"What? Why are you telling me this?"

"I'm taking that Leap of Faith in trusting you Angel" he smirked

"Trusting that you won't tell anybody."

He just told me that he was escaping prison and now he didn't want to tell anybody!? I couldn't deal with that type of pressure! I need to find out more so that I could report it.

"Well, then what time are you going to do it..?" I asked, trying not to see too suspicious.

The criminal chuckled deeply as I sat in my seat, tense, but still determined.

"You're testing the trust thing we have going, aren't you?" he said, opening his closed eyes and staring into my soul with his yellow irises, making my stomach twist. Why does he always have that effect on me!?

"Well, if you must know- tomorrow."

What? So soon? I wondered as I checked the clock watch on my wrist.

11:58 am

"So, are you going to tell anybody?" he said in a flat done with zero frets about his hasty decision, sending shivers down my spine. "Because if not I would like you to escape with me."

And that is when all my world went still.

He wanted me to come with him. Why would he want me though?

"Why?" I said in full confidence, making his smirk widen and his eyebrow raise.

"You don't seem happy here, and you deserve more," he explained casually, but that alone made my cheeks heat up. I could never- I can't just run away with a villain like him.

"So, the answer is..?" he awaited as I snapped out of the minefield that was going on inside my head.

"I-I can't Francis, it would be making a deal with the devil," I muttered.

"A very handsome devil at that." he bragged, making me scoff.

"My offer will remain open." he ended, by leaning back in his chair and dropping his head back, putting his Adam's apple on full display for me to look at, bobbing up and down.

"Whatever you say," I said as the alarm went off and a very grumpy Chris stormed in and quickly chained Francis back up.

He never got used to the fact that I would be talking to the most dangerous gang leader in the state, alone in an empty room. He was always acting like a big brother to me, giving me a wave as he brought Francis off the chair and turned away to leave.

And once again, I was left in the room alone, allowing the panic to set in.

What am I supposed to do? I just got an offer to run away with a gang leader! I needed to tell someone. Now. I felt as if I'd burst if I didn't let it out.

Who knows what he'll do when he escapes? He could kill so many more people. I had to tell someone. Even if that meant betraying a dangerous villain that I have the trust of.

Sceptically walking out of the room, I looked around to see if there were any guards, I saw one dozed off, leaning on the cement walls.

He had his hat tipped on the edge of his nose, shielding his sight from anything. I walked up to him, the sounds of my steps echoing around the room, but still, no reaction from him. If he can't hear me now, what will make him hear Francis when escapes?

"Huh?" the guard slurs out as I tap my heel loud enough to snap him out of his sleep.

He gives me a grouchy look before straightening his posture and clearing his voice in a cough.

"What can I do for you little lady," he says in a southern accent, but my blood runs cold at the flash of Francis's eyes in my mind.

If I do this then I would be betraying one of the most dangerous criminals out there, a supernatural one at that.

"Well-"

"Well, what? You just woke me up from my sleep" he pouted, and I finally came up with something else to say.

"That's just it! Why are you sleeping on the job? The most dangerous criminal is a few doorways away from you and he could escape any second, so get back to your job" I demanded, but as soon as I stopped, I stood there stunned.

That was a very, very close call. I nearly just told this stranger about it. But he seemed too surprised about my outburst to care about it.

"S-sorry lady- I mean ma'am! I'll get right to it!" he said before speed walking away.

I look around to see if there's anyone else, whilst biting my nails in pure nervousness. I can't let him escape, but I can't let him know that I told anybody. How can I possibly do that? I walk away from the prison cells and look down with my mind racing with thoughts, almost blurring my vision.

The hall was filled with people, and some pushed past me roughly, but only one caught my attention.

He was positioned outside a door, it looked to be nothing important- as if he was just standing there for the muse of it. But I knew who it was when I saw his hand slide from his pocket. The tattoo of the wing. I looked up to see his face and saw his eyes already on me, waiting for a reaction but I couldn't give one, not here, not now.

