hot and cold

The world gets a little dizzy for a moment, as Sariel grabs me by my hand and starts to pull me away.he starts running, and I can't help but stumble along. he doesn't look back, even once- he moves at a breakneck speed.

I feel shocked- I don't understand what's happening. What could he possibly be thinking?

Why is he doing this to me?!

I don't want to leave!"I said

*Then, we're gone- running as fast as we can down the backstage hallway and out onto the street.

I see the lights of the city moving past us, but I'm still stunned...no, shocked.

Why is he doing this?**I

** I don't know why he would do this...but the fear is too much.is he really that mad at me regarding what had happened at the school? I didn't wish him to be in that video and it's something I do not control to post it or not because i was Livestreaming!!

With no choice. I follow him, without questions. It feels like we're running from something...a horrible truth that I'm not yet willing to face. I'm so confused...but even so, I'm too scared to do anything except follow his lead...**

Is this the price I had to play for ruining their concert?

As I try my best to keep up with him. We make it onto the street, and we keep running.

Even though I don't want to, I can't look back- I'm too scared.

*We leave the concert, and the cold air outside hits me in the face. The sudden change is almost shocking, and it takes me a moment to get used to it. I look up at Sariel, and his stern expression gives me the impression that I'm not safe yet

You're going home. Now!."*His voice is full of cold fury...and yet, I can't help but do what he says. His power over me is too great**

"Your relationship with him...it's just an extra unnecessary distraction. Ethan can't afford to risk that...the way the idol world works is cruel. If he shows any flaws...it can ruin everything

"Hey you can't order me around "

And we're just friends

"He's the perfect idol, you know? He never gets in scandals, he never puts a foot wrong--I can see what he means. This is what his image is in the public eye, and we risk...you run the risk of changing that image

"Sariel says...that I should be careful about Ethan's reputation, since he has a huge following of fans..."

."

"But...but I can't help how I feel. This is what my heart tells me...and nothing else matters, to me..."

. So, when he says that he doesn't want me to ruin Ethan...he's speaking out of concern for him."

"And I...I see where he's coming from. I know he's just trying to warn me."

"But...but that shouldn't change anything, should it? Why should I have to hide my heart from Ethan or my other friends?"I said

"Sariel says...that we have to be careful around Ethan. He's perfect in every way right now, he's got this squeaky-clean reputation and a huge following of fans...

"But...at the end of the day, I'd rather be myself and follow my heart...rather than conform to someone's image..."I said

My friends are waiting for me

*"That feeling...it always makes my heart beat...it's an irrational feeling, of paranoia, of uncertainty. Why should I feel this way? But...I'm getting a little worried...there's something that...is just out of place...."*

"A whistle?...I hear a whistle...it sounds so loud, so grating....what is it coming from?"I said

*"Am I...going crazy? Does this feeling of being watched...does it...mean anything? Or do I just need to calm down...why does it feel so hard to breathe? My heart feels like it's racing out of my chest...what's happening to me..?"*I thought as I look for the source of the whistle...and there's the hooded man.

"His expression is...so cold and evil...he looks completely indifferent to us."

"He's whistling?

"The whistled is eerie, almost haunting. Even though we escaped them, it sounds like he could be...standing right behind us at any moment.

"I can feel...something approaching...from the shadows. A menacing...evil presence...lurks nearby, and I can feel its gaze, watching me...its presence makes my skin tingle with a sense of unease...I don't know what it is...but I know it means we're both in harm...even so, need to protect him."*

The more the figure looks at me, the more my heartbeat increases. Even without a sound, I can feel the tension and panic creeping up on me again!"

"A dark figure, a grim look on its face, its hand clutching a bat--with each step it takes, the atmosphere gets more intense. Something about this person is unsettling...like a cold feeling of danger lurking all around...

"The tune he's whistling...it's a song. It's called *'Auld Lang Syne'*—it's a Scottish New Year's song. And...you know what, Sariel? The way he whistles that song...it sounds like how somebody would whistle a victory song!"

