Chapter 3 - Shadows
921 Words
“A turned camera tells no lies — only secrets.”
Julieta POV
“Unfortunately, the camera wasn’t able to capture your car; it doesn’t reach that far,” the receptionist at the apartment office told me.
“Please. The camera is right in front of my car,” I insisted.
She pulled her monitor toward me, and my stomach dropped.
The feed didn’t show my car at all — it was filmed from a side angle.
The camera was literally turned away, not facing the parking space where I park every single night.
I stared at the screen in disbelief.
“Can you check between 11 p.m. and midnight? Maybe a car passing by… someone could’ve hit and run?” I asked.
Before she could answer, the office phone rang. She picked up, listened for a few seconds, then turned to me with an apologetic expression.
“I’m sorry, but I have to let you go. This is an emergency call. I’ll message you if there’s any news,” she said quickly, then shut the glass window between us.
Just like that — no help, no answers.
I walked out of the office frustrated.
My phone buzzed. A text from Nate.
Tonight at 11 p.m. — Howl Moon Bar at Universal World City Town.
I convinced Eric to come. Well… I told him YOU were coming, and he said fine lol.
Please show up!
I rolled my eyes. I mean… I like bar hopping. Nate is my partner in crime.
But today? I was not in the mood.
The only surprise was Eric agreeing to go — he never drinks.
He was probably trying to distract himself from everything that happened with Anna.
It was barely 5 p.m. I had plenty of time to get ready.
But all I could think about was who hit my car.
I sat in my room, staring out the window at the parking lot.
Think… think… think…
It was weird. The parking camera was facing my car yesterday.
I swear it was.
So why was it turned?
Maybe… I should set up my own camera.
A smile formed.
I opened my laptop, grabbed my tripod, and positioned my camera by the window.
Once everything was ready, I started getting dressed. Most of my things were still in boxes, so I quickly unpacked the essentials.
By 9 p.m., I was standing in front of my long mirror, checking myself out.
Dark denim jeans hugging my hips and my big booty.
A black Nirvana band tee — Nevermind, of course.
Black leather jacket with silver zippers, the belt detail at the bottom, all waist-length.
Curly brown hair down.
Winged eyeliner that made my honey eyes pop.
Nude-brown matte lipstick.
No foundation — my cheeks were already pink.
Mascara.
One spray of perfume.
Black leather combat boots.
Silver nose piercing.
Guitar-shaped earrings.
Perfect.
I walked to my laptop and turned everything on.
I placed my 50mm lens on the camera, set it to f/1.8, ISO 6400.
The parking lot had streetlights — enough for the camera to capture anything suspicious.
I turned off my room lights to avoid reflections.
The preview images showed the parking lot, each shot taken every 10 seconds.
While I waited, I grabbed my ID, debit card and pepper spray, zipped them inside my jacket, slid my phone into my back pocket.
I was reaching for my keys when something on my laptop caught my eye.
Shadows.
Shadows of people walking in the parking lot.
Two walking side by side.
One walking the opposite direction.
Three standing together like they were talking.
I turned to look out the window.
Nothing.
Back to the laptop — a new image.
The shadows had moved.
Every shutter click — every 10 seconds — showed new positions, new shapes.
It looked like people were out there.
But physically… the lot was empty.
My heart started pounding, matching the rhythm of the shutter.
Then I saw it.
A white shadow.
Long arms.
Long legs.
Slender body.
No eyes — but somehow staring straight at me.
Walking toward my window.
I looked out the window again.
Nothing.
Empty.
A new image appeared.
Another white figure, closer.
I felt my heartbeat in my throat.
Oh my god… why are they looking at me?
They were about to reach my window.
The shutter sped up — 10 seconds… 7… 5… 3…
“JULIETA!”
I screamed as Eric touched my shoulder from behind.
He turned on the light and stepped back, confused.
“Are you okay? I was calling you. You didn’t answer. You were just… standing there. Frozen. You didn’t hear me?”
“Did you see that?” I pointed at the laptop.
He looked at the screen — empty parking lot.
The shutter had gone back to 10 seconds.
“No…” he muttered.
“I saw shadows. In the pictures,” I insisted.
Eric looked more confused, then calmly closed the laptop.
“Come on, we gotta go. Nate’s already at the bar. It’s probably just reflections from the lights or the window. Turn off your camera and let’s go,” he said, pulling my hand gently.
Was it my imagination?
Eric walked out to get his keys.
“JULIETA, HURRY UP!”
I turned off the camera.
One last glance at the parking lot.
I closed the curtains and stepped out.
My heart was still racing as I followed Eric to his car —
my mind trying to process everything I saw… or thought I saw.
- Writer
