Episode 5:The New Neighbour
275 Words
That evening, Lila and Maggie walked down the dimly lit street, as they turned a corner, they nearly collided with a woman carrying a stack of sketchbooks and a cat carrier.
“Oh! Sorry,” the woman said, steadying the sleepy tabby inside. “I’m Zoe. We’re opening an art studio next to the bookstore.”
Maggie smiled warmly. “I’m Maggie, and this is Lila. Nice to meet you.”
Before they could say more, a young man with wild curls, headphones around his neck, and a camera slung over his shoulder appeared nearby, snapping photos of the painted shop windows.
“Hey, didn’t mean to overhear,” he said, lowering his camera. “I’m Javi, a freelance photographer. I’ve been capturing old city streets before any big changes come.”
Lila’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Big changes?”
Javi nodded. “Word is, something’s coming, and the usual chatter is happening—except with that Ethan guy and his friend. They’re quiet about it.”
Just then, Ethan emerged from the bookstore and paused, noticing the small group. No one spoke, tension humming in the air—until Zoe’s cat yawned loudly, breaking the silence.
“We should stick together,” Lila said quietly. “If something’s about to change here, we can’t just stand by.”
Javi glanced at her. “I’ll keep watching and document whatever I can.”
None of them knew what lay ahead, but as the night deepened, an unspoken alliance formed—each of them with their own reasons to be wary of Ethan, the wealthy heir who seemed to move through the neighborhood like a shadow.
- Writer
