Caught In His Shadows

CHAPTER 2: Looking for him

Zai's Point Of View

Two weeks. It’s been two weeks since that night, but Kael... he still haunts my thoughts. I don’t know why, but I can’t shake the feeling that something was off about that encounter, something that I haven’t figured out yet. But what if I never figure it out? What if I just keep wondering for the rest of my life?

So here I am, walking again—same old streets, same late-night walks. Only this time, it feels different. It’s not just a stroll to clear my head. I’m looking for him. I don’t know why, but I feel like I need to find him, like something’s missing, and I won’t rest until I get answers.

The neighborhood’s as quiet as ever, just the sound of my shoes crunching softly on the pavement and the occasional rustle of leaves. I pass by the corner store where Aling Bebe is always sweeping the front step, her friendly face a reminder of the life I’m still stuck in.

“Out for another walk, Zai?” she asks, as she always does.

“Yeah, just... needed to get some air,” I answer, not meeting her gaze. I can’t let anyone know the real reason I’m out here. It’s easier if they think I’m just being rebellious, just another restless teenager.

I keep walking, hoping to feel that sense of calm that I used to get during these nighttime walks. But tonight is different. Tonight, I’m not just looking for peace. I’m looking for him.

I reach the end of my street, and there it is again—the house at the corner, the one that always catches my eye. The one with the flickering lights. It’s the same one I passed that night, when I was sure I saw someone outside but my mind was to busy on chaos to care. I stop for a second, just long enough to let my mind wander.

What if he’s there? what if he lived here? what if he's waiting?

Waiting for who? for what zai? I shake my head and force my feet to move. I can’t be thinking about that again. But, as always, I can’t stop myself from glancing over. And there it is—the faint glow from behind the curtains.

I keep walking, but I can’t shake the feeling that something’s off. Like I’m being watched, even though I’m alone.

Just as I pass by the house, I hear the unmistakable sound of footsteps behind me.

I freeze.

For a moment, I wonder if I’m imagining things. Maybe it’s just the wind or someone else out for a late-night stroll. But when I listen harder, I realize the footsteps aren’t random. They’re too synchronized with mine.

I glance over my shoulder, and there he is.

Kael.

He’s standing in the shadows, just out of reach of the streetlight. I freeze, feeling my heartbeat race in my chest. How did he—?

“Looking for me?” Kael’s voice breaks through the tension, and my stomach drops.

I didn’t expect to see him again, not like this. After that night, I thought maybe it was a fluke, something that wouldn’t repeat itself. But here he is, as if he’s been waiting for me.

I blink, trying to gather my thoughts. “How—why are you here?”

He shrugs nonchalantly, stepping into the light. “I’ve been seeing you walk around every night. Thought I’d catch up.”

My mind races, but I can’t quite figure him out. Why would he be following me? He says it’s just a coincidence, but my gut tells me otherwise.

“What do you want?”

Kael raises his hands, his posture relaxed, like he’s not a threat. “I don’t want anything. Just walking. Like you.”

I don’t trust him, but I’m not sure why. There’s something... strange about him. Something that feels off. But then again, maybe I’m just overthinking things.

“Then why are you following me?” I ask, my voice a little sharper than I intended.

He laughs, a soft, almost mocking sound. “I’m not following you, Zai. I live around here. We just happen to be going the same way.” I’m not convinced. Not yet.

“Yeah, right,” I mutter under my breath and rolled my eyes. But I keep walking. Maybe I’m being paranoid. Maybe I’m just looking for problems where there are none.

But Kael falls into step beside me.

“Why don’t you relax?” he says.

I don’t respond. He’s probably right. I don’t know why I’m so tense around him. He’s not exactly doing anything wrong. Still, I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to him than he’s letting on.

We walk in silence for a while. The only sounds are our footsteps, the occasional rustle of wind through the trees, and the distant hum of the city beyond our little subdivision.

“You’re quiet,” Kael finally says, breaking the silence.

I don’t answer. I don’t know what to say. I don’t even know why I’m still walking with him. But the truth is, I’m not ready to let him go just yet. Not when I still don’t understand what’s going on.

“Do you always go for walks this late?” he asks, almost as if testing me. “Seems a little weird, don’t you think?”

I glance at him, my eyes narrowing. “You’re one to talk. What are you really doing out here?”

“I told you,” he says, shrugging. “Clearing my head.”

I’m not sure if I believe him, but it’s not like I have any real proof that he’s up to something shady.

We finally reach the corner of my street. I stop, glancing over at him.

“Well, this is it,” I say. “Thanks for... walking with me, I guess.”

Kael gives a small smile, his hands still in his pockets. “No problem. Take care, Zai.”

I turn and head toward my gate, feeling him still watching me. As I open the gate and step inside, I glance back one last time. He’s already gone, swallowed by the shadows once again.

I don’t know why, but part of me hopes I’ll see him again tomorrow.