Chapter five
482 Words
The coffee shop was dimly lit, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. Isabelle stared at her coffee absentmindedly, her eyes fixed on the cup, though it was obvious her thoughts were elsewhere.
"Isabelle, I need to know the truth," I said, my voice firm this time. "Who was that man? And why did he say we weren't done?"
She looked up at me, pressing her lips into a tight line. For a moment, I thought she was about to confess something—or at least say anything—but she remained silent.
"Maybe he's just some random creep?" Anna suggested, but I could hear the doubt in her voice. She didn't sound convinced or she's also in it with them because sometimes she would huddle up in the corner with them and sometimes she's questioning their behaviour with me.
I shook my head. "No. He knew my name. That wasn't random."
Isabelle took a deep breath before taking a sip of her coffee. "Valerie, you need to let this go," she said softly.
"Let it go?" I scoffed. "What do you mean, let it go?" I leaned forward, my voice sharpening. "Are you saying I should ignore the whispers behind my back? The fear? The messages from strangers who somehow know my name? Do you really think I should let go of the fact that a random man just told me, 'we are not done'?"
My pulse pounded. I gave her a questioning look. "Come on, you must be kidding me. I'm not letting this go."
Isabelle didn't answer. She just stared at me, her expression unreadable.
That's when it hit me. I leaned in, my voice a whisper. "You know something, don't you, Isabelle?"
Anna shifted uncomfortably in her seat, but Isabelle remained still.
"I..." Isabelle started, but she hesitated.
"Isabelle, tell me the truth," I pressed.
She swallowed hard and leaned closer, lowering her voice. "It's complicated," she admitted. "And I don't know everything."
"But... that man. He's connected to you in ways you don't understand, Valerie. He's not just a random stranger."
A chill ran down my spine. My hands clenched into fists. "What do you mean, 'connected to me'?"
Isabelle glanced around the coffee shop nervously before focusing on me again. "I'll explain everything tomorrow night. Meet me at my house."
I wanted to press for more, but I could tell she wasn't going to say anything else.
As I stepped outside, the cool night air hit me like a slap in the face. The streets were empty, the only sound being the distant hum of a car engine.
I walked aimlessly, my thoughts racing. Suddenly, a sharp, loud bang against my head sent me crashing to the ground.
Darkness swallowed me whole.
When I finally opened my eyes, I was surrounded. Familiar faces loomed over me.
Then, from the shadows, a voice.
"Hello, Val."
- Writer
