Courage is resistance to fear,

Mastery of fear, not absence of fear.

{Mark Twain}

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The A5 paper was folded very neatly in half. I wondered what this could be. Did I accidentally take some paper from the hospital? Without thinking much I unfolded the paper.

My heart immediately sank down with my feelings of happiness. That cursed crown was engraved into the paper. Owning it. It left me paralysed and will probably leave me unable to sleep tonight.

Enjoying your big day Perra. I see you've been spoilt. Maybe I'll do the rotting part. Don't forget what I said putta. Run your mouth, and Ill have my sweet time killing everyone you know. Ciao.

My initial thoughts were how did this get inside my pocket? Was it at the hospital? But then I didn't have my coat on then. It must've been after hospital was over, because I'm 100 percent sure there was nothing in my pockets when I left the house.

Suddenly what happened in the bus rolled around my brain. The bus halting.

Someone bumping into me.

Glance at my pocket.

That cunning women!

She must've been the one who put this accursed note in my pocket. Oh Laila. How naive you are. You know nothing of the evil In this world.

Actually brain I do. You're literally me. Shut up and stop chastising me.

At this point I was going insane. I didn't even feel fear when I read the note, but more so a creepy feeling settling in my guts. This person can't be the mafia. I'm pretty sure, if they were they wouldn't be sending me notes like some long lost lover, but kill me. Right?

But then again, that symbol told me otherwise. Today, I will not fear anyone, especially not a flimsy note written on a piece of paper. And with that, my hands mustered the courage to rip apart the paper and put it in the bin, despite the slight worry edging around my heart.

I ignored it, just like the event In the bus and carried on doing my night time routine before finally landing in bed. I made sure to catch up on some emails and my family and friends back home before slowly drifting off to sleep.

The idea of staying at home tomorrow and not doing anything, literally, made me jubilant. My eyes closed shut, only opening after a good ten hours of sleep.

My blasted alarm goes off, walking me up from dreamland. It was a pretty good one too until I saw the face of the knight in shining armour, reaching me from vampites. It was the man Antoinette was conversing with at the hospital, and supposedly the man who was threatening me.

In that case, it wasn't a dream but a nightmare, where I had ended up catching feelings for him. Astaghfirullah. May that day never occur in reality.

I rubbed my eyes with my finger tips, trying to rid the itch. I brushed my teeth and washed my face before going downstairs and preparing breakfast for everyone. Whilst I was cutting the ingredients for the omelet, Lameesa walked into the kitchen, her hair defying gravity and her dressing gown placed on her body roughly.

I could tell it was one of those days.

She mumbled and grumbled something in spanish, leaning on the counter next to me.

"Wake up sleepy head. Rise and shine Lameesa" I tapped her head, making sure it's not hollow.

"It's not hollow. Alhamdulillah" I said cheekily, grinning at her scrunched up face.

"Ha ha ha. So funny Laila I think it's time for you to grow up" she argued, very maturely whilst sticking her tongue out, entirely contradicting herself.

"Ofcourse I'm the grown up here Misa. Now stop whining and help me make breakfast instead of just standing there" I playfully said. She grumbled, very loudly may I add, before washing her hands.

"You should be thrilled I'm so nice haiwan"

I chuckled at her very endearing language continuing to cut the vegetables. I was in charge of the omelet, whilst Lameesa made the toast and some tea. Although Spain was a huge coffee consumer, the Mukhtars made sure that they upheld their arabic roots, and drank tea religiously In the morning just like us Pakistanis.

Not long later, the remaining family members perched themselves around the dining table. Kira and Sajdah sniff the air whilst rubbing their hands together.

"I smell a delicious breakfast" they both hummed simultaneously, caught off guard.

"Jinx"

"Jinx"

"No I said jinx first" Kira exclaimed, smacking her sisters arm.

"Did not. Mama I said it first didn't I?" Sajdah frowned. Auntie looked at both her daughter's before looking at me.

