I couldn't breathe.
The message was still on my screen.
"You're with him."
"I don't like that."
"Leave now."
"Or I will make him disappear."
My fingers trembled as I lowered the phone.
"This isn't normal," I whispered.
"This is getting worse."
Adrian didn't look surprised.
If anything… he looked interested.
"Good," he said calmly.
I stared at him in disbelief.
"What do you mean good?! Someone just threatened you!"
He stepped closer.
Too close.
"You're finally understanding how serious this is," he said.
Anger flared inside me.
"I already knew it was serious! I didn't need you to prove it!"
"Clearly, you did," he replied.
I clenched my fists.
"I'm leaving."
I turned and walked toward the door.
Fast.
I needed air.
I needed distance.
I needed to get away from him.
"Stop."
I ignored him.
"I said stop."
I reached for the door handle
His hand slammed against it before I could open it.
I froze.
His body was behind me now.
Close.
Too close.
"You don't get to walk out like this," he said quietly.
My heart started pounding again.
"I can do whatever I want," I said, even though my voice was weaker now.
"Not when your life is in danger."
I turned to face him.
"You don't own me."
His jaw tightened.
For a second, something dark flashed in his eyes.
Then he leaned down slightly.
Close enough that I could feel his breath.
"No," he said softly.
A pause.
"But I decide what happens to you while you're under my protection."
"I didn't ask for your protection!"
"Too late."
Silence hit the room again.
Heavy.
Suffocating.
I shook my head.
"This is insane."
Then I pushed past him.
This time, he didn't stop me.
I didn't look back.
By the time I got home, my nerves were completely shot.
Every step up the stairs felt wrong.
Every sound made me flinch.
I reached my door.
Paused.
Something felt off.
I frowned slightly.
Then I noticed it.
The lock.
It wasn't broken.
But it wasn't the way I left it.
My stomach dropped.
Slowly… I pushed the door open.
The apartment was dark.
Silent.
Still.
Too still.
"Hello?" I called out.
No answer.
I stepped inside carefully.
My heart was pounding so loud it felt like I could hear it in my ears.
Nothing looked out of place.
But something felt wrong.
I walked toward the living room.
Everything was exactly where it should be.
Kitchen.
Same.
Bathroom.
Same.
I let out a shaky breath.
"See? You're just paranoid," I whispered to myself.
Then I walked into my bedroom.
And froze.
The window was open.
My chest tightened instantly.
"I closed this," I whispered.
"I know I did."
A cold breeze moved the curtain slightly.
Slowly…
I stepped closer.
That's when I saw it.
On my bed.
Something was there.
A box.
Small.
Black.
My hands started shaking.
I didn't remember putting anything there.
I didn't remember anyone coming in.
But someone had.
I moved closer.
Each step slower than the last.
My heart was racing.
Then I reached the bed.
And opened the box.
My breath stopped.
Inside…
Was a photograph.
Of me.
Sleeping.
My hands started trembling violently.
The picture was taken from inside my room.
Close.
Too close.
That meant
Someone had been here.
While I was asleep.
My stomach turned.
There was something written on the back.
Slowly…
I flipped it over.
My eyes scanned the words.
"I was here."
My legs nearly gave out.
Suddenly
My phone buzzed.
I gasped and almost dropped it.
Unknown Number.
My hands shook as I opened the message.
"I missed you."
Another message came in.
"You shouldn't have left him."
My heart stopped.
Another message.
"Now you're alone again."
I backed away from the bed slowly.
"No…" I whispered.
Another message.
"Turn around."
Everything in me went cold.
Slowly…
Slowly…
I turned.
The door behind me
Was slightly open.
And there was a shadow standing there.
Watching me.