The Bookstore

(20) Radio Static

Tyler

We lean in closer to the laptop, studying the photo intensely. The figure in the background is clearer now, and it sends shivers down our spines. The photo displayed prominently on her phone. This was really creeping us out with what we were seeing, it was surreal but still in the reality.

 "Tyler, look at this. The shadowy figure... it's right behind us in this photo."

 "Yeah, and it's looking directly at the camera. How did we not notice this before?"

We decide to print out the photo for closer examination. Bella retrieves a printer from the corner of the room, and soon the image is on our hands. The printed photo showed us smiling at the camera with the shadowy figure looming behind us, its face obscured but its presence undeniable.

"This is beyond creepy. We need to show this to someone."

"Agreed. But who can we trust with this?"

We spread out all the evidence we've gathered on the dining table - photos, notes and clippings. We begin connecting the dots, trying to make sense of the eerie figure. 

"There's definitely something strange going on here. We've seen this figure before, lurking in the background."

"It could be tied to the fire. Maybe this figure has something to do with it." After much deliberation, we decide to take our findings to the police. She grabs her phone and calls the local police station, arranging a meeting.

"We need to report this. It's too strange to ignore."

"Let's hope they take us seriously."

***

The police station is a modest building with a busy atmosphere. Officers are bustling about, attending to their duties. We are seated in a small office with Detective Harris, a seasoned officer with a stern but kind demeanor. He's dressed in a crisp white shirt and dark trousers, with a badge clipped to his belt. 

"So, you're saying you saw this shadowy figure at the cinema?" He asks.

 "Yes, and it appeared in a photo we took just before the fire started." Bella answers and I hand him the printed photo so he can examine it closely. When he does so, his brow furrows in concern.

 "This is unusual. We've had reports of strange activities around town, but this... this is different."

 "Do you think it's connected to the fire?" I ask him.

"It's possible. The fire at the cinema was confirmed to be intentional." He confirms our worst fears - the fire was no accident. This revelation adds a new layer of danger and urgency to our investigation.

"We have evidence suggesting the fire was started deliberately. If this figure is involved, it's a serious threat."

 "What should we do next?"

 "Stay vigilant. We'll increase patrols around the area. In the meantime, keep your eyes open and report anything suspicious."

Leaving the police station, we feel the weight of our discovery. The air is thick with tension as we walk back to her house, our minds racing with possibilities. This just keeps getting deeper. What if we're being watched right now? I'd like to think we'll figure this out, because we have to. Back at her house, we sit down to review our notes and photos once more. The atmosphere is tense but determined.

"We need to be careful from now on. Whoever did this might come after us."

"We'll stay safe. We have to keep pushing forward." As we scrutinize the photos again, something catches her eye. She zooms in on one particular image, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"Tyler, look at this. In the background... there's something really weird."

 "What is it? What do you see?"

I lean in closer and my expression mirrors hers as I finally see what she's pointing at. 

"This changes everything."

Sophie

I wake up in my quaint apartment. I know I woke up kind of late today but I couldn't help but sleep like a log. Sunlight streams through the window, illuminating my cozy living space filled with books and eclectic decorations. I get out of bed, stretching as I prepare for my day. I put on a comfortable sweater and jeans, my hair tied up in a ponytail. 

I decide to head out for a walk and maybe grab a coffee at the local café. I feel a bit restless and I hope the fresh air will clear my mind. I believe a walk will do me good, maybe I'll find some inspiration for the bookstore.

I step out of my apartment and into the crisp morning air. The town is quiet, with only a few people milling about. I head towards the park, enjoying the peacefulness. The town feels serene, but there's an underlying sense of something amiss, a quiet tension in the air.

I walk through the park, my mind wandering. I'm lost in thought when I notice something strange - a man standing by a tree, watching me intently. The man is dressed in a dark coat and hat, his face partially obscured by shadows. I feel a shiver run down my spine but I try to brush it off as paranoia.

I continue my walk, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling. I head towards the café, hoping a cup of coffee will help me relax. The park's tranquility contrasts sharply with the tension I feel, making me even more uneasy. 

I enter the café, the warm, inviting smell of coffee greeting me. I order a latte and find a seat by the window. The barista soon approaches me.

"Here's your latte, Sophie."

"Thanks."

As I sip my coffee, I notice something odd. On the table next to mine, there's a newspaper with an article circled in red ink. The headline reads, "Mysterious Fires Plague Town." The article details a series of unexplained fires in the town, similar to the one at the cinema. I feel a pant of anxiety and look around the café, wondering if someone left the newspaper for me to find.

Beneath the newspaper, I find a folded piece of paper. I unfold it to reveal a cryptic message: "you're being watched. Be careful." My heart races as I read the note. I quickly stuff it into my bag, feeling the weight of its warning.

Feeling unnerved, I decided to leave the café and head back home. I walk briskly, constantly looking over my shoulder. The previously serene town now feels ominous, every shadow and passerby potentially threatening.

I rush back to my apartment, locking the door behind me. I lean against the door, trying to calm my racing heart. Who would leave that note and why?

 I try to distract myself by tidying up my apartment. I turn on some music, hoping it will help me relax. I move around the apartment, straightening books and dusting shelves.

As I reach for a book, the lights flicker, and I hear a strange noise coming from the kitchen. I freeze, listening intently. What was that? Fear creeping into me at a quick pace.

Gathering my courage, I walk towards the kitchen. The noise grows louder, like something scratching against the wall. The air feels thick with tension, every creak and groan of thr apartment increasing my fear.

I reach the kitchen and find the source of the noise - a small, old radio I keep on thr counter. It's turned on, playing static. I frown, confused. I didn't turn this on. I reach out and turn the radio off, but it immediately turns back on.

Suddenly, the static clears and a voice comes through the radio. It's distorted, but I can make out the words: "you're not safe here." My hands shake as I turn the radio off again, pulling the plug from the wall. Who's doing this? I back away.

I sit on my couch, trying to process everything that has happened. My mind races with questions and fears. The room feels oppressive p, the weight of the unknown pressing down on me. I know I need to tell someone about this, but who can I trust? I stare at my phone, contemplating my next move.