"I don't think we should be in here." Ana whispered, voiced laced with nervousness. The hand holding her fingers only tightened a little in response.

She squinted her eyes, trying to look at her surroundings in the dark. She couldn't see much with only few streetlights providing little glow in an otherwise pitch-black setting.

"Maybe we should go back." She spoke again. "Noah," she called his name when he didn't reply.

It was then that she decided to stop, prompting her boyfriend to do the same.

Noah turned to her and despite the lack of light, she saw his intense grey eyes gazing at her in concern. "What's wrong?"

"The park is closed. We shouldn't be here."

It was almost midnight and Amber Park was already closed. Maryville's only recreational area was stunning during daylight with its abundant trees and plants but now, the place looked frighteningly abandoned without visitors and only few park rangers circling the area.

After showing up at one of their friends' birthday party, Noah was supposed to drive her home but stopped the car outside Amber Park— which was halfway through her house, telling her he wanted to show her something from the inside. Ana was wary at his plan, well-aware that the area was already locked. Assuring her it would be alright, he led her through a barely opening at the left side wall. The hole was small but big enough for a person to pass through. They entered through it without being seen and quietly walked inside.

Although conscious that what they were doing was illegal, the idea seemed good at the time. But now, as they strode toward a more secluded part of the park, Ana was starting to feel uncertain.

"Hey," Putting both hands in between her face, Noah caressed her cheeks with his thumbs, appeasing her doubt. "Don't worry, we're almost there and we won't be long. I just want to show you something. I promise you, you'll love it."

"Okay." She replied softly, opting to count on his words.

At her answer, he smiled before brushing his lips against hers. Ana closed her eyes and responded to the kiss. She trusted Noah— her boyfriend of three months. Their relationship might be new but she had known him almost all her life. They first met in first grade and had become inseparable since then.

Best of friends— that was what they were for twelve years. What started out as a platonic affair between a boy and a girl had evolved into infatuation and eventually turned into young love.

There were still moments when she couldn't believe that her feelings for him wasn't one-sided as she initially presumed it to be. Ana didn't think Noah Grey would fall in love with her. Yes, they were best friends and she was the closest girl in his life aside from his mother, Grace, and younger sister, Mia, but she was only Anastasia Steele— a simple girl with a simple life.

Her family wasn't like the Grey's— who was one of the famous and richest families in their small town, Maryville. Although her father, Ray, was a Marine officer and her mother was a pre-school teacher, they weren't like Carrick, Noah's father— who was a seasoned lawyer, and Grace— an accomplished doctor. The Steele's didn't have the same amount in their bank accounts as the Grey's. Her family didn't own properties spread all over the country like his family. She was just simply Anastasia Steele.

But somehow whatever she was, it was enough for Noah— who confessed his feelings for her three months ago during her eighteenth birthday celebration.

Ana would always remember the nervous look on his face as he admitted how he had been loving her secretly for years, how the friendship they had were no longer enough for him and how he was hoping she would give him a chance to prove his love for her. But he didn't need a chance, she recalled her answer. Because she had been doing the same thing too— loving him quietly, wishing they were more than best friends and hoping he was feeling the same.

Three months later, they were going strong and were already planning their future together after their high school graduation in five months. Upon learning they both passed the entrance examination for Washington State University, they decided to enroll in that school. Noah would take an Engineering course while she would study English Literature.

His previous plan of sharing an apartment with his twin brother, Christian, who would enroll in WSU as a business management student, was revoked when he got together with her— much to Christian's displeasure. Noah's new plan: rent an apartment just outside WSU with her.

Initially, she was opposed to his idea. While it would be okay for her to split a place with her boyfriend, the thought of Christian losing his twin brother as a roommate because of her didn't bode well for Ana. Christian already hated her and knowing she was the reason for the cancelled out plan was like adding gas to the fire that was Christian's animosity toward her. For some reason she still couldn't figure out, Noah's twin brother wasn't fond of her. She had no idea what caused it but she was certain Christian didn't like her— if his glare and scowl directed only to her weren't clear enough clues.

Ana had known him the same period she had known Noah but had never been close to him. For her, Christian— who shared the same face but was broader in built than her boyfriend was anything like him. In fact, they were opposites. While Noah was sweet and gentle in nature, Christian was hard and rough.

Born five minutes before Noah, Christian had always been protective of his younger twin brother. There was a time when they were in third grade, Ana had witnessed how he beat their schoolmate who made a mistake of bullying Noah. The anger she saw on his face as he punched the larger boy's face several times was palpable. From then on, no one had tormented Noah again.

