ks. I must flee from that dude, evade his strange grin, ditch t

e lift. "Lila, you

true, maybe. My guts twist in kn

ing," Mia shouts,

st. "Have fun, yeah?

nting hard. He seems mad and scared all in one go. Our eyes lock for a bea

: "Quit the act. He knows you now." What does it even mean? Who am I then? Just a pl

as I get outside. The street buzzes with cars and lots of feet, but

place is close, but seems so far, you know? I stare out the rear glass to check if fo

te from some weird digits: "Ethan

to myself. What's that i

ur 'cause I fear to wait for the lift. My legs ache, and I feel faint, yet I don't pause. I rea

t and drop to rest on the ground. I'm panting so fas

unge, and a tiny stove. There are baby items hidden in my closet, clothes and a bed I got online. I've been set f

dumb f

pick up? Does he know 'bout the kid? Is he gonna be mad? I let it go right to talk-mail. Soon aft

es? How's he know the

e. It's hushed, but I still jump back. "Who's t

from outside. "Ethan sent

voice was weak and shook,

back. "You need to hear this thi

need all the news now. I want to get what's up with me, why I feel s

real too. "Marcus won't stop now. He knows 'bout the kid. He kno

inful. Like my kid is a thing

t the kid?" I ask ri

Caleb tells. "We

words all jumbled. We get it? What's

e from the street view. A scary scarred dude lurks, staring at

pe to see outside, and it's him. He's so real, dark form

"Lila, so sad," Caleb speaks. "I won't let

f me. This kid smells. This kid drags danger to my doorstep. This

eaks once more. "Caleb is bad. Nobody's safe. I wi

Who do I trust now?

soul. They stalk my flat, near and nearer. Caleb still waits in the open a

creeps in, I

arp and hot, zaps my skin, as nails stretch longe

but strange

bites deep, digs in its claws. My form all warps, hea