Tristian and I sat on the couch in the living room, the heat from the freshly made tea warming my hands. Tristian didn't bother touching his and stared at the coffee table as if nothing was more interesting.

It had been two days since I yelled at him. He didn't bring up the topic, but I knew that was what he wanted to talk about.

It was hard to tell what was going through his mind. With the mask on, he hid his emotions. I could tell from his body language, but I was never sure if I was guessing right.

Whenever he faced in the direction of the big red chair, he shifted uncomfortably, hold his hands together, or stare at anything but me.

He knew something.

And I was dying to get some answers, yet I wasn't sure what the questions were.

What was I going to ask? What did I want to know?

I shifted in my seat, the words already forming in my head. Yes, I do suppose that's where we can start.

I cleared my throat and Tristian looked up as if he was already prepared. I turned my mug around in my hands, my knee bouncing up and down.

"W-When I was little, my mama and step-papa had a friend. Mr. Stevens used to visit me often." I began. Tristian listened, resting his elbows on his knees. "He and... my step-papa were close friends; I thought they were brothers. He used to, uh, give me money and I always spent it on candy, soda, whatever I craved for." I paused, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"My step-papa always told Mr. Stevens to stop spoiling me, but he never listened. When my step-papa passed away, Mr. Stevens stopped visiting and I never understood why. My mama hardly talked to me about anything. I tried visiting Mr. Stevens, but he was usually in the city since his wife tried to commit suicide. Belle was nice to me, too."

Tristian's shoulders stiffened and he raised his hands, covering his face as he turned to look away. He appeared to be... scared. I tilted my head and reached to touch his knee, but stopped. I pulled my hand away.

"I visited her in the hospital... She told me you are a hothead and that you haven't been the same since eleven years ago. If she knows all of that, you must visit her, right?" I asked.

I knew I was crossing a line of his privacy, but this had to mean something. What were the odds that I knew someone who also met the masked man in the woods? An urban legend told at campfires and sleepovers to scare each other?

This had to mean something.

Tristian sighed and lowered his hands. "She's a friend. I didn't know you were friends with her as well."

"H-How, um, did you meet Belle?" I asked, taking a sip of my tea.

Tristian slowly shrugged his shoulders and stared at his hands. "I was gathering wood and I felt like I needed to go closer to the edge of the woods. It was late, so I didn't think it mattered."

"That's where you saw her." I said, already knowing where it was going.

Tristian nodded. "I heard her screaming for help. I didn't think it through. I only sought to help her."

I looked down at my tea and my eyes widen. "That means you know how the bikers look like!"

"Excuse me?"

"The bikers! They were never caught." I said and stood up. "If you can give me a description of each of them, that'll put poor Belle at ease, no?"

Tristian let out a short chuckle. "I can't do that."

I frowned. "Why?"

Tristian raised his hand towards his mouth area, tracing the mask's lips with his thumb. "I—"

I heard the front door rattle and I jumped. Tristian stood up, getting ready to leave, but the front door opened. I panicked and mouthed Tristian to hide behind the couch. I was about to turn when Tristian lightly grabbed my elbow.

"What?" I whispered.

He hesitated. "I'll be right outside. Distract him."

I heard keys falling and I nodded. I walked out of the living room just as Javon stepped inside.

My heart thumped in my chest and I couldn't force a smile if I wanted to. "W-What are you doing here?" I asked.

Javon looked at the coffee table and raised an eyebrow. "You have company?" He asked, dropping his coat and briefcase on the floor.

I crossed my arms over my chest, feeling my face pale, but tried to remain calm. "Y-Yes. Mr. Stevens came by a few minutes ago. You just missed him." I said, going over to pick up the mugs.

"Oh, really?"

I nodded, heading to the kitchen and spilled the tea.

I heard his footsteps creep forward until his hands were on either side of me, his chest an inch away from my back. He leaned forward and buried his nose in my hair. My body tensed up and I froze.

"I thought Mr. Stevens drove everywhere he went and I didn't see a car pull out." He whispered, brushing my hair away. His lips lightly touched my exposed neck and an uncomfortable shiver went through me.

"L-Like I said, you missed him." I said, pulling away and going the counter. I grabbed a napkin and started wiping the counter as if it was dirty.

Javon stayed where he was and I slowed down. My breath was knocked right out of me and I felt a new kind of fear rise.

The veins of the back of his neck turned back and for a split second, his skin turned light gray. I dropped the napkins and took a step back when he turned around.

He appeared normal, but for some reason, I felt his demeanor change as he smirked.

"What's wrong, babe?" He asked, pushing away from the sink.

I licked my lips. "I remember we ran out of milk. I'm going to get some before the store closes."

I turned to walk out, but Javon grabbed my elbow. "Let me go buy it. This way you can at least say goodbye to your lover, you whore!" He shouted in my face, pushing me away.

I yelped as I fell on my side. Adrenaline kicked in as I scooted back until my back hit the wall. I panted and rapidly shook my head.

"I-I'm not seeing anyone!" I shouted, flinching when he stopped right in front of me.

"Don't fucking lie to me! I know everything, and now you're going to pay for it." Javon seethed, unbuckling his belt.

Panic rose inside of me and I kicked his knee causing him to scream in pain and drop down on one knee. I raced up the stairs, my heart beating loud in my ears.

I ran to my old bedroom and slammed the door, locking it just as Javon got to the top. I looked towards the window and tore the curtains down. Javon started banging on the door and I whimpered as I opened the window.

I wasted no time in throwing one leg out and the other when I spotted Tristian, running towards me.

"Jump! I'll catch you!" He shouted, waving his hands.

I almost shook my head when one of the hinges cracked. I gasped and pushed myself off without a second to spare. I flew through the air for a second and landed awkwardly on top of Tristian.

I panted as I found myself face-to-face with Tristian. Our lips were an inch away, the tip of my nose touching the mask's cold one.

The moment was ruined when Javon finally managed to bust the door open. Tristian acted fast and turned us over. He put his hand behind my back and I locked my legs around his waist as he went behind a tree.

I breathed rapidly and Tristian put his finger to his lips. I nodded and pursed my lips shut. I couldn't see or hear anything, but when Tristian lowered his hand, it told me Javon had left from the window.

I unlocked my legs around him and planted my feet on the snow. I didn't realize I was shivering from the bitter cold until Tristin ran his hands up and down my arms.

"Let me take to my home. You're freezing."

"That's not my husband." I blurted out before I could even gather my thoughts.

Tristian cocked his head to the side. "What do you mean?"

My vision blurred and I inhaled to stop myself from sobbing. "That's not my husband...."