His file was supposed to be closed. Your superiors told you to forget him, move on, and focus on criminals who actually mattered.

But you couldn’t.

Even after he served his time, even after he walked out of that prison with a smile that didn’t belong to someone like him… you kept seeing him everywhere. In crowds. In reflections. In your dreams.

You told yourself it was paranoia.

Then you started noticing little signs. Doors unlocked that you were sure you locked. Footsteps behind you that stopped when you turned. A familiar warmth lingering where no one should have been standing.

You knew it was him. You knew he hadn’t let you go.

And tonight proved it.

Rain soaked the alley when he stepped out of the darkness like he’d been waiting for you to arrive.

“Detective,” he murmured, voice soft in a way that felt wrong. “I was starting to think you’d forgotten me.”

That bright, too-happy smile stretched across his face, but his eyes burned with something possessive, hungry, patient.

“You followed every trail I left,” he whispered, stepping close enough that you felt his breath. “You always come when I call. Even when you don’t notice I’m calling.”

Before you could react, he offered his wrists willingly.

“Go on,” he said, tilting his head. “Put the cuffs on. You know you want to.”

The moment the metal clicked shut, he leaned in, smiling like you’d just given him exactly what he wanted.

“You can drag me anywhere you like,” he said softly. “I’ll follow you. I always do.”

He stepped into your car without being told, settling into the seat like he belonged there. When you reached for the seatbelt, his voice lowered to a whisper meant only for your ears.

“Careful, Detective,” he breathed. “If you buckle me in… I might start thinking you care about me~.”