I walked back to my room quickly.
But my mind wasn't calm.
His words...
Not everyone here is safe.
What did that mean.?
And that man...
There was something about him. The way he looked at me. Like he already knew something.
Later that evening. I stepped out again. The hallway was quiet. Too quiet.
Then---
You shouldn't be here.
I froze.
It was him. The same man. He stepped out of the shadows. Watching me closely.
I was just....
Walking.? he interrupted.
I stayed silent.
You are not like the others.. he said.
My heart skipped.
What do you mean...? I said.
He looked at me for a moment.
Then said quietly.
People who come here... don't walk around this freely.
I didn't answer. Because he was right.
"Be careful." He added.
"But not for the reason you think."
Before I could ask anything--
"Enough."
That voice again. The Boss.
He was standing at the end of the corridor. The man beside me stepped back immediately.
"Leave" the boss said coldly. The man nodded and walked away. Then it was just me and the boss. The boss walked closer.
"You don't listen he said."
"I just needed air." I replied softly.
He stopped in front of me.
"Stay away from him," he said.
Why...? I asked. His jaw tightened. But he didn't answer.
He said.... "Just listen to me."
And then he walked away.
I couldn't sleep that night. His words kept repeating in my mind.
The next morning...
I went downstairs again. Everything looked normal. Arin was there.
"Are you okay..?" he asked softly.
I'm fine... I replied. Eric stood near the window. Silent, observing everything.
Then he walked in-- the boss and that man was there too. Our eyes met for a second.
Then I quickly looked away.
"Sit" the boss said. I sat down quickly.
"Did you sleep." that man said.
"Yes." Another lie.
His eyes stayed on me a little longer this time. Like he didn't believe me.
Then suddenly the Boss said.. you talk too much. I looked up. He wasn't talking to me.
He was looking at him. The man slightly smiled and said I was just making sure that she is comfortable.
She doesn't need your help... the Boss said.
I could feel it now. Something was wrong between them.
"Be careful" the man said looking at me. Not everything here is what it looks like. My heartbeat increased. The boss's expressions changed.
"Enough.." that one word felt like a warning.
The man stood up slowly.
But before leaving--
Trust the wrong person and you won't get a second chance... he whispered.
Then he walked away.
I sat there... frozen. The boss was already watching me. "Don't listen to him" he said.
Why..? I asked quietly.
Because I said so. That cold tone again.
But this time it didn't feel the same.
I realised that..
This wasn't just about danger anymore.
This was about trust.
And in this place...
Trust was the most dangerous thing.