Chapter One
Annabelle's POV
Blop, blop, blop. Rain droplets hit the roof of the building and my ears were keen enough to pick these beautiful sounds. Rain had fallen for an hour straight and the darkened sky warned of another downpour that same night. I clutched my hand-me-down grey coat which provided me warmth from the cold breeze that serenaded my face.
"Anna...."
I turned away from the window and faced Miss Potts; one of the workers at the orphanage and the closest friend I had.
"Miss Potts." I said with a smile.
She chuckled and shook her head at me and then pointed outside, I knew what she meant. It was time to go though I was a volunteer there but I wanted to stay a little longer.
"Few more minutes." I pleaded, unleashing my most powerful weapon; my bulgy eyeballs.
"It's getting late Anna, there's going to be another heavy rainfall soon, your parents would be worried, go home." She insisted.
I pouted but she wasn't falling for it, she was about to speak when the little kids came filing in, playing aeroplane. One of them, Kendall, stopped by me and tugged at my coat.
"Are you going home Ann?" Kendall asked.
I squatted and lovingly patted her hair. She was my favorite, she had a thin build, hazel eyes, brown hair and often kept to herself. I'd tended to her ever since she was dropped off the doorpost of the orphanage four years ago.
"I'll be back tomorrow Ken, I promise. I'll bring you cookies as well, your favorite chocolate cookies." I promised.
Her lit eyes lit up with excitement and expectations, it was the feeling I love for. I drew her much closer and hugged her, Miss Potts couldn't help but smile. I spent the next three minutes convincing the other kids to go to bed and extended it to five minutes by singing them a lullaby before Georgia; another volunteer took over and Miss. Potts saw me out the door.
She handed me an umbrella and hugged me, I loved the warmth in her embrace and lingered longer.
"Thank you for loving the kids Anna." She whispered.
I felt the sincerity in her tone, she was a woman in her mid-forties and had dedicated her entire life to running the small orphanage and worked to keep it running successfully. The sky rumbled and I knew I had to get home immediately.
"Goodnight Miss Potts." I waved as I headed towards the path that I normally walked back home.
"Goodnight Annabelle, don't forget to be here early for tomorrow's event." She reminded.
"I won't." I yelled.
I watched her go back inside and then the lights began to go off. I sighed satisfactorily and closed the umbrella since there was no use for it yet. I hugged my coat and began to sing a lullaby as I walked back home. The journey would be twenty minutes maximum and it was just few minutes past eight.
My life revolved around my college, home, church and the orphanage. I reach into the pocket of the coat and fished out my earbuds, plugged them in and played my favorite song while I did a little sing-along. The petrichor made me feel alive. I'd occasionally skip happily but carefully on the way not forgetting to text my worried Mom that I'd be home soon.
The fundraiser scheduled for the next day made me feel excited as we'd get the help we really need but I came to a standstill as I heard a loud bang. I saw three or five men vaguely since the sky was dark just down the alley, as I walked closer I noticed they wore black suits and had their backs turned at me. It was unusual to see such, a very exotic car was parked beside them and the closer I got, I saw a man lying motionlessly on the floor, probably passed out because of the cold.
"Are you enjoying the sight?" A cold and icy masculine voice echoed.
I was startled and flinched, I looked back only to stand face to face with a really handsome man, the finest I'd ever seen. I could dimly see his lips being curled into a really weird smirk.
"Good evening." I greeted politely.
He looked confused and then scoffed.
"Who sent you?" He replied snarkily.
"No one, I'm not sure what you mean though." I said with all honesty.
"Are you a reporter, how long have you been trailing me?" He snapped.
I flinched, his tone seemed violent yet calm.
"What do you mean? No I'm not trailing you, I'm on my way back home." I said defensively, my voice cracked and tears formed in my eyes. I couldn't bear been shouted at.
He chuckled and the men around him laughed as well, my eyes trailed from his eyes which I couldn't get a good look at down to his body and I saw a crimson red substance flowing down his clenched fist, without thinking; I stepped forward and took his hand in mine, it was blood and it seemed he was hurt.
"You're hurt, let me take you to a hospital." I said worriedly.
He snatched his hand from me and looked at the cold man lying on the floor.
"Get rid of him." He commanded the men with him.
They nodded and carried the man, I was worried and wanted to help but they shoved me aside.
"Is he going to be fine? How is he doing? Should I direct you to a hospital?" I asked worriedly.
They ignored me and shoved him into the car while the handsome man looked at me.
"You don't get to live after this, know that." He whispered.
Unsure of what he was saying, he turned and began to walk away but I stopped him.
"Wait." I ran up to him, dipped my hand into my coat and fished out a pink muffler which I knitted myself, wrapped it around his neck and gave him a huge smile.
"It's cold, you should keep yourself warm and go to an hospital to get that wound treated. I'll head home now, goodnight." I said with a smile on my face and began to walk away, my earbuds plugged in, singing my favorite song.