New Year’s Romance (2025)

Chapter 5

Chapter 5 – Whispers of the Past

Cassie’s POV

The soft whisper of my name cuts through the tension in the air. My breath catches in my throat, and my heart skips a beat. I glance at Sam, his expression unreadable, but his eyes sharp, studying the door like it’s a threat.

“Cassie…” The voice comes again, this time clearer, but still laced with something unsettling. Something that sounds desperate, almost pleading.

It’s Henry. But why is he here? Why is he whispering my name like that? I can’t make sense of it.

I take a step back, my mind racing. Sam’s eyes flick to me, his jaw tense, and I see the subtle warning in his gaze. Don’t open the door.

But I can’t just stand here. I have to know what’s going on.

I edge closer to the door, my hand hovering over the handle, but I can’t bring myself to open it. Something feels off, like a shadow lurking just outside my door.

The silence stretches on, and the air grows thick with unease. Then, the voice comes again, this time louder and sharper, cutting through the quiet.

“Cassie, please. Open the door. I need to talk to you.”

I flinch at the urgency in his voice. It’s not like Henry to sound this desperate. Not like him at all.

Sam’s hand moves to the handle, and I instinctively pull away from him. “Don’t,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.

“Cassie,” Henry’s voice cracks, like he’s on the verge of breaking. “I swear, it’s important.”

The pleading in his voice makes my stomach twist. But my mind is racing. Why now? After everything that’s happened?

“You don’t owe him anything,” Sam says, his voice low but firm. “Whatever he’s saying, it’s not worth it.”

I glance at Sam, torn. I know he’s right. I know I shouldn’t let Henry back in, but there’s something inside me that’s urging me to listen, to give him a chance.

I shake my head. No. I can’t.

I step away from the door, trying to push the confusion and emotions swirling inside me to the back of my mind.

“Cassie, please. I made a mistake.” Henry’s voice trembles, and I can almost hear him struggling to keep it together.

But I don’t move. I stand there, frozen.

Sam gives me a pointed look, and for a moment, the weight of his presence is a silent comfort. But then, just as I think it’s over, the sound of footsteps echoes outside the door.

I freeze.

Someone else is coming.

I glance at Sam, my heart pounding. He’s already moving, positioning himself between me and the door, his body tense, his eyes darting toward the hallway.

“What is it?” I ask, barely able to get the words out.

He raises a hand to his lips, signaling for silence. Then, he turns to face me. “Stay back,” he whispers urgently.

Before I can ask him why, the doorbell rings again. This time, it’s not just Henry. There’s someone else out there, too.

I try to steady my breathing, but my pulse is racing. Who else could it be?

A deep voice calls out from the hallway, low and menacing. “We know you’re in there, Cassie. Open up.”

I freeze, my blood running cold. The voice isn’t Henry’s. It’s… someone else. Someone I don’t recognize.

Sam’s eyes flash with concern, and his posture stiffens. “Stay away from the door,” he says in a low voice, his words sharp with urgency.

I nod, my hands trembling at my sides. Whoever it is, they’re not here for a friendly conversation. I can feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating.

The footsteps outside grow louder, and I hear the distinct sound of someone rapping their knuckles against the door. “We know you’re in there,” the voice repeats, colder this time. “We’re not leaving until you talk to us.”

I swallow hard, my throat dry. What the hell is going on? Why are they targeting me?

“I don’t know who you are,” I call out, trying to sound confident, even though my heart is hammering in my chest. “What do you want?”

There’s a long pause before the voice responds, and when it does, it’s lower, more menacing. “You’ll find out soon enough, Cassie. You’re in this whether you want to be or not.”

I take a step back, fear coiling in my gut. Sam’s eyes narrow, and I can see the muscles in his jaw working. He’s clearly trying to hold back the anger brewing inside him, but I can also see the underlying concern for me.

He’s not just here for a friendly visit. There’s something else going on, something he’s not telling me.

I glance at him, trying to keep my voice steady. “Who are they?”

Sam doesn’t answer right away, his eyes scanning the door, then the hallway outside. He’s clearly trying to make a decision.

“We can’t trust them,” he says finally, his voice tight. “Whoever they are, they’re dangerous.”

I nod slowly, the reality of the situation sinking in. But I’m still left with so many questions. Why me? What do they want with me?

The knocking on the door intensifies, and I feel my heartbeat quicken. Whoever is out there, they aren’t leaving.

I take another step back, pulling away from the door, as though distancing myself from the threat will somehow make it go away. But it doesn’t.

“I don’t know what’s going on,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “But I’m scared, Sam. I don’t know what they want from me.”

Sam looks at me with a soft expression, but there’s something steely behind his gaze. “We’re not giving up, Cassie. Whatever’s happening, we’re getting through this together.”

I nod, his words offering a small sliver of comfort. But the fear still grips me. What do they want?

The doorbell rings again, sharp and insistent. But this time, there’s a change in the air—a shift that makes my heart skip a beat. I can’t put my finger on it, but something is different now.

And then, without warning, the door bursts open.

I scream.

But Sam is faster. He’s already at the door, pushing it shut with a force that makes the hinges creak. The figure outside tries to force the door open, but Sam holds it steady.

“Get away from the door!” Sam shouts, his voice low but full of authority.

I stand frozen, unable to move, my breath coming in shallow gasps. I try to process what just happened, but it’s all happening too fast.

The figure outside grunts, his body slamming into the door again. “You think you can keep me out?” he growls.

Sam shoves harder, keeping the door firmly shut. “I won’t let you in, whoever you are,” he says, his voice cutting through the chaos like a blade.

I want to help, to do something, but my body feels like it’s paralyzed. I can only watch as Sam fights to keep us safe.

“Cassie,” Sam says, his voice calm but urgent. “Get to the back of the apartment. Now.”

I hesitate for only a second, before doing as he says. I turn on my heel and sprint toward the hallway, the sound of the door rattling behind me. I barely hear Sam’s voice calling after me, urging me to move faster.

I reach the back of the apartment, my heart thudding in my chest. The door creaks again as Sam fights to hold it back. And I realize, in that moment, that the real danger has only just begun.