"What the— okay babe, slow down. What happened?" Carabella's voice was laced with confusion, drawing me in like a magnet. The weight of the situation was etched on my face as I pressed my hands against it, momentarily blocking out the world. Releasing a weary sigh, I met her gaze once again, hoping that this time my words would truly convey the gravity of the situation.
"I saw some guy in the street. He... he killed someone right in front of me," I explained, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and urgency. The memory replayed in my mind, the raw terror still fresh. But there was more to it. "And then... he saw me before I could even think of running away. He left a note on my pillow somehow before I even got home."
A gasp escaped her lips, her eyes widening in disbelief. It seemed that she finally grasped the gist of what happened. "And that's when he told you not to call the cops?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. I shook my head, my heart pounding in my chest. "No, not just the cops. He said not to call anyone. It's like he's watching my every move."
Paranoia gripped me, compelling me to steal a glance at the door as if it held the answers to our safety. Carabella's exasperated sigh broke the silence, her hands instinctively finding solace in running through her hair. Then, in a tender act of protection, she enveloped me in a warm hug. "We'll figure this out, mia amore," she whispered, her voice bringing a wave of calm against the chaos.
Finding strength in her presence, I reciprocated the hug, holding on tight as if clinging to the hope she offered. Nodding in agreement, I yearned for her words to be a beacon of truth in the murky darkness that had engulfed our lives.
As I finally pulled away from her embrace, a slight smile curved my lips, while inside, my heart still raced. I took a moment to calm myself, taking a deep, steadying breath. "How about you spend the night? Maybe it will help distract my mind," I suggested, my voice tinged with vulnerability.
A mischievous glint danced in Carabella's eyes as she playfully responded, "Sure, but only if I get to wear your clothes." Her smile was infectious, momentarily lifting the weight off my shoulders.
Grateful for her willingness to immerse herself in my world, I suggested a simple plan to reclaim a sliver of normalcy. "That's fine. Let's head to the store, grab some snacks, and watch a random movie from the movie bin," I proposed, rising from the bed, determined to create a pocket of joy amidst the chaos.
Carabella's enthusiastic "okay" resonated with a sense of adventure as she swiftly slipped on her shoes, joining me at the front door. We both went to the front door and I grabbed my keys from the console table before leading us both out to my car.
~~~
"Okay, let's be quick, it's cold in here," Carabella's playful urgency sent a giggle dancing through the air. I smiled, enjoying the playfulness of my friend, yet I still couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.
As we hurriedly gathered our items, I couldn't resist stealing glances over my shoulder, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man I had seen in the alley. Yet, there was nothing but innocent shoppers going about their business. I brushed off the unease, convincing myself it was all in my head.
Carabella and I made our way to the front counter, yet despite my calm demeanor my heart was still racing. The sound of the cash registers and the shuffle of bags provided a fleeting distraction, but the lingering tension remained.
Finally, it was our turn to check out, a mix of relief and anticipation washing over us. The friendly cashier greeted us, oblivious to the silent drama that unfolded within us. As our items were scanned, I couldn't help but cast one last glance over my shoulder, as if hoping to catch a glimpse of something, yet there was still nothing.
~~~
As we stepped into my apartment, a shiver ran down my spine as I realized the door was unlocked. Panic surged through me. I distinctly remembered locking it before leaving. "Bella, the door... it's unlocked," I managed to utter, my voice laced with concern. She glanced at me, dismissing it with a nonchalant shrug. "Maybe you forgot to lock it? There's no way he'd come a second time, right?" she rationalized, her voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty.
Nodding in agreement, though doubt still lingered, I pushed open the door and entered cautiously. Placing my keys in the familiar bowl on the console table, then I led Carabella into my bedroom. We settled ourselves, and with a flicker of hope, I turned on the TV, ready to lose ourselves in the distraction of a movie.
"Hold on, let me get some water," I announced, rising from the bed. We had juice from the store, but I preferred the refreshing coolness of water from my refrigerator. "Alright, but be quick 'cause I'm not pausing it," Bella playfully warned, a hint of a smile gracing her lips. I giggled in response and nodded, making my way to the kitchen.
As I approached the refrigerator, my steps faltered, freezing me in place. There, on the door, was another card, its blue ink and familiar handwriting sending a chill down my spine. Dread washed over me as I read the chilling words:
"Little dove,
I thought I told you not to tell anyone. If you call the police, I just might kill your friend. And that's too bad, darling because I know a guy who might like her. What a shame it would be if they never found love. I'll see you again soon, little dove.
Love, M.
Ps: I have a key."
My heart sank, a heavy weight settling in the pit of my stomach. Frustration and fear mingled within me, threatening to spill out in a torrent of curses, but I bit back the words. Taking a deep breath, I let out a long sigh, stuffing the note into my pocket, and shielding it from Carabella's gaze. She couldn't see this. Not yet.
Clutching my water bottle tightly, I returned to my room, sinking to the floor beside Carabella, who sat on the bed. The movie had started, its sounds and colors playing on the screen, but my mind was elsewhere, consumed by the overwhelming thought of Carabella's life being in danger. The weight of responsibility pressed upon me, urging me to take action.
I needed to call the police, to protect her, to unravel the sinister mystery that loomed over our lives. But for now, I forced myself to focus on the movie, trying to find solace in its fictional world, even as the real-life threat hung heavy in the air.
Maddox's POV:
Her fear was evident. That was good. I had her heart shaking in my hands.
From the shadows of her balcony, I peered through the window into her bedroom. A wave of jealousy hit me as I watched her interact with her friend. They were too close, too friendly. My possessiveness consumed me, though I couldn't fathom why. She was just another victim, another pawn in my game.
But she was undeniably beautiful.
No. Focus, Maddox.
With a heavy sigh, I carefully climbed over the balcony's edge. It wasn't a great height, and my body was resilient enough to endure the fall. Landing nimbly in a bush below her apartment, I quickly rose and made my departure. My presence was undetected, as it always was.
Retrieving my phone from my pocket, I settled into the sleek black Corvette Z06, a symbol of power and dominance. It was one of my favorite toys. Dialing a number that had become all too familiar, I awaited the response on the other end.
"Hello?" The voice on the line greeted, the familiarity evident. "I found a gift for you," I announced, relishing in the anticipation of his reaction. A sigh of disappointment echoed through the phone as my friend replied, "You know, M, most people don't find gifts. They buy or make them."
"Such a materialist," I retorted, a smirk tugging at the corners of my lips. "It's a girl, Vitally." A moment of silence followed, broken only by his contemplative hum. Finally, he spoke, his voice laced with intrigue, "Meet me at my place in an hour." And without a farewell, he hung up. Typical.
The engine roared to life as I started the car, pulling out of the parking lot with a surge of adrenaline. "Damn," I muttered under my breath.
Something about tormenting this girl felt different. It's almost... fun.