Dangerous Ride

“Knock. Knock. Knock.” The sound slammed against my apartment door, loud, sharp, sudden enough to jerk me awake instantly. And then it stopped. For a second, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, my breath shallow as I tried to convince myself I had imagined it. “I must have imagined that…” I murmured, rubbing my eyes as I shifted, trying to sink back into sleep. But just as I pulled the blanket over my shoulder, turning slightly… “Knock. Knock. Knock.” It came again. Louder and more aggressive this time. My eyes snapped open. I shot upright, my heart slamming violently against my chest. This time, there was no doubt. I heard it clearly. Someone was at the door. I stood up and stepped out of my room, my palms already sweating in fear as the banging didn’t stop. I went straight to the kitchen, grabbed a sharp knife, and pressed the emergency dial on my phone, ready to call if anything went wrong. Moving slowly, I approached the door and stood behind it, holding my breath. “Who is there?” I called out slowly, my fingers tightening around the knife. No response. Just more knocking. “Who the hell is there?” I yelled this time, anger slipping into my fear. Still no answer. Just silence and that relentless banging. I was about to press the police number when a familiar voice finally came through the door. “Babe… open the door.” I froze. That voice sounded familiar. “Dylan?” I whispered to myself, confusion replacing fear. “What could he be doing here at this hour?” “Babe, open the door. It’s freezing out here,” he said again, clearer this time. It was him. Without thinking, I unlocked the door and pulled it open. He stumbled inside immediately, almost collapsing against me. The strong smell of alcohol hit me first. Heavy and suffocating. “Babe… why are you here this late?” I asked softly, supporting him as I quickly locked the door behind us. “Aria… Ariii… I missed you,” he slurred, his words uneven. “Is that why you came here this late, drunk and alone?” I asked, guiding him toward the couch. “Didn’t you say it was your friend’s birthday? That you’d be out all night?” “Yes… I left them and came here… because I missed you,” he said, staring at me with a look that almost pulled me in. For a second, I nearly got lost in it. “Whatever,” I muttered, quickly pulling myself back before I slipped into his charm again. Before I knew it, he was already asleep, snoring softly on the sofa. I stared at him. Frowning. “But why would his friends let him walk home alone when he’s this drunk?” I murmured angrily to myself. “Wait…” I paused suddenly, as if something had just clicked. “What if they were all drunk too and just left on their own?” The thought didn’t sit right with me. I quickly grabbed my phone and dialed Liam’s number, Dylan’s friend, the one who hosted the party. It rang. Once. Twice. On the third ring, he picked up. “Hey, Liam.” I blurted out, half angry, half worried. There was a short pause on the other end. “Aria?” Liam’s voice came through. “Why are you calling this late?” I glanced at Dylan asleep on the couch. “Wait… where are you all in the first place?” I asked quickly, panic rising in my chest. “Of course I’m at my birthday party,” he replied casually. “Don’t tell me you’re missing your man already?” I paused, my eyes flicking back to Dylan. “Girllll, I’m not giving him back to you till dawn,” Liam teased. “Since you refused to come, at least let me borrow your man.” My grip tightened around the phone. “Isn’t Dylan supposed to be at your party?” I said slowly. “Of course he is here,” Liam answered immediately. Silence. My breathing slowed. My eyes stayed locked on Dylan’s sleeping figure. “Could I be the wrong person here…” I whispered. Fear crept in slowly. If Dylan is there… Then who is lying on my couch?