Soulmate Run

He’s describing me

I stood there frozen in the middle of the busy courtyard, my heart hammering so violently I could feel it in my throat.

Slowly...

I looked down at myself.

I was wearing the red hoodie.

The exact one he had just described.

For one terrifying moment, the entire world seemed to fall silent.

Students still laughed.

Friends still talked.

Someone nearby burst into laughter.

Life carried on as if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile...

I felt like I was standing in the open with a sniper's crosshairs fixed on my chest.

The voice returned, calm and controlled.

"She stopped moving."

A brief pause.

"Scanning."

The air caught in my throat.

He wasn't guessing.

He was watching me.

Right now.

My hands began to shake.

I forced myself to look around without making it obvious.

The benches.

The walkways.

Students sitting beneath the trees.

Groups crossing the courtyard.

No one looked suspicious.

No one was staring at me.

But somehow...

He knew exactly where I was.

Then the voice came again.

This time, there was the faintest trace of curiosity.

"What is she looking for?"

That was all it took.

Pure terror flooded my body.

I turned and pushed through the crowd.

Fast.

Then faster.

My bag slammed against my side with every step.

I didn't know where I was going.

I just needed to get away.

To break his line of sight.

To disappear.

The library.

If I could reach the library...

Maybe I'd lose him.

Maybe he'd lose sight of me.

I reached the side of the building and ducked behind one of the tall stone pillars.

My knees gave out beneath me.

I slid down the cold wall until I was sitting on the ground, pulling my knees tightly against my chest.

Every breath came harder than the last.

I pressed my forehead against my knees.

"He can't see me..."

I whispered the words over and over.

"He can't see me... Please, God..."

For a few precious seconds...

There was silence.

Hope flickered.

Maybe I'd actually lost him.

Then—

"She's heading for the library."

My eyes flew open.

No...

No, no, no...

"Smart."

A pause.

"But not enough."

I clamped both hands over my mouth to stop the sob rising in my throat.

Tears blurred my vision.

He knew.

He knew exactly where I was.

And he was coming for me.