Lilly went to bed without eating that night. As she was getting ready to sleep, her phone beeped with a message from an unfamiliar number. The message inquired about how she was feeling at the moment. Intrigued by the message, Lilly wondered about the sender's identity. She realized that besides Maria, no one else had asked her how she was feeling. Fueled by curiosity, she decided to ask the unknown number about their identity, typing out a message to inquire who they were.
After a considerable delay, the sender identified themselves as Noah. He inquired about how Lilly was feeling and whether she had told Maria about the incident. Despite considering Noah a friend, Lilly couldn't shake off a feeling of unease in response to his message. Lilly responded to Noah, explaining that she hadn't told Maria about the incident yet. She mentioned that she intended to share the details when the timing was appropriate, as she didn't want to cause unnecessary worry for Maria.
Lost in her thoughts, Lilly switched off her phone and began reflecting on the day's incident. Her mind wandered to the memory of the adorable brown-coloured puffy cat that had joined their lives two years ago, making them feel like a family. However, she couldn't help but wonder what had happened to the cat. The image of the mysterious scene she had witnessed earlier—featuring a question mark and two red eyes—lingered in her mind, leaving her perplexed about the message it might be conveying.
In her contemplative state, Lilly eventually drifted off to sleep, even though she was aware of her surroundings. However, her sleep was soon interrupted by a disturbing dream. She found herself confronted by the image of a man approaching her. Instinctively, she tried to shield her eyes, not wanting to see the man's face which appeared blurry. As the dream continued, she was transported back to the same scene she had witnessed earlier in the day—an unsettling sight of a lifeless man sprawled on the ground, next to a letter that was ominously stained with blood.
The malevolent voice echoed in her ears, sinisterly whispering, "I will never let you go." In a jolt, she sprung awake, her heart racing with fear. She gasped for air, her breaths coming in panicked bursts. To steady her heartbeat, she gulped down the water, her hands trembling. Despite her unease, she refrained from rousing Maria from her sleep, not wanting to burden her with her own unsettling experience.
Observing that Maria was still asleep due to the exhaustion of the previous day's events, Lilly chose not to disturb her. Instead, she left a sticky note explaining that she had gone to college. While on her way, she unexpectedly ran into Noah. His friendly wave and his suggestion to wait for him indicated a close bond between them. Grateful for his previous help, Lilly patiently waited for him.
Upon seeing her distressed expression, Noah grew concerned and inquired about what had happened. He was curious about Maria's whereabouts as well. In that instant, Lilly decided to share a partial truth, explaining that her puffy cat had passed away, which could be the reason for her troubled appearance. She withheld the details of the mysterious question mark and the unsettling eyes, fearing that revealing such information would lead to disbelief.
As they headed to class, Noah offered Lilly a sweet, reassuring her that it would bring her some relaxation. His thoughtful gesture made her feel comforted, but at the same time, she couldn't shake the feeling that his care for her might be a bit excessive. She found herself pondering why he was showing such concern and what his motivations might be behind his seemingly caring actions.
On her way to class, Maria messaged Lilly that she wouldn't be coming today due to a headache. Lilly advised her to rest and take care. In class, Lilly felt even more exhausted, succumbing to sleep because of the previous night's late hours. Observing the sunlight falling on her face, Noah shifted to the seat next to her. He gazed at her with fondness, finding solace in her presence. He found her face captivating, free from makeup and admired how her pale skin complemented her green eyes. Noah couldn't tear his gaze away from her.
As Lilly stirred from a short nap, she met Noah's affectionate gaze. Confused, she questioned him with her eyes. Noah responded with a charming smile, causing her heart to flutter. Their eyes locked, and for that moment, neither could look away. Eventually, Lilly returned to her attentive posture, refocusing on the class. She struggled to conceal her blushing, uncertain about the unfamiliar emotions stirring within her.