sia'

t the place no longer felt the same. It was colder, heavier, like something important

surface, but I didn't realize it until my fingers started to ache. My body still felt tense, like i

ing me, trying

ed. It was sharp and serious. The kind of look she only gave when she sensed

to CLOSED, and locked it. The sound of the lock clicking into place felt

re going to talk. Right

wed. "Ab

her arms, and raised an eyebrow. "

sh I

e counter, suddenly feel

lked in like he owned the place. People moved out of his way. An

d," I sai

ooked like you forg

out why he came" I said, though I w

replied. "And d

y forehead. "He's the

mediately. "The one

the one who call

tened. "So t

I said quickly, trying to defend him.

out explaining how he got your number, and now he shows

o explain what I felt without sounding foolish

around, I don't feel scared. He makes my body rea

a good thing

el random. He feels familiar. Like my b

d slowly. "That's d

I said. "That's

t your attention. Not curiosity. Whatever you're feeling doesn't

ow,"

n't make the fe

d in. The street outside was quiet, almost empty

ay," Sofia said as s

" I replied, f

believe me. We walked together until we

bed my arm. "Text me

wil

hugged me tightly.

ys am,"

he moment they left my mout

ement. The streetlights cast long shadows that stretche

minutes, I

I hea

tst

d down

steps sl

started

ic, I tol

I was imagining it. When I turned onto a

re clos

st

o?" I called out, hating

ans

react, a hand g

he shadows so hard I almost lost my balance. My bag slipped off my s

I shouted, kicki

oice said close to my ea

ching blindly, trying to pull free. Another ha

and as hard

and his grip l

ight break free but I wasn'

e returned, stro

g with fear. My wrist burned where he held me

rything

d suddenly, like it

air. I gathered what was left

eet was

si

urry, trying to unders

t the edge of th

t make ou

could spe

ing wen