Chapter:1
The shadow man.

The windows of my house tremble from the power of thunder rolling across the skies. Lightning strikes in the distance,

illuminating the night. In that small moment, the few seconds of blinding light showcase the man standing outside my window, watching me. Always watching me.

I go through the motions, just like I always do. My heart skips a beat and then palpitates, my breathing turns shallow, and my hands grow clammy. It doesn’t matter how many times I see him, he always pulls the same reaction out of me.

Fear.
And excitement.

I don’t know why it excites me. Something must be wrong with me. It’s not normal for liquid heat to course through my veins, leaving tingles burning in its wake. It's not common for my mind to start wondering about things I shouldn't.

Can he see me now? I question myself by hiding near the window.

I peek over the window to see if he is still watching me. Fortunately, he went by that time. I sighed with relief.

When I was about to go to my bed, I heard a loud noise in front of my door. I started trembling with fear, slowly walked along the hallway; my hands were trembling with fear.

I slowly opened the door to see if someone was there. To my surprise, there was no one outside. I went further past the doorstep to check if there was someone,

And I felt like I had stepped on something. I looked down to check it and saw a single red rose beneath my foot.

I picked it up, there were no thorns, and placed it in a vase. Then I went to my bed. It's been a long day, and I am very tired.

I have a book signing tomorrow, and I am very excited to see my fans. I am usually not good at conversation because I am a bit introverted, but I have a special talent: manipulating others with my smile.

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The next day,

"My phone rings and I took it in a sleepy mode not knowing who it was.

I heard a loud voice saying wake up!!. When I took a look, it's Danya, my best friend. We have been close to each other since childhood.

She is my best supporter and made my dreams come true. She helped me become a writer."

Danya: "Wake up. Idiot, it's 8 am, and you are still sleeping. Don't you have a book signing today?"

In a fraction of a second, I got out of my bed

and said, "Oh my God, yeah, I have a book signing today. Thank you, Danya. I will get ready in half an hour. I will see you there, my dear."

Then I flipped over my blanket and rushed to get myself ready because I have a book signing at 9:30. Thanks to Danya; otherwise, I could have spoiled my book signing today.

Quarter past 8: I got a call again from Danya. Danya: "Hey dude! I am waiting outside to pick you up." I replied, "Yeah, I am done. I will be there."

(Call beeps)

''Hey there,'' I shouted and waved at Danya from a long distance.

She waved, signaling to 'come fast.' I got in her car and sat on the passenger seat.

She drove the car at '70 km/h.' It's thrilling, right?
That's my Danya. She likes lots of thrilling things. We reached there within half an hour.

At the book signing:

''I am nervous, Danya,'' I whisper in Danya's ear.

She knows that I am not good at communicating with others.

She replies: ''Don't worry. I will take care.'' Even though I am nervous, I start to feel calm after hearing the words ''I will take care'' from Danya.
I gain courage and feel bold.

The book signing started within a minute and went smoothly.

(Half an hour later)

I start to feel uneasy because I felt like someone was staring at me. When I turned around to look, everybody was busy standing in line to get a sign from me.
Perhaps it's impossible to feel that way because there were thousands of people around here. Why would they stare at me?.

( Two hours later )

Thank God the book signing finished without any problems. Danya dropped me off at my place, and she reached her place without any trouble.


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© Shafiya