Maybe it was because of his protective attitude toward Noah that made Christian unfriendly to her, she convinced herself after her few failed attempts of breaking the invisible barrier between them. Even when she was only best friend with Noah, Ana had tried explaining to Christian that she would never hurt his brother. His response? A nod followed by the words 'good to know' and those had been the most spoken words he had said to her. After that, she accepted the fact that although they both cared deeply for the same person, Christian and her would always be distant to each other. And that truth hurt her more than she cared to admit.

After the kiss, Noah grasped her hand with his once more. "C'mon, I'm excited to show you what it is."

Dismissing her apprehension, Ana let him led her.


"Wow!" She was almost speechless at the sight before her. Gaze locked at the beautiful view of Maryville town from where she was standing, she felt herself mesmerized.

Noah brought her to a small hill near the edge of the park where one could see the entire town. Lights from different houses and buildings illuminated Maryville like stars in the sky.

"Beautiful isn't it?" Ana heard him question as he embraced her from behind.

"Yes. It's very beautiful. I love it." She replied, leaning her head against his chest. Her earlier anxiousness had disappeared the moment her eyes landed on the breathtaking scenery.

She now understood why Noah was insistent in bringing her there. The spectacular vision would only be perfectly appreciated in the dark with the moon and the stars adding beauty to the sight.

"Christian was right. You would love this place."

His statement surprised her. "Christian?"

"Yeah, he talked about this place last week and suggested I bring you here. He was sure you would love the view. I guess, I have to thank him for it."

"How did he know this? Had he been here?" Ana was curious.

For years, she had been grappling for information about Christian. Because of their rare interactions, he had always been a boy of mystery to her— quiet and reserved. Even after all these years, she barely knew him and from what little knowledge she had about him, Christian was the last person she would think to know about this place. But clearly, she was mistaken because he did know about it and even suggested it to Noah. How did Christian realize she would love it there?

Noah shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe, he brought Mindy here, too."

Ana was a little dismayed at her boyfriend's answer. Yes, of course. Mindy. Christian's current flavor of the month. Why did she expect anything more from the man who barely acknowledged her existence?

Aside from the difference in attitude, the twin brothers were total opposites when it came to relationships. While Ana was Noah's first girlfriend, Christian had been into flings and casual affairs since freshman year. Reputed to be a womanizer, Christian had been breaking hearts of the girls of Maryville High School for almost four years now. Girls who thought they could make him fall in love with them were left in tears after he had broken up with each and one of them. Christian's longest relationship lasted three weeks and a month wouldn't pass by without him having a girlfriend, Noah told her once. Thus, only to herself, whenever she learned he had a new girl, Ana would nickname her his 'flavor of the month'.

And this month it was Mindy— the head cheerleader of their school.

Mindy was one of the prettiest girls in Maryville High School. With long blonde hair, startling blue eyes and a figure boys drooled over, Ana silently envied her.

Ana didn't think she was beautiful. Her hair was dark chestnut brown. Her complexion was pale and wouldn't darken no matter how long she exposed herself under the sun. Her figure wasn't as developed as the girls' of her age. The only thing unique about her delicate features were the color of her eyes— they were light blue. According to Noah, staring at her eyes were like staring at heaven— soothing and comforting.

With both Noah's and Christian's handsome attributes— tall, dark copper hair, intense grey eyes and kissable lips to name a few, Mindy's kind of beauty suited them best.

She couldn't contain the flair of insecurity that crept in her.

"Are you alright?"

Hearing Noah's voice eased her self-doubt. Time and time he had proven her she had no reason to feel inadequate in any way. He loved her, chosen her and wanted to be with her. For Noah, she was more than enough— that was what mattered the most.

Twisting, she faced him and lifted her hands to settle at the back of his neck. "I love you, Noah Trevelyan Grey. Now. Forever."

A smile grew wide across his face upon hearing her words. "I love you, too, Anastasia Rose Steele. Nothing's gonna change that. Now. Forever. Always."

She nodded. "Always."

A kiss was shared under the moonlight.


As quietly as they came in, Noah and Ana exited the hole. They smiled at each other as they started to walk toward their parked car.

"Would you mind thanking Christian for me? It was really nice of him to suggest the place." Ana asked, silently hoping that Christian would appreciate her gratefulness.

