Forever Watching

Chapter 7: The Stranger

Will couldn't stop thinking about the man in the alley. The way he had vanished into the shadows without a word felt deliberate—a taunt. Whoever he was, he wasn't just a random stalker. He knew something.

And Will needed to find him.

The next morning, Elena left for work, still shaken from the night before. Will stayed behind, pacing the apartment as he replayed the events in his mind. He had been so careful—so precise—and yet someone had slipped through the cracks.

He wasn't just protecting Elena now. He was protecting himself.

---

Will spent the day following Elena's routine from the shadows, searching for anything unusual. He stayed far enough away to avoid being seen but close enough to act if something happened.

At the bookstore, Elena seemed distracted, glancing toward the door every time the bell rang. Her paranoia was growing, and while Will hated seeing her scared, he also knew it was keeping her close to him.

That was what mattered.

But then Will saw him.

The man from the alley.

He was standing across the street, his hood pulled low, but Will recognized him instantly. The way he lingered, staring through the bookstore window, made Will's blood boil.

Without thinking, Will crossed the street.

"Hey!" he called out.

The man turned, his eyes narrowing as Will approached.

"Who the hell are you?" Will demanded.

The man smirked. "Funny. I was about to ask you the same thing."

Will's fists clenched. "Stay away from her."

"Or what?" the man asked, stepping closer. "You'll do to me what you did to her?"

Will froze.

"What are you talking about?"

The man tilted his head. "You're not as invisible as you think, Will. People notice when someone doesn't belong."

Will's heart pounded. How did this man know his name?

"Get out of here," Will growled.

The man leaned in. "You can't protect her forever." Then he turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Will stood there, his breath ragged.

The man wasn't just a stranger. He knew something—something dangerous.

And Will had to stop him before it was too late.

---

That night, Will returned to Elena's apartment. He didn't tell her about the man. She was already scared, and he couldn't risk her asking too many questions.

But as Elena settled onto the couch, Will couldn't relax. He kept glancing out the window, his mind replaying the man's words.

You can't protect her forever.

He couldn't ignore the possibility that this man was watching not just Elena but him as well.

And if that was true, then everything Will had built—the trust, the connection, the future he imagined with Elena—was in danger.

Elena noticed his tension. "Are you okay?"

Will forced a smile. "Yeah. Just tired."

But he wasn't tired. He was restless, ready for a fight.

Because now he knew—whoever this man was, he wasn't just a threat.

He was a loose end.

And Will would do anything to tie it up.