I turned away quickly to storm away. Hearing his low chuckle echo through my ears, over and over.

What do I do, what do I-

"Oof!"

I had been so distracted that I wasn't looking at where I was going, and I was now on the floor after colliding with someone. I looked up and saw a familiar face with a familiar smile, holding out a hand of help.

"Keisha!" I said in surprise.

I took her hand and yanked myself up as her smile turned to a frown as she looked at my face for a second longer. She put both of her hands on each of my shoulders so that I couldn't walk or turn away from her, she may look weak, but she has the strength of any guard here.

"What's wrong V?" she asked making me question myself. What was wrong with me? All I had to do was tell someone what was going to happen tonight. For a minute I stared into her eyes trying to speak but I couldn't. My mouth just didn't let me. "You can tell me- "

"I can't," I sobbed, dropping my head onto her shoulder and as soon as I did she pulled me into a tight hug.

"I want to.. so, so bad... but I can't" I cried and pushed my head deeper into her shoulder to hide my sorrowful face covered in tears. Keisha patted my back and just nodded her head. She wasn't a friend to push something, she always let it come out when it needed to, that's why she was my best friend. She was always there for me.

Once I calmed down we both went on our break and sat on the best outside. I was quiet most of the time whilst comforted. I gave her a little smile. As she went in for another hug, I rested my chin on her shoulder, whilst looking at the busy street of the city with a smile, I caught eyes with a mysterious figure, standing there, looking to be waiting or looking for someone.

He was all dressed in black, but in a sophisticated style, with a blazer and expensive-looking accessories. It made his green eyes pop out even more. My mouth dropped wide open.

As we locked eyes, after a minute all he did was smirk and walk away swiftly as if he found what he was looking for.

My jaw clenched and my fingers dug into my hand. It seemed as if he was everywhere.

We both pulled out of the hug and continued to chat until both of our breaks were over and we went back to work to continue our 10 more minutes of work until it was over.

I found a good article to read about advice from a former therapist and I got so lost in the content that I didn't notice that Keisha came in until she started talking.

"How long until you finish? It's getting dark and it's nearly 10 pm" she whined, and I knew she wanted to get home to the warmth.

"Go ahead without me, I'm going to finish this article" I smiled, and she nodded with a smile and turned on her heel, trotting off as fast as she could with her booted shoes.

After 20 more minutes of reading and I had finished the article, I cleaned up my things and walked out of the darkened room. By this time nearly everyone was gone except for the overnight guards.

Walking down the silent hallway, I got a chill up my spine, it's never been this dark and spooky at night and it feels like something or someone was watching me. As I walked my footsteps echoed and the adrenaline and fear that I was experiencing were rising, rapidly.

And for a moment, I could swear that I could hear another person walking. Just a few more steps to the entrance.

I suddenly snapped as I opened the door and the cold wind, hit my face. I ran.

I booked it down the street, tightly turning building corners. Even though I was out of breath halfway to my home, I still ran and ran until I got to the apartment complex entrance. Closing the door quietly, not to wake up others, I lazily walked up the stairs since I had spent all my energy running and finally I reached the door and let out a happy sigh. Finally.. home!

I opened the door, slowly but was surprised when I didn't hear Tiki's happy chirps, she was usually so excited when I get home. I walked further into the apartment and closed the door quietly.

"Tiki?" I whispered trying to see if she or anyone else was there.

Checking around a few places, I finally went to my bedroom and saw her sitting on my side table, looking... scared?

Walking in, pushing past the door, I went to pick her up but froze as I felt a luminous shadow, hiding behind the door, my eyes darted to the window in front of me and I see the reflection of a man.

Turning around quickly, I tried to see who it was but instead, I was met with the dark as I felt a needle pinch my neck, I could only feel parts of my body being moved to feel less as the liquid is pushed further into my blood flow. But once I felt the softness of my bed under me, I fell into a state of unconsciousness.

