Chapter 3: Obsession

Elena couldn't stop thinking about him. Lucian. His name, his face, and his voice were burned into her mind. She tried to shake it off, tell herself it was just a chance encounter, a strange but fleeting moment. But no matter how hard she tried to focus on her classes, her assignments, or even her friends, Lucian remained like a shadow in her thoughts.

It wasn't just his mysterious appearance in the bookstore. It was the way he had spoken to her—those cryptic words, the warning. She found herself replaying their conversation over and over again, trying to make sense of what he had said. What had he meant by "things in the city"? Why had he told her to stay safe, to stay away? From what?

Days passed, and her curiosity only grew. She started searching for any information she could find about him. Late at night, after finishing her homework, she would sit in front of her laptop, typing his name into search engines, hoping to stumble upon something that would explain who he was or why he had affected her so deeply.

But there was nothing. No social media profiles, no mentions in university forums or student groups. It was as if Lucian didn't exist. The more she searched, the more obsessed she became. She even started visiting the bookstore regularly, hoping to see him again. But each time she walked through the doors, her heart pounding with a strange mix of anticipation and dread, Lucian was nowhere to be found.

Her friends noticed the change in her. Sara, ever perceptive, was the first to comment.

"You've been really out of it lately," Sara said one afternoon, her eyes narrowing as she studied Elena across the table in the campus café. "Is everything okay?"

Elena forced a smile, stirring her coffee absentmindedly. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a lot on my mind."

"Is it about school?" Sara pressed, clearly not convinced. "Or is it something else? Like… a guy?"

Elena's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't told anyone about Lucian, not even Sara. Something about him felt too private, too dangerous to share. But Sara wasn't going to let it go.

"Come on, Elena," Sara said, leaning in with a conspiratorial grin. "I can tell when you're hiding something. Is there someone new?"

Elena hesitated, then sighed. "I did meet someone. But it's… complicated."

Sara's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Complicated how? You've only been here for a few weeks! Spill."

"It's nothing, really," Elena said quickly, regretting bringing it up. "I met him at the gala, but I don't really know him. We talked for like five minutes, and that's it."

Sara tilted her head, clearly intrigued. "What's his name?"

"Lucian."

"Lucian?" Sara repeated, her brow furrowing. "That's… unusual. I don't think I know anyone by that name."

Elena shrugged, trying to appear casual. "Yeah, he's kind of a mystery. I don't know much about him."

Sara leaned back in her chair, studying Elena closely. "Sounds like you're interested, though."

Elena didn't answer. Instead, she took a sip of her coffee, letting the warmth spread through her as she tried to push away the uncomfortable feeling growing inside her. Was she interested in Lucian? Or was it something more—something darker, something she couldn't quite name?

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur, and by the time Elena returned to her apartment, she was more restless than ever. She couldn't shake the feeling that Lucian was more than just a fleeting obsession. There was something about him, something that drew her in and refused to let go.

As she sat down at her desk that evening, staring at her open laptop, she made a decision. She needed answers. If she couldn't find any information about him online, she would have to figure it out herself.

The next day, after her last class, Elena found herself wandering the streets again, her feet taking her toward the more secluded parts of the city, places she hadn't explored before. She didn't have a clear plan, but something inside her urged her to keep going, as if she might stumble upon Lucian again by chance, or perhaps discover something that would explain the strange pull she felt toward him.

The city seemed darker today, the clouds heavy with the threat of rain, casting long shadows over the narrow streets. As she passed through an old alleyway, she caught a glimpse of something familiar—a figure in the distance, standing near a streetlamp.

Her heart skipped. It was him.

Lucian stood there, just as enigmatic as before, his back to her. He seemed unaware of her presence, his attention focused on something ahead. For a moment, Elena hesitated, unsure if she should approach him. But her curiosity got the better of her.

"Lucian," she called, her voice trembling slightly.

He turned slowly, his face unreadable in the dim light. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the tension between them thick and palpable.

"Elena," he said softly, as if he had expected her. "I told you to be careful."

Elena took a step closer, her pulse quickening. "You warned me, but you never told me why. What are you hiding?"

Lucian's eyes darkened, a flicker of something dangerous crossing his face. "There are things about me you don't want to know, Elena. You should stay away."

But it was too late for that. Elena had already crossed the line, and there was no going back.