Nyra didn't realize how long she had been staring at her phone.
The screen stayed dark. Silent. Still.
Blocked.
It should've ended there.
But the silence didn't feel like relief.
It felt like waiting.
Mike continued reading beside her, occasionally flipping pages, occasionally glancing at her. He was pretending to focus, but his attention wasn't fully on the notebook anymore.
Nyra leaned back slightly, trying to calm the restless feeling in her chest.
Nothing happened.
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
No vibration.
No message.
No unknown number.
Her heartbeat slowly began to settle.
Maybe he stopped.
Maybe it really was just someone random.
Maybe—
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
Three slow taps.
Nyra froze.
Mike looked up immediately. "Were you expecting someone?"
She shook her head.
The knock came again.
This time softer.
More patient.
Nyra's stomach tightened.
Mike stood up. "I'll check."
"No."
The word slipped out too quickly.
Mike paused and looked at her.
Nyra corrected herself, calmer now. "I mean… I'll see."
She stood and walked toward the door. Each step felt heavier than the last. Her hand reached the handle, but she didn't open it immediately.
She listened.
Silence outside.
She slowly opened the door.
No one.
The hallway was empty.
But something rested on the floor.
A folded piece of paper.
Nyra's breath caught.
She stared at it for a second before bending down slowly. Her fingers picked it up carefully, as if it might disappear.
Mike stepped closer behind her. "What is it?"
Nyra unfolded the paper.
Three words.
Written in black ink.
"I don't like blocking."
Her heartbeat slammed hard against her ribs.
Mike frowned. "What?"
Nyra quickly folded the paper. "Nothing. Just… some stupid prank."
Mike didn't look convinced. "Let me see."
"It's nothing," she repeated, slipping the paper into her pocket.
Mike studied her face again. "Nyra…"
She avoided his gaze and shut the door.
But her hands were trembling now.
He didn't stop.
He came closer.
Mike crossed his arms. "Okay, now I'm definitely concerned."
Nyra forced a light tone. "It's probably someone from college."
"Leaving notes outside your door?" he replied.
She didn't answer.
Her phone vibrated.
Both of them heard it.
Nyra's pulse jumped.
Mike looked at her. Slowly. Carefully.
"That's not the same number, is it?"
Nyra picked up her phone.
New message.
Unknown number.
Her throat went dry.
She opened it.
"You block one door. I use another."
Her fingers tightened around the phone.
Mike stepped closer. "Nyra, show me."
She hesitated.
Then locked the screen.
"Just spam," she said.
Mike exhaled sharply. "You're still doing that."
Nyra didn't respond.
Another vibration.
This time she didn't even pretend.
She opened it immediately.
"You opened the door."
Her breathing stopped.
"He shouldn't be there."
Nyra felt the air around her grow colder.
Mike noticed her expression. "Okay. That's it. Give me the phone."
"No," she said quietly.
Mike looked surprised.
"You're scared," he said.
Nyra shook her head. "I'm not."
But her voice betrayed her.
Another message.
"I can wait."
Her heart pounded harder.
Then another.
"I waited before."
Nyra swallowed.
Mike stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Is someone watching you?"
She didn't answer.
Because she didn't know anymore.
Another message appeared.
"I'm closer tonight."
Nyra's fingers slowly curled.
Her eyes instinctively moved toward the window.
Mike noticed. He turned too.
The street outside looked the same.
Quiet.
Still.
But now the silence felt heavier.
Like someone was standing just beyond the dark.
Watching.
Waiting.
Mike spoke softly, more serious now.
"Nyra… this isn't normal."
She whispered, almost to herself,
"I know."
Her phone vibrated again.
One last message.
"Blocking doesn't stop me."
Nyra stared at the words.
Her fear should have grown.
But something else appeared beneath it.
Anticipation.
He wasn't leaving.
He wasn't done.
And deep inside, she realized—
She didn't want him to be.
Mike stepped closer, his voice protective now.
"Stay away from the window."
Nyra didn't move.
Her eyes were still fixed outside.
Because for the first time…
She felt certain.
Someone out there was smiling.
And this time—
He was planning to come closer.