“Who’s there?” I called out, my eyes staring at the darkness.

  I heard subtle steps and a tall figure from the shadows slowly emerged.

  “Is anyone out there?” Athena’s voice trembled from her standing right behind me. Her hand reached out holding on to my shoulder. Athena's body shivered like a leaf of this unexpected intervention.

  “You…again.” I said my eyes locked on that tall frame.

  A light laughter echoed.

  “Busted…” Itsuki came into the light. Stepping on the bridged pathway we were standing on. Right under a streetlight. His cat-like eyes are smiling.

  He wasn’t startled or worried that he was exposed. Calm and confident posture.

  “You have been following me since I left my home.” I looked over at him.

  Stepping closer. “Watching me from afar…” I took another step forward.

  Athena’s hand slipped off my shoulder.

  “...Itsuki.” I stopped right in front of him.

  He was taller than me so I was looking up. Eyes locked in, intensely staring at him.

  Itsuki did not speak but stared at me delightfully.

  “What is your answer?” Itsuki asked me.

  Athena simply stared at us both with big eyes.

  “Answer to what?” I asked.

  “Your friend asked for your help. I want to know if you will help her.” He pressed me to respond to Athena's plea for her insane revenge plan.

  “So you can report to Lawyets?" I raised an eyebrow.

  Itsuki laughed as if I asked a silly question. “No. Why would I?”

  “You work for them.” I replied.

  Itsuki shook his head in rejection.

  “Wrong.”

  “I know that you are not a friend…and this type of situation…” I looked up and down observing his stance. “You’re too comfortable…lingering in the shadows.”

  Itsuki’s eyes lit up from my words.

  His posture was still calm. He learned by observing me. Trying to read me.

  “Perceptive.” He flashed me a smile, giving me a wink.

  Then he looked over my shoulder at Athena.

  She was still not moving and watching us from behind me.

  “I am sorry to hear about your tragedy like this Athena…” Itsuki said in a sympathetic tone. “No one should go through something so traumatic…”

  “You’re both scaring me…” Athena did not know how to respond.

  Looking as if what she just confessed to me might bite her big time. Like she floundered the hope of ever moving forward with the plan.

  I turned away from Itsuki and towards Athena.

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  Itsuki followed and headed over too.

  We three stood there in a small circle on this dark Sunday night under a streetlamp. Like three shady creatures plotting under the dark cloudy night.

  The combination of people felt strange.

  “Athena…you’re putting yourself in danger over feelings. I acknowledge your desire to fulfill your wish but you mentioned that what you want will put you in mortal danger.” I said.

  My eyes and tone are serious. It’s one thinking and plotting. Wishing and actually acting it out. These two things are very different. I wanted her to realise how serious this was.

  “That this might not only put you in danger but anyone who is close to you.” I continued to tell her. “Are you willing to pay the price for that?” I locked my eyes and seriously asked.

  Athena looked over at me. Her eyes lit up.

  “Are you going to help me?”

  “Athena!” I called her out. “Are you willing to pay the price?” I asked her again.

  She willingly nodded. Her eyes turned serious.

  “I will do anything!” She responded to my question. Athena’s eyes brightly shining under the streetlight. Wind blew past us making her long ponytail move in the motions.

  “Even if an innocent bystander might be caught up in your plotting?” I asked her.

  “I…” Athena’s look wavered to this. “I want to do this…” Her voice was quiet.

  “Tsk…tsk!” Itsuki shook his head, disappointed.

  “Revenge never ends happily. Anyone harbouring feelings like yours tend to have a miserable end.” Itsuki warned Athena.

  Athena looked over to Itsuki.

  “I…want to...and if it ends with me dead…so be it!” Her eyes strengthened again.

  I let out a sigh.

  “I will not help you.” I said my reply to this.

  Athena didn't understand her wish. What she wanted out of it.

  Her goal was to run away and expose the city. That’s a coward's way.

  Her mom would be put in danger the minute she leaves. Any of her friends will immediately be called in. I could see this play out.

  Reigen roaming with his man in suits in a similar manner he did to me.

  Athena does not have anyone like my father holding them back. A disposable. She was too normal for her mission. Her imagination was misguided.

  To me, her situation only would complicate what mystery I have. I did not see her vision.

  “Rory??” Athena cried out. “Why not?” She wanted to know.

  “I am sorry but I don’t see this end well for you.” I told my truth.

  Itsuki looked between the both of us. Intrigued by this interaction. As I was stepping away Itsuki’s eyes sparked the torch.

  “Rory…” He shook his head at me. Then turned his attention to my friend.

  “I will help you Athena.” He said to her and came closer.

  He took out his hand. Wanting to take Athena’s.

  This stopped me. I looked at them.

  “...you?...Will you help me?” Athena stuttered surprised by this development.

  Itsuki smiled charmingly and nodded.

  “Of course! Let it be our little secret.” He acknowledged Athena’s pain and agreed to carry out her plan.

  Athena looked at Itsuki’s hand and stepped forward and took it.

  They shook hands.

  “No!” I turned back to them two.

  “It’s not up to you Rory!” Itsuki looked over after shaking their hands.

  “Athena…Itsuki isn’t someone to be trusted in.” I said to her seriously.

  “No one is!” Athena’s eyes turned to me. “This is the only chance I got.” She told me.

  Athena did not have a choice in this. She had to take anything she could. Even if this was from this stranger.

  I tried to understand Athena’s choice. If someone close to me had a fate like that. What would I do? Would I accept Itsuki’s help?

  I did not understand what he would get out of this? What was his aim here? He acts like a friend and foe. I did not see a line between. The mystery over him grew even more. Those cat-like eyes plotting and knowing things that I did not know. Tall frame and dangerous lurking. He is looking for something? What is he looking for?

  “Oh…”

  Itsuki spoke up as if remembered something.

  “You can’t go to the university for next week.” He told me.

  “What?” I raised an eyebrow.

  “Why?” Athena also questioned.

  Itsuki looked over to me.

  “That’s what I was told. You will be with me. Till Shin’s nose heals…you are not to step in the university.” He told me. “That’s why I am here.”

  Itsuki smiled innocently.

  “Are you saying they banned me?” I asked.

  Itsuki nodded. “Yes. If you try to enter they have arranged someone to not let you in.” Itsuki warned me.

  “You’re not serious?” I was not happy about this.

  “I don’t make the rules.” Itsuki shrugged.

  “It’s to preserve their status.” Athena opened her mouth. Understanding their tactics.

  “I will update you Rory! And ask your professors for the material you missed. Don’t worry!” Athena looked over at me.

  Even though I did not agree to help her situation. Athena herself volunteered to help me.

  “It’s okay…you don’t need to do this.” I told her.

  “Don’t worry! We are friends!” She smiled, shrugging her shoulders.

  “Aww! You got a good friend here!” Itsuki noted.

  “Thank you!” I smiled my eyes at Athena.

  “It’s getting very late…I think I am gonna go.” Athena said. “Talk to you two later.” She looked at her phone screen. It was getting pretty late.

  Athena left. Turning away in the different direction I was going.

  “I will take you home!” Itsuki offered.

  “Thank you but no thank you!” I turned away and walked alone.