I groaned as the sun beamed on my face. I grabbed my pillow to cover my eyes to shield myself. My head was pounding and hurt like hell as I moved around more.

What- what happened last night?

Waves of pain went through me. I looked around my room which was bathed in the sunlight of dawn and saw nothing out of the unusual.

But that's when all the memories of last night came rushing back into my head.

Someone broke in. And they sedated me. Then I passed out.

But did I imagine it all?

I rushed around the apartment, and nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary not even Tiki. She was just sleeping in her cage as she usually does at this time. Rushing into my bedroom, my legs still hurting like hell, but I ignored it as I stared at the floor I swear I had fallen to last night.

Somebody did this, and they planned it well. They knew what they were doing- to make it seem like nothing.

Defiantly.

Maybe?

Or not...?

"-at right Val..? Val!" someone exclaimed, and I looked to my side to see that Keisha was there. Where was I again?

I looked around my surroundings, confused, to see that I was on the streets again, walking with Keisha. To work, I'm guessing?

Why couldn't I remember going to the apartment, and meeting up with Keisha, it's like this day just whizzed by in a second. What is happening to me?

Keisha continued to talk about.. well, whatever she was talking about, whilst I just nodded my head, pretending to listen to her when I was dozing off into my mind. I kept thinking about last night, it felt so real but when I try to think about how I woke up today, with nothing out of place, now I couldn't even find a tiny mark anywhere on my skin where they might've sedated me, just made me doubt myself more.

And then, before I knew it, we were at work.

Keisha and I said our goodbyes and I wearily walked over to my desk and slumped into my chair, my head still throbbing and filled with pain.

I dropped my head into my hands and all I could do was sit there and whine to myself in pain. I closed my eyes and sat in the darkness of my mind, slowly drifting to sleep which kind of eased the throbbing pain, until there was a clunk on my desk and my hung head fell out of my hands, but I shot up my posture before I could let my head fall to the desk.

Still groaning, I looked up to see who it was and saw Chris standing there, looking down at me very confused.

"It's not like you to sleep on the job or zone out Valentina." he pep-talked making me feel guilty. "Keisha told me you weren't acting like yourself this morning and I came to check on you and you're here, sleeping."

I felt like I was about to cry, the pain, pressure from Francis and the added guilt from Mrs Carol and Chris was too much for me but all I could do was mumble out that I had a really bad headache and needed rest.

Chris nodded and said that he would drop off some migraine pills later which I just nodded to before lazily getting on my laptop and skimming some articles about illnesses and how to identify them.

Ugh, my eyelids feel like boulders. They were getting harder to keep open by the minute. And before I could have a second thought I dropped my eyes for a few seconds until I was jolted awake by another loud crash.

My eyes shot open, and I looked around in surprise.

Where am I ... the therapy room. How did I get here?

My eyes snapped to someone clearing their throat and I saw Francis sitting there with a bored-looking face. He looked like he was waiting for a response, but I couldn't give it because I didn't hear a single thing he had said or had been saying.

"Pardon?" I asked, quickly redirecting my to him but that just made him raise his eyebrow more.

"You were talking and then you suddenly zoned out"

"Oh.."

I don't know why but I couldn't even formulate a single thing in my head with this day just passing in a blink of an eye. Time was going by too fast; how do I stop this?

I suddenly looked back at Francis, and he kept looking at me with a confused face.

"Are you okay? You've been acting odd lately this secs" he said, voice covered with concern.

I chuckled to myself; a feared criminal cared about me. And is doing my job for me by trying to see what's going on in my life.

"I'm feeling fine. Just a little tired.." I said lowly, not even finding the energy to hide what I was feeling. But Francis didn't drop the subject, which irritated me inside. I'm going to lose it soon!

"You not fine. So, are you going to tell me or not?" he demanded making the anger inside me rise. But I didn't want to outburst so all I did was keep quiet which left the room silent.

Until the bird boy spoke up.

