struggled to keep my eyes open as my fingers typed on the keys lazily. As the head of the IT Department in Marc Industries, I barely got enough sleep on weekdays.

It is now about 11:30 pm and I still have to fix the glitch in the new software developed by the new interns.

Whining, I got up from the couch and tip toed around the papers sprawled across the floor and walk towards the kitchen to make some coffee.

Bless whoever discovered coffee... I can't live without my daily dose of caffeine.

I boiled some water and opened the coffee container, only to see it empty.

Damn ! I forgot to buy some while coming back home in the evening....ugghh. I decided to go out and buy some. I know, I know, its late but I NEED the coffee.

Before leaving the house, I looked at the mirror by the main door and decided the outfit I'm wearing now should be fine because there would be almost nobody (that I know) on the streets now. I was wearing black sweatpants paired with a black cropped sweatshirt.

I tied my hair into a messy bun, took my purse and keys from the kitchen island and made my way out of the apartment.

The apartment I lived in wasn't luxurious or anything, but it was just enough for one person and I was happy with it.

When my parents died...sorry they were assassinated. Yeah, you read that right.

My father was a notorious hacker and my mother was an assassin. They made many enemies while they lived. But fortunately they did not leave any debt. Nobody from the underworld knows he had a daughter. But that doesn't stop me from being paranoid and on high alert when I'm out.

The only family that I have now is an older brother I've never seen. I grew up as an only child and am determined to find him.

I walked on the sidewalk with the cool night breeze on my face. I know it isn't a good time for a women to walk alone at night now, but in my defence..you see what I did there ? Anyhoo...

I learned self-defence from my mother and hacking from my father, which I am quite good at.

I bought coffee powder along with a few towels from the shop near the apartment, paid the dude, and now I am walking back.

I passed the alley and immediately stopped when I heard someone groan. My heartbeat started pacing faster as I tried to find the source of the sound.

There wasn't much light around so I took a step more and craned my neck a little when I saw a male figure slouched on the wall.

A gasp left my mouth as I saw the guy sitting in a small pool of...blood ?

I debated in my head whether I should go and help him or just walk ahead.

What if he is a serial killer ? Or even worse ? The boogeyman ? My conscience said, but I ignored the voice and took a few steps ahead.

As I walked closer, I got to see him a little more clearly. His hair was slightly messy, he wore a black shirt with the buttons undone and it was drenched in his blood at the torso. He definitely wasn't homeless.

He looked up at me, sensing my presence and pointed a gun at me. I froze in my place and lifted my hands up in surrender.

He looked at me, studying my movements, but not in a perverted way. I took this time looking at the surroundings. I noticed six bullet casings lying on the ground near him and shifted my gaze back to the gun.

I inwardly smirked when I recognized the type of gun he was holding. It had the capacity for only six bullets and I knew because I had been taught the basics from my parents but never thought I'd need it.

They could be from another gun, my conscience said but I took the risk anyway...

I walked closer and the mystery man said, "Do you not see me pointing a gun at you ??!"

I smiled and crouched to his level, and said, "Yes, I can see, I'm not blind. But, you and I both know that it isn't loaded and since you're injured, you are not much of a threat to me right now."

The shock that showed on his face confirmed my statement and I gained a little confidence after that.

I reached my hands out to help him but he pushed them away immediately. "Go ! Get away from me ! I don't need your help. Go home and don't come back, otherwise you will regret it." He said in an authoritative tone, trying to scare me away.

But, me being the goofball that I am, I decided to defy him.

"Ooohh ! I'm so scared !" I mocked, while he looked at me with a questioning look.

"Look here. I don't know who you are, what you want or why you are so hellbent on helping me. You should stop !" He said with anger.

Getting annoyed at him, I said, "Look, I don't want anything from you. I'm just trying to help. But if you think you can manage, then by all means...go ahead. You don't have to be rude."

As I was going to stand up and walk away, he dropped his gun on the ground and held my arm, panting to say, "No, I need help. Sorry."

I sighed and grabbed the towels that I had just bought from the store.

How convenient !

The Mystery Man slowly peeled his hand off of his torso. I gently placed the towel on his stab wound and applied a little pressure to stop the bleeding.

Well, this is awkward.

After a while of applying pressure to the wound, I decided to initiate a conversation because it looked like he was losing consciousness.

"What's your name ?" I asked.

"Dante." He answered, wincing in pain.

After a few moments, I saw his eyelids drooping down, his body wanting to rest.

"Try to stay awake, dude. Don't give up. I don't know who you are, or what you are doing with a gun but don't give up if you've come this far, as long as you listen to your heart. You look hurt. I can see it your eyes.

I know how feel like. But stay awake. I can't move your heavy ass in the corner if you're unconscious." I said slapping his cheek, on his face that is.

Get your mind out of the gutter !

He let out a weak chuckle. I cleaned my bloody hands went to the store to get a first aid kit along with a sandwich and a blanket.

I tried my best stitching up his wound with the light from my phone. I wrapped some gauze on around the would and I helped him lie down on the bench nearby, giving him the sandwich and blanket. Dante thanked me and I nodded in response.

"What's yours ?" He asked, referring to what my name was.

Smiling, I answered, "Nah, I'm good ! Let it be a mystery, Mr. Dante."

As I walked away, I turned back and looked at him with the blanket around him felt bad for leaving him on the street, but I couldn't bring a total stranger to my home.

You know...STRANGER DANGER !

I left with one thought...all I wanted was coffee.

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Peace out, Nuggets !!!