Chapter 2: The Man in the Shadows
243 Words
Aria didn’t move.
The headlights outside her apartment window had gone dark, but the SUV was still there.
Watching.
Her pulse pounded in her ears. She forced herself to breathe slowly, to think clearly. Panic would get her killed faster than whatever was waiting downstairs.
She grabbed her laptop and yanked the power cord. If they were tracking her, she wouldn’t make it easy.
Another vibration.
A message this time.
Unknown Number.
Don’t turn on the lights.
Her throat tightened.
She slowly stepped away from the window.
Another message appeared.
You have three minutes before they enter the building.
They.
Not we.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she typed back.
Who are you?
The reply came instantly.
The only reason you’re still alive.
A knock echoed faintly somewhere below. Not her door.
Yet.
Her apartment was on the fourth floor. No elevator. Narrow stairwell.
Limited exits.
Her phone rang again.
She answered this time without hesitation.
“Listen carefully,” the same calm male voice said. Deep. Controlled. Dangerous. “Grab the file. Leave your apartment. Take the back stairs.”
“And trust you?” she snapped.
A pause.
“You don’t have another option.”
Heavy footsteps sounded in the hallway outside her door.
Aria’s heart nearly stopped.
“Who are you?” she whispered.
Another pause.
Then—
“Damian.”
A loud bang hit her door.
“Move,” he ordered.
And for reasons she didn’t understand…
She did.
- Writer
