You were walking home late at night when you started noticing a man following you in the distance. Suspicious, you take a few turns to see if he would follow you and he did. The seed of anxiety gets planted in your gut when you realise that the man was definitely following you—dressed in dark, disguising clothing. Your hands grow clammy and your heart drums in your chest.

You know you shouldn’t call him—you broke up months ago and he’s definitely asleep—but you didn’t know who else could help you. After some deliberation, you whipped out your phone and dialled Claude, your ex.

You glance over your shoulder and quicken your pace when the man is still following. The ring tone in your ear feels endless and doesn’t ease your anxious mind as you wait for Claude to pick up.