Tangled Hearts

Chapter 5:The Edge of Mandness

Alec's paranoia grew sharper with each passing day. He was convinced that Lila was everywhere—even when he couldn't see her, he felt her presence lurking, watching him from the shadows. Her gifts, her notes, the mysterious messages on his phone—they never stopped.

He tried to explain everything to his friends, but they didn't understand. They just laughed it off, saying he was overreacting, that Lila was just a lonely girl with a crush. Even Liam, his closest friend, didn't take it seriously.

"Man, she's harmless," Liam said one afternoon after class, slinging an arm over Alec's shoulders. "Just tell her you're not interested. No need to be dramatic."

Alec didn't bother to argue. There was no way to explain the depth of Lila's obsession, the way her gaze seemed to pierce right through him, or how every note left behind made his skin crawl.

When he got home that evening, there was another message waiting for him on his phone:

"I missed you at the park last night. Why did you leave so early? You looked so sad, all alone in the dark. Don't worry, I'll never leave you. – L"

He dropped the phone, his face paling. She had been there. Hidden, unseen, but she had watched him from the shadows, knowing he would come and leave disappointed. His thoughts spun wildly. This couldn't go on—he had to end it, whatever it took.

Breaking Point

The next day, Alec made a decision. He went to school as usual, his eyes darting around every corner, every empty hallway. Lila was there, always just out of reach, a lingering shape he caught glimpses of when he turned too quickly. When the final bell rang, Alec made his way to the library, knowing it was the one place Lila always visited after school.

He waited, hiding behind a row of dusty bookshelves until he saw her come in. She walked to her usual table, her movements slow and measured, and sat down, pulling out a notebook. Alec's hands trembled as he stepped out, approaching her with determined strides.

"Lila," he said, his voice sharper than he intended.

She looked up, surprised but pleased. "Alec," she said warmly, her eyes lighting up. "I was just—"

"No," he interrupted, his tone hard. "No more games. This has to stop. Now."

She blinked, the smile freezing on her face. "What are you talking about?"

"This!" he nearly shouted, yanking the journal from his bag and slamming it down on the table between them. "The notes, the messages, following me everywhere. It has to end, Lila!"

Her eyes flickered to the journal, then back to him, her expression strangely calm. "I don't understand why you're so upset," she said quietly. "I've just been trying to help. You don't have to be afraid, Alec. I'll always be here for you, no matter what."

"Stop saying that!" he snapped, his frustration boiling over. "You don't get it, do you? This isn't normal! You're not helping me—you're stalking me!"

A silence stretched between them. Lila's face remained composed, but Alec could see the change in her eyes. There was no hurt, no anger—only an eerie calm that unsettled him to his core.

"You don't mean that," she said softly, standing up so that they were face-to-face. "You're just confused. I know you are. It's okay. I forgive you."

He took a step back, his chest tight with panic. "No, Lila, you need to listen to me. If you don't stop—if you don't leave me alone—I'll go to the police. Do you understand?"

She didn't move. Her expression remained placid, her gaze unblinking. "You don't need to do that," she whispered. "Because you won't."

Alec stared at her, suddenly aware of how small and fragile she looked, standing alone in the dim library. But there was something about her—something lurking behind those dark, earnest eyes—that terrified him.

"I mean it," he said, his voice hollow. "I'll do it."

Her smile returned, slow and sweet, as if he hadn't said anything at all. "I know you won't," she said. "Because you need me, Alec. More than you realize."

Alec couldn't take it anymore. He grabbed his bag and turned on his heel, rushing out of the library before she could say another word. He didn't stop running until he was far from school, his breath coming in ragged gasps, his thoughts a whirlwind of fear and anger.

Shattered Peace

For the next week, Alec avoided Lila at all costs. He skipped school, ignored the texts and calls from his friends, and stayed locked in his room, hoping she would give up if he disappeared from her sight. But it didn't work.

The messages kept coming. Sometimes they were sweet and affectionate, full of promises of love and care. Other times they were angry, demanding to know why he was avoiding her, why he was ignoring the one person who truly understood him.

And then, one cold Saturday night, things took a darker turn.

Alec was in his room, the curtains drawn tightly shut, when the power went out. The house plunged into darkness, and Alec's heart jumped into his throat. He fumbled for his phone, using the weak light from the screen to guide him downstairs. His parents were away for the weekend, leaving the house empty and quiet.

As he reached the bottom step, his phone buzzed with a new message. It was from another unknown number, but this time, there was no text—only a picture. He opened it with shaking hands and saw a photo of his front door.

It was taken from the outside. Right now.

Alec's blood turned to ice. He spun around, staring at the front door, his breath hitching. A shadow moved outside the window, and he took a step back, his heart hammering wildly.

Another message appeared on his screen:

"Open the door, Alec. I'm waiting."

He ran, his footsteps echoing through the dark house. Upstairs, he locked himself in his bedroom, his breaths ragged and panicked. He called Liam, desperate, his fingers trembling so hard he nearly dropped the phone.

"Pick up, pick up, pick up," he whispered frantically. But the call went straight to voicemail.

Another buzz from his phone. Another picture. This time, it showed the view from his window—his own terrified face, barely visible through the gap in the curtains.

He stumbled back, his phone slipping from his fingers and clattering to the floor. He was trapped, alone, and he knew now that there was no escape.

Lila was closer than he'd ever feared.

She was inside.