THE CLOSED CASE

**KNOCK KNOCK** Jason knocked, then entered without waiting for a response. “Hey Kira, your lunch is on the table. And don’t even think about skipping it—I’m not letting you starve over a bug, okay?” he said with a warm smile, then turned and left. “And he’s out. Yay,” Kira muttered dryly. She opened the windows and pulled back the curtains, letting the light spill in. Then she sat down and opened her diary. --- **DIARY ENTRY – JULY 20TH, 2025** *Dear Diary,* *It’s my second week off campus. I used to stay on campus, but I started feeling unsafe, so I moved to a newly built condominium. Sounds cool, right? But nothing changed. Locking the windows and doors didn’t help, so I opened them again.* *Someone’s following me. I’m sure of it. But who? That, I don’t know. I’m scared.* *Kira.* She tucked the diary into a hiding spot no one would ever think to check, then headed to the dining table. Alone. Oh, and by the way—Jason had already eaten, washed his plate, and left for Jasey’s place. “I’m out” apparently meant “I’m leaving.” --- **KIRA’S POV** I don’t remember when we started speaking in codes. That’s right—he never told me. And when did “I’m out” start meaning “I’m gone”? Damn you, Jason. Damn you. --- **JASEY’S UNIT** *KNOCK KNOCK* Jasey opened the door, surprised to see Jason standing there. “Bro! My guy, come in,” he said cheerfully, but Jason’s face was blank. “How’s Kira? Any better?” Jasey asked, dropping the cheer. “Today was worse,” Jason said, rubbing his head. “She looked like she was running from the police. Panting like she’d sprinted through the city. Sweating, crying, terrified. Her eyes… they were just empty. She locked the windows like someone was coming for her. I don’t know what’s happening to her.” “Damn. Are you sure she’s not being watched? That sounds like surveillance, man. You should be a journalist,” Jasey said, placing a glass of water on the table. “I told my mom this might happen. I warned her. But people don’t listen until it’s too late,” Jason muttered. “Wait—remember that girl who died at the Californian branch of our school? Rumor was her friends tried to protect her from her own mind. If you ask me, that’s what’s happening to Kira,” Jasey said. Jason’s jaw tightened. “News flash, Jay—I don’t believe your horror stories in broad daylight. Change the subject. Thanks,” Jason snapped. --- **KIRA’S UNIT – LIVING ROOM** Xeida and Nicole were watching a movie, waiting for Kira to come out. When she finally did, she was holding a box of pizza and a tub of ice cream. “Hey girl! What’s up? Why’s everything locked up? You okay?” Xeida asked, reaching for a slice. “Just tell us what’s wrong. But first—open up,” Nicole said, biting into her slice. “I can’t. If I’m going to open up, I’m not opening up,” Kira replied, sitting down. “What’s going on? How are you feeling?” Xeida asked gently. “Worse. I’m not getting better. I hear more cameras clicking. More eyes watching. Jason’s trying, but I feel like I’m just making it harder for him,” Kira said, scooping ice cream into her mouth. “It’s not your fault, girl. You’ve got to keep living—even when the world throws its worst at you,” Xeida said with a soft smile. “Yeah! Look yourself in the mirror and say, ‘Do your worst, universe. You’re not trapping me!’” Nicole added, grinning. Just then, Jason walked in—and the light in Kira’s eyes dimmed. “Where did you go, Jason?” she asked, turning to face him. “Jasey’s unit. How do you feel?” he asked, trying to smile. “Oh, I feel just fine! Isn’t that what you want to hear?” she snapped. “What if something happened? What if someone broke in and killed me? Would you be happy then? What if they didn’t come, Jason? I was alone in this damn house!” Xeida rushed to calm her down. Nicole tried to soothe Jason, whose blood was boiling. He hated being yelled at—especially when he was doing his best. “That’s what you always do, Kira! You yell at me like I’m not trying!” Jason shouted, voice cracking. “Should I go psycho before you realize how hard I’m trying not to break down in front of you? We all have insecurities—yours are intense, okay! But mine is losing you. And if you think I’m not good enough to protect you, fine. I get it. But don’t yell at me when I know I’m doing my best!” He stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Not just out of the unit—he left the condominium. Completely.