The city streets were silent, the usual bustle of the day replaced by an eerie stillness. Only the dim glow of flickering lampposts provided any illumination, casting long, wavering shadows on the cracked pavement. The farther the car drove, the deeper the night seemed to sink into darkness, swallowing the buildings in a suffocating gloom. The rhythmic hum of tires rolling over worn asphalt filled the cabin, interrupted only by the occasional murmur of the engine as it navigated the labyrinth of narrow alleys.
As they approached an apartment complex, the contrast was striking. Unlike the decrepit, graffiti-stained buildings surrounding it, this place stood out—a clean, well-maintained structure that seemed oddly misplaced in this rundown part of the city. It was an island of order amidst the chaos, its white facade reflecting the dim glow of streetlights like a beacon in the night.
David let out a low whistle as he parked the car, throwing a smirk over his shoulder. "I thought your building was going to be as rundown as the rest of this place," he teased, his eyes dancing with amusement as he glanced at López.
López grinned, the corners of her lips tugging up as she unbuckled her seatbelt. "Yeah, I was just as shocked when I found this place. But you know what's more surprising? The rent! It's way cheaper than anything you'd find in the city." She leaned back, stretching slightly, her posture relaxed despite the underlying tension still clinging to the night.
Joseph, seated beside her in the back, glanced up. His expression was unreadable, his golden eyes reflecting the dim glow of the dashboard lights. His gaze lingered on the apartment, then shifted to López, the weight of unspoken thoughts pressing against his tongue. "Are you sure you'll be okay here? After everything that happened today…" His voice was low, edged with concern, the words almost reluctant as if he wasn't entirely convinced himself. He hesitated, glancing out the window as if expecting danger to lurk in the shadows. "I have a bad feeling tonight."
López turned to face him, her features softening as she took in his worried expression. There was something about the way his concern was so genuine that made her chest tighten slightly. She forced a light chuckle, hoping to ease the tension. "Sir, nothing's going to happen, believe me." She tried to sound reassuring, flashing him a playful smile. "You need to go home and rest."
Joseph didn't answer immediately. His fingers tapped lightly against his knee, his mind clearly at war with itself. Then, finally, he sighed. "You can stay at my place until this all gets sorted out." His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument, but beneath the strength was something softer—a silent plea.
For a brief moment, López felt her breath hitch. His words echoed in her mind, intertwining with something he had said earlier: "Now, I want to protect those I love". The weight of those words, the way they lingered, made her pulse quicken. A warmth spread across her cheeks, but she quickly masked it with a chuckle, waving off his concern.
"Sir, don't worry so much. This 'gang member' isn't as fragile as you think." She smirked, throwing him a playful wink in an attempt to lighten the mood. "I can take care of myself."
Joseph studied her for a long moment, his golden eyes searching hers, as if trying to gauge whether she truly believed her own words. Then, with a resigned sigh, he finally gave in. "Alright, tough 'gang member,' you're officially off duty for the night."
López grinned, her relief evident. "Good night, guys! Get some rest!" She hopped out of the car, closing the door behind her with a soft thud. As she turned back to wave one last time, there was a lightness to her step, a carefree bounce that didn't quite match the events of the day.
Joseph watched her disappear into the building, his gaze lingering on the entrance for a beat longer than necessary. A soft smile played on his lips, an almost imperceptible shift in his usually composed expression. It was subtle, but David caught it immediately.
A mischievous grin spread across his face as he started the engine, the rumble filling the silence. "She's behaving cuter today, right?"
Joseph blinked, his head turning slightly as he regarded David with an arched brow. "She's always been like that."
David let out an exaggerated sigh, dramatically placing a hand over his heart. "Why am I always the third wheel in these situations?" He shot Joseph a teasing look. "I can be your wingman, you know."
Joseph didn't respond immediately, his gaze shifting back outside, lost in thought. But the faintest flicker of amusement played at the corner of his lips, betraying him.
David chuckled, shaking his head as he pressed down on the accelerator. The car pulled away into the night, leaving behind the silent apartment complex. The city, shrouded in darkness, stretched before them like an endless abyss, yet within the quiet hum of the engine, the weight of the day slowly began to fade. But even as they drove away, the faint shadow of unease lingered in the air—an unshakable feeling that the night was far from over.
She glanced back one last time at the street where Joseph and David had driven off. The car's taillights disappeared into the city's night, leaving her feeling more alone than she wanted to admit. The gentle hum of the city remained, distant yet present, but an eerie silence clung to the narrow street leading to her apartment. With a deep breath, she steeled herself and entered the building.
The staircase creaked beneath her feet as she climbed to the third floor, her steps slow, deliberate. A dull, flickering light illuminated the hallway in irregular bursts, casting jagged shadows that moved like restless Specters on the peeling walls. She felt an odd unease settle over her, but she shook it off. It had been a long, exhausting day, and paranoia was not going to help.
Just a few more steps, and she would reach her shared apartment.
Then—
Thuck!
She froze, her breath catching in her throat. The sound was muffled but distinct, like something heavy dropping onto the floor above. Her eyes flickered to the stairwell leading to the fourth floor. A rational voice in her head reasoned that it could have been something mundane—a fallen mop, a misplaced piece of furniture. But at this hour? The building was usually quiet at night, its tenants either asleep or too preoccupied with their own worries to make a sound.
