Dimitri's POVIt was the ninth time I tried to ring the doorbell, and each time I did, the apartment was deafeningly quiet. In spite of the fact that I had been sending her text messages and phone calls on a regular basis, she had never taken the time and effort to respond to me, even with a short-word response.I was now standing in front of her apartment, eager to see her and perhaps have a conversation with her. I knew exactly how things had ended up between her and Cloud, and I knew deep down that she would be the same mess of a broken woman that I had found her at the moment Cloud decided to vanish without a trace. I knew she would be the same mess of a broken woman that I had found her in when Cloud decided to vanish without a trace.It was the twelfth doorbell that I finally heard someone unlock the front door's locks, and it was a relief. Then the door swung open, revealing the pale face and swollen red eyes of the woman I had once adore

Athena's POVJust before you came across me, I allowed myself to drown and suffocate in an ocean of uncertainties. I figured it was fine as long as I got some, as long as I had a couple of them. I mistakenly believed that happiness consisted solely in giving your all to see someone smile, when in fact it is comprised of actually doing so while loving yourself at the same time. I've allowed myself to look outside of myself for happiness when it should have begun within me. And then you came along, making me feel valuable and sufficient all of the time. You look after me, taking advantage of every opportunity to demonstrate your affection. Even on your busiest days, you find the time. The fact that you never forget to check in on me is amusing, especially given the fact that it always happens when I am missing your presence the most. When I thought I was already deserving of less, you showed me that I am deserving of even more. And it was there that I disco

Athena's POVEveryone in the group was laughing and having a good time as we ate our dinner at the diner's when the doorbell rang, signaling that someone had just entered the vicinity. My attention was drawn away from the task at hand by the soft and subtle background noise, which piqued my interest. From the hallway, a familiar figure appeared out of nowhere after only a few seconds or minutes.In the end, Cloud noticed my distraction and shifted his gaze to the figure, which I had observed as his jolly and humorous expression on his face suddenly and unexpectedly vanished in an instant. We must have drawn Lovi and Chad's attention to his distressed appearance because they both turned their heads in the direction of where we were looking."Hi, guys," Megan said as she walked up to us and gave us a timid smile."What are you doing here, Megan?" When Megan suddenly appeared, it was Lovi who inquired, her brows furrowed in irritation and di

Lovi's POVZidane's death had been a tragic event for us. We were just here for three days, yet the despicable crime behind his death was enough to spoil the vibe of the whole camping trip which was meant to celebrate Athena and Cloud's recent engagement. Yet, we were all gathered around to feel the remorse and sorrow of one of our friend's unexpected passing. What was alarming was that, his heart was missing, which means to say that he was one of those victims of the controversial crime lingering for over a year now. And to mention that if Zidane was killed right at this time and place, then there was no doubt that the serial killer of all the past crimes was just out here in the mountain, lingering with us. Probably watching us."Shit!" I overheard Cloud curse. He was holding his mobile phone up in the air, while Chad also did the same."No signal either. We should all plan to return to the city tomorrow morning," Chad informed us. I took a de

Athena's POVJust when I thought it was going to be the end of my once miserable life, a powerful voice echoed in my ears in the middle of the night. It was just a soft whisper, but enough to give me enough hope and strength.It was no other but Cloud.I watched as he carefully and steadily released the thick rope tightly wrapped around my body as I was groped into the branch of a tree. Then he gestured me to remain as silent and calm as I could until we could escape from the area of the incident.We were already running hand in hand, with no reason to look back, when the vivid image of Zidane, Lovi, and Chad's lifeless body, along with the missing heart on the facet of their chest, made my entire body shiver in fear and cowardness."Cloud, what the hell was going on?" As though I could no longer restrain the confusion that was starting to occupy my entire thoughts and consciousness, I asked as I muffled a sob.Clou