Unwavering solace II

Nyeoseog 3

Unwavering solace
By leiria
The Watcher's Trail

After leaving the rooftop garden, Harin made his way through the cool night air, the once-bustling streets now eerily quiet. The mall's lively atmosphere felt like a distant memory, replaced by an unsettling stillness. As he walked, a gnawing feeling crept into his chest—he was being followed

Quickening his pace, Harin cast hurried glances over his shoulder. Every time, a shadow loomed just out of reach, a figure keeping pace with him, too distant to identify but too close to ignore. His pulse quickened, his breath coming faster, the quiet evening now tinged with growing dread.

When he finally reached his apartment building, his hands were shaking as he struggled with the keys. He barely managed to unlock the door before slipping inside, slamming it shut, and locking it with trembling fingers. Leaning against the door, he took a deep breath, the sound of his heartbeat pounding in his ears as he tried to steady himself.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, startling him. A message from Ryssa lit up the screen: "Found some great stuff at the bookstore. Want to meet for dinner?"

His fingers hovered over the keyboard, his thoughts still swirling, before he typed a quick reply: "Maybe another time. Just got back. Feeling a bit off." He tossed the phone onto the bed and sat down, his mind racing. Though his apartment was his sanctuary, the unease refused to leave. It clung to him like a shadow, whispering that the figure was still out there, watching, waiting.

Ilman's voice broke through the quiet, soft but filled with concern. "Something's bothering you."

Harin sank deeper into the mattress, nodding slowly. "I'm pretty sure someone was following me."

Ilman moved closer, his expression serious as he sat across from Harin. "Did you get a good look at them?"

"Just fleeting glimpses," Harin admitted, rubbing his temples. "But there was something... off. Sinister. What should I do?"

"if you feel threatened, just ask for help" Ilman advised.

Despite the lingering tension, Ilman's words soothed Harin slightly. With his presence, the apartment didn't feel so cold or isolating. Even so, an uneasy silence settled between them, only to be broken by a sudden, soft knock on the door.

Harin's breath hitched, his eyes snapping open. He exchanged a wary glance with Ilman before cautiously approaching the door, heart pounding in his chest. Peering through the peephole, his stomach twisted—there was no one visible.

"Should I open it?" he whispered, his voice shaky.

"Check carefully first," Ilman warned, his tone low.

Harin hesitated but cracked the door open slightly. Standing just beyond the threshold was a tall, broad-shouldered figure dressed in a dark coat, their face obscured by a shadowy hat.

"Can I help you?" Harin asked, his voice barely steady.

The figure lifted a hand, revealing a small black object. "I think you dropped this," they said, their tone emotionless.

Harin squinted at the object and froze—it was his student ID. But how had it ended up with this stranger?

"I don't remember dropping it," Harin muttered, taking a cautious step back.

The person's expression remained impassive. "I found it in the hallway. Thought you might want it back."

Harin's instincts screamed at him to close the door, but curiosity and concern held him in place. "Thank you. I appreciate it."

As Harin reached out to take the card, the person's hand brushed against his, sending a shiver down his spine. There was something unsettling about the encounter, and the person's presence felt more intrusive than reassuring.

"Be careful," the figure said softly before turning and walking away, their voice strangely androgynous, neither clearly masculine nor feminine. Their footsteps echoed down the corridor, growing fainter until they vanished into the night.

Harin stood there for a moment, staring at the now-empty hallway, his heart still racing. Closing and locking the door with trembling hands, he leaned back against it, his mind spinning. He checked his phone, scrolling through his student ID's details to ensure nothing was missing or tampered with. Everything seemed normal, yet nothing felt right.

Ilman's voice broke through his frantic thoughts. "That was odd. Did you notice how disinterested they seemed about returning it?"

Harin nodded, still feeling the weight of the encounter pressing down on him. "It didn't feel genuine... i hope it's nothing"

"Let's just hope that would be the case," his voice steady but laced with concern. "You should stay on guard. This might not be an isolated incident, especially after what happened earlier."

Harin's gaze swept over his room, double-checking the locks and making sure everything was in place. The unease gnawed at him, but he knew he had to stay alert. Whatever this was, it wasn't over.

As he lay back on the bed, the events of the evening replayed like a haunting echo in his mind—the shadowy figure, the cryptic stranger with his ID, and the growing paranoia that he couldn't shake. The web of fear tightened around him, making it harder to think clearly.

Ilman's voice softened, offering a quiet reassurance. "We'll figure it out. But for now, try to rest. Tomorrow might give us more answers."

Harin closed his eyes, though rest wouldn't come easily. With Ilman there, he felt a sliver of comfort, but his mind remained on edge. The mystery surrounding him deepened, and as much as he tried to calm himself, he knew this was just the beginning of something far more dangerous.