Chapter 20: Too Close
960 Words
Chapter 20: Too Close
Sofia didn’t move.
Even after he spoke.
Even after the urgency in his voice made it clear this wasn’t a moment to hesitate.
Her feet felt rooted to the ground.
Her heart… completely out of control.
“Now, Sofia.”
The way he said her name this time—
It wasn’t cold.
It wasn’t distant.
It wasn’t even controlled.
It carried something else.
Something sharp.
Something real.
Something that made her chest tighten in a way she couldn’t explain.
Her fingers curled slightly at her sides.
“Why?” she asked softly.
Her voice didn’t match the fear in her chest.
It came out quieter.
Almost fragile.
Adrian’s expression hardened.
“Because this isn’t a game.”
Her breath caught.
“I never thought it was.”
Another sound echoed through the house.
Louder this time.
More aggressive.
Like something had been disturbed.
Sofia flinched instinctively.
Her eyes moved toward the darkness again.
Then back to him.
“You heard that,” she said.
“Yes.”
“And you still won’t tell me what it is?”
Silence.
Her frustration returned instantly.
“Adrian—”
“Go.”
The word cut through her sharply.
Firm.
Final.
But she didn’t move.
Not this time.
“No,” she said again, her voice steadier now.
His jaw tightened.
“You’re testing my patience.”
“And you’re testing my sanity,” she shot back.
Her chest rose and fell quickly.
“I’m not leaving until you tell me what’s going on.”
The air between them shifted.
Tense.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
For a moment, Adrian didn’t speak.
He just looked at her.
Really looked at her.
Like he was trying to decide something.
Something important.
Then he stepped closer.
Sofia’s breath hitched.
He was too close now.
Close enough for her to feel the heat of his body.
Close enough for her thoughts to blur.
“You want the truth?” he asked quietly.
Her heart pounded.
“Yes.”
A pause.
Then—
“You won’t believe me.”
Her brows furrowed.
“Try me.”
Another silence.
Longer this time.
He studied her face carefully.
Searching.
Measuring.
Then his gaze softened—just slightly.
“You shouldn’t have come here,” he said.
Her chest tightened.
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one that matters.”
Frustration flared again.
“You keep saying that!” she snapped.
“Because you keep asking the wrong questions.”
Her breath caught.
“Then tell me the right ones!”
The words echoed between them.
Sharp.
Desperate.
For a second…
Something shifted.
Adrian’s hand lifted slowly.
Sofia froze.
He hesitated—just for a moment—
Before his fingers brushed lightly against her cheek.
Her breath hitched instantly.
The touch was unexpected.
Gentle.
Too gentle for someone like him.
Her heart raced, confusion flooding her chest.
“Why do you care so much?” he asked quietly.
The question caught her off guard.
“I…”
She didn’t have an answer.
Not one she understood.
Not one she could explain.
Because the truth was—
She didn’t know.
Didn’t know why she couldn’t walk away.
Didn’t know why she kept pushing.
Didn’t know why he affected her the way he did.
Fear.
Curiosity.
Something else.
All tangled together.
“I just need to know what I’m dealing with,” she said finally.
Her voice was softer now.
Honest.
Adrian’s gaze darkened slightly.
“You’re dealing with something you can’t fight.”
A chill ran down her spine.
“Try me.”
For a moment…
He almost smiled.
But it didn’t reach his eyes.
“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.”
Her breath caught.
Before she could respond—
A loud bang echoed through the house.
Sofia gasped, instinctively stepping closer to him.
Her hand grabbed his shirt without thinking.
Her heart slammed violently in her chest.
“That came from upstairs,” she whispered.
Adrian’s expression changed instantly.
All softness gone.
Replaced by focus.
Alertness.
Danger.
“Stay here,” he said.
“No.”
The refusal came immediately.
His eyes snapped to hers.
“I’m not staying alone,” she added quickly.
Another sound echoed.
Closer now.
Faster.
Like something was moving through the house.
Her grip on him tightened.
“Adrian…”
This time, there was no argument left in her voice.
Only fear.
Real fear.
He exhaled slowly, clearly weighing his options.
Then—
“Fine.”
Her heart skipped.
“But you stay behind me.”
She nodded quickly.
“Okay.”
Without another word, he turned and started toward the staircase.
Sofia followed immediately, staying close.
Too close.
But she didn’t care.
Not now.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
The house didn’t feel the same anymore.
It felt alive.
Unpredictable.
Watching.
Waiting.
They reached the top of the stairs.
The hallway was darker here.
Quieter.
Too quiet.
Sofia’s breathing slowed slightly as she looked around.
“Where is it?” she whispered.
Adrian didn’t answer.
He moved forward slowly, his eyes scanning everything.
Every corner.
Every shadow.
Then—
A door creaked open.
On its own.
Sofia froze.
Her breath caught in her throat.
“That’s not possible…” she whispered.
The door opened wider.
Slowly.
Revealing only darkness inside.
Adrian stepped in front of her instantly.
Blocking her view.
“Don’t move,” he said quietly.
But she couldn’t look away.
Something about that darkness—
It felt familiar.
Wrong.
Like it was calling her.
Her heart pounded louder.
Faster.
And before she could stop herself—
She took a step forward.
“Sofia.”
His voice stopped her instantly.
Low.
Warning.
But it was too late.
Because from inside the room—
Something moved.
- Writer
