POV Josiane.....
The next day felt heavier.
Not because something had happened—
But because something was going to.
Josie could feel it.
She walked into the campus, her steps slower than usual.
Her eyes scanned everything now.
Corners.
Corridors.
People.
Before—
She used to just see.
Now—
She noticed.
And that's when she saw him.
Cain.
He was sitting on the stairs, scrolling through his phone.
Calm.
Relaxed.
Like always.
But now—
That calmness felt different.
Observer.
The word echoed in her mind.
Josie walked toward him anyway.
Because she had to.
Because that was the plan.
"Hey," Cain said...
as soon as he noticed her.
His tone normal.
Too normal.
"Hey," she replied, sitting beside him.
Keeping her voice steady.
"You look better today," he said.
She forced a small smile.
"Yeah… I guess."
Apause.
His eyes shifted to her.
Not obvious.
But enough.
Observing.
"What?" she asked, pretending not to notice.
"Nothing," he said.
Then added, "Just checking."
Her heart skipped.
"Checking what?"
"If you're actually okay," he replied casually.
She laughed lightly.
"I said I am."
He nodded slowly.
But didn't look convinced.
Silence fell between them.
And for the first time—
It wasn't comfortable.
"So…" Cain spoke again.
"You and Linux seem… close."
That caught her off guard.
She turned to him slightly.
"What?"
"I mean," he shrugged, "you were with him yesterday. A lot."
Does he know?
Don't he has a girlfriend...
"We just talked," she said carefully.
"Hmm," Cain hummed.
But his eyes didn't leave me .
That look—
It wasn't just observation.
It was something else.
Something sharper.
"You trust him?" Cain asked suddenly.
The question hit deeper than expected.
Josie hesitated for a second.
Too long.
Cain noticed.
Of course he did.
"I mean… yeah," she said finally.
Trying to sound natural.
Another pause.
Then Cain leaned back slightly.
Looking ahead.
"Be careful," he said..
Her brows furrowed.
"Of what?"
"People," he replied.
Simple.
But heavy.
Josie stared at him.
Is he warning me… or testing me?
Before she could respond—
Her phone buzzed.
She glanced down.
A message.
Unknown number.
"You're doing well."
Her breath caught.
Another message came instantly.
But not good enough.
Her hands went cold.
She quickly locked her phone.
"You okay?" Cain asked.
She nodded too fast.
"Yeah."
He didn't look convinced.
"You sure?" he asked again.
"Yeah," she repeated.
Silence again.
But this time—
It was tense.
Heavy.
Josie stood up suddenly.
"I have to go."
Cain looked up at her.
"Class doesn't start for another ten minutes."
"I know," she said quickly.
"I just… remembered something."
He watched her carefully.
"Okay," he said slowly.
But his eyes followed her—
Even as she walked away.
And Josie felt it.
Every step.
That feeling again.
Being watched.
But this time—
It wasn't just Cain.
She turned slightly.
Subtly.
And there—
At the end of the corridor—
She saw the same person from yesterday.
Standing.
Watching.
The moment their eyes met—
They smiled.
Not friendly.
Knowing.
Then walked away.
Josie's heart pounded.
"This isn't just a game…" she whispered.
Her phone buzzed again.
She didn't want to look.
But she did.
Let's make it harder.
Her grip tightened around her phone.
Behind her—
Cain was still watching.
Ahead of her—
Someone else was waiting.
And somewhere in between—
Linux was trying to protect her.
But the question was—
Who would reach her first?
To be continued…