Chapter 4
1213 Words
The knocking didn’t stop.
It didn’t get louder… But it didn’t go away either.Three knocks.
Pause.
Three knocks again.
Slow.
Rhythmic.
As if the person whatever or who they were had all the time in the world.
Mila stood frozen in front of the door, her heart pounding so hard it hurt. She clutched her phone tightly, Aiden’s last message staring back at her.
DON’T OPEN IT, MILA.
Her breath trembled.
Another knock.
She swallowed and backed away from the door.
Aiden? She whispered shakily into her phone, her fingers typing quickly.
Are you outside? Is that you?
No response.
She waited five seconds, Ten, Fifteen.
Nothing.
The knocking finally stopped.
She held her breath, listening to the storm raging outside and the quiet filling her house again.
But the quiet didn’t comfort her.
It felt like a held breath.
Like the world was waiting for her to make a wrong move.
She sat down on the couch and pressed her hands against her face, trying to calm her racing thoughts.
Her phone buzzed again.
She gasped and nearly dropped it.
A message from Aiden.
DON’T OPEN THE DOOR FOR ANYONE TONIGHT. NOT EVEN IF THEY CALL YOUR NAME.
Her stomach twisted.
She typed fast:
Aiden, what’s happening? Who was knocking? Why are people watching me? What do they want?
Three dots appeared.
Then disappeared.
Then appeared again.
He was typing… Or trying to type.
Finally, a message came through.
I can’t say everything yet.
Mila clenched her jaw in frustration. Say something, then. Anything. I’m scared.
This time, Aiden responded faster.
I’m trying to keep you safe. But if I tell you the wrong thing too soon…it’ll make everything worse.Her fingers trembled as she replied:
Worse than being stalked? Worse than being watched? Worse than the storm outside?
This time, there was a longer pause. Almost a full minute.
Then: Yes, she stared at the word.
One single word.
But it was enough to make her chest feel tight.
Mila got up slowly and walked to the window, pulling the curtain aside just a sliver.
The storm clouds flickered with dull lightning. Rain streaked down the glass. Her front yard was empty.
No person.
No shadow.
No sign anyone had been there.
But something didn’t feel right.
She had a powerful instinct lately, the kind she’d never felt before and right now it was screaming that someone had been standing out there, even if they were gone now.
She let the curtain fall back into place.
Her phone buzzed again.
Not Aiden this time.
The other unknown number.
Her chest tightened as she opened the message.
DON’T BELIEVE HIM.
Her eyes widened.
Another message came before she could react.
HE KNOWS WHY YOU’RE BEING WATCHED.
Mila’s breath hitched.
A third ping.
AND HE’S THE REASON IT STARTED.
Her mouth went dry.
Her fingers hovered over the screen but didn’t move.
She didn’t know what to say.
Didn’t know what to believe.
Didn’t know who to trust.
Was Aiden lying to her?
Or was this unknown messenger trying to scare her into doubting the only person who seemed to care?
Her hands shook as she typed:
Stop. Just stop. Who are you? Why do you send this?
The reply came instantly, almost too fast to be real.
THE ONE TRYING TO SAVE YOU.
Her eyes blurred.
Save her from what?
Aiden?
The watchers?
The notes?
Something else?
Her body felt too light, like she wasn’t fully connected to the ground anymore.
She took a shaky breath, closed her eyes, and forced herself to stay still.
She needed answers.
Real answers.
And Aiden was the only person she knew even a little who might have them.
She called him.
The phone rang once.
Twice.
Three times.
Then
Aiden? She whispered.
He answered on the fourth ring, his voice low, almost breathless.
Mila?
There was noise in the background footsteps? rain? wind? she couldn’t tell.
I’m sorry to call, she said, voice trembling, but someone just messaged me again. They said you’re the reason I’m being watched.
Silence.
Aiden didn’t breathe.
He didn’t speak.
He didn’t hang up.
He just existed on the line, suspended, as if trying not to let anything slip out.
Aiden, she said softly, tell me they’re lying.
He inhaled sharply.
Mila… I’m trying to protect you.
That’s not what I asked.
His voice cracked, not with sadness but with the weight of whatever truth he was carrying.
I didn’t start it, he finally said.
Mila pressed a hand to her mouth, relief and panic mixing until she couldn’t tell which was stronger.
But, he added.
Her heart stopped.
There’s a reason I see the notes first.
She froze.
What? She whispered.
Aiden breathed out shakily, almost like he’d slipped and said too much.
I shouldn’t have told you that.
No, wait..Aiden, what does that mean?
He didn’t answer.
Aiden!
I have to go, he said urgently. You’re not safe if I stay on the phone.
What does that even…
Mila, listen to me, he cut in, his voice suddenly sharp and terrified. When the storm ends, do not leave your house. Not even tomorrow. Not until I tell you.
Her pulse raced.
Why?
Because they’re closer than you think.
Her skin prickled.
Who?
Aiden’s voice lowered, almost a whisper. The ones knocking.
Her breath caught.
Aiden… who are they?
She wasn’t sure he’d answer.
She wasn’t sure she even wanted him to.
But after a long pause, he spoke. His voice was barely audible.
They’re looking for someone. Someone they lost.
Mila swallowed. What does that have to do with me?
Another pause.
Then…
It has everything to do with you.
She felt her whole body go cold.
Aiden, she whispered, what did they lose?
There was a c***k of static on the line.
Aiden sounded suddenly distant.
Mila… they’re looking for something very rare.
Her grip on the phone tightened.
A rare what?
He hesitated.
You won’t believe me.
Try me.
Lightning cracked loudly outside, shaking the windows.
Aiden exhaled.
Mila… they’re looking for a person.
What kind of person?
Aiden didn’t answer at first.
Then, in a voice that sounded almost afraid…
They’re looking for someone born with a destiny mark.
The room felt colder.
Mila pressed a trembling hand to her chest.
Destiny mark.
Her mind replayed every strange moment she’d experienced the past month.
The notes.
The warnings.
The watching.
The storm.
The sense of someone or something was following her.
Her voice came out faintly.
A-Aiden… What's a destiny mark?
He inhaled shakily.
It’s something you’re not supposed to know about. Not yet.
Aiden, I need to know.
Mila…
Her heart hammered.
What is it?
Aiden’s voice lowered to a whisper.
It’s a person born with the future written inside them.
The room spun slightly.
I don’t have anything like that, she insisted. I’m normal.
Aiden’s silence was worse than any answer.
Aiden, she said again, voice breaking, I’m normal, right?
This time, when he spoke, his voice was full of a truth he’d been avoiding since the moment they met.
Mila… you’re not normal.
She felt her knees weaken.
You’re the tenth, he whispered. The one they’ve been searching for.
Thunder roared through the house.
The call was cut off.
And Mila was alone.
- Writer
