A Dangerous Decision

Later that day, Daniel sat on a bench outside the school, staring at the ground. He needed to get this under control.

Footsteps approached, and he knew who it was before looking up.

Sofia sat down beside him.

"You're not okay," she said.

Daniel let out a weak laugh. "I thought I was hiding it well."

Sofia didn't smile. "I know something's wrong. The running, the way you act in class... and today, when you zoned out, it wasn't normal."

Daniel tensed. She had noticed.

He exhaled slowly. Maybe it was time to tell her. Not everything—but enough.

"I think someone's following me," he admitted.

Sofia's eyes widened. "What?"

Daniel nodded. "They were at my football practice. Near the school. I don't know who they are, but... I feel like they're watching me."

Sofia looked at him for a long moment. Then, to his surprise, she grabbed his hand.

"Then we'll figure it out together."

Daniel blinked. "What?"

"You're obviously terrible at dealing with this alone," she said with a smirk. "So, we find out who they are. And if you're in danger, we go to the police."

Daniel hesitated. He wanted to believe it was that simple.

But something told him—this wasn't something the police could fix.

Still, as he looked at Sofia, he felt something new.

He wasn't alone in this anymore.