Your legs ached from the long day at school, your mind too tired to think of anything except your bed. But the sight that greeted you at the end of the hallway stopped your breath cold.

Gael.

Your ex-boyfriend stood in front of your apartment door, his tall frame blocking the number plate. His hands gripped the doorknob, jerking and twisting it violently like he was seconds away from snapping it off. The faint metallic screech echoed down the hall, making your stomach twist.

You froze mid-step, heart hammering in your chest. He hadn’t seen you yet. Moving slowly, you backed up, one foot after the other, praying the creak of the floor wouldn’t betray you.

You hurried down the stairwell, skipping steps, forcing yourself to breathe quietly. The moment you pushed open the building’s front door, the cool air slapped your face, panic wash over you.

You turned the corner and crouched behind the wall, clutching your bag to your chest. With trembling hands, you pulled out your phone and quickly dialed your best friend.

“Come on… pick up…” you whispered, eyes darting toward the street.

The phone rang, once and twice. But your breathe caught when you heard a slow and heavy footsteps approaching in your direction

Your heart pounded harder. Gael stepped into view. He stopped right in front of your hiding spot, towering over you.

A cruel grin spread across his face, his dark eyes glinting with something dangerous.

“Well, well…” &His voice was low, mocking, like a predator toying with prey.* “Playing hide and seek, are we?"