RAVEN
A pounding knock at my front door dragged me out of the warm clutch of sleep.
I groaned, half-buried under my duvet. "Why won't I ever be allowed to sleep in peace?"
Rubbing my eyes, I forced myself out of bed and stormed downstairs. I hadn't slept much last night. The stalker's message had left a cold pit in my stomach. I didn't reply—just left it on read and tried not to spiral. Whoever it was—probably a "he"—clearly wanted something. I just didn't know what.
And now, here I was, dragging myself out of bed at 8 a.m. because someone thought this was a great time to knock.
I reached the door and—without checking the camera feed—unlocked it. Rookie mistake. Me, the hacker with a stalker, just opened the door blind.
But the moment the door swung open, I froze.
"Alex?"
I blinked, rubbed my eyes. I had to be dreaming.
But then he smiled, and my heart slammed against my ribcage. "Nope, you're not asleep. I'm really here."
My legs didn't wait for my brain. I launched into his arms, and we ended up tangled in a laughing, hugging heap on my porch.
"I missed you," I whispered, squeezing him tighter.
"It's been what—two years?" he murmured, ruffling my hair. "Thought I'd surprise you."
He pressed a kiss to my forehead. "But, uh… I can't breathe. Get off me."
He started tickling me, and I shrieked, rolling off him. He dusted himself off and offered a hand, which I gladly took. We stepped inside, and I locked the door behind us, still smiling like an idiot.
---
We caught up on the couch. I bombarded him with questions.
"Calm your high horse, little girl," he teased. "Stop interrogating me."
"Can't help it. You ghosted me."
"I didn't ghost you. I just… got busy." He shrugged. "And I'm not the only one back. I brought someone with me."
"Oh?"
"My girlfriend," he said sheepishly. "I'm planning on proposing."
My mouth dropped. "Seriously?! That's amazing!"
"I wanted you there when I do it. Also… I'm meeting her parents. Figured you should meet them too."
"Aww," I smiled. "That's really sweet. I'm honored."
"She's at her parents' place for now. She'll come by later."
"I can already see her saying yes," I said. "You're a great guy, Alex."
"You think so? What if she doesn't?"
"Only positive thoughts. Besides, who would say no to this?" I gestured dramatically.
He rolled his eyes. "You're ridiculous."
"You're kind. Loyal. A decent personality. There's no reason she wouldn't say yes."
He gave me a small, grateful smile.
---
Time flew. When our stomachs growled in unison, we laughed.
"Midnight Brew?" I asked.
"Absolutely."
"I'm gonna change."
I headed upstairs, brushed my teeth, showered, and thirty minutes later, I was dressed—black cropped hoodie, black sweatpants, slides, and a messy bun.
The smile hadn't left my face since Alex arrived.
But when I came back down… he was sitting on the couch, holding my phone and smiling way too suspiciously.
"What's so funny?" I asked.
"Do you perhaps have a Dan telling you not to forget your date?" he teased, wiggling his brows.
I rolled my eyes. "He's just my co-worker. It's a friendly date."
"A date is a date," he said, throwing a pillow at me. "And when we're back, we are dolling you up. Can't have you looking like a homeless girl."
I lunged at him, and we wrestled until he flipped me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
"Put me down, caveman!"
"Nope."
We walked—well, he walked, I was carried—the ten minutes to Midnight Brew.
Inside, barista Alex brightened up. "It's been so long, man!"
I waved and headed to a table while they caught up.
I opened my phone to scroll through socials on a bot account when I got the message.
From him.
A chill ran down my spine.
> Ignoring me now, are we?
Then in bold:
> Who is the guy with you?
Attached: a photo of me and Alex on the porch… and one of me slung over his shoulder.
He was watching.
I scanned the café. My heart pounded. I didn't want Alex involved in this mess.
Before I could react, the two Alexes came over with food. I forced a smile.
Alex was talking about Dan, teasing me, but I was somewhere else. My mind racing.
He noticed. He dropped his spoon.
"What's up?" he asked, concerned.
"Nothing," I lied.
He narrowed his eyes. "Not buying it."
Ten minutes later, after endless coaxing, I told him everything.
He read the messages, jaw clenched. "Why haven't you told the police?"
"I just…"
"At least report it. I know you're open to tracking him, but you need protection."
His voice softened as he pulled me into a hug. I buried my face in his chest, letting the comfort wash over me.
---
Around 4 p.m., we left the café and walked home hand in hand.
Once home, Alex pushed me into my room and started digging through my closet like a picky stylist. I freshened up while he picked out a blue dress—gorgeous, elegant, with a thigh-high slit and open back.
"I'm not trying to look like a runway model!" I protested.
"Try it on," he insisted.
It fit perfectly.
"Damn," he said, smiling. "You look smoking hot."
He braided my hair while teasing, "I feel like a dad sending his daughter off to her first date."
I giggled.
By 6:30, I was ready. "I'll be back soon. Stay safe," I told him before slipping into the car.
---
At the restaurant, I walked in and immediately wanted to turn around. Eyes followed me.
All I wanted was to curl up and binge Wednesday season 2.
Dan, dressed in a tux, stood and smiled as I approached.
"You look gorgeous. Who knew there was a literal goddess hiding under all those hoodies?"
I sat, smirking. "You're not so bad yourself."
We ordered, ate, and talked. Turns out, he loves anime, cosplay, and football—he claimed Ronaldo is the GOAT. I didn't care much for football, but he was charming.
He paid for dinner, insisted it was his treat. I took a selfie with him. He was sweet, funny… a gentleman.
But there was no spark.
Still, I asked if he wanted to come back and meet Alex.
He blushed. "Isn't that a big step?"
"Not that way!" I said quickly. "Just wanted you to meet my friend."
He nodded, and I let him drive us.
---
Alex answered the door shirtless, towel around his neck, water dripping from his hair.
Dan froze.
"Don't mind him," I said, glaring. "Put on a shirt, you heatstroke-inducing menace."
Alex smirked and disappeared upstairs. Dan and I sat on the couch.
When Alex returned, I introduced them. "Dan, meet Alex—my best friend. Alex, this is Dan—my co-worker."
They shook hands.
By the time I returned in leggings and a Naruto shirt, they were already arguing.
"Messi is the GOAT."
"No way! Ronaldo is!"
I rolled my eyes. "Guys will be guys."
A knock came. I checked the camera—beautiful girl, nylon bag, alcohol. I knew.
Alex's girlfriend.
I opened the door. "Nice to finally meet you! I'm Raven—Alex's best friend."
She smiled angelically. "I'm Sophie, Alex's girlfriend. He told me all about you."
She pulled me into a hug. Takeout arrived soon after—Alex had ordered it.
We all settled in: food, alcohol, Netflix, and laughter.
Dan slurred, "We're gonna have a hell of a hangover tomorrow."
"You can sleep over," Alex and I both said at once.
Sophie was the only one still sober.
We pulled out the couch's extra layer. By the time we all lay down, the alcohol hit.
The room spun. Everyone was giggling. Then nothing.
Darkness took us all.