First message
The morning should’ve felt normal. Just another day as Andrew Fate. The air smelled like rain, sunlight spilling through the blinds, her quiet humming from the kitchen mixing with the sound of running water. She was wearing my shirt again — sleeves too long, hair falling over her shoulders — moving around like she belonged in every corner of this place. She did. And that scared the hell out of me.
I sat on the couch pretending to read, but my eyes kept flicking toward the window. Same black car parked across the street, engine off, tinted windows. Been there since last night. My hand tightened around the coffee mug until my knuckles ached. I told myself it was nothing — paranoia, old instincts — but I knew better.
She came over, smiling, resting a hand on my shoulder. You’re quiet today, she said softly. Everything okay?
I looked up, forced a small smile that didn’t reach my eyes. Yeah. Just tired.
Her touch lingered, warm against my skin. For a second, the noise in my head went still. She kissed my temple, told me to relax, and disappeared into the bedroom to grab her bag. The second she was gone, I stood, moved to the window, and peered through the blinds.
The car was gone.
That should’ve made me feel better — but it didn’t. It only meant they were closer.
When she came back out, I was smiling again, coffee reheated, voice steady. Just a regular weekend. Just a lie I’d keep telling until I couldn’t anymore.