artment felt louder than usual, like the walls were listening. She couldn't stop replaying that voice

e Adrian stood completely still, his eyes fixed on the floor a

y she sai

his shoulders loosened just a litt

ped. Mila watched his fingers freeze around the

it she

for her to move behind him again. Mila's heart thudded

y hal

ghtly. The hallway looked normal but too silent. Their footsteps echoed as they walke

r hand. Not gently. Not romantically. More li

close

idn't

ty except for a single black car parked across the road, engine

n noti

car he sa

black car still hadn't moved, but something about it made her ski

ed his car, the black on

ursed under his breath

ar fol

urns, trying to lose them, but the black car stayed behind them. It didn't speed. It didn'

e whispered gri

s he turned left again. When he looked int

he said. That means

that mean

't an attack he sa

tone wasn't fearful. It w

scared her

ld neighborhood. He didn't slow down until they reached his building, a

d out, her l

ently on her back. Come

t. The elevator ride felt too quiet. She studied Adrian's face, hoping

tches pinned on the walls. She had been there only once before, bu

st room tonight Adrian s

rian sit down for a mi

lf onto the couch. Mila sat across

r she said. You looke

flickered. I

to she replied. Y

now, you might panic. But I promise you what happened is connect

ickened. Are

ead. I'm not wo

are you wo

ce was ans

tighten. Why would s

ause you're close to me. They think hurt

ittle. She didn't know

. After a moment he pulled out a small fo

go he said. Before

aper shook in her hands

es to know

aught. Adrian

you do she

ike he was fighting the urge to tel

t he said. Someone who

oesn't explain why they're watching

rt people physically. They destroy people emotionally. The

cold shiver r

heir name

er for a long momen

yl

drop of ink falling into wate

Rylan sh

gain. Someone who use

Ex. Business partner. She didn't

st the poli

g they do is illegal. It's psychological. They appe

chest tighten.

hing she had never seen in him bef

don't play into the

loser. His vo

ing happen to you.

swer, there was a so

of the

the door slowly and

e envelope lay

No whisper. No

t up and han

it with tremb

was just

ask him who