Chapter 2

The apartment building looked exactly the same as I remembered, even that withered geranium by the entrance was still in its original spot. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.

Grandma was still alive! My grandma was still alive right now!

I practically rushed into the apartment building, running all the way up to the fifth floor. The key was still in my school uniform pocket. With trembling hands, I opened the door to apartment 502.

Gentle humming drifted from the kitchen, along with the sweet aroma of baking. That familiar figure stood by the stove, wearing her signature lavender cardigan.

"Grandma..." My voice was so choked with emotion I could barely speak.

Helen turned around, her kind face full of concern. "Darling, you're home so early? You look pale. Are you feeling unwell?"

I couldn't control my emotions anymore. I dropped my school bag and rushed to hug her tightly. The warm embrace, the familiar lavender scent, and that unconditional love—it was all real!

"Grandma, I love you, I love you so much!" I cried hysterically. "I won't let anyone hurt you, never again!"

"Oh, my little angel," Helen gently stroked my hair. "Why are you crying so heartbreakingly? Did you dream about mom and dad again?"

I nodded through my sobs, not daring to tell her the truth. I looked up, drinking in every detail of grandma's face as if I wanted to engrave them all in my heart.

"Come, let me teach you the secret to making cookies," Helen said tenderly, leading me to the counter. "The most important ingredient isn't chocolate or flour—it's love."

We kneaded the dough together, with Helen patiently sharing the family recipe. While learning, I kept track of the time in my mind—it was now 2017, November 23rd, morning. The nightmare was still hours away.

I still had a chance to change everything!

But I had to be careful not to let grandma notice anything unusual. I needed to follow the original timeline, at least on the surface.

"Grandma, I have to go back to school," I forced myself to stay calm. "There's an extracurricular activity today. I can't miss it."

"Alright, dear, be careful on your way." Helen lovingly patted my head. "I'll prepare your favorite roast chicken for dinner."

I hugged her hard, harder than usual, as if this might be our last embrace. Then I picked up my school bag and left home, pretending everything was normal.

At 5:30 PM, the dismissal bell rang at Los Angeles Second High School.

I walked out of the school gates with my backpack, feeling both nervous and hopeful. I clearly remembered that in the original timeline, I would take Melrose Avenue home, and it was on that very street where I encountered Fletcher.

"As long as I don't take that route, Fletcher won't find me, and grandma won't die!" I kept telling myself.

I deliberately chose a safe path I never usually took—going around two blocks. Though it would take twenty minutes longer, it was crowded and safe. I quickened my pace, wishing I could fly home immediately to warn grandma.

"This time it has to work... it has to!"

But when I reached the intersection of Broadway, warning signs and construction barriers suddenly appeared ahead. A worker wearing a hard hat waved for me to stop.

"Miss, the road ahead is closed for construction. You'll have to detour to the old route," the worker pointed toward Melrose Avenue. "That's the only way through."

I felt my blood freeze instantly. "No... I can't take that route! Is there another way?"

"No, this whole area is under construction. If you're in a hurry, you can only take Melrose Avenue."

No! This can't be happening! I screamed internally. Why was even fate conspiring to prevent me from changing history? Looking at that path leading to Melrose Avenue felt like staring into death's beckoning.

But I had no choice. It was already 6 PM, and if I was any later, grandma would worry.

With trembling legs, I reluctantly walked toward the street I least wanted to take. Every step felt like walking toward an abyss, every second spent praying for a miracle.

Maybe... maybe Fletcher wouldn't appear today? Maybe my arrival had already changed something?

I deliberately slowed down, browsing in shops along the way and buying some pastries grandma loved, hoping to kill time. But as the sky gradually darkened, I couldn't delay any longer—grandma would worry.

When I finally reached Melrose Avenue, the streetlights had already come on. I checked my phone: 6:15 PM.

I nervously looked around. Everything was exactly as I remembered—the broken trash cans, dim streetlights, and that hidden alley entrance. I quickened my pace, wanting to get through this dangerous area as quickly as possible.

Suddenly, a tall figure emerged from the alley.

My heart nearly stopped beating. It was Fletcher!

"Bailey!" He waved enthusiastically, just like when we usually met. "What a coincidence running into you here."

I forced myself to stay calm and took a few steps back. "Mr. Fletcher... I should go home."

"Don't be in such a hurry," his smile began to turn sinister. "We haven't chatted in a long time. You seem to be avoiding me lately?"

My palms started sweating as I desperately searched for an excuse to leave. "I... my grandma is waiting for me to come home for dinner..."

"Is that so?" Fletcher slowly approached. "But I saw Helen go out shopping. She shouldn't be back yet, right?"

My blood turned to ice. He had been watching us!

"I know what you're thinking, little beauty," Fletcher's eyes became dangerous. "You thought changing routes would help you escape? I've been observing you both for a long time."

I turned to run, but Fletcher grabbed my arm.

"Don't..." I started struggling. "Let me go!"

"Cooperate nicely, and no one gets hurt," Fletcher dragged me toward the depths of the alley.

The alley was pitch black, with an abandoned small warehouse behind the garbage cans. Fletcher forcefully pushed open the rusty door and dragged me inside.

"Don't... please..." I struggled desperately, but he was too strong.

"Scream all you want, this place is soundproof," Fletcher grinned wickedly as he tore at my school uniform. "I've been waiting for this moment for too long..."

I felt despair, tears streaming uncontrollably. Just as Fletcher began unbuckling his belt, footsteps and shouting suddenly came from outside.

"Bailey? Bailey, where are you?" Grandma's voice was getting closer.

Fletcher's face changed dramatically. He quickly pulled up his pants and glared at me viciously. "Don't you dare make a sound!"

I heard grandma's footsteps lingering at the alley entrance. I knew she was looking for me. I had to let her know I was here!

"Grand—" Just as I was about to call out, Fletcher immediately covered my mouth.

“Bailey! Bailey, are you in there? I heard something!” Grandma's voice was full of worry.

Fletcher panicked. He knew if he didn't leave now, it would be too late. But just then, grandma had already discovered this abandoned warehouse. She pushed open the door and walked in.

"Oh my God!" When Helen saw the scene before her, she froze completely. My school uniform was torn, my hair disheveled, and Fletcher was still standing beside me.

After a brief silence, Helen's anger exploded: "You beast! What did you do to my granddaughter?!"

"Old woman, perfect timing," Fletcher smiled evilly. "Since you've witnessed this, you can't leave here alive either."

Seeing this scene, the fear in my heart reached its peak. I knew exactly what would happen next—the same tragedy from eight years ago was about to repeat itself.