The familiar sound of clattering keyboards and chatter surrounded Awa as she entered the radio station, trying to push aside the lingering unease from the previous day. She had tossed and turned all night, her mind replaying Kelsey's threats and the bizarre encounter with Forrest Quinn. "Marked"—the word hung heavy in her thoughts, its meaning unsettling but elusive.
As soon as she stepped into the office, Keira waved her over. "Hey, Awa!" she called from her desk, her voice carrying a warmth that brought some comfort in the otherwise tense atmosphere. Mark, who was going through some paperwork, looked up and nodded as well.
Keira rolled her chair closer, lowering her voice slightly. "You're off the hook with going to Quinn International Estates from now on. Mark and I will handle anything related to them," she said, giving Awa a knowing look. "No more run-ins with you-know-who."
Relief washed over Awa. "Thank you," she said, her voice tight with gratitude. "I can't deal with him again."
Keira gave a snort of disgust. "Seriously, that guy's on some next-level creep mode. Don't worry, if he tries anything, I'll deal with him. We've got your back."
Mark cleared his throat, adding quietly, "Keira's right. You don't need to go near Quinn Estates anymore. We'll take over the meetings, negotiations, everything. You can just focus on the show."
Awa smiled, though the edges of her relief were tinged with anxiety. She nodded, grateful to have such supportive colleagues. But even with the buffer they provided, Kelsey's threats and Forrest's strange words lingered at the back of her mind. The sponsorship might be safe, but her own sense of security felt far from stable.
After wrapping up the show later in the afternoon, Awa made her way to pick up Beatrice from school. The autumn air was crisp as she walked down the street, her steps quickening with the hope that seeing her daughter would help ground her in normalcy.
But the feeling of unease wouldn't leave. Every time she glanced over her shoulder, she swore she saw something move—just at the edge of her vision. A flicker of a shadow, a figure slipping out of sight. Her heart raced, the hair on the back of her neck standing up. She couldn't shake the sense that someone—or something—was following her.
Beatrice was waiting outside the school gates, her backpack slung over her shoulder. Awa waved, forcing a smile as her daughter's face lit up with joy.
"Mommy!" Beatrice ran into her arms, and Awa felt the comfort of her daughter's embrace melt away some of the tension. But as they started walking, Beatrice tugged on her hand, her voice small and hesitant.
"Mommy, why do you keep looking back?" Beatrice asked, her wide eyes flicking nervously to the street behind them.
Awa's heart tightened. She squeezed Beatrice's hand, trying to sound reassuring. "It's nothing, baby. I'm just being careful."
But even as she said it, her gaze darted around, scanning the street for any sign of the mysterious presence that seemed to hover just out of reach. The feeling persisted all the way home, the sensation of being watched creeping up her spine, sending shivers through her.
That evening, after Beatrice was tucked into bed, Awa found herself staring at her phone, waiting for a call that still hadn't come.
Stanley.
She had reached out to him earlier in the day, hoping to hear his voice, to feel the comfort that his presence usually brought. But he hadn't picked up. Awa told herself it was nothing to worry about—he was likely busy with his work trip—but the longer she waited, the more unsettled she became.
She dialed his number again, her fingers trembling slightly as she pressed the phone to her ear. The line rang once, twice, then clicked to voicemail.
Awa's chest tightened with disappointment. She wasn't a clingy person, far from it. But this was the first time she had ever reached out to Stanley while he was away on business, and now, more than ever, she needed him. She needed to feel anchored, to know that there was someone in her corner outside of the chaos swirling around her.
No answer.
She sighed, lowering the phone, staring at the screen before tossing it onto the couch. For the first time, the silence of the apartment felt heavy, pressing in on her. She closed her eyes, willing herself to stay calm. Maybe Stanley would call back later. He always did.
Moments later, Tina burst through the front door, her face pale and drawn. Awa hadn't even heard her come up the stairs.
"Hey," Tina said softly, kicking off her heels as she entered the living room. "I'm sorry I dragged you into that mess at Quinn Estates. I didn't think Kelsey would be there. He usually doesn't show up, and it completely slipped my mind to warn you."
Awa waved it off, even though she still felt rattled. "It's not your fault. I didn't think it would be like this either."
Tina sat beside her, fidgeting with her hands. "I should've warned you about Kelsey. There are always rumors floating around the office—about how he treats women. No one has solid proof, but we hear things. Girls in the office warn each other to be careful. He likes to play his twisted little games."
Awa felt a chill creep through her, the pieces beginning to fit together. "Do you think he's done this to others?"
"I'm sure of it," Tina replied, her voice bitter. "But the problem is, no one's ever come forward with anything concrete. He's careful—too careful. And with his position in the company, and the Quinn family name, he's practically untouchable."
Awa shook her head, anger bubbling beneath the surface. "He can't just get away with this."
Tina sighed. "I know. But we have to be smart. We can't take him down without solid evidence, and right now, all we have are whispers."
The two sisters sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation heavy between them. Awa felt trapped—caught in a game she never wanted to play, with no clear way out.
Later that night, Awa felt restless. The apartment was quiet, Tina had gone to bed, and the only sound was the faint hum of the city outside. She paced the living room for a while, her mind spinning with thoughts of Kelsey, Forrest, and the strange sense of unease that wouldn't leave her.
Deciding she needed some fresh air, she grabbed her jacket and headed to the rooftop of their apartment building. The night air was crisp, carrying the scent of autumn as it swirled around her. She stepped out onto the rooftop, letting the cool breeze wash over her, hoping it would clear her mind.
She leaned against the railing, staring up at the full moon that hung low in the sky. Its pale light bathed the city in an ethereal glow, casting long shadows across the buildings.
As she gazed at the moon, her thoughts drifted back to Forrest Quinn—the way he had sniffed the air around her, the cryptic words he had whispered. My cousin has already marked you. What did that mean? The way he had looked at her—like she was part of some twisted game—had left her shaken in a way she hadn't expected.
Suddenly, a low, distant howl broke the stillness of the night.
Awa froze, her heart skipping a beat as the sound echoed across the city, carried by the wind. She turned toward the direction of the noise, her eyes scanning the skyline.
There—just a few buildings away—something moved. A large shape, dark and hulking, moved swiftly across the rooftop of a nearby building. Awa squinted, trying to make sense of what she was seeing, her heart pounding in her chest.
It was human-shaped—but too big. And its head… its head seemed wrong. Deformed, elongated, like something out of a nightmare.
Awa's pulse quickened, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she stared, unable to tear her eyes away from the shadowy figure. Her mind raced, trying to rationalize what she was seeing, but nothing made sense.
Before she could process it any further, the figure vanished, disappearing into the shadows as quickly as it had appeared.
Awa stumbled back from the edge of the rooftop, her heart hammering in her chest. Her mind reeled, her body trembling with fear.
What was that?
Her eyes flicked back to the moon, now casting an eerie glow over the city, and the howl echoed in her ears once again.