Chapter 2 The Encounter

The soft patter of rain against the windows provided a soothing backdrop to the cozy ambiance of the café. I settled into the corner of the dimly lit room, nestled on a plush couch next to a crackling fire, seeking refuge from the dreary weather outside. The warmth seeped into my bones, chasing away the chill that had settled in my bones since my encounter on my 18th birthday, last night.

I feigned interest in the book resting in my lap, though my thoughts kept drifting back to the mysterious figure I had a glimpse of in the shadows. What was it, and why did it seem to follow me with its penetrating gaze?

Lost in my musings, I failed to notice the newcomer who approached the area that I was in until he spoke, his voice pulling me out of my reverie. "This seat taken?" he asked, his tone polite yet tinged with a hint of curiosity.

Startled, I looked up to find a tall, handsome stranger standing before me, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. His dark hair was tousled from the rain, and his piercing blue eyes held a spark of mischief that sent a flutter of butterflies dancing in my stomach.

I shook my head, gesturing to the empty seat across from me. "No, not at all, it is all yours," I replied, my voice tinged with a mixture of surprise and intrigue.

He nodded in thanks before settling into the chair opposite mine, his gaze never once leaving my face. I felt a blush creep into my cheeks under his intense scrutiny, unsure of how to react to the sudden attention.

For the next hour, we sat in companionable silence, lost in our respective thoughts yet acutely aware of each other's presence. I pretended to read my book, though my eyes kept drifting back to him, catching fleeting glimpses of his enigmatic expression whenever he thought I wasn't looking.

As the rain continued to fall outside, I couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was unfolding between us, though I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was.

Eventually, the spell was broken when he spoke again, his voice soft yet filled with a quiet confidence that drew me in. "We should do this again," he suggested, his gaze lingering on mine with a silent invitation.

I paused, momentarily uncertain about how to react to his surprising proposition.

"Absolutely," I replied, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips as I met his gaze head-on. "I would be delighted."

With that, he rose from his seat, offering me a small nod of farewell before disappearing into the rain-soaked streets outside, leaving me alone with my thoughts once again.

Decided that I was done waiting for Sarah my best friend, I received a text. Oh, it is from Sarah. "Hi, sorry for not making it, something came up at work. Let's reschedule for another time."

Once the rain subsided, I decided to venture outside to the nearby park. I wandered around aimlessly, losing track of time until I noticed the sun had set.

As I walk through the park making my way back home, the unease that had plagued me since the encounter on my birthday returned with a vengeance. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched, that unseen eyes were following my every move from the shadows.

My steps quickened as I made my way through the deserted pathways, my heart pounding in my chest as I searched for any sign of danger lurking in the darkness. But try as I might, I couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom that hung heavy in the air.

And then, just when I felt like I couldn't take another step, he appeared before me like a guardian angel emerging from the mist.

"Katharina," he said, his voice a soothing melody that washed over me like a balm to my weary soul. "I have been searching for you."

I blinked in surprise, my heart skipping a beat at the sound of my name on his lips. "Who... who are you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper as I met his gaze with a mixture of fear and curiosity.

He smiled, a knowing glint in his eyes as he took a step closer to me. "My name is Dylan," he confessed, his voice a low murmur that sent shivers racing down my spine. "I knew your mother."

I stood before him in disbelief. How did he know my mother? I'd never seen him with her while she was alive. Did they know each other when she was younger? Did she babysit him? A torrent of questions flooded my mind, begging to be answered. How did he know my name? Did my father know him?

"How do you know who I am, how did you find me?" I questioned urgently. "Have you been following me?" I pressed further, taking a step back, my heart pounding with panic. "And how do you know about my mother?" My emotions surged, overwhelming me.

I still felt the unsettling sensation of being watched from the shadows, a chill creeping down my spine, raising goosebumps on my skin. Nervously scanning my surroundings, my anxiety intensified. "I am sorry, but I have to go. I know you might mean well, but I really must leave," I said urgently, spinning on my heel wanting to leave. Before I could escape, he reached out and gently grasped my arm. "Katharina, you are in real danger," he insisted, his voice laced with genuine concern.

"What?!" I exclaimed, startled. "I'm so sorry," I muttered, pivoting on my heels and sprinting home as fast as my legs could carry me. "What is happening?" I wondered aloud, my thoughts racing as wildly as my emotions. I didn't even know that guy, and now he is saying that I'm in danger? It's all so confusing. The wind whipped around me as I ran, stirring up a whirlwind of emotions inside me. "What is going on?" I agonized silently. "I just want this day to be over, to erase it from existence."

Finally arriving home, I check the time, it is just past 8 pm. "Dad" I called out, but there was no response. I made my way into the kitchen and spotted a note on the fridge. "Working late at the hospital, there are leftovers in the fridge. Love you ~ Dad." Dad's thoughtfulness never failed to touch me; he always has my back.

Ever since my mother's passing, it feels like my father is always there, hovering over me as if I'm fragile. We never broach the subject of my mother's death, and I'm too afraid to bring it up. I wonder if he feels the same way. Sometimes, I hear him crying at night; I don't think he realizes that I hear him.

I wish we talk about my mother more, about what she was like when she was my age. I wonder if my father knows this Dylan guy if they have ever crossed paths before. Maybe they have. I just can't make sense of what happened tonight in the park. Why did Dylan say I was in danger? And what about my father? Is he in danger too? There are so many unanswered questions swirling around in my head.

Opting for some leftovers, I pulled out my phone and searched for Dylan's name on social media. "Surprise, surprise, nothing," I muttered, feeling a pang of frustration. Perhaps it would have been more helpful if I had his full name. Determined to find some sort of clue, I decided to browse through my mother's friends list on social media. Eventually, I found him. "Well, this isn't much to go off of," I remarked to myself, feeling a bit disheartened. Dylan's profile only had a picture and a few book quotes; there was little else to glean from it. But then again, it wasn't unexpected; Dylan didn't strike me as the type to plaster his life all over social media.