The One Who Watches

PART 1 - The City Never Sleeps, Even When We Do

The city always looked prettiest at 6:17 p.m.

That was the exact time the sky turned that soft lavender color Nia loved, when the sunlight slid down the tall buildings like dripping gold. People rushed home, cars honked, music played faintly from shops, and life felt loud but comforting.

Nia walked beside Amiya, their hands brushing sometimes as they laughed at nothing and everything. The sidewalk smelled like warm bread from the bakery on the corner, and the wind played with Amiya’s braids, making them sway.

“Tell me why Aedris wore that hoodie again,” Amiya teased, nudging Nia.

Nia rolled her eyes but smiled. “Leave him. He says it’s his ‘aesthetic.’”

“Boy looks like he’s trying to audition for a vampire movie,” Amiya joked, and they both laughed, heads tilted back.

Behind them, the streetlights blinked on one by one.

The city was alive…
But something else was too.

Nia felt it again—a tiny prickle at the back of her neck, like someone’s eyes were sitting right there. Watching her. Studying her.

She glanced behind her.

Just people. Cars. Shops. Noise.

But no one looking at her.

Amiya snapped her fingers in front of Nia’s face. “Hellooo? Earth to lover girl?”

“I’m here, I’m here,” Nia said quickly. “Just… felt weird for a sec.”

“Girl, you always feel weird.” Amiya giggled. “Probably thinking about Aedris.”

As if summoned, two boys appeared across the street—Aedris and Kevash, walking like they owned the whole city. Aedris had that quiet, dark energy, hands tucked in his hoodie pockets. Kevash walked beside him, laughing at something, his gold chain catching the streetlight.

Aedris’s eyes found Nia instantly.

Nia felt her stomach flip.
Then settle.
Then flip again.

He crossed the street, not taking his eyes off her. “You good?”

Nia opened her mouth to say yes, but the feeling returned—sharper this time. That stare. That cold, icy stare she couldn’t place.

She turned again.

Nothing.

Just a crowd moving forward like a river.

Aedris stepped closer, voice low. “What did you see?”

“Nothing… I think,” Nia said, though her voice didn’t sound convincing even to herself.

Kevash wrapped an arm around Amiya, kissing her temple. “Probably someone creepy staring again. Y’all girls always get that.”

Amiya laughed it off.
Aedris didn’t.

His hand brushed Nia’s. “Tell me if you see it again. If anyone touches you—”

“I know,” she whispered. “You’ll break their face.”

He smirked, just slightly. “More than that.”

The four of them walked together now, turning into the quieter street near the bus stop. The air felt colder here. The sky darker. The whole city suddenly less pretty.

Amiya started humming some song she always sang when she was nervous. Kevash tapped her waist in rhythm. Nia walked closer to Aedris.

And again, as if glued to her skin, she felt it—

Watching.
Pressing.
Breathing on the edge of her shadow.

Nia’s voice came out small. “Guys… don’t think I’m crazy… but someone’s been looking at me since earlier.”

Amiya stopped humming.

Kevash’s arm tensed around her.

Aedris turned around slowly, scanning every inch of the street—eyes calculated, sharp, alert. “Where?”

Nia pointed weakly. “Back there. Near the streetlights.”

The group stared.

The streetlight flickered.

The shadows shifted.

And for the tiniest moment—Nia was sure she saw a figure.
Tall.
Still.
Facing them.

But when Kevash blinked and stepped forward, the figure vanished like smoke.

Amiya forced a laugh. “Probably some old man going home. We’re overthinking.”

But Nia saw how Amiya clutched Kevash’s sleeve.
How Aedris stayed in front of her as they walked.
How the city suddenly sounded too quiet.

The bus arrived with a loud hiss that broke the tension. They climbed on, taking their usual seats—Amiya and Kevash in the back, Nia and Aedris near the window.

As the bus pulled away, Nia looked out one more time.

Under the streetlight…

A shadow lingered.
Still.
Unmoving.
Facing the bus.

Her heart stopped.

She blinked.

Gone.

Aedris took her chin gently. “Hey. Don’t look outside. Look at me.”

She nodded.
But she didn’t say the truth.

The figure wasn’t gone.It had followed the bus.