chapter 7

Six years later

Lauren's POV

I sat alone outside the cafe, feeling the cold breeze hitting my skin, sending chills to my spine. Fall is near and the leaves are swaying on the trees, creating a beautiful rhythm.

You might be wondering about what had accorded in the past six years. Well let me tell you. First of, brad moved to Canada with his family after the situation he put himself in to with Cole. His parents were too protective, assuming it will happen again and took him away. Danielle is living with me as well as Ashley. We have our own apartment together, which is pretty cool to be honest. We had some bumps and troubles settling in together but we made it out strongly. Jonathan is in Seattle, studying economics as he took a break for 2 years and now he's in college and just so you know, we broke up.

After Cole left, The whole family was depressed, especially Mrs Erickson who kept looking everywhere but found nothing but dead ends. Jonathan regrets not being there to protect his sister and causing such harm that he locked himself away for awhile, which in conclusion, broke us up but we became friends instead. Mr Erickson is always at work, more than usual which lead to both of Mrs Erickson and Mr Erickson a divorce.

Shocking, how can one family member break the whole family apart. Matthew is 7 years old now and he looks so cute and handsome, he resembles Nicole a lot and I'm not even joking. Same hair, same eyes, same smile. Unfortunately, he doesn't remember anything about Nicole but Mrs Erickson makes sure to remind him every single day that he has a sister.

There are times I find myself thinking about Cole. Like where is she? How is she doing? Is she still in town or left to somewhere unknown? Is she with somebody? Is she alive? Is she dead? We have absolutely no clue.

Mrs Erickson went to the police station, after that day Cole walked out of the hospital and left unseen. They looked everywhere in cali but found no track at all. After a while, they came up with the result that she left the state. We went back home to find all of her stuff is gone, all of it. It broke my heart seeing the whole family break down including Matthew who didn't know a thing. I guess.....he sensed her missing presence.

I want to be mad at her for doing such thing but how can I? She has every right to do what she did. The whole school is against her except for her best friends. Her father stopped caring and can't trust her anymore, her brother is an asshole and her bully, and her mother never stood up with her. The only thing keeping her sane is Matthew and her friends.

I looked up and saw Ashley sitting on the seat in front of me. I jumped in my seat, startled. "Ash...." I sighed, holding my chest tightly. She chuckled and shook her head.

"Hello to you too sexy. Where's Danielle?" She asked and I shrugged "In her class or asleep." I shrugged again.

"Thought so." She chuckled the second time today. I looked at her weirdly as she smiled brightly and said "Aren't you in a good mood?" I raised an eyebrow at her as she blushed.

"Well of course I am, I just passed my anatomy test." She said smiling proudly. I smiled back, knowing that she spent the whole day, stressing and studying for that test. "Good for you." I congratulated. Ashley is studying in a medical university and She has one year left to get her degree while I have three more years to get my doctorate degree and become a psychologist. Luckily for Danielle, she graduated already and is working as a lawyer in a business company.

Ashley called the waiter and asked for a chocolate smoothie. This girl and her smoothies. I chuckled internally.

We began chatting about our day when Ashley abruptly stopped and looked behind me. I gave her a confused look and turned my body around. My jaw dropped when I saw a handsome lean man wearing a leather jacket, a white shirt, skinny jeans and a black combat boots, he's hair is dyed grey and he's wearing sunglasses. He walked inside the cafe with his back turned from us and stood in the cashier line.

"Wow." I heard Ashley mutter. "I know." I mumbled back. I saw that every girl in the cafe had to look him over twice. He was just so damn hot.

I felt Ashley nudging my side. I turned my head to look at her. She's smirking at me. "Go talk to him." She said, giggling.

"What?? No." I said shaking my head. "Why not? It's been months since the last time you've dated anyone." She said, stating the obvious fact.

"Why don't you go talk to him?" I asked, raising both of my eyebrows.

"Excuse'm wa. I have a boyfriend and I love him and if you don't go talk to that sexy fruit right now I'll bring him over." She pointed her finger at me. I sighed. "I have no choice. Do I?" I said, looking at her blankly.

She smirked. "Nope." I stood up, sighing and entered the cafe. I can feel my hands are sweating. I took deep breath. He's just a hottie, there's nothing to worry about, it's not like he's a celebrity.

I stood behind him in line and I could smell his perfume. I took deep breath and released it. Okay now I'm being a creep.

He was on his phone, playing a game, oblivious to the lustful gaze he's receiving from everyone in the cafe. I started fidgeting left to right as I made no attempt of speaking to him. I felt a hand on my back and I frowned but I didn't get the chance to react as I was pushed forward, slamming on the angelic man. I turned around to see Ashley behind me, she winked and went outside the cafe, back to our seats. The man turned around and looked at me. Looking at him this close, I could just say, he's perfect. His jaw dropped as he mesmerized my face. Am I that hot?? I raised an eyebrow. He removed his glasses and whispered "Lauren."

