Shadow

PROLOGUE
Thunder rumbled in the distance threatening to bring an early night to the city. I glanced up at the sky nervously watching the dark clouds roll closer. I opted to cut through the city park to shorten the distance back to my apartment.
I strolled past cuddling couples as they hurried back to their cars to avoid the upcoming storm. I picked up my speed keeping my eyes toward the dark skies. I entered the archway of trees and was surrounded with the chirps of crickets eager for the rain. The path split to curve around a large oak tree. I slowed my pace as the sounds of nature stopped swiftly.
Apprehension heightened my senses as I glanced back behind me. I saw a shadow jump the path and my back tightened. I went left moving through the denser forest as twigs snapped and popped around me tauntingly. My eyes searched the woods but I couldn’t see anything. I exhaled heavily but picked up my pace.
“Maya,” a deep voice whispered and I stiffened glancing into the darkest part of the woods to my left. I saw five shapes move through the woods shifting in the early shadows of night.
“Miss,” a sharp voice called and I whirled toward the man running up the path. It was a police officer I realized with a sigh of relief. “Miss there is a bad storm coming you shouldn’t linger here,” he warned stopping a few feet from me.
“Just on my way out officer,” I assured thumbing over my shoulder to the apartment complex.
His black stern stare gave me a look over and I suppressed a chill. “I’ll walk you,” he said firmly stepping towards me.
“Uh thanks,” I breathed moving up the path quickly with him at my side.
When we reached the front steps of the apartment I pulled out my keys clenching them in my fist automatically. “The park isn’t a safe place for a short cut,” he advised and I looked back at him hesitantly. He was tall and good-looking in a rugged cop kind of way. He had a strong chiseled face and firm set jaw. The only thing that softened his face was a pair of full lips.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I replied backing up the stairs from him.
“Delgado,” a hoarse voice barked and I glimpsed past him to the cop car pulling up. “Move it,” the large driver growled.
The man in front of me turned glancing back at the cop holding up a single finger. “I’m Jared,” he breathed stepping up the first step so we were eye to eye, “and I don’t usually do this but would you like to have coffee sometime?” he asked cautiously.
“Delgado I’m not waiting around for you to pick up some chick,” the driver snapped irritably. I saw a slight tint of pink brush his cheeks briefly.
“You should probably go Officer Delgado,” I murmured and he nodded briefly. Disappointment flashed in his dark eyes. “Maybe when you’re off shift we could have that coffee,” I offered and his lips twitched slightly.
“Yeah,” he nodded turning and walking back to his car. He stopped at the door tossing a glance over his shoulder at me. “What’s your name?” he called and I smirked.
“Maya Frost,” I replied and he nodded jumping into the car. The driver left squealing the tires and I couldn’t help the smile that tugged my lips. I turned back unlocking the door and sliding in making sure it locked firmly behind me.