7~STRUGGLES

~~WARD~~

I couldn’t sleep or be at peace.

I sat in my car outside Aria’s apartment building, the seat pushed back, darkness pressing in from all sides. My hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles hurt.

Every few minutes I checked my phone again, trying to track that unknown number, but it was pointless. Whoever this was, they were always one step ahead.

Fear sat heavy in my stomach like a rock. What if something happened to her tonight? What if I left and the worst occurred? I rubbed my tired eyes, my chest tight with worry. I had been here for hours, watching her window like a shadow.

My body ached from the long day, my hip throbbed, but none of that mattered. Only Aria mattered.

Then my phone buzzed and my heart stopped for a second. I opened the message with shaking fingers.

The photo hit me like a knife to the chest.

Aria was in her bedroom. She was slowly pulling off her dress, the soft fabric sliding down her shoulders and back as she got ready for sleep. She looked so tired, so vulnerable, completely unaware that someone was watching her.

Terror exploded inside me. My breath caught. My hands started trembling so badly that I almost dropped the phone. Someone was in her apartment right now. Watching her undress. My mind went blank with fear.

I didn’t think much and just jumped out of the car and ran. Pain shot through my hip with every step, but I didn’t care. I dashed up the stairs, heart pounding wildly, fear choking me. I reached her door and banged on it hard with my fist.

“Aria! Open the door! Please!” The door flew open.

Aria stood there in a thin, silky nightdress that barely reached her thighs. Her hair was loose and messy, her eyes wide with shock and anger. She looked beautiful and fragile at the same time, and the sight made my heart twist painfully.

Chapter 7 (Re-edited)

Ward Bennett

I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t even close my eyes.

I sat in my car outside Aria’s apartment building, the seat pushed back, darkness pressing in from all sides. My hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles hurt. Every few minutes I checked my phone again, trying to track that unknown number, but it was useless. Blocked. Hidden. Whoever this was, they were always one step ahead.

Fear sat heavy in my stomach like a rock. What if something happened to her tonight? What if I left and the worst occurred? I rubbed my tired eyes, my chest tight with worry. I had been here for hours, watching her window like a shadow. My body ached from the long day, my hip throbbed, but none of that mattered. Only Aria mattered.

Then my phone buzzed.

My heart stopped for a second. I opened the message with shaking fingers.

The photo hit me like a knife to the chest.

Aria was in her bedroom. She was slowly pulling off her dress, the soft fabric sliding down her shoulders and back as she got ready for sleep. She looked so tired, so vulnerable, completely unaware that someone was watching her.

Terror exploded inside me. My breath caught. My hands started trembling so badly that I almost dropped the phone. Someone was in her apartment right now. Watching her undress. My mind went blank with fear.

I didn’t think. I jumped out of the car and ran. Pain shot through my hip with every step, but I didn’t care. I dashed up the stairs, heart pounding wildly, fear choking me. I reached her door and banged on it hard with my fist.

“Aria! Open the door! Please!”

The door flew open.

Aria stood there in a thin, silky nightdress that barely reached her thighs. Her hair was loose and messy, her eyes wide with shock and anger.

Before she could speak, I gently pushed her aside and stepped inside, my eyes scanning the living room desperately for any sign of an intruder or hidden camera.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” she shouted, her voice shaking with rage. “Why are you barging into my apartment in the middle of the night? Why are you rambling around my apartment like a madman?”

I didn’t answer and kept moving, checking behind the couch, near the windows, my heart racing as I searched for anything suspicious. I couldn’t speak. The fear had stolen my words.

That silence made her even angrier.

“Ward I am talking to you!” she yelled out and this made me pause.

“Are you sure you are safe in this place?” I asked and she scoffed:

“You ruined my life once already!” she let out as she stepped closer

“Now you show up here acting like some hero? You’re disgusting. Get the hell out of my apartment!”

Her words cut deep into my chest. Each one hurt more than the last. Pain spread through me like fire. I stood there, breathing hard, guilt and love mixing with the fear already choking me. I deserved every harsh word, but it still broke something inside me.

“Get out right now,” she said coldly, pointing at the door. “Or I am calling the cops. And if you don’t leave, I will tell them you tried to assault me and scream it loud enough for the whole building to hear. You think your money will save you? One accusation and your career will be gone. Don’t test me.”

The threat hit me hard. I knew she meant it. The pain in my chest grew heavier. I wanted so badly to tell her everything the threats, the photo, the danger. But I couldn’t.

I nodded slowly, my shoulders heavy with defeat. “Okay… I am leaving.”

I turned and walked out. The moment she slammed the door and locked it behind me, my phone buzzed again.

Another photo.

It was me standing inside her apartment just seconds ago.

My blood turned to ice. My legs felt weak. This person had been watching the whole time. My hands shook as I stared at the screen.

Then the new message appeared again.

Unknown: You can’t tell her. If you do, her illness will trigger again. You remember the panic attacks, the hospital, and how she almost broke completely last time. Tell her the truth and watch her fall apart. Stay quiet if you want her to stay safe.

The phone nearly fell from my hand. I felt weak all over. My knees almost gave out and I knew I couldn’t risk that. Not when she had finally become strong.

I turned back toward her door, fist raised to knock… but I stopped.

I couldn’t tell her.

The fear paralyzed me. I walked down the stairs slowly, my body feeling heavy and broken. The terror was worse now.

I got back into my car, but I didn’t drive away. I stayed right there, watching her window, my heart filled with worry, guilt, and helplessness.