Gen was only passed out. She woke up in the morning and barely remembered the previous night. Angel was in the kitchen making more coffee. She’d stayed up all night to keep an eye on Gen. She was hardly even sure if last night really happened. It was like one of her books or movies. And who were those guys? Or what? They couldn’t have been human, being able to move so quickly and quietly. But, monsters weren’t real and she knew it.

“What happened last night?” Gen asked, standing in the kitchen doorway. She caused Angel to jump.

“You don’t remember?” Angel asked, pouring two cups of coffee and handing one to Gen, who shook her head. “It was really weird. Some guy kissed you and you fainted.”

Gen took a sip of her coffee, and then paused, starting to remember. “How did I get in my bed? And how did you get away?”

“Two guys came and helped us. They brought us back here and left.” She didn’t want to give any more details than necessary. She was sure it was all over and she would never see them again.

“That’s lucky,” Gen said. “Were they cute?”

Angel couldn’t help but smile. Only Gen would ask such a question after being attacked. “Yes, as a matter of fact. But you have a boyfriend.”

“You don’t, though. Did you get their numbers?”

Angel rolled her eyes. “No. I don’t need a boyfriend.”


***


Angel was more paranoid now than ever. She was constantly looking around to see if anyone was watching her. It could have been the lack of sleep, but while at the book shop, she could have sworn she saw Louis out of the corner of her eye. But, when she looked, no one was there.

When she arrived back at the flat, she put away her coat and bag and headed straight to her room. She had a problem sleeping during the day, so she grabbed a canvas board and laid out her paints and brushes on her desk and got to work on a new project.

Nearly 2 hours after she’d gotten started, she decided to get something to eat. When she turned from her desk, she gasped and jumped as her eyes landed on two guys sitting on her bed. One of them was Harry and the other had black hair, blue-green eyes, a nose ring, and she assumed he had as many tattoos as the other two, but he was wearing long sleeves.

“What the fuck!?” she nearly screamed. “Where do you guys keep coming from?”

They both laughed. Harry spoke. “Louis sent us to keep an eye on you and Zayn here thought it would be fun to sneak up on you.”

Angel just glared at them, and then finally shook her head. “Tell him I don’t need protection.”

She got up and went to the kitchen. They both followed her. She made tea and grabbed an apple from the fridge.

“I hate to tell you this,” Zayn said. “But you do.”

“Why? Why am I being targeted?”

“It’s not just you,” Harry said. “Your friend, too.”

Angel stared at him again, expecting more answers. When he gave none, she spoke again. “Can you at least give me some basic information?”

“All we can tell you is that we need to keep you safe,” Harry said.

Angel sighed. She poured three cups of tea and handed one to each of the guys.

“We can stay out of sight if you’d prefer it that way,” said Zayn.

Angel shook her head. “If this is going to be going on for a while, here are the rules: if you’re in my house, stay visible. And knock before you come in. Alright?”

Both men nodded.

“Are there more of you?” she asked.

“Tons,’ Harry said. “But it’ll mostly just be the five of us. You’ll meet Niall and Liam soon.”

“What are you guys? A gang or something?”

“Something like that,” said Zayn.

“Well, I have to get back to work. You two can watch TV on the couch or whatever it is you guys do. Just don’t make a mess. My roommate will be home in a few hours.”

She went back to work on her painting.


***


Angel went into the bathroom to wash the paint off her hands. When she looked back in the mirror, she jump and nearly screamed when she saw Louis standing behind her.

“Do you guys know how to knock?” she asked, turning around.

Louis’ expression remained still. “I need to talk with you.”

Angel crossed her arms over her chest. “Okay.”

“I think we’re getting closer to finding out who’s tracking you,” he said. “Have you told your friend about us, yet?”

Angel nodded.

“But you haven’t told her we’re watching you or that you’re both being tracked.”

She shook her head. “Wait, how did you know that?”

“You need to tell her,” he said, ignoring her question.

“Why can’t you?”

“I’m on a very tight schedule. I shouldn’t even be here right now.”

“But, you are.”

“Things are being taken care of,” he said. “I have a few minutes to spare. Harry and Zayn left, so I’m babysitting you for now.”

She scoffed at the word “babysitting.”“I don’t need a babysitter. I can take care of myself.”

“That’s not the way it looked last night.”

Angel glared at Louis. He was really starting to piss her off.

Louis sighed. “I’m not trying to pick on you, Angel.”

“How do you know my name? Or where I live?” she asked. “I’m starting to think you’re the one tracking me.”

Louis stayed silent.

“Will you at least answer one of my questions?”

“There are some things that I just can’t tell you, yet,” he said. “And I hope you don’t ever have to find out. All I can say is that my team is the best of the best and we’re doing our best at making sure no harm will come to you.”

Tears started forming in Angel’s eyes and she looked down. “I’m scared, Louis.”

“Don’t be scared,” he said, stepping a little closer and lifting her chin. “We’ll always be around to protect you, even if you can’t see us.”

She looked into his eyes and felt that he was telling the truth. Maybe she could trust these strange guys. So far, they seemed harmless. She merely nodded.

“If you need us, just call out our names and we’ll be here in a flash.”

And, as quickly as he came, he was gone again.