Lena had always been skeptical about speed dating, but after months of encouragement from her best friend, she decided to give it a try. “What’s the worst that could happen?” she had laughed, sipping on her cocktail as she walked into the dimly lit lounge where the event was being held.
The night was a blur of quick conversations, forced laughter, and awkward pauses. But then she met him—Adam. He was charming, well-spoken, and had a warm, inviting smile. Unlike the others, he seemed genuinely interested in her, asking thoughtful questions and making her laugh effortlessly. By the end of the night, he had slipped her his number.
Excited, Lena returned home and couldn’t wait to tell her mother about the experience. As they sat in the kitchen sipping tea, Lena pulled out her phone and scrolled to the picture she had taken of Adam.
“Look, Mom! This is Adam. He’s the one I connected with the most.”
The moment her mother saw the picture, her face went pale. Her hands shook as she grabbed the phone, staring at the screen as if she had seen a ghost.
“Lena,” her mother whispered, her voice trembling. “Where did you meet this man?”
Lena frowned, confused by her mother’s reaction. “At speed dating. Why?”
Her mother stood abruptly, reaching for the landline phone. “I have to call the police.”
Lena’s heart dropped. “What? Mom, you’re overreacting! What’s going on?”
Her mother didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she spoke urgently into the phone. “Yes, I need to report something immediately. I’ve found him.”
Lena’s blood ran cold.
“Mom!” she cried, yanking the phone from her hand. “Tell me what’s going on!”
Her mother took a deep breath, her eyes filled with fear. “That man… he’s not Adam. His real name is Eric Lawson. He’s been on the run for years. He’s wanted for multiple crimes—fraud, identity theft… and worse.”
Lena’s hands shook as she stared at the photo again. How could this be? He seemed so normal. So kind.
Minutes later, the police arrived at their doorstep. One of the officers took a look at the photo and immediately recognized him. “He’s been on our watchlist for a long time. We’ve been trying to track him down, but he’s skilled at disappearing.”
Lena felt sick. If her mother hadn’t recognized him, she might have gone on a date with a dangerous criminal.
Later that night, she received a text from “Adam.”
Can’t wait to see you again, beautiful.
Lena stared at the message, her stomach twisting in fear. She knew she had to respond.
With her hands still shaking, she typed back: Looking forward to it. Let’s meet at The Clover Café tomorrow at 6.
The next evening, the police were waiting. When “Adam” walked in, flashing that same charming smile, officers surrounded him in an instant.
As they took him away in handcuffs, Lena felt a shiver run down her spine. She had come dangerously close to something terrible.
She turned to her mother, her voice shaking. “You saved me.”
Her mother hugged her tightly. “I always will.”
