Someone Is Watching - Chapter 1

The rain hadn’t stopped for three days.

It dripped steadily from the iron fire escapes outside Elena’s apartment window, each drop tapping softly against the glass like slow, patient fingers.

She hated the sound.

Tonight it felt like counting.

Elena stepped inside her apartment and locked the door behind her, tossing her keys onto the small wooden table near the entrance. The room was dim, lit only by the dull glow of a streetlamp leaking through the curtains.

Something felt wrong. She noticed it immediately.

That quiet, prickling sensation crawling up the back of her neck. Like someone had just been there.

Elena shook her head at herself.

“Get a grip,” she muttered.

But when she walked toward the kitchen counter—

She froze.

A small black envelope sat in the center of the table.

Her breath caught.

She was certain it hadn’t been there that morning. Slowly, cautiously, she stepped closer.

No stamp.

No address.

Just her name written across the front in elegant black ink.

Elena.

Her fingers trembled as she opened it. Inside was a single card.

Three words written neatly in dark ink.

You look beautiful in red.

Her stomach dropped. Elena looked down at herself.

She was wearing red. Right now.

The air in the apartment suddenly felt thick. She rushed to the window and pulled the curtain aside.

Rain slid down the glass in crooked lines. The empty street below glowed faintly beneath the streetlights.

No one was there. But when she turned back—

Her phone buzzed.

Unknown number.

A message appeared.

Unknown:

Don’t look outside for too long.

Someone might see you.

Her pulse spiked. Quickly, she typed back.

Elena:

Who is this?

The reply came almost instantly.

Unknown:

Someone who has been watching you longer than you realize.

A chill ran down her spine.

Elena:

Stop texting me.

Three dots appeared. Then another message arrived.

Unknown:

You say that now.

Another message followed.

Unknown:

But earlier tonight…

Her phone buzzed again.

A photo loaded on the screen.

Elena’s blood turned cold.

It was a picture of her.

Taken tonight.

She was standing outside her building beneath the rain, unaware she was being photographed.

Her breathing quickened as she scanned the apartment.

“Who the hell are you?” she whispered.

Another message appeared.

Unknown:

You’ll find out soon enough.

Her phone vibrated again.

Unknown:

But for now…

Her heart pounded as the final message appeared.

Unknown:

Lock your door.

Confused, she typed back.

Elena:

It already is.

Three dots appeared. Then the reply came.

Unknown:

I know.

A sudden sound broke the silence. The quiet click of her apartment door unlocking.

Elena’s breath stopped.

Slow footsteps crossed the wooden floor behind her.

Before she could turn, a strong hand caught her wrist and pulled her backward. Her shoulders hit the wall with a sharp thud.

A tall man stood over her, one arm pressed against the wall beside her head, trapping her between his body and the cold plaster.

Rain clung to his dark coat.

His face was half hidden in shadow.

But his eyes—

His eyes were fixed on her.

Watching her the way someone watches something they’ve studied for a very long time.

A slow smile touched his lips.

“Hello,” he said quietly.

Elena’s phone buzzed again in her hand.

Another message from Unknown.

The man glanced at the glowing screen.

Then back at her face.

“Go on,” he murmured softly.

Her fingers shook as she looked down.

Unknown:

I told you…

you’d meet me soon.

Her blood ran cold.

The man leaned closer, his voice low beside her ear.

“Now,” he whispered,

“let’s see how long it takes you to figure out my name.”

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