Chapter 4 What's Going On?

• Night had fallen, and Ellie turned off the restaurant lights with a sigh. It had been a strange day, filled with furtive glances and murmurs around her. Even the customers seemed more persistent, staying until the last moment, as if they were expecting something from her.
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• She tried to ignore it. It was probably just her imagination.
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• She stepped out through the back door into the alley, hoping to feel relieved as she breathed in the cool night air. But instead, her stomach tightened.
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• They were still there.
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• A group of strangers lingered in the shadows, watching her in silence.
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• Fear clenched her chest.
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• What was going on?
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• She tried to convince herself there was no reason to panic. Maybe they were just passersby… but deep down, something told her otherwise. She felt that those strangers were there for her. That they were waiting for her.
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• Taking a deep breath, she started walking, forcing herself not to look back.
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• But every time she turned a corner, they reappeared. Always there. Always following her.
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• A cold shiver of panic crept down her spine.
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• One of the men stepped forward.
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• Ellie tensed, her heart pounding against her ribs. Her first instinct was to run, but the stranger didn’t seem aggressive.
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• He smiled at her.
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• "Are you okay?" he asked in a soft, almost kind voice.
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• It was an innocent question, but in this context, it felt chilling.
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• Ellie swallowed, her throat dry. Why was everyone asking her that today? Why did it sound like they were expecting her not to be okay?
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• "I'm fine... there's no need," she managed to say, her tone firmer than she felt.
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• But the man didn’t move.
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• Ellie clenched her fists and quickened her pace. She needed to get out of there. Maybe if she entered a store, she could shake them off.
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• She found one open and rushed inside, pretending to browse the products.
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• But when she looked up, her blood ran cold.
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• One of them was inside, staring at her with that same unsettling calm.
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• Her breathing became faster.
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• She left the store and tried another. Then another.
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• Each time, it was the same. No matter where she went, one of them was always waiting.
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• And the most unsettling thing wasn’t that.
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• The shopkeepers—people she had known forever—were offering her discounts, smiling at her with too much warmth. Like they were forced to act that way.
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• A knot tightened in Ellie’s stomach.
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• This wasn’t normal.
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• She picked up her pace. Her breathing was uneven, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts.
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• And then, she ran.
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• The deserted streets amplified the echo of her footsteps. She knew they were following her. Every fiber of her being screamed at her to escape, but she had no idea where to go.
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• Until she crashed into something.
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• No—someone.
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• A firm, warm body that made her stumble back.
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• She looked up, her heart in her throat… and she saw him.
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• The same man who had appeared earlier.
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• His presence alone was unsettling. He didn’t move, didn’t try to grab her, but his mere existence seemed to halt her desperation.
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• "It’s okay. Everything is okay."
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• His voice was deep, calm. Filled with unshakable certainty.
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• Ellie struggled to breathe. She glanced over her shoulder.
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• The strangers were gone.
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• Relief washed over her… but confusion only grew.
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• How?
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• He watched her calmly, as if he knew exactly what was happening.
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• Ellie eyed him warily.
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• "Are you going home?" he asked.
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• She nodded slowly.
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• "I’ll walk you there."
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• It wasn’t a command, but it didn’t sound like a request either.
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• Ellie hesitated. She didn’t trust him. She didn’t trust anyone at that moment.
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• But the idea of going back alone terrified her more.
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• So she said nothing and started walking.
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• He followed in silence.
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• The walk was tense. Ellie tried to keep some distance, but his presence felt too close.
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• When they reached her house, she stopped, unsure.
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• "Thank you… for everything," she murmured, not daring to look at him. "I’m fine now. You don’t have to walk me any further."
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• But he didn’t move.
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• His gaze was intense, fixed on her.
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• A shiver ran down Ellie’s spine.
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• And then, his eyes changed.
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• His expression softened slightly, but in his gaze, there was something deeper—something she couldn’t quite grasp.
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• He took a step forward.
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• Ellie remained still. Then, she took a step back.
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• "It’s what I owe you," he said, his voice lower, carrying a weight she couldn’t decipher. "But it’s not enough."
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• Ellie frowned, confused.
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• "What are you talking about?"
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• He observed her for a moment… and then, suddenly, he knelt.
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• The air around them grew heavy.
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• Ellie felt her pulse skyrocket.
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• It wasn’t a casual bow. It wasn’t just a simple gesture.
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• His posture was solemn, almost ritualistic. Like he was in the presence of something far greater than himself.
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• "Marry me."
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• The words fell into the silence of the night like a thunderclap.
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• The world seemed to stop.
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• A chill ran down Ellie’s spine.
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• "What…?"
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• If anyone saw her face at that moment, they wouldn’t be able to help but laugh at her shocked expression.
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• He looked at her with a burning intensity, as if every fiber of his being was behind that declaration.
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• There was no hesitation in his voice. No doubt.
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• It was an irrational proposal. A reckless outburst.
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• And at the same time…
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• She felt he was saying it with absolute certainty.
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• The air between them grew thick.
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• Ellie opened her mouth, but no words came out.
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• Finally, she managed to take a step back.
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• "You… you’re joking, right?" she murmured, a nervous laugh dying in her throat.
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• He didn’t smile.
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• "No."
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• Ellie felt the world tilt beneath her feet.
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• "That makes no sense," she whispered, shaking her head. "I barely know you."
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• He tilted his head calmly.
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• "Of course not. We’ve already met. More than you think."
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• Ellie shivered.
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• What is this man talking about?
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• She had only seen him once… hadn’t she?
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• He slowly rose to his feet, his gaze just as intense.
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• Ellie felt her throat tighten.
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• "This is crazy."
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• She stood at her door, the cold wrapping around her, her mind in ch
• aos.
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• She had no idea what was happening.
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• But one thing was certain.
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• This was completely absurd and unexpected.
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• She ran a hand over her forehead, trying to steady herself, then locked eyes with him.