered, as if I were a creature in a zoo.

The ensuing silence was heavy and uneasy. My skin tingled under his stare, yet I wouldn't turn my eyes. Ultimately, he placed his cup down, his attitude changing.

"Watch out," he warned, his voice quieter now, more earnest.

He then rose, dusting off his trousers as though the discussion had ended.

"Hold on!" I exclaimed, rising suddenly. "What was your impression of Chloe?" "What's the matter with her?"

He stopped, looking back over his shoulder. "I discovered her by the river," he stated plainly. "She seemed to require assistance, so I intervened." Following that, she reverted to her human shape.

"Why isn't she getting up?" Noah inquired, his tone tense with concern.

"She's on the mend," the man responded, his voice calm yet detached. "Her body requires time to restore its energy." Allow her to rest—she will awaken by morning.

Before I could inquire further—his name, his number, anything—he turned and exited the café.

""Hello!" I shouted for him, but by the time I got to the door, he had disappeared. The street beyond was deserted, quiet, as if he had vanished without a trace.

"Darn it," I whispered, tightening my fists.

"Let's take her home now," Noah said gently, his voice firm yet tense.

I nodded, the unfamiliar person's words echoing in my mind as we rushed back to the home. I couldn't rid myself of the sensation that this wasn't finished. That guy was a problem, and whatever followed, I was certain it wouldn't be positive.

The evening atmosphere was thick, with a moist coolness adhering to my skin as Noah and I rushed along the bumpy sidewalk, Chloe held close between us like something delicate and valuable. Her pale visage lay against Noah's chest, her tiny frame relaxed and still. Every step sounded painfully loud in the still streets, our rushed breaths blending with the soft murmur of far-off traffic.

As we walked by, people halted and looked at us, their faces showing everything from slight curiosity to blatant mistrust. A man in a ragged coat halted mid-stride, his gaze sharpening at the view of Chloe's unmoving figure. A young couple with their dog stepped aside, their talk quieting as they observed us with apprehensive looks.

"Simply keep moving," I whispered quietly, steering clear of their gaze.

Noah inclined his head, his hold on Chloe becoming firmer as if to protect her from their scrutiny. "They're likely questioning why we are transporting an unresponsive child through the streets."

"Let them be curious," I retorted, my tone more cutting than I meant. "We don't have to explain anything to them."

The reality was, I didn't mind their opinions. My only concern was Chloe—the subtle movement of her chest, the heat of her skin beneath my hand, the delicate essence of life I sensed each time I came into contact with her.

"I suddenly don't trust him," I remarked, interrupting the tense quietude surrounding us.

Noah didn't require me to explain further. "Me neither," he confessed quietly. "Something about him... seemed strange." "The manner in which he spoke, the manner in which he simply vanished—"

"He's concealing something," I interjected, my teeth clenching. "What if he was not truthful about Chloe being fine?" "What if something is seriously amiss, and we're simply standing here, powerless?"

Noah's quietness conveyed a great deal.

"And what happens if she doesn't regain consciousness?" I went on, my voice now quivering. "We aren't even aware of his identity." We aren't sure how to locate him. What if—

"She will wake up," Noah stated assertively, interrupting my racing thoughts. "She must."

I wished to trust him, yet the tight knot of fear in my chest wouldn't let go. My thoughts spiraled through all conceivable worst-case outcomes, each increasingly grim than the prior.

When we arrived at the house, my legs seemed as heavy as lead. Noah opened the door with his shoulder, bringing Chloe in while I switched on the lights. A subtle buzz of electricity permeated the stillness, bathing the cozy living room in a comforting, familiar light. Yet it didn't feel secure—it felt overwhelming, as if the walls were tightening around me.

Noah carefully placed Chloe on the couch, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "We must take action," he said softly, locking eyes with me.

"I understand," I murmured, my throat constricted. "Yet what?" The unknown person has left, and we can't remain here idly waiting.

Noah paused, then mentioned, "The physician." "The person who cautioned us against moving too young— can he assist us?"

I blinked, taken aback by the proposal. "Do you believe he'll notice us at this hour?"

"He has no option," Noah stated, resolve strengthening his tone. "This is a crisis."

I gave a nod, my heart racing. "Let's head out."

We covered Chloe with a blanket, protecting her from the chilly night breeze as we went back outside. The trip to the doctor's home was stressful, the quiet between us interrupted solely by the sporadic sound of Chloe's gentle breathing.

Upon our arrival, the home was a simple, worn building situated at the forest's edge. The porch light dimly flickered, creating elongated shadows throughout the yard.

Upon exiting the vehicle, an unusual tingling feeling crawled up the back of my neck. I looked at the trees, my gaze probing the shadows.

"Amelia?" Noah spoke gently, already moving toward the door.

"Sure," I replied, dismissing the sensation. "On my way."

Yet as we neared the home, I couldn't dismiss the creepy feeling of being observed. The forest encircling the estate seemed vibrant, countless hidden gazes monitoring our every action. The whispering of leaves in the gentle wind felt overly intentional, too calculated.

I hastened my step, an uneasy sensation creeping over me as we approached the door. Noah knocked loudly, the noise reverberating in the quiet night.

The forest behind us appeared to pause in silence.