"Tiger? Tiger… no! Please! Lower your gun!"

My eyelids tried hard to capture the situation, although his broad shoulders blocked it, and Zerikyu's trembling chuckles.

"Backing down is not my style."

"Don't!"

Just as the trigger sounded, Zerikyu released his grip as I pushed him back. My arms quickly wrapped around Tiger's neck, hoping the grip would somehow lower the gun from his grasp. The ragged gasps seemed to extinguish the raging flames for just a moment. I honestly didn't want to see death again.

"I emptied the cartridge," Tiger whispered.

"What?" I pulled back slightly, still with my hands linked, staring into his sad eyes, streaked with red veins.

"If I fill it, I will target everyone I meet until I find you," he growled.

The fine hairs twitched for a moment. The steeled-up resolve burst in bursts of terror and resignation. This horrible man will never let me go.

Arthemisya, all this time, you kept this monster alone.

My forehead finally rested resignedly on the hard shoulder, feeling safe even though it might be a trap.

"Let's go home." My voice was almost lost in the air. "Please ..."

Tiger secured me in his embrace. Before pulling me out, Zerikyu seemed to regain consciousness after a long period of stunned silence. He blinked rapidly, dug through his pants pocket, and pulled out his phone.

"Wait! I'm going to report it! You guys… You guys are trying to kill me!" Zerikyu exclaimed in panic.

Tiger raised his jaw. "It's pointless. You're just wasting your time. Don't worry, as long as you stay away from my woman, this will never happen again."

Zerikyu's index finger was pointed at me. "B-b-but, she tried first---"

"Possessed!" I blurted out, showing a troubled, sad frown. "It was beyond my control. Someone special like you would understand, I'm sorry."

Zerikyu pursed his lips. His eyes slowly moved left and right, deep in thought.

Before Zerikyu could deny it, Tiger pulled me back.

"Just report it. It won't change anything," Tiger said firmly.

***

Leaving the cafe, I hugged myself more. I slumped against the car door with my sweaty hands on the handle. I knew Tiger wouldn't hurt me because he opened the door, let me in, and was so focused on driving. It was as if everything that had happened a few minutes ago was just a midnight dream. Beside me was a cold-blooded man. His demeanor was stronger than the polar ice cap. Everything he did was expressionless, and even his blank stare made me anxious.

However, I didn't want my expression to make him suspicious. He didn't yet know why I ran away, because I saw him kill. If Tiger knew, my fears would come true. In other words, my life would be over.

"I'll take you home to your apartment tonight." Tiger finally spoke, but his voice was still flat, making it hard for me to guess.

At least the announcement made me breathe a little easier. I had no idea how far Arthemisya lived. I was forced to endure the long, hellish journey. My mind was utterly blank, and frankly, I wanted to sleep. But it looked like I couldn't keep my eyes open tonight.

Mr. Louis' screams. The spurting blood. Tiger's brutal murder. I forced my eyes shut to erase the horrific memory. It was true. No matter how lost my mind was, my conscience automatically searched for the right path because it was challenging to take the safe route.

Was it safe to report to the police? Definitely, NO.

With all Tiger's power, I should have irrefutable evidence.

"You saw everything," Tiger said.

My chest heaved. Holding my breath, I glanced cautiously at him. "See-see what?"

"My way of finishing off Louis."

It felt like I'd swallowed a stone instead of saliva. I quickly turned my attention out the window. The moon had already passed its zenith. Soon to be lost in the hustle and bustle of the world.

"I don't understand what you mean," I snapped.

Tiger snorted. "Just how much memory have you lost?" he complained. "Fine. Consider this your first time learning that every rejection you make brings out the urge to kill."

The madness spontaneously pushed me to turn around. "What?"

"I'm a monster, Misya. A monster you created. A monster that only you can handle."

I let out a harsh sigh as I turned away. "Don't talk nonsense. I don't remember a time when I was like that."

Aside from a slight jolt, the scrape of the tires signaled our arrival. There was no sound after that. I was so dizzy that I barely realized we'd arrived. I wasn't sure when we'd arrived either.

Tiger chuckled. Not in a humanistic or amused tone, but one filled with intimidation and mystery.

"That's right. You may have lost some of your memories. To that end, tonight I'll show you everything."

"Not now. I'm tired."

I refused to entertain his creepy ranting. I decided to open the car door immediately. However, Tiger still had it locked.

"What do you mean? Put me down!"

Tiger leaned back in the lounge chair. "Look where you are."

My eyes wandered around Misya's apartment's basement. It seemed deserted. Maybe it was because it was three in the morning. Even celebrities who usually worked overtime were taking their short naps now.

Wait.

Something was odd. Don't celebrities have private cars? There was only a Tiger parked in this vast underground area.

My neck was sore from straining to find the other vehicles.

Suddenly, Tiger lurched above me. I looked up, my shoulders pressing against the car window. His broad chest heaved back and forth, while one hand held his body to the seat, implying he could let his guard down at any moment. My held breath raced with my racing heartbeat; the question of who would be able to kill me first.

"I told you, didn't I?" Tiger grinned. "I'll bring back our amazing memories one by one."