Mine

Chapter 12

It was a bustling street, the winter sun casting a golden glow on the city. Cherry had been holed up in her house for days, hiding from the cold and the world outside, her only company being her own thoughts. She had just begun to settle into a quiet routine when Sophie knocked on her door, dragging her out with infectious energy.

"Come on, Cherry! It's been forever. You need to get out of this cave. The city's alive today, and you're coming with me!" Sophie was one of those few people in her life she found sincere... ever. The girl always paid visits no matter how much miles she had to travel to come here.

"Ugh~"

"Stop moaning and come out"

"I WASN'T MOANING-"

"Then moan and come out, I don't care but you are coming out"

I must accept defeat, I can see it!

Despite her protests, Cherry found herself walking beside Sophie down the lively avenue. They were heading towards the heart of the shopping district, where the streets were lined with boutiques and cozy cafes. The chill in the air didn't matter. The bubbly fizzy girl besides her was determined to have fun, and Cherry couldn't help but get caught up in her excitement.

They paused in front of a store window, Sophie pointed at a collection of scarves. "What do you think? Too much or just the right amount of fluff?" she teased.

The girl smiled, glancing at the display, but her attention was somewhere else entirely. The hum of the street was distracting, the movement of people bustling around her, and the occasional beep of car horns. It felt like everything was moving faster than usual today, as if the world was in a rush. But then, as she tried to focus on Sophie, something in her margin caught her attention.

A figure standing just outside the store. A man, his face partially hidden under a dark hood, leaning against a wall with his hands stuffed into the pockets of his jacket. He wasn't looking at anything in particular, just standing there, unmoving, but something about his presence sent an unsettling chill down her spine.

"Cherry, are you even listening to me?" Sophie's voice sliced through the haze in Cherry's mind, yanking her back to reality. Her heart gave a small jolt as she blinked, trying to ground herself in the present.

"Yeah, sorry." She forced a smile, but it felt thin—like it barely clung to her face. "I just thought I saw something." Her eyes flickered back toward the spot across the street. The man—he was there a second ago. But now, nothing. Only the faint glow of the streetlights and the hum of passing cars.

Gone. Just like that.

"Seeing things already? You're way too tired. Let's get you a hot chocolate or something." Sophie's laugh was light, tugging at Cherry's sleeve with that same easy energy she always carried. She allowed herself to be pulled along, nodding absently as they ducked into a nearby café.

But even as the warmth of the café wrapped around them and the rich scent of cocoa filled the air, the feeling stayed.

It's nothing. She tried to brush it off. Just nerves. You're paranoid, that's all.

Yet, as they sat down, Cherry's gaze flicked toward the entrance, scanning the faces that filtered in. The usual crowd—couples, students, tired workers killing time. No one out of place. But still...

Her eyes darted back again. She hated how restless she felt, like she was waiting for something—or someone—to step inside. Each time the bell above the door chimed, her stomach twisted in reflex.

"Relax," she whispered to herself, curling her fingers around the warm mug in front of her.

Sophie didn't seem to notice, too caught up in whatever she was talking about. Cherry nodded along, offering the occasional laugh or comment, but her focus kept slipping, drifting toward the windows.