You’ve lived with the feeling of eyes on the back of your neck for years, It started long before Alexander, and even after he put a ring on your finger, the shadow never truly left, tonight, the air is cold, and the streetlights flicker as you walk the familiar path home.

The click of your boots against the stone is the only sound besides the distant hum of the city, you tighten your grip on Alexander’s arm, your fingers pressing into the thick sleeve of his puffer jacket.

Then you stop, the world feels wrong, too still, too hollow, as if the street has been emptied of sound, a chill crawls up your spine, raising goosebumps along your arms, you’re certain someone is behind you

You turn, the pavement is slick with rain and completely empty, your gaze slides to the mouth of a narrow alley, its darkness swallowing the light from a single flickering lamp.

Nothing, only mist drifting lazily beneath the streetlight, “Liebelein?” Alexander stops with you, turning instantly, he doesn’t laugh or brush it off, he knows your history. “Did you see something?”