Chapter 9: A Voice In The Dark

That night, Adrian didn't sleep at all. Every small sound made him sit up, heart pounding. He kept checking the windows and the door like someone was already inside. Even the shadows looked different now.

At around 3 a.m., he picked up his phone and called Lara.

She answered on the second ring, voice soft and tired. "Adrian?"

"I can't stay here," he said, voice shaking. "It's not safe. I feel like someone's watching me."

There was silence for a second, then she replied, "Come over. I'll leave the door open."

Adrian didn't even change clothes. He grabbed his keys and left. The streets were quiet and cold, like the city was holding its breath. Every car that passed made him look over his shoulder.

When he got to Lara's place, she was waiting at the door, wearing a hoodie and holding a flashlight.

"I know it sounds stupid," he said, stepping inside, "but I really felt something back there."

"It's not stupid," she replied, locking the door behind him. "They're warning you now. That means you're getting close."

He sat on the edge of her couch again, rubbing his hands together. "Why me? I didn't even want to know any of this."

"Maybe you were supposed to," she said quietly.

He looked at her. "What do you mean?"

She hesitated, then sat beside him. "My brother... he knew something too, back then. He tried to speak up and they shut him down. Forever."

Adrian stared at her. "You think they—"

"Yes. And I think now it's happening again. But this time, we can finish what he started."

Adrian felt like the air was pressing against his chest. He didn't sign up for this. He just wanted to act, stay quiet, and go home at the end of the day. But here he was, sitting next to someone who lost a brother to the same people who were now threatening him.

"I'm scared," he whispered.

Lara put her hand on his. "So am I. But we don't run."

For a moment, he let the silence wrap around them. The city outside was still sleeping, but Adrian knew deep down this was the calm before something worse.