He Was There, Then Gone

I was back on the road. Heading home.

The ice cream cone sat in my hand, melting slightly as I tried to finish it between red lights and slow turns. I think I just broke a personal record—gone in five minutes. Strawberry had never tasted so… complicated.

My thoughts swirled like a storm—thick, fast, endless.

Angelo.

That weird phone call.

That sudden panic in his voice.

"You're not safe here."

Why? What did he mean by that? Who was he protecting me from?

I glanced at the rearview mirror.

Still there. Black pickup. Quiet, steady.

Then… gone.

I blinked. Looked again.

Empty road behind me.

He'd disappeared.

A strange ache settled in my chest. I didn't even get to say thank you. I didn't get his number. I didn't even really know who he was. Just… a name. Angelo.

But the way he looked at me… it felt like he knew more than he ever said out loud.

I was nearing the farm now. The change was almost jarring. From towering buildings and glowing city signs… to quiet fields and wide, open lots. No more people. No more lights. Just silence and shadows.

Goodbye, city. You made me happy—even for a moment.

I pulled up to the massive black gate. It stood tall, imposing, almost like a tree in the middle of a field—dark and still. It opened slowly, mechanically, with a deep, humming sound that always gave me chills.

The guards were already watching as I drove past.

Can they tell it's me and not Mom?

My hat was off. But maybe the tinted windows helped.

I made it into the basement garage, finally exhaling a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. I parked the car as smoothly as I could. No sudden jerks. Nothing that might cause a sound loud enough to draw attention.

Engine off.

Silence.

My fingers were clutching the keys so tightly, they left marks on my skin. I grabbed my phone and opened the car door, stepping out like nothing happened.

But my heart was pounding—so loud, it echoed in my ears.

I pushed the kitchen door open, only to stop dead in my tracks.

There they were.

All of them.

Marco. Andreis. Mom. Dad.

In the living room.

Talking.

Breathing.

Existing.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and walked in slowly, hiding the keys behind my back like a kid who just got caught with a stolen cookie.

"Hi," I said, forcing a smile.

Marco's eyes narrowed. He was slouched on the huge white couch, arms crossed, jaw tight. If looks could kill… yeah, I'd be dead already.

"What?" I said innocently, eyebrows raised.

Marco didn't say anything. He just shook his head and looked away. I caught a smirk from Andreis. Great. He's enjoying this.

Mom and Dad were still staring at me. Studying me.

"Dad, you and Marco came home early?" I asked, as casually as I could.

Dad walked over and kissed my forehead. "We finished everything at work early."

So… they don't know?

I nearly melted in relief.

I nodded and walked into the kitchen, still pretending everything was fine. I opened the top drawer—slowly—and slipped the car keys inside without a sound.

Then I opened the fridge and poured myself a glass of cold water. I was more dehydrated than I thought. My brain was still spinning from everything that happened.

That building.

That ice cream.

That… stranger.

I stared blankly ahead, lips pressed to the glass, as I drifted in and out of the memory. I could still smell the mix of vanilla and strawberries in my mind. I could still hear his voice.

I glanced over to the living room again.

Marco was talking now—clearly agitated. Mom and Dad were listening. Dad looked serious. Mom had that look she wore when she was worried but didn't want to show it.

And Andreis?

He was watching me.

His head tilted slightly. Smile soft. Eyes calm. Too calm.

That smile…

That gaze…

It was exactly like his.

Like Angelo's.

My heart skipped.

Could they be related? Brothers? Twins? But wouldn't I have known that?

I shook my head, forcing myself out of the thought spiral.

Stop it. You're overthinking again.

I set the empty glass in the sink and turned toward the stairs.

"I'm heading up," I said aloud, just in case anyone was wondering.

Nobody replied.

As I climbed up, I could still feel Andreis' eyes on me.

Still smiling.

Still watching.