Chapter 3: Maya's POV
1083 Words
Thomas was standing at the door.
"What the heck are you doing here at this time of the night, Thomas?" I asked, unable to hide the surprise in my voice.
For a few seconds...
He simply stood there.
He didn't answer.
His sharp eyes moved around the apartment as if he was searching for something—or someone.
Without asking for permission, he stepped inside.
Lillian immediately moved closer to me.
"Wh... who are you looking for?" she asked nervously.
Thomas acted as though he hadn't heard her.
Instead, he continued looking around every corner of the room.
His expression remained cold, but I could sense something else in his eyes.
Worry.
A kind of worry I had never seen before.
"Are we not talking to you?" I snapped. "How did you even get into my apartment? Why are you here? And who gave you the right to walk in like this?"
Thomas finally stopped and looked at me.
"Do you think I came here because I wanted to?" he asked quietly.
His calm voice only made me more confused.
"Then why are you here?"
He looked directly into my eyes.
"Because you're not safe anymore, Maya."
A heavy silence filled the room.
"Your life is in danger."
I couldn't help laughing.
"Seriously?" I said. "Is that the excuse you're going to use?"
I folded my arms.
"You're the one who's been sending me strange messages. You're the one who somehow knows where I live. If anyone has been making my life miserable, it's you."
Thomas didn't argue.
Instead...
He slowly reached inside his coat.
Lillian gasped.
My heart nearly stopped.
For one terrifying second, I thought he was reaching for a weapon.
Instead...
He carefully pulled out an old photograph.
Without saying a word, he handed it to me.
I looked down.
The moment my eyes landed on the picture...
Everything around me seemed to disappear.
A little girl stood between a man and a woman.
The little girl...
...was me.
I knew that face.
I knew that smile.
But the man and woman beside me were complete strangers.
I couldn't remember ever seeing them before.
My fingers trembled slightly as I looked back at Thomas.
"Where did you get this photograph?" I whispered.
Thomas took one slow step closer.
"I've been looking for you for years."
His words echoed in my mind.
For years?
I frowned.
"What are you talking about? We only met at school. Why are you acting like you've known me my whole life?"
Thomas lowered his eyes briefly before looking back at me.
"I'm not here to hurt you, Maya."
"There are many things about your life that you don't know."
A hundred questions rushed into my mind at once.
"Then tell me!" I demanded. "Who are those people in the picture? Why have you been looking for me? Why do you keep saying my life is in danger?"
Thomas remained silent.
The silence frustrated me even more.
After what felt like forever...
He finally spoke.
"Get dressed."
I blinked.
"What?"
"You're coming with me."
Before I could answer, Lillian stepped forward.
"She's coming with you?" she asked sharply. "This has to be a joke."
Thomas slowly turned toward her.
"Does this look like a joke to you?"
His cold voice made the room feel even colder.
"Do I look like someone who's joking?"
Neither of us answered.
"I'll only say this one last time," he continued.
"Maya...
Get dressed."
I stared at him, trying to understand whether he was serious or completely out of his mind.
Finally, I laughed.
"You actually expect me to pack my things and follow a stranger?"
I shook my head.
"You're funny."
"I barely know you. I'm not going anywhere."
Thomas closed his eyes for a brief moment before letting out a slow breath.
"I don't think either of you understands how serious this is."
He glanced toward the window.
"Every second you stay here, you're putting your life at greater risk."
I looked at him carefully.
For the first time...
He didn't look like someone trying to scare me.
He looked...
Afraid.
"You keep talking about danger," I said more quietly this time. "But you refuse to answer my questions. What did I do? Who wants to hurt me? I'm just an ordinary girl trying to survive. Why would anyone be after me?"
Thomas looked away.
When he finally spoke again, his voice was softer.
"There's something about you that you don't know yet."
"When the time is right...
You'll understand everything."
He paused.
"But right now, I need you to trust me."
"Pack your things and come with me."
I shook my head immediately.
"No."
"I'm not going anywhere."
"It's late, Thomas. Please leave... and stop trying to frighten me."
For several seconds...
Thomas simply looked at me.
His face remained unreadable.
Without another word...
He turned around and walked out of the apartment.
The moment the door closed behind him, Lillian released the breath she had been holding.
"What on earth was that?" she asked.
"What was he talking about?"
I slowly sat on the edge of my bed.
"I honestly don't know."
I rubbed my forehead.
"He keeps speaking in riddles."
"Is my life in danger? Why? I don't have money. I don't have enemies. I'm just trying to live a normal life."
Lillian looked thoughtful.
"What if..."
She hesitated.
"What if he's telling the truth?"
I forced a weak smile.
"He can't be."
I wanted to believe my own words.
I really did.
But deep inside...
A strange feeling refused to disappear.
For the first time since meeting Thomas...
I wasn't completely sure he was lying.
"Let's get some sleep," I whispered.
Neither of us spoke again.
The next morning...
Everything seemed normal.
Or so I thought.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
I was getting ready for work when someone knocked on the door.
Without thinking, I walked over and opened it.
Standing outside...
...was Thomas.
He looked more serious than I had ever seen him.
His eyes quickly searched the surroundings before resting on me.
"Whether you like it or not, Maya," he said firmly, "you're coming with me today."
Before I could ask another question—
BANG!
A loud crash echoed f
rom outside the house.
Lillian screamed.
Thomas's expression changed instantly.
Without hesitation, he stepped in front of me, shielding me with his body.
His eyes locked on something outside.
Then he spoke.
"They've found you."
My breathing stopped.
Found me?
Who...
...had found me?
- Writer
