Alex stepped out of the cozy cafe, their mind still drifting over the aromatic scent of freshly brewed coffee. The air was crisp, carrying the scents of rain and city life. Suddenly, a vibration in Alex's pocket snapped them back to reality. They glanced at their phone to read a cryptic text from an unknown number: "Don't turn around."
Curiosity and unease battled within Alex. Against their better judgment, they hesitated, then slowly glanced over their shoulder. The familiar street stretched out behind them, bustling with people, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Alex shook off the feeling, attributing it to a prank or mistake.
Another text arrived, more unsettling than the first: "I told you not to." A chill crept up Alex's spine. They stopped, a sense of being watched prickling their skin. Somewhere, just beyond the periphery of sight, a shadow shifted—an indistinct figure lingering just out of reach, shrouded by the dim light and rain.
"Who are you?" Alex called out, their voice steady but edged with fear. The figure remained silent, unmoving. Alex's heart pounded in their ears, each beat a reminder of the unknown danger lurking nearby. The figure seemed to be waiting, watching.
With a deep breath, Alex turned sharply on their heel, choosing to face whatever was out there. The figure shifted slightly, just enough to catch a glimpse of a knowing smile before it vanished into the shadows, leaving only the echo of its presence in the rain.
Alex walked away with a mix of relief and lingering questions. The texts, the figure—whether a prank or something more—remained a mystery. But the encounter left a mark, a reminder of the unseen layers of the world around them. As they rejoined the flow of the city, Alex couldn't shake the feeling that the night was not quite done with its secrets.