The dim lighting wavered again, making the space ahead of her seem darker, deeper, like the mouth of an abyss waiting to swallow her whole.
"Is someone there?" she whispered, her voice barely audible above the distant hum of the city beyond.
No response. Only the electric buzz of the faulty light and the oppressive silence stretching on.
López exhaled sharply, forcing herself to move. She turned toward her door, keys in hand, but her fingers hesitated over the handle. Her instincts prickled, an unshakable feeling that she was being watched crawling up her spine.
Thuck.
Louder this time.
Her pulse quickened, an irrational fear gripping her chest. She turned slightly, her eyes trailing up the stairwell toward the upper floors, swallowed in darkness. Something deep within her warned her against curiosity, yet her feet betrayed her, inching closer.
Each step felt heavier than the last. Her heart pounded against her ribs as she reached the base of the next staircase, peering upward into the shadows. The silence pressed in, thick and suffocating.
Then—
A blur of movement in the corner of her eye.
Her breath hitched, her muscles locking in place. Before she could react, a black shape darted down the stairs with a sudden, piercing—
"MEEHWO!"
López jumped, a strangled gasp escaping her lips as a small black cat shot past her feet, its sleek body nearly colliding with her leg. She stumbled back, clutching her chest.
"Oh my god, you scared me!" she exhaled, half laughing, half scolding the feline, which had now stopped a few feet away, watching her warily.
The cat's fur stood on end, its green eyes reflecting the dim light like twin emerald beacons. It let out a soft, cautious growl, its tail flicking in agitation.
López took a slow step forward, crouching slightly, her voice gentle. "Hey now, little one. Where did you come from?"
She extended a hand, palm up, offering comfort. The cat eyed her warily before giving a quick, sharp swipe.
"Ow!" She pulled back, examining the thin red scratch blooming across her skin.
The cat hissed, taking a few steps back. But it wasn't looking at her anymore. Its eyes remained fixed on something behind her.
Before she could turn—
A gloved hand clamped over her mouth from the darkness.
A muffled scream erupted from her throat as she was yanked backward into the shadows. Her body thrashed instinctively, arms flailing, feet kicking wildly against the ground. But the grip around her was unrelenting, like an iron vice crushing her against an unseen force.
As the person came into the light, the dim lobby glow revealed the features of the man. He wore a black wide-brimmed hat and a full-face mask—a mask of a black cat, with only the eyes visible, covering his entire face. A long leather trench coat draped over his form, and gloved hands held her firmly in place.
The cat screeched, its yowl sharp and feral as it lunged at the attacker's legs, claws and teeth sinking into fabric and flesh. A low, frustrated grunt came from behind her, followed by a swift, merciless kick.
The cat was sent flying, tumbling down the stairs in a blur of black fur. It hit the ground with a pained cry, its small body twitching as it tried to right itself.
López's panic surged to new heights. She clawed at the hand covering her mouth, nails scraping against coarse material, desperate for a breath, a scream—anything. Her mind raced. Who was this? What did they want?
Her feet skidded against the floor as the assailant dragged her farther into the darkness.
Then—
A door creaked open.
Soft footsteps echoed into the corridor.
"López? Is that you?"
The voice was groggy, laced with exhaustion. A young woman stepped into the dimly lit hallway; her curly brownish-black hair disheveled from late-night studying. Oversized glasses rested on her nose, slightly askew, and her hoodie swallowed her frame, hanging loosely over her spotted pajama pants.
She blinked at the scene before her, her sleep-muddled brain struggling to process. Her gaze landed on the trembling black cat at her feet.
"Hey, little one," she murmured, crouching down to pick up the shivering creature. "What are you doing out here?"
The cat's fur was ruffled, its small body trembling with visible distress. It let out a low, warning growl, its green eyes fixed on the staircase leading into darkness.
The woman frowned. "What's wrong?" She gently ran her fingers through its fur, noticing the slight limp in its movements. "Did you get hurt?"
She lifted the cat into her arms, stroking its back, hoping to calm it. Her eyes flickered toward the upper stairwell, suspicion creeping into her expression. The cat's gaze never wavered from the void beyond.
"You're acting like you've seen a ghost or something," she muttered, her lips quirking into a half-smile. But the unease in her gut lingered.
She stood there for a few seconds, staring at the darkened stairs, debating whether or not she should check. The silence stretched on.
Finally, she sighed. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up."
Turning away, she carried the cat inside, closing the door behind her with a quiet click.
The hallway remained still once more, empty—except for the lingering whisper of something unseen lurking in the shadows, waiting.
Then—
A single creak echoed from the stairwell above.
Something unexpected had happened—something no one could have foreseen. The masked figure had taken López, but who could they possibly be? What was their motive?
And most importantly—would López make it out of this?
Time is slipping away, each second pulling López deeper into the unknown. Would Joseph and David realize something was wrong before it was too late? Would her roommate piece together the warning signs?
Or was López already beyond saving?
Somewhere in the suffocating dark, the masked figure moved with purpose. Whatever they wanted—it was happening now.
To be Continued...