"Of course. I know you still feel wary about him after all this time but don't, Ana. Although it doesn't seem like it, Christian is the nicest person there is. He maybe hard to understand at times but he is the one person I trusted the most."

Ana had no doubt that Christian was a great man. All the Grey's were, in honesty. It was like their humility despite their richness was embedded in their genes. Unfortunately, she hadn't gotten to know Christian more.

"He likes you, you know."

She paused, blue eyes widened in shock.

Noah shook his head at her reaction. "Trust me, I know. We're twins, remember?"

"He barely even talks to me. I know you're twins and have this telepathy thingy going on but you're obviously wrong. Christian's frown is the most intense reaction I got from him."

Her statement made Noah chuckled. Ana joined him.

"What do we have here?"

An unfamiliar voice broke their laughters.

The two swirled and saw three older men slowly approaching them. A shiver ran up at Ana's spine at the menacing look the men were giving them.

Unknowingly, she gripped Noah's hand tighter.

"What are you little boy and girl doing here?" Asked the man in the center. Taller than the two, the man seemed to be the leader of the group.

"We're just leaving. C'mon," Noah pulled Ana closer to him and was about to walk toward his car when the men moved and blocked their path.

"Leaving so soon, eh? Where's the fun in that?" The leader sneered.

"N-Noah," Ana's whispered voice wavered in fear.

She could feel Noah tensing, his teeth gritting. "What do you want? Do you want my wallet?" Using his other free hand, he pulled out his wallet from his back pocket and offered it to the men, "Here, take this. Just let us leave. We won't say anything to anyone."

Her panic grew when the men only laughed at Noah's offering.

"Nah, we don't want your wallet, kid." The bald man on the right shook his head.

"Should we take their car instead?" The bearded man on the left asked the leader.

The man in the center slowly shook his head, eyes not leaving Ana for a second. What he said next weakened Ana's knees. "We. Want. The. Girl."

"No." Noah instantly answered, inhaling and exhaling in a rapid manner now.

Ana knew her body was already shaking in alarm. She could feel her heart beating faster than before.

Noah glanced at her. "When I tell you to run, you run, Ana. Go to the car and leave. Don't look back. Just drive away. Do you hear me?" He whispered in a frantic tone, putting the car key in her trembling palm as stealthily as possible. "Tell me you hear me, baby."

Shaking her head, her eyes glistened with tears. "I-I can't. I can't leave you, Noah."

"Please, Ana." He begged. "Listen to me, I love you. Now. Forever. Always. Never forget that."

She was crying now. "Don't make me leave you. We can outrun them together."

"Tell me you love me,"

"You know I love you, Noah. I love you very much. Now. Forever. Always."

He nodded. Giving her one last kiss, he took a step away from her.

"Are you ready to give us the girl, boy?" The leader questioned after watching their exchange disinterestedly.

"Now, Ana!" Noah yelled, closing the distance between him and the men, punching the leader on the face as hard as he could.

Following her boyfriend's instruction, she ran as fast as her feet could away from the men and Noah and toward their vehicle. Tears running down her face, blurring her sight, but she ignored it. She needed to get away to get help. Noah needed her.

"Get the girl!" The leader commanded the bearded man, who followed her instantly.

Ana glanced back and spotted Noah trying to pry the bald man's hands on him as the leader punched his gut. "N-Noah!"

Bearded man had already reached her and gripped her arms tightly.

"Let me go!" She screamed, twisting and kicking in her attempt to remove herself from the firm hands holding her. One of her feet landed hard on the man's shin that made him grunted. "Let me go!"

Ana felt herself being dragged back toward the men. "Noah!" She called for him. "Help! Anybody! Help!" Getting desperate, she yelled as loud as she could, praying to God that somebody hear her and rescue them.

"Shut her up!" The leader ordered.

Unceremoniously, bearded man threw her on the ground

Pain exploded in her head as she hit the cemented floor. For a moment, dark spots danced in her eyes.

"Ana!" Noah cried, witnessing her landed.

Hearing Noah, she tried to ignore her pain and focused on him. She moved and was on her knees as she searched for him. Her vision was still cloudy when she spotted him still in bald man's hold. Her heart broke seeing his already bloodied face.

What happened next crushed Ana's world.

Amidst the darkness surrounding them, the knife in the leader's hand glinted.

Her heart stopped beating as she witnessed the knife plunged into Noah's chest.

Once.

Twice.

"No!" She yelled, her broken cry filled the quietness of the night.