Episode 2
388 Words
When Fear Knocks
Elara didn’t sleep that night.
The note from her locker lay hidden beneath her pillow, but the words burned in her mind. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Lucian’s face — not threatening, not cruel, but sharp and serious, as if he were standing between her and something terrible.
Morning came too quickly.
At school, she felt exposed, like everyone could see the secret she was carrying. Every laugh in the hallway sounded too loud. Every glance felt suspicious. She kept expecting someone to grab her arm and demand answers.
But nothing happened.
That scared her more.
By the time she got home, her nerves were so tight they almost hurt. She locked her bedroom door and sat on her bed, hugging her knees to her chest.
Then her phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
Her heart jumped.
Unknown: They’ve started asking questions about you.
Her fingers shook as she typed.
Elara: Who is this?
Three dots appeared, then disappeared. Then appeared again.
Unknown: Lucian.
Her breath caught.
Elara: How did you get my number?
Lucian: I had to make sure you were safe.
Safe.
The word felt fragile.
Elara: Why would anyone care about me?
Lucian: Because you saw something that was never meant to be seen.
Elara stared at the screen, fear crawling through her chest.
Elara: Am I in danger?
The reply came quickly.
Lucian: Yes. But I won’t let anything happen to you.
She swallowed hard.
Elara: Why are you helping me?
This time, there was a long pause.
Lucian: Because this isn’t your fight. And because I was the one who saw you first.
Her heart skipped.
Outside her window, the sky darkened as rain began to fall.
Elara: What do I do?
Lucian: Tomorrow after school, don’t go home. Walk to the old library on North Street. I’ll meet you there.
Her pulse raced.
Elara: How do I know I can trust you?
Another pause.
Lucian: Because if I wanted to hurt you, I wouldn’t be warning you.
Elara looked around her quiet room, suddenly aware of how thin the line between safe and unsafe really was.
Elara: Okay.
Lucian: I’ll be there.
She set her phone down slowly, her heart still pounding.
Somewhere in the city, danger was getting closer.
And tomorrow, she would step directly into it.
- Writer
