Rhea couldn't sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw him. The tall guy in the alley. Calm. Untouchable. Like a shadow. And that flash—metal in his hand. The attackers? Gone. Just like that.
Her heart wouldn't stop racing. What the hell just happened?
She grabbed her phone. Maybe I'm imagining it. She typed Maya: "Late again… I'm fine."
No. She wasn't fine. Not even close.
She got up, pacing. Why did he even notice me? She hugged her knees. I was just some random girl in the rain.
Her mind replayed the alley over and over. His eyes… sharp. Scary. Commanding. And the way the attackers scrambled? It wasn't luck. He knew what he was doing.
A shiver ran down her spine. And why do I feel… drawn to him?
She whispered to herself, "This isn't normal. Nothing about tonight was normal."
Her room felt small. Claustrophobic. She needed air. She opened the window, letting the rain mix with the sweat on her forehead. The city was quiet. Too quiet. Every car that passed, every distant footstep, made her jump.
"Why… why am I thinking about him so much?" she muttered.
Then, a thought hit her. Maybe he's dangerous. Her chest tightened. No… not just dangerous… powerful. Way too powerful.
Her hands shook. "I don't even know him. And I can't stop thinking about him. What is wrong with me?"
She leaned back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. I should forget this. Ignore it. Move on. But she knew she couldn't. Something told her—this wasn't over.
A laugh escaped her lips. Nervous. Raw. "Yeah, right. Forget him. Like that's gonna happen."
Her phone buzzed again. No message. Just the screen lighting up. She jumped. Heart thudding.
Rhea whispered, "Okay… breathe. Calm down. You're fine… maybe."
But deep down, she knew she wasn't fine. Not anymore.
The rain continued outside, relentless. And somewhere, in the shadows of the city, he existed. Calm. Waiting. Watching.
And I'll see him again. I just know it.