Chapter 58: Chapter 58

"What are the cops doing here?" Criselda asked in incredulity beside me, wanting to find an answer. I shrugged my shoulder as we took a step close to the setting. My heartbeat was thumping clamorously, and my palms became sweaty. Some of the officers were leaning on the divider. Their hands are on over their pockets while glancing their authoritative eyes on the whole apartment.

I suddenly grabbed Criselda's arms, making her look my way. Her brows creased, almost doing a straight line.

"What's wrong?" I heard her ask, but my body froze in fear when I noticed the officers' familiarity before us.

"Good day, gentlemen. It's a surprise to see you around here. Please, state your concern." the Landlord said calmly, but I could discern the apprehension in her voice.

I trailed behind Criselda, making sure none of the cops would look our way. Many people were chirping into the scene. Curiosity is killing them. I heard whispers and complaints about why there are a lot of cops here.

"Do not worry. We're here to ask something."

I stopped dead in my tracks when I heard that familiar voice. My eyes gradually dilated. Suddenly the gravity below me went drastic as it pulled me under it, making me difficult to surface back into reality. It hurt me endlessly, suffocating me to death when someone snapped right in front of my face. In just a mere second, I was back to the surface of my consciousness, gasping and looking at Criselda, who gave me a concerned look.

"Are you okay? What are you thinking?" she asked, there was a hint of something I couldn't depict in her voice, but I nodded, telling her everything was fine.

When clearly, the trouble and fear can be witnessed in my eyes.

"We just wanted to ask if you have seen these two missing persons."

I could almost hear my heartbeat when he presented what seemed like pictures on the desk, which I had an idea who was. The Landlord's eyes squint, getting her glasses to check if she sees it correctly. She observes the pictures as if her life depends on them. Before I could hear her answers, the man in front of the desk slowly looked our way. His side profile was fascinating yet treacherous to look at.

"Let's get out of here," I whispered to Criselda before dragging her away from that floor.

"Wait, Natasha!" she almost yelled my real name, which I flinched, then looked at the officers below the stairs. Luckily they didn't hear Criselda's complaints.

Her voice faded even if she was wailing behind me. I got lost in my own trail of thoughts, thinking about how they got here. Those peckish eyes for magistrate send quivers down my spine. The looks in his eyes tell me he's not going to give up on searching, even if many people stand in his way.

Even if my knees were getting weak, I took a stand. I needed to be strong, especially for Ethan. I need to protect him.

"Wait! Hold on!"

We stopped in the middle of the hallway when Criselda let go of my arm. When I glanced behind her, she was caressing her arms. Oh god, I lost control. I didn't notice I was hurting her.

"I-i'm terribly sorry. Criselda-"

"Can you tell me what's going on here?!" she put her arms beyond her waist, her left brow raised in irritation. I closed my eyes and then let out a stressful sigh. I don't know how to start. If I told her why am I running away from the cops, she would ask more questions.

"C-criselda-"

"Natasha, tell me," she said in an icy manner. She was impatient and then took a step forward. I parted my lips, wanting to say something, but something was pulling me not to say a word.

"Why did you run away? What's going on? What's the matter?"

I shook my head, and tears formed in the corners of my eyes. I choked back a sob, trying to control my emotions. I took a step back until my back hit the wall. Criselda caged me with her sinister eyes.

"Did you do something against the authorities? Huh?" her voice sounded doubtful. Why is she desperate to know the truth?

"N-no, it's not like that. It's hard to explain, okay?" everything feels so heavy and hard to control now. I tried to push her away, but she gripped my arms, not letting me go.

"You two did something horrible, don't you?" her voice echoed through the hallway. I responded, begging for her to let go, but she didn't let me. She clicked her tongue, then pushed me.

"Do you think I didn't hear you two?" she asked, her voice somehow changed into something solemn. The hair of my back neck rose in fear when she took a step forward while I was grunting in pain.

"Who are you, huh?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat, not knowing how to answer her question. She pushed my shoulder. Her charming smile was gone thoroughly. It was as if she changed her whole personality in just a blink.

"Tell me, so I can understand you, Natasha."

I pursed my lips, lowering my head and looking at the ground. I don't know how I will say to her everything without staggering her. She might go berserk if she founds out that Ethan isn't a moderate person like they expect him.

"What's going on here? Natasha? Criselda?"

We both looked behind us when Ethan got out of our unit. His eyes were scanning us with that dreadful stare. He moved his jaw and then clenched his hand when he realized what was happening.

"What are you doing?" he asked, then blocked Criselda's view, shielding his body to protect me.

I heard her chortled humorlessly, "What about you? What are you two doing here in the first place?" she asked earnestly. Still having that doubt in her tone.

Ethan didn't say anything. Instead, he took my hand and then yanked me towards his side.

"Our situation here is none of your business. Go back to your unit," Ethan ordered. His voice tells you to do what he says, or you will face the consequences. Before Criselda could say something, Ethan turned his back on her, leaving her behind while dragging me.

"There are police here from another city, and they happened to look for two missing people."

Ethan stopped in his track. His grip tautened around my arms. I glanced back at Criselda, grinning, but her expression said otherwise. I looked up at Ethan, who didn't say anything, but his eyes darkened.

"I wouldn't say anything. Just tell me the truth. I can't be friends with someone who has a track record." she explained, her voice breaking.

Something intense pierced through my heart, making it difficult for me to breathe. She suspects us because of our questionable acts. I understand her point. Why would I be friends with someone running away from the authorities, right?

"Please." she pleaded then I felt her hand on mine, trying to stop us from pushing her. Our eyes lock for a moment. I was under pressure as I tried to comprehend what she said. Should we trust her about Ethan's secret?

"No."

"W-what?" We gasped in surprise when Ethan looked down at Criselda and then pushed her on her shoulder.

"Ethan, stop." I tried to stop him, but he didn't listen. Instead, he put me behind him and then handled Criselda alone.

"If you can't respect our decision, you aren't worthy of being called a friend." he threatened, then pointed at Criselda. His menacing stare is pushing her to the side. Criselda was speechless and just watched us go inside our room. Before the door closed, our eyes locked for a moment. We were reaching into each other's souls before it was cut.

"Is it true?" Ethan asked when he locked the door. He caressed my shoulder while checking if I was alright.

I nodded in response. He cursed and then ran a hand through his hair. My arms were shaking terribly, but Ethan held them for me, trying to ease my tension.

"Allen is here. The authorities got here, and they are looking for us." I whispered to him, scared someone might hear us after Criselda told me.

Ethan inhaled a sharp breath. He was about to say something when someone knocked on our door. We looked at each other. Both of us are clueless about who it was.

"Stay here." Ethan stood up straight, fixing himself. He shuffled his hair, then cleared his throat.

I watched him go towards the door. I trailed behind him, curious and, at the same time, scared to know who was behind the door. Ethan breathed in before unlocking the door. He twisted the knob and then opened it slowly.

"Good day."

We both froze in our spots when we saw who it was. He trailed down to observe us before roaming his eyes behind our unit.

"We are here to ask if you see these two people."

Allen...