LOGINChapter 13 Aria’s phone had been in her hand all morning. She no longer even tried to pretend. She was waiting. Waiting for him. Waiting for that message. And she hated it. The apartment felt too quiet. Too empty. Ever since Maya left, every small sound felt louder than it should. The ticking clock. The faint noise from outside.Even her own breathing. Her phone stayed silent. Still. It was starting to get to her. She stood up and paced slowly around, she whispered. “This is what you wanted.” No messages. No control. No him. But it did not feel good. It felt like something was missing. Her phone suddenly rang. Not a message. A call. Her heart jumped. She looked at the screen. Her brother. Her chest tightened. She picked up. “Hello?” “Aria.” His voice was sharp as usual. Firm. Serious. “Where are you?” he asked. “I am at home,” she said. “You sound off.” “I am fine.” There was a pause. Then he spoke again. “I heard something happened yesterda
Chapter 12 The silence did not feel normal. At first, Aria thought it would be easier. No messages. No control. No voice on her phone. Just peace. But it did not feel like peace. It felt empty. Too quiet. Too still. Like something was missing. She sat on her bed, staring at her phone again. Nothing. No new messages since last night. Since— “Now it is just you and me.” Her chest tightened. She dropped the phone on the bed as if it burned her hand. “This is good,” she whispered to herself. “This is what you wanted.” No more stalking. No more fear. No more him. But her eyes kept going back to the phone. Waiting. Listening.Hoping. She hated that hours passed. Maya called. Aria picked up immediately. “Are you okay?” Maya asked. “Yes,” Aria said quickly. “I am fine.” “You sound weird.” “I am just tired.” There was a pause. Then Maya said softly, “I do not like that you are alone there.” Aria forced a small laugh. “I am fine, Maya. Nothing has hap
Chapter 11 The apartment felt different. Even before Maya said anything. Aria noticed it in the way she moved. Too careful. Too quiet. As if she were listening for something that was not there. Or maybe… something that was. Maya stood by the window, peeking through the curtain again. “Do you see anything?” Aria asked. Maya shook her head. “No. But that does not mean anything.” Aria looked down at her phone. Still no message. It had been hours. Since the last one. Closer than you think. Her chest felt tight again. That silence was worse than the messages. At least when he texted… She knew he was there. Now— Nothing. A sudden ringing sound broke the silence. Maya’s phone. She looked at the screen and frowned. “I need to take this,” she said, stepping away. Aria nodded slowly. She watched as Maya walked into the other room. Her voice is low. Serious. Aria could not hear everything. Just small parts. “Now?” “…I said I am not there…” “…I will come
Chapter 10 Aria did not stop thinking about what she saw. Daniel. On the ground. Not moving. The image kept replaying in her head, as if it were stuck there. She barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw it again. And worse…She kept hearing his messages. “Do not let anyone touch you.” Her chest felt tight. Maya stayed quiet that morning. Too quiet. Like she did not want to say the wrong thing. Finally, she spoke. “We need to talk about this.” Aria looked up slowly. “About what?” “Do not do that,” Maya said. “You know what I mean.”Aria looked away. Maya stepped closer. “That boy… Daniel… this is not a coincidence.” “I did not say it was,” Aria replied softly. “Then say it,” Maya pushed. “Say that he did that.” Aria’s lips parted. But no words came out. Because saying it made it real. And if it was real…Then what kind of person was watching her? Her phone buzzed. Both of them froze. Aria looked down slowly. Unknown number. She opened it. “
Chapter 9 Aria did not sleep well. Every small sound made her open her eyes. Every shadow looked wrong. And the worst part… He did not text again. No messages. No control. No voice. Nothing. It should have made her feel better. It did not. It made everything feel empty. Maya noticed it immediately. “You see,” she said that morning, crossing her arms, “he has stopped. That is good.” Aria nodded slowly. But her fingers were still wrapped around her phone. Waiting. Checking. Nothing. Maya sighed. “You need fresh air. We are going out.” “I do not feel like it,” Aria muttered. “You are going,” Maya said, already pulling her up. “You cannot stay inside and let your mind run mad.” Aria did not argue again. Maybe she needed it. Perhaps she needed to prove to herself that she could still be a normal person. The café was small and soft—soft music. People are talking quietly. Nothing like the fear that had been living in her chest since yesterday. Aria sat acro
Chapter 8 Aria did not feel safe in her own apartment anymore.Even with Maya there, even with the doors locked and the curtains closed, it still felt like someone was watching her from somewhere she could not see. She sat on the couch, knees pulled close, phone resting in her hand. The TV was on but she was not paying attention. The sound just filled the silence.Maya was in the kitchen making something small to eat. “Aria,” she called, “you need to relax. You have been staring at that phone for like ten minutes.” “I am not staring,” Aria said softly. “You are,” Maya replied, walking back into the living room. “You are waiting for him.” Aria did not answer. Because it was true. That scared her more than anything. Her phone buzzed suddenly. Her heart jumped. Unknown number. She opened it slowly. “You look better with your hair down.” Her fingers froze. Maya noticed immediately. “What did he say?” Aria did not speak. She just turned the phone and sh







