Chapter four: The past never knocks first
1153 Words
Keal didn't speak again until we were outside.
The cafe door shut behind us with a soft click that felt too final. The street was quiet, which made every sound feel louder than it should. My phone was still with keal, the screen dark now, but the messages burned in my mind.
“They're closer than you think.”
I hugged my jacket tighter around myself. “You said you know who's texting me.”
“Yes.”
“Then say it,” I snapped, my fear turning sharp.
“Say who it is.”
Keal exhaled slowly like he was choosing his words carefully. “Not here”
That scared me more than any answer.
We walked in silence for a few minutes. I noticed how his posture had changed–more alert, more controlled, like someone who had slipped into a role he knew too well.
“Keal,” I said quietly. “If you don't tell me what's going on, I'm walking away.”
He stopped.
Streetlight spilled over his face, revealing something I hadn't seen before–anger, yes, but also guilt.
“The messages are coming from someone connected to your past,” he said. Someone who never stopped watching you.”
My heart thudded painfully. “That's not possible.”
“You change cities,” he replied. “You didn't erase yourself.”
I thought of the years I spent moving, cutting ties, keeping my life small. I thought of the nights I locked my door twice, just to feel safe.
“Who?” I whispered.
Before he could answer, my phone buzzed again.
Unknown number.
Unknown: He didn't tell you, did he?
My breath hitched.
Another message followed immediately.
Unknown: You always trusted the wrong people.
My legs felt weak. Keal reached out instinctively, steadying me.
“Don’t reply,” he said firmly.
Too late.
A final message appeared.
Unknown: Turn around.
My blood turned cold.
I spun around.
At first, I saw nothing–just the empty street, parked cars, shadows stretched too long under the streetlights.
Then I saw him.
Standing across the road. Watching.
I hadn’t seen his face for years, but I recognised him instantly. Some people carve themselves into your memory with fear.
“Marcus,” I whispered.
Keal stiffened.
Marcus smiled slowly, like this was a reunion he’d been waiting for.
“There you are, Aira,” he called out. “You really thought you could disappear forever?”
My heart pounded so hard it hurt. “You followed me?”
“I watched you,” he corrected. Big difference.”
Keal stopped in front of me without thinking.
“You need to leave.”
Marcus laughed. “And who are you supposed to be?”
Keal’s voice was calm, but deadly. “Someone who won’t let you come any closer.”
Marcus’s gaze flicked to me. “Is this the replacement? You always did need someone to hide behind.”
Shame burned through me, hot and familiar.
“You don’t get to talk to me,” I said, my voice shaking. “You lost that right.”
Marcus’s smile faded. “You still think you are the victim.”
I flinched.
Keal didn’t.
“You’re done,” Keal said. “If you correct her again, I’ll make sure you regret it.”
Marcus studied him for a long moment, then laughed softly. “You don’t scare me.”
“Oh,” Keal replied quietly. “I should.”
Marcus stepped back, hands raised mockingly. “This isn’t over, Aira. You can run again, but I will always find you.
Then he walked away, disappearing into the dark as if he’d never been there at all.
I stood frozen, my body trembling.
Keal turned to me. “We need to go.”
“Where?” I asked faintly.
“Somewhere safe.”
Back at my apartment, the silence felt heavier than before. Keal locked the door, checked the windows, and the calm observant man I knew was gone. This Keal was sharper, faster, and controlled in a way that felt practiced.
“You knew,” I said suddenly. “You knew he did find me.”
Keal paused.
“Yes.”
Tears burned my eyes. “How long?”
“Long enough.”
“That’s not an answer.”
He faced me fully now. “Because I’ve been watching him, watching you.”
My breath caught. “What?”
“I’ve known about Marcus since before I met you,” Keal admitted. “He has a history. You weren’t his first target.”
The room felt like it was spinning. “Then why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I didn’t want to scare you,” he said. “And because I didn’t want you to disappear again.”
I laughed bitterly. “You don’t get to decide that.”
“You’re right” he said. “But I wasn’t lying when I said I care.”
I ran a hand through my hair, pacing. “You keep saying you notice things. You keep showing up. You knew my past before I trusted you with it.”
“Yes”
“That’s not normal, Keal.”
“No,” he agreed softly. “It’s not.”
Silence stretched between us, thick with truth.
Finally, I whispered “Why me?”
Keal hesitated.
Then he said the words that cracked everything open.
“Because you saved my life.”
I stared at him. “I don’t know you.”
“You did,” he replied. “Years ago. You don’t remember.”
My heart raced. “You're lying.”
“I wish I were.”
He told me then.
About the night he stood on the edge of ending everything. about the stranger who sat beside him and talked about meaningless things–coffee, the weather, how loneliness lies to you. About the woman who didn’t know she was saving a man simply by staying.
“You told me to stay,” he said quietly. “So I did.”
My hands trembled. “That was you?”
“Yes”
“And you found me again?”
“I looked for you,” he admitted. “Not to own you, not to trap you, just to make sure you were safe.”
Tears slide down my face before I can stop them.
“So everything,” I whispered. “The café. The timing, you noticing me…”
“Wasn’t an accident,” he finished.
My chest ached with betrayal and something dangerously close to relief.
“You should hate me,” Keal said. I would understand.”
I shook my head slowly. “I don’t know what I feel.”
Outside, a siren wailed in the distance.
Inside, my life felt like it was splitting in two.
And I knew, deep down–that running wouldn’t fix this anymore.
- Writer
