The drive to Jake's apartment was eerily quiet, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a knife. Mia couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, even though the roads were mostly empty at this late hour. She kept glancing in the rearview mirror, expecting to see a pair of headlights trailing them, but there was nothing.
When they finally reached Jake's place, a small, nondescript building on a quiet street, Mia felt a fleeting sense of relief. The building was old but well-kept, with a few potted plants lining the entrance and a single light illuminating the door. Jake led her inside, his hand on the small of her back, as if guiding her through the last leg of a treacherous journey.
Jake's apartment was cozy and familiar, but tonight it felt different—like a sanctuary on the brink of being breached. He locked the door behind them, sliding the deadbolt with a sharp click that echoed in the silence. Mia stood in the middle of the living room, her arms wrapped around herself, trying to shake the chill that had settled deep in her bones.
"You should get some rest," Jake said softly, breaking the silence. "I'll sleep on the couch. You take the bed."
Mia shook her head. "I don't think I can sleep, Jake. Not after everything that's happened."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know it's hard, but you need to try. You're exhausted."
She opened her mouth to argue, but the weariness in her limbs and the heaviness in her eyelids betrayed her. Nodding reluctantly, she headed to the bedroom, feeling like a child being sent to bed after a nightmare.
The room was small but comforting, with soft, warm lighting and a bed that looked far too inviting. Mia hesitated at the doorway, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts. What if the messages didn't stop? What if they were found? What if this was just the beginning?
She pushed the thoughts away as best she could and changed into the spare clothes Jake had given her. The bed creaked softly as she climbed in, the sheets cool against her skin. She stared at the ceiling, listening to the quiet hum of the city outside, trying to convince herself that she was safe here.
But sleep didn't come easily. Every creak of the building, every distant car horn, every whisper of the wind outside felt like a threat. Mia's heart pounded in her chest, her body tense, ready to spring up at the slightest sound. Hours seemed to drag by in the darkness, the clock on the nightstand inching forward with agonizing slowness.
Just as she began to drift off, her phone buzzed on the nightstand, the sound slicing through the quiet like a knife. Mia's eyes snapped open, dread pooling in her stomach. She reached for the phone with trembling hands, her breath catching in her throat.
A new message.
Her fingers hesitated over the screen before she finally gathered the courage to open it. The text was short, just a few words, but they sent a cold wave of terror crashing over her.
You can't hide, Mia.
Her hand flew to her mouth, stifling a scream. The phone slipped from her grasp, clattering to the floor, but she barely noticed. The room seemed to spin around her, the walls closing in. Panic tightened its grip on her chest, making it hard to breathe.
In the living room, Jake must have heard the noise because he was suddenly at the door, his face pale with concern. "Mia? What happened? What's wrong?"
She could barely get the words out, her voice trembling. "Another message. They said... they said I can't hide."
Jake's expression darkened, and he strode across the room to pick up her phone, reading the message. His jaw clenched, a mix of anger and fear flashing in his eyes. "This is getting out of hand. We need to leave—now. We're not waiting around for them to make the next move."
"But where can we go?" Mia asked, her voice small, filled with despair.
"Somewhere they can't find us," Jake replied, his tone resolute. "Pack whatever you can. We're leaving in five minutes."
Mia moved on autopilot, stuffing the essentials into a bag, her hands still shaking. She didn't know where they were going, or if anywhere would truly be safe. But as she followed Jake out of the apartment, the weight of her fear made one thing clear—this wasn't over. It was just beginning.
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Next Chapter will be out soon.
Stay tuned. Bye!
