Page 58 of Journey to Love

UNKNOWN NUMBER: Hey!

ANYA: Who's this?

But there's no response. With a shrug, I delete the message and tuck my phone back into my pocket. It must've been a wrong number, I figure.

I shake my head, dismissing the mysterious text as nothing more than a minor interruption in my day. With a sigh, I gather my belongings and prepare to head home.

As I make my way out of the campus building, the cool breeze offers a welcome respite from the stuffy classrooms. I pull out my phone, intending to check for any missed calls or messages. But before I can unlock the screen, another text message notification pops up.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: Just wanted to say you looked really cute today.??

I feel a mix of surprise and apprehension wash over me. Who could be sending these messages? And how did they know what I looked like today? It's unsettling to think that someone might be watching me without my knowledge.

With a furrowed brow, I quickly type out a response:

ANYA: Umm… who is this?

I wait anxiously for a reply, my mind racing with questions. Who could be behind these messages, and what do they want from me?

As I continue on my way home, a sense of unease settles over me like a dark cloud. The cool breeze that once offered solace now feels chilling against my skin, and the shadows of the evening seem to grow longer and more menacing with each passing moment.

The lack of response from the mysterious sender only adds to my growing sense of dread. Who could be watching me? And what do they want from me? The thought sends a shiver down my spine, and I quicken my pace, eager to escape the feeling of being watched.

As I reach my grandparents' house, I fumble with the keys, my hands trembling with apprehension. The darkness of the night seems to press in around me, suffocating and oppressive. With a sense of relief, I finally manage to unlock the door and step inside.

But as I close the door behind me, a sudden chill runs down my spine. Something feels off, as if the walls themselves are whispering secrets that I can't quite grasp. I glance around nervously, half-expecting to see someone lurking in the shadows.

With a shaky breath, I force myself to shake off the feeling of foreboding. It's just my imagination, I tell myself. There's nothing to be afraid of.

But deep down, a nagging voice tells me otherwise. Something tells me that this is only the beginning of a nightmare that I can't yet comprehend.

As I step into the house, a wave of silence greets me, leaving me unsure of my grandparents' whereabouts. "Nana? Pop? I'm home!" I call out into the quiet, setting my keys down on the entryway table. The lack of response sends a shiver down my spine, urging me to switch on lights as I make my way through the dimly lit house.

But as I illuminate the kitchen, my heart skips a beat at the sight before me. A bouquet of red roses sits ominously on the counter, casting a shadow over the room. I approach them cautiously, my mind racing with confusion. Could they be for Nana? But then I remember—Pops always gets her daisies.

A flicker of hope ignites within me as I entertain the possibility that the roses are from Jacob, delivered by Nana in a well-intentioned gesture. But as I reach for the card attached to the bouquet, my hopes are dashed with each word I read. The message sends a chill down my spine, the familiarity of my own name turning the innocent gesture into something sinister.

I swallow hard, my hands trembling as I read the message aloud to myself.

"Anya, you looked beautiful today in class. So focused on your laptop, you never noticed me. I can't wait to see you again."

My breath catches in my throat as I realize the implications of the message. Someone has been watching me, someone who knows where I live and is now reaching out to me in a way that feels deeply unsettling. Panic begins to rise within me, but I force myself to remain calm, my mind racing with questions and fears.

The sudden ring of my phone startles me, and I fumble in my pocket to retrieve it, my heart racing with fear. With a deep breath, I muster the courage to open my eyes and check the caller ID. Relief washes over me as I see Jacob's name flashing on the screen.

"Hey, Jacob," I answer, my voice trembling slightly.

"Hey, beautiful," he responds, his tone gentle. "Are you okay? You sound a bit out of breath."

"Yeah, I'm good," I reply, attempting to sound calm. "Just got home, and it's pretty dark out."

"Are you afraid of the dark?" he teases.

I manage a nervous laugh. "A little," I admit, though the truth is I'm feeling more than just a little uneasy. "You never know who might be lurking around."

"You need me there to protect you," he jokes, unaware of the unsettling reality behind my unease. But deep down, I know his presence would offer a sense of security I desperately need right now.

"So, what's up?" I say, trying to distract myself from the unsettling sight of the roses.

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