Chapter 1

New Orleans. Louisiana – Serena's POV

I sat behind the counter of the cafe humming along to the radio. It was late a few people sat in the booths and tables. The cafe closed at midnight. I looked out the window and stared at the rain pouring down. Great! And I had to walk home in this crap. A few teenagers walked in. I had seen them around lately. Actually I saw them everywhere I went It was quite creepy. For the last week its felt like they've been following me especially on my street. Nathan my boss walk in from the back alley. There were water droplets in his hair.

“Gorgeous” he said. I rolled my eyes and stood up as one of the guys came up to the counter.

“What can I get you?” I asked.

“four coffees all black with sugar on the side” he said. I nodded. I punched the order into the cash register and walked over to the coffee pots to pour the coffee. I put them in a tray and put sugar on the side like he asked. I walked back to the cash register where the guy stood waiting patiently. A friend had come to join him.

“your total comes to five sixty seven” I said. The guy pulled out a ten and handed it to me before picking up the coffees and walking away. “Hey...don't you want the change?'

“Naw” he said. He turned his back to me and sat down with his friends. I wiped the counters down and made a new pot of coffee. Nathan walked behind the counter from collecting garbage and wiping down tables.

“You can get out of here if you want” he said.

“Are you sure” I asked. He nodded.

“Yeah I have paperwork to do” he said

“Okay” I said. I pulled off my apron and walked into the back were the staff room was. I unlocked my locker and pulled it open. I pulled out my cellphone from my jacket and hung up my apron I dialed Cal my boyfriends number. I got his voice mail. He was supposed to be picking me up tonight after my shift. I sighed and pulled on my jacket and my bag. I locked my locker and made my way out towards the front. Nathan sat at a booth, papers spread out around him. I walked over and kissed him on the cheek.

“Cal here yet?” he asked.

“No I”m going to try again but he will likely not answer if not then I'll walk home” I said

“Call me when you do get home” he said.

“Alright” I said. I smiled. He was cute to worry.

“Can you bring the board inside while your waiting?” he asked.

“Yea” I said. I looked outside into the pouring rain. The board had been washed of today's deals and specials. I left my bag inside the door and walked out. The rain and breeze was cool for the almost summer weather. I grabbed onto the board and lugged it inside.

I called Cal's cell one more time hoping he would pick up so I didn't have to walk home but no luck of course. I sighed and pulled on my bag. I waved goodbye to Nathan and walked out into the rain pulling up my hood.

I made it to my apartment building. It was six stories tall. I walked inside and pulled my hood that was now drenched off my head. It had been a quiet walk home. If it hadn't been raining it would have been nice. I lived on the first floor with my boyfriend Cal. I walked down the hall to my apartment door. I tried the door first and it was locked. Cal definitely wasn't here. I pulled out my keys and unlocked the door. I pushed the door open and walked in. I kicked off my wet sneakers and pulled off my bag and hung it up before making my way into the kitchen. I found a letter sitting on the coffee pot. I pulled it off and read it.

S

sorry hun got called into work last minute, to work the night shift, Tried calling your cell, Got no answer. Won't be home until Six. See you in the morning.

Xoxo

Cal

I sighed. I pulled out my cellphone to notice I had two missed calls. I turned on the coffee maker and walked back down the hall to my bedroom. I came out a few minutes later towel drying my hair wearing a pair of my favourite flannel pajama pants and one of Cal's hoodies that I loved so much. I walked down the hall and into the kitchen and made myself a coffee. I picked up my mug and walked into my livingroom to notice the four guys I saw at the coffee shop now sitting in my livingroom. I lost my voice to scream. I dropped my coffee cup and it smashed on the hard wood floor coffee splashing everywhere. She had mistake two guys to be two girls instead.

“If you don't scream we won't hurt you” said the guy who had ordered the coffee. The girl who was sitting next to him elbowed him;. He yelped.

“that hurt” he said pouting.

“We weren't supposed to threaten her” the girl whispered. I watched frozen in place. The other guy and girl were standing behind me.

“Were terribly sorry about this. They argue about everything” the other girl said. I didn't answer. Or even look for that matter. I was concerned with what they wanted and why? Why were they here? How did they get in? And how come I didn't hear them?

“I'll give you whatever you want just please don't hurt me” I said.

“Great see now she's scared of us” the girl said again “Way to go Blake”

“I didn't mean to” the guy named Blake said.

“Guys can we just get this over with” the other girl said.”I'm sure father is waiting for our return to the island” They were all around me in a second. I swallowed hard.. I could barely breath. I could feel bead of sweat on my forehead. They hesitated.

“Someone just do it” came the female who had spoken last. Do what? What were they going to do? I felt pain on the back of my neck.. I felt my knees go weak as they collapsed beneath me and everything went black as I slipped into unconsciousness.