𝐄𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 || 𝘞𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘳

CHAPTER 14

[Present Time]

Your heart raced as you poured out your painful memories to Kotoha. The room seemed to hold its breath, absorbing the weight of your words. Kotoha listened, her touch a comforting anchor amidst the storm of emotions.

"Izana died because of me..." Your voice trembled. "I'm not a pleasant person to be around, Kotoha." Your gaze dropped, as if the floorboards held secrets you couldn't bear to face.

Kotoha's mind raced. How could she ease your burden? She had seen the haunted look in your eyes—the aftermath of violence, the scars both visible and hidden. "Tenjiku got into shady shit..." Your words hung in the air, a confession of guilt and helplessness.

Gently, Kotoha wrapped her arms around you, pulling you close. "You're not alone," she whispered. "We all carry shadows, Y/n. But you're more than your past." Her fingers traced soothing circles on your back, a silent promise that she would be there, no matter how dark the night

...

"Why didn't you ever consider therapy?" Kotoha finally asked. It was a question that had lingered, unspoken, between them. Your silence stretched, fragile as a spider's thread.

"I'm scared, I guess," You confessed. "Therapy means moving on...and I can't." The weight of your memories threatened to crush you. Therapy felt like stepping into the abyss, confronting the ghosts you had tried to bury.

"But it's not healthy if you stay like this," Kotoha insisted. Her voice held a mix of concern and determination. "Y/n, you've suffered physically and mentally. You deserve healing."

Your lips curved into a bitter smile. "I wanted to leave that life behind," you admitted. "To escape the gang world. But look what happened—I'm right back in the middle of fighting." Your laughter held no mirth. "Izana taught me too much, and now I can't get rid of it."

Kotoha's fingers threaded through your hair. "Maybe therapy isn't about leaving everything behind," she said softly. "It's about finding a way to carry your past without letting it consume you."

You nodded, tears glimmering in your eyes. "Thank you for listening," she whispered. "For not judging me."

"I'm always here to listen," Kotoha replied. "Talk to me anytime, babe." She patted your head, a silent promise that your friendship would weather any storm.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the streets, you continued sharing your memories of Izana with Kotoha. Kotoha leaned in, her eyes reflecting the fire's warmth. "He sounds like he was your guardian angel," she murmured. "Someone who knew you better than you knew yourself."

You nodded, your gaze distant yet fond. "Exactly. Izana was my compass, always pointing me toward safety, even when I didn't realize I needed it." You traced patterns on the countertop with her fingertip. "He sensed my moods, my fears, my secrets. It was as if he could read my soul."

The day was finally coming to an end, you and Kotoha had finished cleaning up and was now ready to head home. You have Kotoha a hug and bid your goodbyes to her. You finally made your walk back to your house.

...

The night air clung to you like a shroud as you stood frozen in the dimly lit hallway of your run-down apartment complex. The rustling leaves outside whispered secrets, and the chill that crawled down your spine felt more ominous than the wind.
Your heart raced, and you pressed a trembling hand against your chest. "Why do I feel uneasy?" You mumbled, your breath hitching. The tightness in your chest intensified, as if invisible fingers squeezed your heart.

The door to your apartment stood ajar, an unwelcome invitation. Your mind raced through possibilities—had you forgotten to lock it? Or was something more sinister at play? You stepped inside, your senses on high alert.

The living room greeted you with its usual worn-out furniture and faded wallpaper. But there, on the scratched wooden table, lay an envelope. Your pulse quickened as you picked it up. The weight of dread settled in your stomach.

Photos spilled out—snapshots of your life, captured without your knowledge. You entering and exiting your house, Kotoha by your side, your laughter frozen in time. A chilling image of Sakura, Suo, and Kiryu loitering outside your apartment that one day. And finally, the most recent photo: Y/n walking alone on the deserted street.

!!!

Your breath hitched as you read the note scrawled in jagged letters:

["I am always watching you. You cannot escape from me."]

Fear clawed at your throat. Who was this unseen observer? Why had they invaded your privacy, documenting your every move? The room seemed to close in on you, shadows stretching like accusing fingers.

You sank onto the couch, the photos scattered around you. The memories they held—the joy, the vulnerability—now tainted by this malevolence. Your mind raced, connecting dots that led to nowhere.

The silence pressed down, broken only by the distant hum of the city. Your instincts screamed at you to flee, but you couldn't tear your eyes from the photos. Each one revealed a piece of your life, laid bare for this unseen tormentor.

Outside, the rustling leaves intensified, as if they whispered secrets meant only for your ears. You clutched the note, its ink smudging against your trembling fingers. Escape seemed impossible; the walls of your sanctuary had eyes.

"I have to call the boys...yes...no...I can't put them in danger...these photos..." Your voice was barely audible as you stared into space

Who was this mysterious observer...?

"Should I call them...should I call Sakura...? No..." You mumbled to yourself.

You clutched your phone, its vibrations jolting you out of your frozen state. Sakura's name flashed on the screen, a lifeline in this eerie moment. You answered, your voice barely audible. "Sakura," You whispered, "I need to see you. There's someone watching me."

Sakura's concern cut through the static. "Y/n, are you safe? Where are you?"

"I'm at my apartment," You replied, glancing around as if the walls had eyes. "But I don't feel safe here. Can we meet somewhere? Anywhere."

"Of course," Sakura said, urgency in his voice. "I'll be right there. Stay on the line, okay? I'll come through the back, is there an entrance?" He asked

"Yeah, please come quick..." You pleaded.

The photos lay forgotten on the table, their accusing gazes replaced by the real-time fear that pulsed through your veins. For now, you gathered the photos, tucking them back into the envelope. You glanced once more at the chilling message, then crumpled it in your fist. You grabbed the envelope and quickly packed a backpack with your essentials and you hurried towards the back of the building.

Moments later, you saw a figure coming over, you immediately recognised him. You stumbled toward him, your breath hitching. "Someone's been watching me," you said, your voice trembling. "Photos, notes—I found them in my apartment."

"I...I don't know who they are..."

Sakura gently held your shoulders.

"Hey, look at me. Let's get out of here first, come on" He said softly, you looked at him, nodding

Sakura gently held your hand and you both ran out to safety...

To be continued...