Page 3 of Caution

“Just get the fuck outta here.”

He wasted no time.

He took off running, at a speed that seemed…impossible.

But it wasn’t the most pressing thing at the moment.

“Ambrosia… you should get home.”

I turned back to where Mr. Black was standing. His dog was no longer seated, but poised right beside him, staring in the direction where Daveed had disappeared.

“How do you know my name?” I asked, taking a step back fromhimnow, even as a smile spread across his face.

Abeautifulsmile.

Adorning a strikingly handsome face.

“Wow. I’m a little offended.”

“ShouldI know you?” I asked, my mind blanking on who he could possibly be.

“Yes.”

In spite of his “offended” claim, the smile remained on his face as he approached me.

“Running out here alone at night isn’t a safe choice. Please don’t do it again.”

My eyebrow lifted. “You’re out here.”

“I’m not alone,” he said. “And… I’m not afraid of the things most people are afraid of in the dark.”

“Youare what most people are afraid of in the dark.”

I… didn’t mean to say that.

And had no idea where it came from.

But, it made Mr. Black’s eyes go a little dark, his friendly smile shifting into a smirk as he nodded. “So youdoknow who I am.”

Thatsent a fresh chill down my spine.

“Run along,” he said. “You won’t be bothered again.”

My body started moving before my brain could really process it. But as soon as Iwasin control… I just ran faster, confused and creeped out by the last… however long that had been.

I ran and ran, keeping my head on a swivel to make sure I wasn’t being followed, all the way up until I was safe in the locked confines of my home.

I went straight to my kitchen, seeking a long drink of water to rehydrate and also calm myself down. While I was standing there, my gaze drifted to the window, to my view up the hill.

At the ultra-modern house that sat at the top.

As I stared, two tiny figures moved in the distance, illuminated by the moon.

One on two legs.

One on four.

Oh, shit.

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