“Why would your ex be a threat to my life?” He replied, eyes rolling. She ducked down behind him edging away from the cafe door, gripping his arms as she used him as a shield.

“You don’t know what he’s capable of, he’s dangerous I tell you.”

Derick smirked, “yes, I’m sure the placid accountant come day is a notorious villain by night. Thank god it’s morning and we have quite a few hours before the transformation.”

“Look, as much as I love your sarcasm Dickie it’s not really wanted right now!” Her voice trailed up an octave as the door opened to reveal the afformentioned middle aged accountant wearing a tired brown suite. Eyeing him off Derick really struggled to see the appeal. Granted the mans jawline was nicely accentuated by a trim cut beard and he possessed flawless skin, but the highly magnified glasses and thinning pate were quite the detractors. As for the timid walk and general pathetic demeanour, he wondered why Alice was clinging to him with such vigor as though the spineless man were a threat.

She had managed to pull him backwards into the far corner of the cafe, a feat considering the throng of patrons searching for caffeine and bagels.

“Al, I know you have the morning to faff about but I am on a timeframe you know. As much as I enjoy being a wall to hide behind I really did come for coffee.”

As her ex stepped through the door and joined the queue Alice stiffened behind Derick, her nails digging into his forearms. Realisation that his long time friend was experiencing genuine fear finally occurred to him.

“What exactly has he done Al?” Derick prompted in a hushed tone, turning his head to see her, not that he could being a foot taller and she shrinking behind him.

“Nothing okay, don’t worry about it. He’ll be gone in a minute.” She nuzzled into his back, as though trying to sink into non existence.

“Alice?” Came a creepy thin voice. Derick’s attention snapped back to the man now before him, “and you must be Derick, it’s nice to meet you.” The man proffered his hand and Derick begrudgingly shook it. Having never actually met Alice’s boyfriend of 4 months, which was not unusual considering she had had a long slew of boyfriends ever since he had met her 10 years prior, it was particularly disturbing the man recognised him by face.

“Yes, Derick. And you are?” He replied with such a lax attitude in an attempt to throw the man off. The man’s thin lips widened and tilted in what could vaguely be called a smile.

“You know who I am Dickie. Alice, Iv been waiting for you to reply, are we catching up tomorrow?”

“L-L-L-leave m-me alone” Alice managed to stutter out, she trembling into the small of Dericks back.

“Look, I think it’s over, she doesn’t want anything to do with you okay.” Derick said, straightening up and puffing his chest out a little. Unlike the weedy man before him Derick frequented a gym, his pecs and biceps now on full display.

“I see. Tell me Dickie, your husky Titan, is he well?” A chill ran down Dericks spine at the mention of his dog. Although it appeared an innocuous question, from someone unfamiliar the statement seemed threatening. Dericks mind raced into whether Alice had mentioned Titan or if the man had stalked his social media profiles.

“He is well, thanks…” he trailed off wearily in reply.

“Good. It would be such a shame if something were to happen to such a fine specimen,” he adjusted his glasses on his nose.

“I’ll s-s-see you tomorrow J-J-Jeremy”, Alice called out from behind him. His smile morphed into a wide grin, just when Derick thought the man could not get creepier he was proven wrong.

“Good. Yes. So sensible”, the man turned and left the building, having not stopped to purchase anything from the counter.

“What the…?” Derick turned towards Alice, lost for words. “You cannot go Al, or I’ll be hearing about the discovery of your body on the news”.

Her face pale she still trembled.

“What has he done to you?”

“Drop it.”

“I can’t, you need to tell me and if not me the police.”

She shook her head, “I can’t.” Alice turned and ran from the cafe leaving Derrick mouth agape, surrounded by nonchalant onlookers.