Chereads / Forever Watching / Chapter 20 - Chapter 1

Chapter 20 - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: A New Beginning

Will Moore stood at the edge of the crowded airport terminal, his eyes scanning the sea of unfamiliar faces. The hum of voices and the occasional announcements over the intercom created a disorienting noise, but Will felt calm. Excited, even. This was his fresh start—a new country, a new city, and a new life.

He had left everything behind—the suffocating memories of May, the fear that she had awakened in him, and the chaos he had caused. He told himself it was time to move on, time to forget. But deep down, Will knew he wasn't capable of forgetting. He wasn't built that way.

His suitcase rolled smoothly behind him as he stepped out into the crisp evening air. The city lights reflected off the wet pavement, casting an almost dreamlike glow. This place felt alive, buzzing with possibility. It was perfect.

Will had already secured an apartment—a quiet, modern space with large windows overlooking the skyline. It was clean and impersonal, exactly what he needed. No reminders of the past. Just blank walls waiting to be filled.

But as he settled into his new life, something gnawed at him—a hollow emptiness he couldn't quite explain. It wasn't loneliness. It was hunger. A need for connection, for purpose. He knew what was missing.

And then, he saw her.

It was in a small café near his apartment, a place he had stopped by purely out of habit. She was sitting by the window, her dark hair falling loosely over her shoulders as she sipped from a steaming cup of coffee. She was reading, completely absorbed in whatever story was held within the pages.

Will froze. The world around him seemed to blur as his focus narrowed to her alone. She was beautiful—not just in the conventional sense, but in the way her presence seemed to brighten the space around her. She looked soft, delicate, yet untouchable.

Perfect.

He forced himself to breathe, to calm the sudden rush of adrenaline that flooded his veins. This wasn't like before. This wasn't May. This was someone new—someone who didn't know him, didn't fear him. She was a blank slate, and Will knew exactly how to write his story this time.

He watched her for a while, memorizing the way she held her cup, the way her lips moved as she read silently to herself. She had a subtle nervous energy, like someone who felt out of place but didn't want anyone to notice. It made him want to know more.

Will ordered a coffee, careful not to stare too long as he took a seat a few tables away. He needed to be patient, needed to study her, to learn who she was and what she wanted. He couldn't make the same mistakes he had made before.

She looked up briefly, her eyes flickering to his before quickly darting away. Will felt his pulse quicken. That single glance was enough to ignite something deep inside him.

He spent the next hour observing her, carefully noting every detail—the nervous way she tapped her fingers on the table, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear when she was deep in thought. It wasn't enough. He needed more.

When she finally stood to leave, Will followed. At a safe distance, of course. He didn't need to get close just yet. He just needed to know where she lived, what her routine was.

The walk was short. She turned down a quiet street, lined with old brick buildings and dimly lit streetlights. Will smiled to himself. It was perfect—isolated enough that no one would notice him watching.

When she disappeared inside an apartment building, Will lingered outside, his mind already spinning with possibilities. This was fate. It had to be.

The hunger inside him stirred again, sharper this time. It wasn't enough to watch. He needed her. And this time, he would do it right.

No mistakes.

No hesitation.

Because this time, she would love him back.

And Will Moore would do anything to make sure of it.