No one spoke.
Not after Noah said that.
A phone.
Left in his room.
Like a message.
Like a warning.
Or worse—
An invitation.
"Don't touch it," I said immediately.
Too late.
"I already did," Noah replied.
Of course he did.
"Are you insane?" Emily snapped.
"I had to see what was on it!"
"What did you find?" I asked.
Silence.
That wasn't good.
"Noah."
He exhaled slowly.
"It's not just videos."
My chest tightened.
"What else?"
Another pause.
Then—
"Folders."
Something about that word…
Felt wrong.
"Folders of what?"
"…us."
Silence.
Heavy.
"What do you mean?" Emily whispered.
"I mean everything," Noah said.
"Photos. Videos. Messages."
A beat.
"Stuff no one should have."
A cold feeling spread through my chest.
"How long has he been watching us?" Sarah asked quietly.
No one answered.
Because no one wanted to.
"Where are you?" I asked.
"At home."
"Stay there," I said.
"I'm coming."
"No," Emily said immediately.
I looked at her.
"He wants us to panic," she added.
"To make mistakes."
"She's right," Sarah said.
I shook my head.
"No. This is already a mistake."
Before anyone could argue—
I grabbed my keys.
"Lucas—"
"I'm not waiting," I cut in.
And then—
I left.
The drive felt longer than it should.
Every shadow looked wrong.
Every car behind me felt too close.
Like I was being followed.
Or watched.
When I finally got there—
The house was dark.
Too dark.
I stepped out of the car slowly.
"Noah?" I called.
No answer.
My heart started racing.
I moved toward the door.
Unlocked.
That wasn't good.
I pushed it open.
"Hello?"
Silence.
The kind that feels wrong.
Too quiet.
I stepped inside.
Every sound echoed.
Every step felt louder.
"Noah?"
Still nothing.
And then—
A light flickered upstairs.
My chest tightened.
He said he was here.
So where was he?
I moved up slowly.
Each step heavier than the last.
And then—
His door.
Open.
Just slightly.
I pushed it.
And froze.
The room was a mess.
Drawers open.
Things thrown everywhere.
Like someone had been searching.
Or sending a message.
And in the center—
On the bed—
The phone.
Just sitting there.
Waiting.
My breathing slowed.
Careful.
Slow.
I stepped closer.
And picked it up.
The screen lit instantly.
No lock.
Of course not.
A video started playing automatically.
I froze.
Dark.
Shaky.
Breathing.
The same breathing.
Then—
A voice.
Low.
Close.
"Lucas…"
My grip tightened.
"What do you want?" I whispered.
The video shifted.
And then—
I saw it.
Noah.
Tied to a chair.
My heart stopped.
"What the hell—"
He looked up.
Eyes wide.
Terrified.
"Lucas—"
The video cut.
Black.
And then—
A message appeared.
"You came alone."
My blood ran cold.
Another message.
"Good."
I didn't move.
Couldn't move.
Because suddenly—
I wasn't alone.
A sound.
Behind me.
Slow.
A step.
My heart stopped.
And then—
A voice.
Right behind me.
"You never learn."
I turned—
Too late.
🖤 Poem — Lucas
I followed the trail
thinking I was in control
but the deeper I walked
the less I was whole
and the truth I was chasing…
was waiting to take my soul.