Forever Watching

Chapter 6: The Watcher

Will Moore stood in Elena's dimly lit living room, his fists clenched at his sides. The second note burned in his pocket like a live wire—You can't protect her.

Whoever had left it wasn't just threatening Elena. They were threatening him. Challenging him.

But they didn't know who they were dealing with.

Will glanced toward the bedroom door, where Elena slept soundly, completely unaware of the danger circling her. He had promised to protect her, and he wouldn't fail—not this time.

But first, he needed answers.

---

The next morning, Elena woke to find Will already in the kitchen, making coffee. She smiled, looking more rested than she had in days.

"Morning," she said, brushing her hair out of her face.

"Morning." Will forced a smile, hiding the storm brewing inside him. "How'd you sleep?"

"Better. Knowing you were here helped."

The words eased some of the tension in his chest, but only slightly. He couldn't let his guard down—not yet.

"I think we should talk about this situation," Will said, handing her a cup of coffee.

Elena's face fell. "Do we have to? I just… I just want to feel normal again."

"You will," Will assured her. "But we can't ignore it. Someone left that note, Elena. They could still be out there."

She swallowed, her hands trembling slightly as she gripped the mug. "What if it's someone I know?"

The thought had crossed Will's mind more than once. The idea that someone in her life—someone she trusted—could be behind this made his blood boil.

"Is there anyone you've had issues with? An ex? A coworker?"

Elena hesitated, then shook her head. "No, nothing like that."

Will studied her face, searching for any sign that she was holding something back. But if she was, she hid it well.

"It's probably just some creep," she said, forcing a smile. "But I'm glad you're here."

Will reached out, brushing his fingers against hers. "I'm not going anywhere."

---

That night, Will couldn't sleep.

He lay on the couch, staring at the ceiling, replaying every interaction Elena had mentioned—every customer at the bookstore, every detail she had shared about her life.

Someone was watching her. Someone had been in her apartment.

But how?

Will got up, moving through the apartment silently. He double-checked the locks, the windows, the fire escape. Everything was secure.

Then he saw it—the shadow outside the window.

His breath caught, but he didn't hesitate. He rushed to the window, throwing it open and stepping out onto the fire escape.

"Hey!" he shouted, but the figure was already moving, disappearing down the alley.

Will jumped down, his feet hitting the pavement hard. He sprinted after the figure, his heart pounding in his chest. The alley twisted and turned, and for a moment, he thought he had lost them.

Then he saw him.

A man in a dark hoodie stood at the end of the alley, his face hidden in the shadows.

"Who are you?" Will demanded, his voice sharp.

The man didn't answer. Instead, he turned and disappeared into the night.

Will stood there, his breath ragged, his hands shaking.

Someone was watching Elena.

And now, Will had seen them.

---

When he returned to the apartment, Elena was awake, her eyes wide with fear.

"What happened?" she asked.

Will hesitated, then lied. "Nothing. I thought I heard something, but it was just a cat."

Elena let out a shaky breath, nodding. "This is driving me crazy."

Will crossed the room, pulling her into his arms. "It's going to be okay. I won't let anything happen to you."

She leaned into him, and for a moment, Will felt the world settle.

But in the back of his mind, the shadow lingered.

Whoever was out there wasn't going to stop.

And neither was he.