Crimson Shadows : Embracing The Unseen

Chapter IV : Unveiling the Menance Within

The Manipulator

I'm delivering pizza with my scooter but every time I make myself busy I end up thinking about him. Earlier, I woke up with tulips in the table beside my bed. Question are piling up in my mind and the key to those questions can only be answered by him. My mind is busy finding answer even though I know myself I can't.

I've been receiving them for the past few days, and sometimes I've found them in the mailbox, outside my door, on the kitchen counter, or on the table beside my bed. Is he beginning to expose himself to me?

Also, the past several nights, I've felt a presence in my room whenever I sleep. I already know he has cameras throughout the home; I keep looking for them but fails to find anything. I don't feel comfortable at home anymore; I tried calling the police, but our conversation on my phone vanished, and all of the evidence I should have had vanished as if it never was in the first place.

As I enter the bustling Pizzazz Palace at the back door where employees usually enter when lunch break, the lively atmosphere hits me. The clinking of dishes, the laughter of patrons, and the sizzling sounds in this kitchen form a cacophony that amplifies the chaos within my thoughts. I make my way to the locker area, my mind still racing with unanswered questions about him.

Dizziness suddenly washes over me, an unexpected wave that leaves me staggering. My vision blurs, and the lively ambiance becomes a distant echo. Panic sets in as my legs give way beneath me, and I collapsed as the world spinning in disarray.

Concerned voices encircle me as my co-workers rush to my aid. But it was too late; my eyes started to close, and all I could see was darkness.

***************************************

I woke up in a sterile hospital room, Theo and Aunt Cynthia were by my bedside, their worried expressions etched with concern. Aunt Cynthia, the owner of Pizzazz Palace, held my hand gently, her eyes reflecting both care and worry.

"You gave us quite a scare," Aunt Cynthia said with a relieved smile as I groggily tried to sit up. Theo handed me a glass of water, his eyes expressing a mix of relief and genuine concern.

"What happened?" I managed to whisper, my throat dry and raspy. Aunt Cynthia explained that I had collapsed due to overexertion and fatigue. The combination of the demanding job and the overwhelming stress had taken its toll on my health.

Theo spoke softly, "You've been pushing yourself too hard lately. Maybe it's time to take it easy." His concern was palpable, and I nodded weakly, realizing the toll my relentless pursuit of answers had taken on me.

As Aunt Cynthia and Theo continued to comfort and reassure me, the weight of my unspoken fears resurfaced. The tulips, the mysterious presence, and the constant feeling of being watched — they were the shadows that clung to me, even in the confines of the hospital room.

I kept the details about the tulips to myself. Fear gripped me at the thought of involving Aunt Cynthia or Theo in the ominous mystery that had entangled my life. The stalker, the one who knew too much, seemed to be closing in. I couldn't risk putting those around me in danger.

"Dear, sometimes we need to let go of the things that weigh us down. You're not alone; we're here for you."Aunt Cynthia stated gently. The truth in her comments struck a chord with me, and as I laid there meditating, her goodwill made me even more determined not to tell her; She helped me far too much, and that's enough.

After a minute, a nurse walked into my room and informed us that I may already be discharged. Aunt Cynthia instructed me not to return to Pizazz Palace and gave me the rest of the day to relax; I persisted on going back, saying I was fine, but she wouldn't let me.

Aunt Cynthia had returned to the Pizazz Palace, and Theo was with me; he insisted on driving me home on his motorbike to ensure I arrived safely. When I got home, the rain started pouring, so I let him in.

"Do you want coffee or something?" I ask Theo as we get inside then I walk towards my kitchen counter.

"Coffee is fine," he said as he made himself comfortable on the sofa. Awkwardness lingered in the air, a subtle tension that neither of us acknowledged.

As I busied myself in the kitchen, Theo's gaze wandered, and he noticed the vase on the counter adorned with lilies. The air suddenly felt heavier, and I sensed his curiosity. The lilies, silent messengers from a mysterious sender, held secrets I was not ready to share.

"These are beautiful," Theo commented, his eyes lingering on the flowers. I froze, anxiety bubbling within me. I hadn't anticipated him noticing the lilies, and the prospect of explaining their origin felt daunting.

"Oh, those?" I stammered, attempting to sound casual. "Just a little something I picked up at the market." The lie hung in the air, and I averted my gaze, avoiding the intensity of his eyes.

Theo, however, seemed to accept my explanation without much scrutiny. "Nice choice. They add a lovely touch to the place." He smiled, and I couldn't help but feel a mixture of relief and guilt.

As the awkwardness persisted, we sat in the living room, sipping our coffee. Theo tried to steer the conversation toward lighter topics, yet a lingering unease overshadowed the atmosphere. I felt torn between the desire to confide in him and the fear of involving him in the dark mysteries that haunted my life.

The evening wore on, and Theo eventually bid his farewell. As I closed the door behind him, I couldn't shake the weight of unspoken truths and the unease that accompanied them.

Alone once again, I found myself standing in the quiet of my living room, the lilies casting shadows in the dim light. The stalker's presence, concealed in the beauty of the flowers, remained a menacing secret. Faced with the dual challenge of protecting those around me and unraveling the mysteries, I felt a sense of isolation.

Minutes after my phone rings, I notice that it's an unknown number. As I stare at my phone, an unsettling feeling grips me – a premonition that it might be him. I take a deep breath before mustering the courage to answer the call.

"You've got a special guest, hmm?" he says as soon as I pick up the call.

Oh no.

"Please don't," I plead with him.

"I won't do anything unless he won't do anything also." His words hang in the air, a veiled threat that adds to the tension of the situation.

"Be extraordinarily careful with your actions, and don't you dare let some other guys touch you Mon chéri, because I can skillfully cut someone's hands off and deliver them meticulously at your doorstep. This is a solemn reminder – from the moment I laid my eyes upon you, you were undeniably and unequivocally mine."as his chilling words linger in the air.

"Remember, every move you make is under my watchful eye. I suggest you tread carefully, for the consequences of disobedience may be more than you can bear." His ominous tone sends shivers down my spine, and a profound sense of dread settles over me, making each heartbeat echo with trepidation.

In that moment, I realize the extent of the dark web entwining my life, leaving me ensnared in a chilling dance with a force that demands not only my attention but also my submission.

I hang up the call, and fear fills me like an overwhelming tide. Questions flood my mind, and I ponder what I did to deserve such an experience. My thoughts turn to my grandma, the one who guided and comforted me in times of distress. I wish she were here to provide the wisdom and solace she always did.

Alone in my room, the air thick with anxiety, I reflect on the recent events, the ominous presence, the cameras lurking in the shadows – my once-ordinary life now tangled in a web of uncertainty. The call from the stalker intensifies my unease, a reminder of the looming threat that hovers over me like a dark cloud.

I clutch my phone, contemplating the next steps. The fear of involving Aunt Cynthia and Theo grows, yet I can't shake the feeling that the stalker is tightening their grip on my life. The rain outside mirrors the turmoil within me, a storm of emotions and unanswered questions.

As I sit in the dimly lit room, the weight of unanswered questions bears down on me. I muster the courage to face the truth, knowing that confronting my fears is the only path to freedom. With resolve building within, I decide to delve deeper into this mystery and expose the shadows that threaten to consume my life