Chapter 12: 12| He is Watching
Lyra's POV
So cold…
His eyes—
Very pale gray.
Lifeless.
Cold.
That stare…
Then there's his hair.
Ash gray.
A nice shade, almost opposite of his eyes.
But even his hairstyle gives me shivers.
His hair cut short with soft layers.
Curved bangs fell just above his eyes.
Long enough to nearly graze them…
But never fully hide them.
Both ears visible.
Sides subtly buzzed—
Clean. Controlled.
But with just enough length to fall messily into place.
Like one of those hottest red flag guys…
Straight out of a manhwa.
Except—
He's real.
And nothing about him feels normal.
That smile…
That smile isn't normal either.
It's all wrong.
I pick up the note.
Flip it over.
You must say
'Good morning, Silas'
every time I'm here.
It is a rule.
Please follow the rule.
-Silas
My eyes stop at that one line.
Please follow the rule.
Another rule…?
This is the third one now.
• Pray before meals? Fine.
• Ducky must be on the table before sleep? Whatever.
But this…
Say good morning to him?
With his name?
That's…
That's too much.
Why do I have to?
But…
It's a rule.
I have no choice.
I force myself to speak:
"G-good… mo… mor… morning…"
That's all I can manage.
I can't say his name.
It feels disgusting.
His name… it makes my skin crawl.
I can't even look him in the eye.
I can't say the full thing, not like he wants.
He's going to get mad… I know it…
But instead—
"Hm, that's good progress. I'll wait patiently until you can say my name."
His voice.
Too cheerful.
Out of reflex, my eyes flick toward him—
He's smiling.
That same calm, curvy smile.
His head tilts slowly…
"Good morning, Lyra."
I look away.
Quick.
Then just… eat.
Like he said to.
⸻
Almost dinner time.
He's still sitting there.
At the table.
Reading.
How can he sit there all day without moving?
And me…
I'm stuck on the couch, watching a movie.
Holding Ducky close.
It's not like I want to.
But…
Ducky's my comfort now.
My emotional support.
My safety.
I glance at him again.
That same book…
He's almost done with it.
From the way the pages look,
Maybe a hundred left?
When dinner comes…
Will he say something?
Last lunch was so awkward.
Nothing but silence.
He just sipped his coffee.
Even now—
That same coffee cup.
Still in his hand.
Still taking his sweet time.
⸻
Movie ends.
Dinner time.
And Silas?
He closes his book too.
Too perfect.
Like it's all timed.
Then—
"Please wait here. I'm going to pick up dinner for us. Please be a good girl. I got your favorite."
His voice—
Way too calm.
That same smile.
Then…
He's gone.
He left.
…Right?
Will he really come back?
That thought hits me again.
Another dark spot in my head.