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Moscow, Russia

Nic's POV

I felt a strong, painful contraction in my legs but I kept running. I turned my upper body to my right while my legs kept moving forward. I caught a glimpse of them, trying to reach me. I cursed and looked straight ahead.

Come on Nic, think. think. There was an alley on my left so I turned. Please don't be a dead end. Please don't be a dead end. I saw a wall in front of me but there was another path on the right. Thank God. I took it, feeling my muscles tightening stronger by the seconds that I couldn't run any further. I stopped and placed my hands on my knees, breathing heavily.

Oh God, I can't run no more. I saw a dumpster on my right side. Should l? I heard their voices growing louder. I sighed, hesitant but jumped in, closing my nose from the horrible smell. I have no other choice. It's either I get caught and beat up till my doom or this and I rather stay alive, thank you very much.

I heard their footsteps and voices passing by me but I stayed still, just in case. A few seconds passed and I couldn't hold my breath any longer so I jumped out and gasped. I coughed while lying on the pavement. "Never again..." I mumbled, breathless. I stood up, shivering from disgust and walked back home.

After a few minutes, I sat down on the sidewalk, holding my legs in pain. I hate these muscle cramps, they're the worst.

You might be wondering who were them I was referring to. Well, six years ago when I left America and came here in Moscow, Russia, I met this person named Ryan in my first year in Uni. We hang out a lot and eventually became close friends.

Now If you're wondering why come here in Moscow just to study in a University? Well, my former biology teacher recommended this place to me, she said the education was great and the amount you pay was even better; it was cheaper than the high standard universities back in the U.S. You could just say I trusted my biology teacher and she never let me down. She was right, this place is awesome.

Anyways back to the subject, ryan is a British lonely guy, who lost his family in high school in a car accident. He inherited their money and used it to enter a medical university. When I left home, I left empty handed with just a suitcase and a few dollars. I was able to enter a University because of my grandma; all her allowance are inherited to me. She never liked my brother, so I'm the only one who took her money.

Two years has passed since my friendship with Ryan and I went to his room to play on his Xbox. When I entered his room, I found him lying on the floor with a needle stuck in his arm. I was terrified to say the least. He wasn't dead, no no. he was high. He made me promise not to tell anybody that he's a drug addict as I made him promise to get better and quit. He never did though; I caught him so many times but he kept begging and promising me that he will get better.

Two weeks ago from today, I was in Ryan's house (he bought one few years later) playing video games, celebrating our graduation which had passed a few months ago but we never had the chance to celebrate. We were laughing and drinking all day long until we heard a knock downstairs. Ryan excused himself and went to open the door while I stayed playing on his computer. I looked at the clock and found that it's been 10 minutes since he went downstairs, so I decided to check on him. I checked the living room, the kitchen, the bathroom but he was no where to be seen until I heard a cry from the basement door. I was about to call his name but I thought otherwise and walked towards the door silently. I opened the door slowly and went in. I stopped at the staircase when I saw ryan being held by two men on his knees, tears were streaming down his face. He looked so broken, defeated, fragile. There was a man kneeling in front of him, whispering in his ears which from the look of Ryan's face, it wasn't pleasant. I caught a sentence the man has said "где мои деньги, я хочу, чтобы мои деньги (Where's my money?, I want my money)"

Ryan's cries grew louder as I stood, paralyzed in my spot. I saw the man standing up and staring down at Ryan. That's when I saw the gun in his hand. My eyes winded as I was able to move my feet. Ryan saw me from the corner of his eyes and shook his head. I froze and stood still. The man raised his gun and aimed it on Ryan's head. A silent tear fell from Ryan's eyes as he closed them tightly.

He opened his glassy eyes and smiled at me. He mouthed the word run and then he fell to the ground, Lifeless, shot in the forehead. I cried and prevented from screaming. The man turned around and saw me. His eyes grew wide and he lifted the gun but I turned quickly and ran to the basement door.

I heard a long bang but I kept running. I was about to head to the front door but thought otherwise and turned heading to the back door. I ran and ran and ran, never looking back until I reached a safe distance.

I had to do something so I took my phone out of my pocket to call the police. My hands were shaking as I pressed the numbers. They picked up and I told them everything that happened today. I stuttered and held the phone tightly to my ear, afraid that it will fall from my shaking hand.

I couldn't sleep that night knowing my best friend died and I witnessed his murder. The police arrested them, when they found the gun and their fingerprints but of course they had more men, who kept chasing me. I told the police but they gave no guardian or safety and now here were are.

I stood and thought to myself. Tomorrow I'm going back home. Ryan and I planned to go home. He was going back to England using the money he would get from selling his house and I was going back to America. We would keep in touch and remain friends. We hated the idea of staying in a foreign country and now, I have more valid reason to go back home; there's nothing left for me here. I graduated and got my bachelor degree. I lost my best and only friend in here. At least when I go back, I know my way. It's my home and I lived there my entire life. I'm going home.

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A/N

This chapter was a killer to write. I had to rewrite because the last version (The first time I wrote it) wasn't my favourite so I deleted it and I think this version is a lot better.

Vote and comment whatever you want.