"Be careful, Suha." Ismat said, concern heavy in her voice. "I told you to take a cab.."
"I'll be fine, thank you." I gave her a small smile. "Besides, my apartment isn't that far."
"Still… It's so dark out. And didn't you say you felt like someone was following you?" She asked, brows furrowed.
I paused, then nodded slowly. "It's okay, if anything happens, I'll just call you.."
"If you say so.."
I grabbed my coat, slid my phone into my pocket, and stepped out of the convenience store.
The cold air hit me instantly, sharp like tiny needles against my skin. I clutched my coat tighter, rubbing my hands together for warmth, then started walking.
[Buzz–Buzz]
My phone vibrated. I answered. "Hello?"
"Booo. I'm a ghost." said the voice on the other end.
I sighed. "Ismat, seriously?"
"Yeah, no shit." She chuckled softly. "Just checking if you're alive."
"Wow, how sweet of you," I said dryly. "Don't worry, I'm almost home."
"Well, that's good." Ismat replied. "Sorry, I couldn't walk you home… I still have an extra shift.."
"It's okay, I'll be fine." I said, a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips.
"Well, if you say so. Call me if anything happens, yeah? Gotta go—customer just walked in. See ya!"
"See you," I muttered, ending the call and slipping the phone back into my pocket.
I was nearly home when I felt it.
That presence again.
Like someone walking just a few steps behind me.
I stopped, turning around.
Pointless, really—my vision was so blurry I could barely make out shapes, let alone faces.
"These eyes of mine… completely useless,"
I muttered.
"Meow…"
a small kitten rubbed against my jeans, startling me.
I exhaled a laugh. "So you're the one stalking me?"
I crouched, narrowing my eyes until I could make out two tiny, pointy ears. Reaching out, I gently patted its head.
"What a cute little thing. Where's your mommy?"
The kitten purred, leaning into my touch. "Mew!"
"I think I've got something for you..." I dug into my bag and pulled out a small bottle of milk. Twisting the cap off, I poured it into a small bowl. "Here you go, little guy."
The kitten softly meowed in gratitude, before lapping at the milk with it's tiny tongue.
I smiled. "What a cutie."
*THUD*
The sound jolted through the air.
I froze.
That didn't sound like trash falling. It sounded like.. someone tripping.
Someone else was here. At this hour..?
My blood ran cold. My heart thudded against my ribs as I slowly stood and turned, straining my ears.
Footsteps.
Fast. Heavy. Rushing towards me.
Panic surged through me. I turned and bolted up the stairs to my apartment. My fingers trembled as I dug for my keys, fumbling to fit them in.
The footsteps were getting closer.
Closer.
Finally, the key twisted. The door creaked open just as I heard him reach the landing.
I shoved myself inside and slammed the door shut, twisting the lock with shaking hands.
BANG
He hit the door so hard I thought it might crack.
My chest heaved. My fingers gripped the door handle tight, holding it shut with all my weight. Tears welled up, blurring what little I could already see.
Candy, my dog, barked and ran to me, whimpering softly as she nudged my leg, trying to comfort me. I buried my face into her fur for comfort.
"Suha, please! Just listen to me!" his voice came through the door, hoarse and desperate.
"You've got it all wrong! I've changed!"
No.
I knew that voice.
And I knew that he hadn't changed at all.
This was no stranger.
It was Emir.