"Laila dear. Come sit and eat breakfast" the twins pouted at the lack of their mothers reply. I nodded, sitting down opposite Lameesa. We all began our morning meal full of chatter and laughter. Alhamdulillah.

Lameesa suggested we go out to the park like old times. I nodded my head at her suggestion, going to put on my coat. We walked down the streets until we reached the park.

Kids were littered around swinging on the swings, sliding on the slide and others just stood next to their parents, wanting to go play with the other kids, but their parents were just engrossed in their conversations.

The weather wasn't too cold or too sunny. It looked as if it was about to rain, with the sky turning grey. It reminded me of back home, where the UK weather was always like this. There was never a day when the sky wasn't gray, even in the summer.

Suddenly a plastic ball came out of nowhere and before my reflexes could come into action, it collided with my forehead, rendering me dizzy. Lameesa next to me laughed, almost falling off the bench, whilst I rubbed the ache away.

"It wasn't that funny" I mumbled. A kid, around the age of ten came into our view, with the ball under his arm.

"Lo siento mucho señorita. Se suponía que debía golpear la pelota hacia mi amigo, pero accidentalmente aterrizó sobre ti" the kid exclaimed in rapid spanish. I could only make out the apology. I turned towards Lameesa who had finally shut up, expectantly waiting for her to translate.

"He said he's sorry and that the ball wasn't meant to hit you" I nodded turning towards the boy and smiling at him. His frown immediately turned upside down into a smile.

Lameesa told him he's forgiven on my behalf. The boy smiled before running off to his friend. Standing next to him, he waved at me before continuing to play.

"Mierda. Lameesa. Kira messaged me ten minutes ago telling me to come home" Lameesa exclaimed, walking my arm in the process. What is with today and me getting hurt?

I stood from the bench stretching my numb muscles. We walked side by side back home. A notification alerted me from my thoughts, as I saw it was Nadir texting me. I texted back telling him how my Saturday has gone.

Out conversation stopped when we reached the house. I texted an Allah Hafiz before stepping inside.

I could immediately notice a change in atmosphere, as neither was the TV on full volume and also there was a full on tinted black SUV parked just outside the house. Me and Lameesa looked at each other worriedly before making our way towards the heart of the house.

I was petrified to see who had graced us with their presence. It was the demon. The bane of my nightmares and threats. He was chatting with uncle as if he was some sort of a long lost friend. His suit fit him immaculately as he leaned forward In the chair. What the hell. Astaghfirullah Laila.

I stood by the door, too scared to go into the room. It wasn't until Lameesa entered the room, unknowing of the danger, that uncle and auntie noticed us. They stood up, smiling at me and Lameesa.

I didn't respond with anything. My face was blank, or i hoped it was. No one should know how worried I really am.

The demon followed auntie and uncles line of view, his dark gaze landing on me, burning my body. He smirked, standing up, his hands in his pocket. He was tall. Very tall. Standing next to uncle, who I thought was a tall man, made him seem like a kid in comparison. Just his presence was enough to fill up the room.

"Laila, Lameesa glad you came back on time. I want you two to meet Mister Rey, Laila's leading boss at the the hospital. He wanted to personally thank Laila for her contribution towards the children, as their parents have said many wonderful things about her." Auntie announced happiness shining through her speech.

I focused my attention solely on auntie and uncle, not once turning towards the demon. I could feel his intenze gaze on me. It felt as if spiders were trickling down my spine.

"Gracias Mrs Mukhtar for the introduction but I think I would like to speak to Miss Bakhtar alone" his deep voice exclaimed, leaving now room for answered.

I tried leading with my eyes to not leave me alone here but I guess is any good enough at showing this. They nodded at him, looking at me encouragingly wngore walking away.

"And pleasee. Close the door behind you" A smile which didn't reach his eyes stretched out. From my brief glance he looked like a jaguar, waiting to pounce on its prey with the nischevuous eyes and the chilling smile.

As soon as the door shut, my heart opened with nerves and fear. How was it possible a dangerous criminal came into our house?

May Allah protect us all.

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