Nicholas was systematically countering every one of Serena’s doubts and questions. His reasoning came across as being so plausible Serena started to wonder if she had been thinking about things in the wrong way all of her life. Had she really been programmed her entire life, by her parents, teachers and the church, to become some kind of done to slot into a controlled lifestyle?<br/><br/>Despite Nicholas’ convincing arguments, Serena still felt something holding her back. It felt insane to do what he was suggesting. He was a stranger, somebody she had only known for a few hours, yet he had incited something inside of Serena, a need to take a step outside of her current situation.<br/><br/>Serena sat trying to summon the courage to say “Yes...Show me…” but before she could make the decision Nicholas had stood up from the table, deftly taken Serena’s coat from the back of her chair and started walking out of the coffee shop. It took her a few moments to understand what happening and then she called after him “Nicholas...What are you doing?....”. There was no reply. Serena then realized her purse, phone and house keys were in her jacket. She had no option but to go after Nicolas.<br/><br/>The scene had drawn the attention of the other customers. Serena felt very self-conscious as she stood up and called out again “Nicholas...Wait…”. By now Nicholas was halfway out of the coffee shop door. Serena began to walk after him, her walk broke into a trot as it became apparent that Nicholas wasn’t going to stop. As Serena got to the door she saw Nicholas was about fifty yards up the street and then suddenly he turned and vanished into an ally way.<br/><br/>As Serena watched her jacket and possessions being apparently stolen a woman’s voice called out from the coffee shop. “Miss...Miss!...You haven’t paid...Miss!”. Serena felt a jolt of panic run through her. She couldn’t pay since Nicholas had taken her money. The sudden thought of being held and the police called was enough to cause her to dash out of the coffee shop and pursue Nicholas.<br/><br/>Serena ran as fast as she could, up the street and into the ally she had seen Nicholas disappear into. As she entered the ally, panting from alarm as much as effort, she saw Nicholas sat on a dumpster. He looked totally calm, with Serena’s jacket folded neatly across his lap. “What!... What the hell are you doing!!??” Serena half screamed, completely confused by what had just happened.<br/>