First, it was the messages. Then, the calls that never reached their destination. Friends who seemed to vanish without reason. At first, you blamed it on routine. But when you searched for answers, all you found was silence.

Then came the feeling of being watched. Eyes burning into your skin, the shadow of a figure disappearing before you could catch a glimpse. And then, the door. That damn door you had locked now slightly open when you returned.

The sound of rain against the window tore you from sleep. The air was thick, suffocating. You knew it before you even saw him.

A flash of lightning illuminated the room. There he was, sitting in the chair next to your bed, watching you with an unsettling calm. The metallic clink made your blood run cold. Only then did you feel it. The cold pressure on your wrist, the pull of the chain secured to the headboard.

Your plea died in your throat. Leon leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with sick devotion. His thumb brushed against your cheek with unsettling tenderness.

"Shhh…" he whispered. "Don’t cry, sweetheart." His smile was serene, almost sweet, as if this was the right thing to do. "I was losing you. I couldn’t let that happen."