CHAPTER FOUR
THE FIRST THREAT.
Night fell over the city, Wrapping everything in shadows and silence.Lena Hart Sat alone in her apartment, her legs curled beneath her on the couch as she flipped through her notebook. The soft glow of a nearby lamb cast warm light across the room, creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere. Too peaceful., Again it had been two days since the bookstore, Two days since she had last seen him. And somehow, the memory of him hadn't faded . If anything, it had grown stronger. His quiet voice , His guarded eyes. The way he spoke about love like it was something dangerous. Lena Sighed and dropped her pen. " This is getting ridiculous," she muttered, She stood up and walked towards the window . Outside, the city shimmered Under the night lights Cars passed below , And distant voices, echoed faintly . Everything seems normal, but inside her something felt unsettled. Her phone buzzed suddenly. Lena turned quickly, The sound startled her more than it should have. She walked over and picked up the phone, a message, unknown number. Her brows furrowed slightly. "That's strange," she said quietly, she opened the message and froze. Her breath caught in her throat, The message read: "SOME LOVE STORIES END IN BLOOD," For a moment,Lena Didn't move, didn't breathe , Her heart began to pound in her chest. "What…?" She read it again, same words , cold , threatening and confusing. A chill ran down her spine. "Okay.. this isn't funny," she whispered . Her mind raced. Was this a joke, a prank or something about? He didn't feel like a joke. It felt real. Her fingers trembled slightly as she type a reply."Who is this ?" She hit send, and waited, silence, second passed, then a full minute No response. Lena Swallowed hard, and set the phone down slowly. "This is stupid," She taught herself. "It's probably just someone messing around." But even as she said it, she didn't believe it. Her eyes drifted towards the window again. For a moment, she had a strange feeling that someone might be watching her. Her chest tightened. "No," She said quickly, shaking her head." You are overthinking." Still She walked over and pulled the cotton closed, Just in case. Across the city,Adrian Stood in his apartment, staring at his phone his expression was tense. Focus the message had already reached him, not directly, but true channels he trusted. And the moment he read it, he knew exactly what it meant. Victor. Adrian's jaw tightened. "He's moving faster than I thought," He said quietly. He grabbed his jacket without his hesitation., There is no time to think no time to wait. If Victor has started sending messages then.Lena Was no longer just been watched. She was being targeted. Back at Lena's apartment, The silence felt heavier now, Every small sound seemed louder. The ticking of the clock. The hum of electricity, the faint The woman who noise from outside. Lena sat back on her couch, hugging a pillow tightly. Her phone lay beside her. She kept glancing at it, waiting, hoping it would light up again. But it didn't. Minutes passed , Then suddenly. A knock at the door, Lena jumped. Her heart slammed against her chest. "Who is that?" She whispered, she stood slowly, another knock this time louder. Lena hesitated, every instinct told her to stay where she was. But curiosity and fear pushed her forward. She walked towards the door carefully. "Who is it?" She called out. A pause, then. "It's Adrian." Lena froze. Relief flooded through her instantly, She rushed forward and open the door. Adrian stood there , Slightly out of breath, his eyes scanning her quickly . "Are you okay?" He asked immediately.Lena Blinked, "Yes, I think so. What are you? How did you? " Did you receive a message? He interrupted. High expression changed. "You know about it?" Adrian Stepped inside quickly and close the door behind him "Show me." Lena Picked up her phone and handed it to him. Adrian read the message. His face darkened. " Damn it,"He muttered under his breath. Lena's Stomach tightened. " Adrian What's going on?" He looked at her. Serious, Focused. "This isn't a joke Lena ." Her fear returned instantly. "I knew it," she whispered. I knew something felt wrong. Adrian ran hand through his hair, " listen to me carefully," he said. " From this moment on, you need to be cautious very cautious." "Why?" She asked her voice trembling." Who sent that message?" Adrian Hesitated just for a second then he spoke, " Victor Hale." Lena's eyes widened. "The man from the gallery?" "Yes." "But why would he?" " because Because he's dangerous," Adrian Said firmly. "More dangerous than you understand." Lena shook her head slightly. "he seems normal." That's how he works. Adrian stepped closer. "Victor doesn't just like people, Lena He become obsessed with them." A chill ran through her body. "And when he becomes obsessed.. Adrian continued quietly, "he doesn't stop." Lena felt her chest tighten. "Are you saying he started getting me?" Adrian Didn't answer immediately but his silence said everything. " Oh my God," Lena whispered. She step back, running a hand through her hair. This doesn't make sense I don't even know him. "You don't need to," Adrian Said."That's not how people like him work." Lena Turned towards him , her fear now mixed with frustration. "Then why me ?!" Adrian's gaze softened slightly. "I don't know," he admitted. " But I'm going to find out." Silence filled the room,Lena Looked down at her phone again. The message stared back at her. Cold. Unforgiving. "What do I do?" She asked quietly. Adrian Took a deep breath,"You don't go anywhere alone. "Her eyes lifted to his. "You stay alert . And if anything feels wrong, anything you call me immediately. Lena hesitated. "Why are you helping me?" She asked softly. Adrian Looked at her, for a moment, his guard dropped, "Because…" She began then stopped. He looked away briefly, then back at her. "Because you're already in danger." Lena Studied him carefully. "That's not the only reason." Adrian Didn't respond. The silence between them changed Something deeper, Something unspoken. Lena's heart beat faster. "Adrian… " she said softly. Before she could finish, her phone buzzed again, both of them froze. Slowly, Lena picked it up. Another message. Same unknown number. Her hands trembled as she opened it, this time, the message was shorter. More direct more terrifying. "I am watching you." Lena gasped. Her body went cold . Adrian expression turned deadly serious. He walked towards the door the window and pulled the curtain open slightly. His eyes scanned the street below. Dark, quiet. But somewhere out there , someone was watching. Adrian closed the curtain slowly. Then turned back to Lena . "This just got worst," he said quietly. Lena felt tears form in her eyes. " what am I going to do?" Adrian stepped closer to her. His voice was calm, steady. You're not going to face this alone." Lena looked at him. Fear still filled her chest, but now, there was something else too . A stranger sense of safety. Adrian held her gaze. "I promise you," he said quietly, " I won't let anything happen to you." Outside, in the darkness. A car sat parked under a flickering street light. Inside, Victor Hale watched the building silently. A slow smile formed on his face, "let's begin," he whispered.