"It's obvious you're not fine Dr You're spacing out"

"I'm just stressed okay!" I clap back, that surprised Francis with my outburst. Even I surprised myself.

Francis's face turned to an unreadable expression, and I could see his wings spread out as he got up. I staggered back out of my seat, wishing that I hadn't just yelled at him.

"I'm sorry," I whispered out, covering my face with my hands out of shame and fear. I don't know why this wall of emotions was crashing over me as the man only got closer to me. I got up from my seat and faced the wall trying to calm myself down, but my heart spiked as I heard his seat creak as he got up and started walking toward me.

His wings had been stretched out but were now caving in as coming closer to me, eyes concentrated on me. I could feel myself start shaking since I hadn't taken my pills in a while but the heat radiating off his body calmed me down. Staring back into his eyes, I could only stare for an amount of time before I turned around, wrapping my hands around my body.

I could feel him getting closer until he was just behind me, and his wings were stretched out, making a little barrier around him and me. But all I could do was stand there in fear. Not from Francis, but for what's going to happen to me when he leaves. Would they interrogate me for information? I would probably just spill it all about me letting Francis escape out there and then lose my job, friends, and life.

"Angel.." his voice bring me to reality and soothed my mind, but my body still tensed, and my crossed hands hung on my arms and nails dug into my skin to distract from the mental pain.

I dropped my arms in defeat and the atmosphere went still. Francis standing over me. Me, standing under the criminal with a crumbling feeling of defeat.

Then, as if right on time, the timer went off. The metal door clanged open, and Chris came in. I didn't turn around to look at either of the men, but I heard Francis turn around and Chris stop in his tracks. The room stayed still until I finally turned around to see a stare between the guard and the criminal.

"I have another session starting soon" I mumbled out trying to say that I wanted both of them to get out.

There was some more silence that was then quietly followed by footsteps and a loud clang signalling that they were both gone.

My shoulders slumped and the tension in my body was relieved, and I walked back to the little table and saw a bright yellow note as I picked it up and read it, I knew who it was from.

'

Midnight.

He's escaping tonight.. tonight?

Should I be there? No! Why would I ever want to stay to see something illegal happen because of me? What is wrong with me?

I sigh to myself and run my fingers through my hair,

I walked out of the room and went back to my desk and started to type everything in my notes into my computer. It took so long that I eventually forgot about the mid-life crisis.

As I was nodding off to sleep, I felt a hand tap me on the shoulder and I looked up to see a bright smiling face.

"Hey Keisha," I said, and she nodded in response before digging something out of her pocket and handing it to me. With closer inspection I could see that they were migraine pills, making me chuckle lightly.

"Thanks, Keish, don't know what I would do without you" I laughed, and she smiled at me before she started ranting about her sessions, and listening to her, somehow makes me feel better.

I rest my chin on my hand as I listen on and let my eyes rest and listen to her talk more.

Only a few more hours.

The rest of the day was fine for me.

No sessions were out of the ordinary, especially since most of my day had been dedicated to Francis.

Glancing at the clock on my desk, it was nearly midnight, and I could feel the nerves building throughout my body by the minute. I was scrolling aimlessly and reading my emails and rereading documents.

For whatever reason, I was stalling, waiting for everyone to leave, waving them off and watching them walk out the door as they do.

I didn't want anyone to get hurt and frequently left my desk to check on the night guards, too much so that I received confused looks and stopped after a while.

My fingers tapped on my desk, and I fidgeted with my mouse, clicking in and out of tabs, skimming over anything I could. Sweat brimmed my forehead and my vision started to blur as I feel my anxiety bursting in me.

My bubble burst once I feel the warmth of somebody behind me, jolting me out of my nightmare fantasies.

Just as I turn to face Keisha, my alarm goes off and my eyes dart to my phone and it shows the time.

11:50.

We needed to get out of here fast. I rushed up and packed all of my things, surprising my friend since she wasn't expecting me to be this fast and frantic, and I stood in front of her with my bag quickly.