𝚈𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝙼𝚊𝚜𝚔𝚢 𝙾𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚝𝚜

Night

The city was quieter than usual as you stepped out of work, the streetlights casting long, eerie shadows across the pavement. The air was cool, a faint breeze sending shivers down your spine as you adjusted your bag on your shoulder. Normally, you would have felt safe enough walking the short distance home, but tonight felt different. The streets were too empty, the silence too loud.

You shook the unease from your mind, telling yourself it was just the result of a long, stressful day. Pulling your jacket tighter around you, you started walking, your heels clicking against the pavement.

But as you turned the corner, the feeling came back—stronger this time. The sensation of being watched prickled the back of your neck, and your pace quickened instinctively.

You glanced over your shoulder, your eyes scanning the shadows, but the street behind you was empty. Still, the feeling didn't go away. You clutched your bag tighter and kept moving, your heart pounding harder with each step.

---

Tim followed at a safe distance, his footsteps muffled by the soft soles of his boots. He stayed in the shadows, watching as you hurried down the street. He hadn't meant to be here—not like this. But the thought of you walking home alone had gnawed at him all day, and before he realized it, his feet had carried him to your workplace.

He told himself it was to protect you, to make sure you got home safely. But deep down, he knew it was more than that. He needed to see you, to remind himself that you were real, that you were his. Even if you didn't know he was there.

---

By the time you reached your building, your nerves were frayed. You fumbled with your keys, casting one last glance over your shoulder. This time, you thought you saw a figure—a shadow moving just beyond the reach of the streetlights.

"Hello?" you called out, your voice trembling.

Silence.

You shook your head, your rational mind scolding you for being paranoid. Finally, the lock clicked, and you slipped inside, letting out a shaky breath as the door closed behind you.

---

Tim watched from across the street, his jaw tightening as he saw the tension in your shoulders, the way you glanced around like you could feel his presence. Part of him wanted to reveal himself, to explain why he was there. But he couldn't. Not yet.

Instead, he stayed in the shadows, his eyes following you until the light in your apartment flickered on. Only then did he allow himself to relax slightly, leaning against a nearby lamppost.

She's safe, he told himself. That's all that matters.

---

Inside, you couldn't shake the lingering unease. You double-checked the locks on the door and peered out the window, but the street was empty. Still, the feeling of being watched refused to leave.

You busied yourself with small tasks—making tea, tidying up—but your mind kept drifting back to the shadow you thought you'd seen. By the time you settled onto the couch, your nerves had calmed slightly, though you couldn't entirely banish the nagging feeling that you weren't alone.

---

Tim lingered outside for another hour, his presence a silent vigil. He knew he shouldn't be here, that this crossed a line. But he couldn't bring himself to leave. The thought of someone else following you, someone else watching, made his blood boil.

Eventually, he turned and disappeared into the night, but not before glancing back at your window one last time. His obsession was growing, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could keep it hidden.

For now, he would let you think you were alone. But in his mind, you were never truly alone. Not when he was there. Always watching. Always protecting.