Monday star

d while I

op turned as I ran past and didn't look away. Not a glance. A stare. His eyes followed me down the length of the street

is felt like that - a trick of the mind. Maybe it was the lingering burnout, still poisoning the corners of my thinking.

n came

Hoodie on, earbuds in. The route was quiet, jus

lowed down as

ing slightly over the wheel to watch me. He didn't wav

n my chest. I walked th

on me from every angle. Not casual glances - full stares. One man even pulled out h

two stops

out on Thurs

seboards. I dusted the hallway shelf, careful not to move it. I tried to read but couldn

was shaky before I ev

I didn't want to give them a reason to question my reliability. I needed t

looked like they were holding in a

he office, somet

at had been happening stopped mid-sentence. No one said good morning. Not even Lars. He kept h

esent mug of tea, didn't lo

omforting. It was full of some

came th

pouring water from the

mbarrassed," someone mu

- replied, "Maybe she

to the counter. I didn't move. I just stood there, s

o back to

ram back home. I sat in the back corner, arms crossed

d at me on t

t worse

my shoes. Didn't even bother to close the curtains. I droppe

dn't

at f

rowaved leftovers, cold tea, and a shower that

ay was

h something I couldn't name - grief or shame or panic. I sat by the window bu

. Really cried. Fi

nket I hadn't washed in weeks, watching the same cooking show on l

hone had been buzzing until Ja

voice raw

"You sound weird

respond r

ed," I said.

a second. I could

ed to ask yo

d it made my t

st any vide

ha

ourself. At home. Or

e was flat. "

ther pause. T

e's been postin

le

a livestream. Of you. In the apartment. It's been circulating online. A friend sent me a

stopped

ip?" I w

the comments - Eva, they're disgusting. And the

My legs fe

anything," I sa

hat's why

went qu

now how?"

n't a

ng at the h

e asked me