Chapter2: Maya's POV
899 Words
"Why are you still awake?" Lillian asked softly. "You've been staring at the ceiling for almost an hour. What's been bothering you?"
I let out a quiet sigh.
Ever since Thomas appeared at my apartment earlier that day, my mind had refused to rest.
The more I thought about it, the more confused I became.
How did he know where I lived?
I had never told him my address.
We had barely spoken at school.
So how did he find me?
The questions kept running through my mind like a broken record.
"I've been thinking about Thomas," I finally admitted. "I don't understand how he knew where I live. Someone must have told him, but who? And why is he after me? I don't even know him."
Lillian smiled.
"I think you're overthinking everything."
"I wish I was."
Just as I turned to face her...
My phone vibrated on the bedside table.
Both of us looked at it.
The sender's name made my heart skip a beat.
Thomas.
With shaky fingers, I picked up the phone and opened the message.
«Don't forget to lock your door. Someone is watching you.»
The moment I finished reading it...
My heartbeat became uneven.
A cold shiver ran down my spine.
Even though the air conditioner was on, tiny drops of sweat formed on my forehead.
Lillian immediately noticed the fear on my face.
"Maya... what happened?" she asked, sitting upright. "What does the message say?"
Without answering, I jumped out of bed and hurried toward the front door.
I quickly checked the lock.
Still locked.
I looked through the living room window.
Nothing.
The hallway outside was completely silent.
No footsteps.
No voices.
No movement.
Slowly, I returned to the bedroom.
"Is everything okay?" Lillian asked again.
I nodded weakly.
"It's Thomas," I replied, handing her my phone. "He told me to lock the door because someone is watching me."
Lillian read the message before handing the phone back.
"Oh, come on," she said with a playful smile. "Maybe he's just trying to get your attention. You should be happy that such a handsome guy is thinking about you."
I stared at her in disbelief.
"Lillian, will you please stop joking for one minute?"
She frowned.
"This isn't about whether he's handsome or not," I continued. "The problem is that he somehow knows where I live. He's sending me strange messages, showing up at my apartment, and now he's telling me someone is watching me. Doesn't that sound strange to you?"
She remained quiet.
"I honestly don't feel safe anymore," I whispered.
Lillian gently held my hand.
"I'm sure everything will be fine," she said. "Try not to let fear control you."
I wanted to believe her.
I really did.
But something deep inside me refused to calm down.
After several minutes of silence, I lay back on the bed and closed my eyes.
Eventually...
Sleep came.
I didn't know how long I had been asleep.
Maybe an hour.
Maybe less.
Then...
Tap... Tap... Tap...
A strange sound echoed from my bedroom window.
My eyes flew open.
My heart immediately began racing.
I remained perfectly still, listening.
Maybe it was only a rat, I told myself.
Maybe the wind was hitting the window.
I took a slow breath.
Then...
Tap... Tap... Tap...
The sound came again.
This time...
Louder.
I quickly sat up.
Fear spread through my entire body.
Without wasting another second, I shook Lillian awake.
"Lillian... wake up," I whispered urgently.
She rubbed her eyes.
"What is it?" she asked sleepily. "Why are you waking me up at this hour?"
"Can't you hear that?" I asked.
"Hear what?"
"I think someone is outside."
She looked at me for a few seconds before sighing.
"Maya, you're imagining things. Who would come here in the middle of the night? Please stop worrying and go back to sleep."
I folded my arms.
"You always think I'm imagining things. Fine... let's stay quiet for one minute."
The room became completely silent.
Neither of us moved.
Neither of us spoke.
Then...
Tap... Tap... Tap...
The sound returned.
This time, there was no doubt.
Lillian's eyes widened.
She immediately grabbed my arm.
"Oh my God..." she whispered. "Someone really is out there."
I looked at her.
"So... am I still imagining things?"
She quickly shook her head.
"No."
Fear was written all over her face.
"I'm scared, Maya," she admitted. "Who could be outside? Why would anyone come here in the middle of the night?"
I swallowed hard.
"I don't know."
Then another thought crossed my mind.
"I think it's Thomas."
Lillian looked at me in surprise.
"Thomas?"
"Yes."
"I don't believe he would scare us like this."
"I don't know what to believe anymore," I replied. "But whoever is out there... I want to know."
Lillian immediately shook her head.
"No. I'm not going anywhere near that window."
I forced a nervous smile.
"So he's no longer your crush?"
She rolled her eyes.
"This isn't the time for jokes."
I couldn't help smiling despite my fear.
"Come on," I said. "We'll check together."
Very slowly...
We walked toward the windo
w.
Every step made my heartbeat faster.
I stretched out my trembling hand toward the curtain.
Just as my fingers were about to touch it—
BANG!
The bedroom door suddenly slammed open.
Both of us screamed at the top of our lungs.
"Ahhh!”
- Writer
