Through His Eyes

High Impact

Eden stood under the hot stream of water, letting the heat wash away the fatigue of another long day at the clinic. Pop music played from her pill speaker, its upbeat rhythm filling the small bathroom. She hummed along, swaying slightly. It was just the usual routine—no surprises.

Her thoughts drifted to Sam, the cyber security analyst she’d been texting for the past year. Despite the constant back-and-forth, something felt off. He never called. When she asked, he claimed social anxiety—an excuse she didn’t fully buy. They’d exchanged plenty of texts, but the connection felt hollow.

As she scrubbed her hair, the thought of her stagnant relationship with Sam lingered. She wanted more—a deeper connection that never seemed to come. Still, she kept texting him, keeping the thread alive, despite how empty it felt.

Shaking the thought away, she turned her focus to the shower, trying to find some relief. But then her mind slipped back to the news earlier that day: a murder in her apartment complex. A young man had been killed just a few buildings over. She paused mid-rinse, a chill running down her spine. It was too close, too real. Her world, once a safe, predictable space, now felt vulnerable.

Finishing her shower, Eden moved through her routine, drying off and moisturizing quickly. As she checked the fridge, her mind wandered to her family. Maybe it was time to reconnect. But before she could decide, she found a meal she had prepared earlier. Meal prep was her comfort; everything in its place. She microwaved it, snapping a photo of the neatly arranged dish for her i********:, a small act of order in her life.

After cracking open a can of diet soda, she settled on the couch to eat. She didn’t bother with a dining table—there was no real need. Her apartment was built for one person, just the way she liked it.

She didn’t have a TV either, opting to stream from her phone when she had a moment. Work, the gym, meal prep, and sleep—her days followed a rhythm. She ate peacefully, scrolling through her social media feed, letting the updates from friends and strangers fill the silence.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The loud popping sounds shattered the quiet, making Eden jump. Heart racing, she moved to the door, pressing her ear to the wood. She peered through the peephole but saw nothing. Her pulse pounded as she slipped on her slides, instinctively stepping out of her apartment.

The hallway was empty at first. But then she froze—standing just outside her doorway was a man. Tall, dressed in dark clothing, his expression tense. Before she could react, he pushed past her, entering her apartment and slamming the door behind him.

“Shut off all the lights, now!” he barked. “There’s an active shooter in the building.”

Eden stumbled backward, heart racing. She flicked off the lights as the man moved swiftly through the apartment, shutting blinds and curtains with practiced speed.

“What’s happening?” she whispered, frantic.

The man turned to her. “Stay low,” he instructed.

She dropped to the floor, panic bubbling up. “Did you hear those loud bangs?” he asked.

“Yes,” she breathed. “That’s why I came into the hallway.”

He shook his head, frustration in his gaze. “You’re not paying attention. That could’ve gotten you killed. Animals avoid loud noises. You should, too. Stay aware.”

Eden bit her lip, rubbing her fingers together to calm her nerves. Her mind raced, her body tense with fear. The man’s eyes softened for a moment, noticing her trembling hands.

“It’s alright,” he said gently. “Just stay low.”

Trying to steady herself, Eden looked up at him. “What’s your name?”

“Eden,” she replied quietly.

“Eden.” His voice was soft as he repeated it, like he was tasting the name. “I’m Tom.”

He leaned casually against the wall, trying to ease her tension. “I’m just here to check out the apartments. Thinking about downsizing, you know? Get my monthly costs as low as possible.”

Eden nodded, still on edge but somewhat comforted by his calm presence. His casual demeanor helped her breathe a little easier.

She nervously joked, “Well, this is probably the deal breaker.” Her laugh was shaky, but Tom’s sharp ears caught something else.

He heard footsteps. A car engine roaring to life, tires skidding as it sped off.

He turned back to Eden with a faint chuckle. “I’ve been through worse.”

Her confusion was clear, but he didn’t let up on the banter. “You know, I’ve had worse neighbors. Gunfire here and there doesn’t hurt anyone—except for the guy on the receiving end.”

Eden gave him an amused but skeptical look, but she couldn’t help but feel somewhat more at ease.

The sound of sirens grew louder, signaling the arrival of the police. Eden started to move toward the door, but Tom’s hand shot out, gripping her wrist gently.

“Wait,” he said, his voice steady. “The suspect might still be nearby.”

She froze, looking up at him. “How do you know what to do?”

“Pretty basic survival instincts,” he teased, his voice light. “Spent nearly a decade in the Army. You learn a few things.”

Eden blinked in surprise. “The Army?”

“Yeah,” he replied casually. “Infantry. Two long tours in the Middle East.”

Eden nodded slowly, still absorbing the revelation. Something about him felt even more mysterious now.

Minutes later, Thomas stood up when he noticed the flashing police lights outside. He moved quickly, flipping on a lamp in the living room. “Stay here,” he instructed, heading for the door.

Eden nodded, her mind still racing. She didn’t have time to respond before Thomas moved toward the exit. He stepped out, leaving her alone again in the quiet apartment.

Outside, Thomas quickly approached a group of officers, raising his hands slightly. One hand revealed a CIA badge, and the officers immediately straightened up. Thomas offered a brief explanation, mentioning he was conducting an investigation tied to the earlier shooting.

Inside, Eden checked her phone absently, swiping through the screen in an attempt to calm her racing thoughts. The notification from Sam caught her attention, and she clicked on it. It was just another check-in, a brief recap of his stressful day at work. His supervisor had mandated one-on-ones, which Sam dreaded due to his social anxiety. Eden’s heart softened at his words, but something about the message felt distant, lacking the emotional connection she craved. No matter how much he shared, it always felt like there was a barrier between them.

With a sigh, she put her phone down, running a hand through her damp hair, still processing the tension from earlier.

Then, the sounds outside her door broke her thoughts. This time, it wasn’t just voices—she could hear police entering the apartment next door. Her pulse quickened as she pressed her ear to the door, trying to make out what was happening. She heard faint talking, the rustle of police tape being stretched.

Minutes later, the hallway was buzzing with activity. Officers moved swiftly, setting up barriers, cleaning up the aftermath. Then came the knock at her door.

Her stomach churned, anxiety flooding her chest. She approached the door hesitantly, peeking through the peephole. Two officers stood outside, their expressions serious. One raised her hand to knock again. Eden swallowed hard, the weight of the situation sinking in.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door. “Yes?”

The female officer gave her a small, professional smile. “Good evening, ma’am. We’re conducting a routine check on everyone on this floor as part of an ongoing investigation. Could we ask you a few questions?”

Eden nodded, her voice shaky. “Of course.”

It was after her statement when Thomas returned to her apartment, his demeanor had softened. He gave her a polite smile. “It was to meet you, Eden. Hopefully, things settle down here soon,” he said casually.

As he stepped into the room, Eden saw his face clearly for the first time. She paused, a feeling of recognition washing over her. There was something about him—his face, his build, the way he carried himself. She had seen him somewhere before.

“Thanks for helping out,” she said, still shaken.

Thomas smiled, then added, “Anytime. Like I said before, I’m thinking of downsizing. Maybe we’ll be neighbors.” He hesitated, then casually asked for her number. “I might need to reach out about the building.”

Eden gave him a quick glance, noting his strong build and height. He was definitely her type.

She gave him her number, and he sent a text almost immediately. “Tom Ruthven,” it read.

Her heart skipped when she recognized the name. The author from the ads she’d seen on i********:.

“Wait,” she said, stunned. “Like Thomas Ruthven? From the book ads?”

A small, knowing smile appeared on his face. “The one and only.”