We both stopped short and under the dim streetlight, I noticed worry smeared all over his face.

  'You?' He exclaimed.

  Before I could answer, a knife-armed hand reached out from his blind spot, I had just enough time to stop it mid-air, barely two inches from his person before twisting it backwards, a cry of anguish came from the owner of the hand followed by a cracking sound. I might or might not have used too much force.

  Hurried footsteps of two people running away could be heard in the anxious seconds that followed. With respect to the scene before me, I was enlightened that there had, in fact, been more than one person and thanked my Gods that they were cowards. Turns out both me and my acquaintance had been subject to a similar predicament.

  My acquaintance managed up another 'You!',this time with the addition of astonishment and mild wonder in his tone.

  By the time he recovered from the shock, I turned to check my surroundings for the person at my heel as I had this premonition that he would turn out less cowardly than those two. The dark alley lay clear , with no sign of that person.

  'You know martial arts?' He sounded surprised.

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  'No, no,' I brushed it off,'just some slight self-defense here and there.' It wasn't exactly a lie. That move could be easily mastered by people with no martial arts and low physical strength.

  'Well then, I suppose I should thank the heavens that I met you here.' It surprised me how quickly he regained his composure. He continued,'This is the second time we meet. Miss, do you believe in fate?'

  By the familiarity in his tone, i had the annoying realisation that we were both under the tacit understanding recognised each other and the demon inside of me itched to break that .

  'I'm sorry, but have we met before?' I played dumb.

  He seemed momentarily aback, then much to my displeasure, continued with no sign of giving up

  'We met at an exhibition before, but it's fine if you don't remember. Actually, it saves me a lot of trouble meeting you here like this. Also, I know a few shops in this area ,would you mind if we spoke somewhere.' He said while suspiciously, eyeing his surroundings.

  'I don't think that would be necessary.' I stated firmly.

  'I dont see why you would want to speak in this eerie place. The bill's on me if that's what you're worried about.' As it turns out, he missed my point by quite a few degrees.

  'You misunderstood. What i mean is that I'm rather busy and can't see any subject of possible importance for us to speak on.' If it took rudeness to brush him off ,then I'd very much resort to it. In the latest decade of my life, no one but my clients have needlessly occupied my time for so long, and I have no intention of entertaining him any longer given the fact that young men are a rather curious lot, their minds often running in twisted directions.

  Without waiting for a reply, I walked past him, into the darkness, my feet dragging me to I know not where. I had marched not more than five steps when his voice rang out again, but this time, the conventional bright tone was replaced with the cutting edge of sharp cold metal, almost sounding malevolent.

  'I'm afraid there is more to the world than what meets the eye, Averna Vivian Lane, or should I say Black frost' The last two words spoken menacingly with a sardonic undertone, those syllables which I never expected (nor wanted) to hear again.

  I remember the sickly feeling settling in my stomach. Even as I wanted to run, every fibre in my body recoiled and grew numb as if they had a mind of their own.

  Turns out I miscalculated the danger all along. It was standing right in front of me.