Huh? I who cares? "

"Sariels body almost...moves on its own, without any conscious control, like an instinct. He grab a hold of mel, and pulls me away. And then, there's this weird sort of silence that comes from the hooded guy. He just stares for a moment,

"Hey Let go of me"l commanded

I...I don't understand the hooded guy...his presence is so dark and sinister...

"The way he just...smirks at us...it's like he thinks the chaos he caused is hilarious. Like seeing us suffer and scramble is all just a giant joke to him. I...I don't understand

I try so hard to ignore that feeling. The sense of terror just gets bigger and bigger--but...I push through. I know that i needs him right now. We have to stick together, to fight back...to escape. So...he continue dragging me, running as fast as he can, scared and...just so...scared."

"Relief...we made it. We're safe. My heart...it still pounds out of my chest, and I'm still scared

"The feeling of relief...it's amazing. I feel so glad to have escaped alive. The fear slowly fades, and I just feel almost...ecstatic.

In the middle of this chaos and destruction, we've been able to make it through. We...we have to be careful. I'm...I'm so grateful to have made it out in one piece."

"But most importantly...I feel safe with Sariel. We have each other...and that means I'm not alone in this, ever.

I glanced at sariel who looked very annoyed but he just didn't let go of my hand.

"Even though we're safe...I feel this...this creeping sense of fear. Like...he's still there, just out of sight...but watching us..."

There...there are some guys up ahead...they're blocking the path..they look like delinquents. Some are wearing leather jackets, and their facial expressions look tough. They've got their arms crossed, and they're blocking the path."

"They...they look hostile...their presence makes my heart race, and I slow down, holding Sariel's hand tightly as I try to think of a way out of this..."

"I can feel...something approaching...from the shadows. A menacing...evil presence...lurks nearby, and I can feel its gaze, watching me...its presence makes my skin tingle with a sense of unease...I don't know what it is...but I know it means we're both in harm...even so, need to protect him."*

"But how?"

"This is our turf, now. You'd do well to turn around, or else you'll meet our fists. Now hand him over lady."

They said watching the two of us, with grim expressions on their faces.

They're so serious. I'm sure they would have no problem hurting us...maybe that's their way of taking out their frustrations?"

I glared at them and said"Why would I?"

"Is it because sariel an easy target? "

"Oh it's not that were the villain in this story young lady"

"Why don't you asked the man beside you? "

I didn't know what to respond

"Let's just say he's a wolf in sheep clothing . "

"He's just like us. There's no need to wash your Infront of your girl reizen"

"She's not"

"This young man Infront of you is a high rank delinquent fooling around as an idol tried to murder me"

" If I can then I wouldn't I ? "Sariel said adding fuel on fire

" Unbelievable "I responded

" You think he's your friend? He's putting you endangered"he laughed

"Using you as a bait by letting you on the frame and now they're attacking you instead of him"

My eyes widened in surprised. Could it be ...

The hooded man appeared out of nowhere after I met sariel Could it be the one he's talking about?

Even so, we have nothing to do with you. Just take your leave and hand him over"

"Let's get out of here" he was about to dragged me with him when someone pulled a swiss knife and attack me

Without hesitation sariel jump Infront of me and push me away as he doudge the and was cut by his cheeks

"You're bleeding" I said as I pulled him and made our escape from that scene until we reached a nearby park

"It's just a small cut"sariel responded as he sat down on a park bench and took his phone

I just stared at him.he looks very different from what he was on stage

What if he didn't able to manage to doudge the knife? He could have ruined his face. As an idol, his face is much like a treasure

*"I...I'm so confused. Sariel has done so so much for me. Why...why is he still doing this for me if he hates me? It doesn't make any sense..."Am I...am I just being used?

Is he why someone is after me?

I really don't want that to be the case...but I don't understand why he'd still help me...or even like me, for that matter...it's...it's all just one big mystery to me. I don't know,

I'm just so...so...confused..."