FATED TO HIS DARKNESS

ol

RA'

. I looked down at the moist soil and found my feet bare without shoes and my

and how did

. I ran toward the direction of the sound, even wh

nd stopped when my feet s

e were still; others took their last painful br

I couldn't. My body seemed to pass thro

ned slowly and saw a man through the smoke, his face streake

he can'

out of here. I stared

onto mine like he

in his right hand a

r

couldn't afford right now. I just

so loudly I was su

hought I had lost him. Then my

ugh my leg as iron teeth sn

nter'

g deeper into my ankle. Tears streamed down my face. I held a hand ov

covered my mouth tighter an

make

et him f

t totally silent. I stared in

en something grabbed my injured foot roughly. I

ime, I

lted

hed in sweat. My h

felt

the bed, wrapping my

eam," I whispered.

e sound made me fl

own n

trembled a

.. who i

an

y voice was

just tota

e line w

like I was stil

pter

RA'S

I was being watched, the

dy job at a top firm, a small apartment, predictable routines th

control had st

h that nightmar

ing that afternoon. An unknown n

been wat

spine. When I looked ag

self it wa

e rest of the day, clinging to my tho

reness of being observed, as though someone stood just beyond my line of sight. Once, my reflec

d, there was

. Long hours. To

with rain. A street lamp flickered overhead as I walked faster, c

I fe

was wat

and slowl

t see his face clearly, but his eyes caught the light-gol

idn't

n't

t wa

lammed agai

u?" I asked, my

morising my face. A strange certainty s

blink of an ey

hone

linc

" I an

next month!" Her excitement sliced throu

rse," I

firmly. "Everyone will ask why you're still

at the emp

me... and now

rfe

or button, my fingers tapping restlessly against my bag. As

been wat

ffee shop last week. The way his gaze ling

my floor, unease had se

windows, and drew the curtains. The city's hum outsid

opened my laptop. Hours blurred toget

claim

narrow street

was

r this

y that stole my breath. The pull between us felt re

nd hovering inches from

rs could touch, t

iet. I hugged my teddy tightly, forcing myself to s

s crowded

was

he watc

feel like he a

ustio

closed, a warm bre

followed-lo

So