The next morning, Ethan woke up feeling like he hadn't slept at all. His body was heavy, his head ached, and the strange sense of unease from the night before still clung to him. It was like a weight pressing down on his chest—something was wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on what.
Shaking off the grogginess, he forced himself out of bed and went through his morning routine. The warm shower helped clear his mind, but the feeling didn't fade. It wasn't just exhaustion. It was something else.
Something deeper.
By the time he stepped outside, the city was already alive with the usual morning rush. He inhaled deeply, hoping the fresh air would help shake off his unease. Maybe he was just stressed. Maybe last night had been nothing more than an overactive imagination.
But the moment he started walking, he felt it again.
That same, unshakable sensation.
Like eyes were on him.
He resisted the urge to turn around immediately. Instead, he kept his pace steady, blending into the crowd as he made his way toward the university.
After a few minutes, he stole a quick glance over his shoulder.
Nothing.
Yet, the feeling remained.
Ethan tried to focus during class, but the lecture barely registered. His pen tapped absently against his notebook, his gaze distant.
"Dude."
The voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He blinked and turned to see Noah, his best friend, giving him a knowing look.
"You good?" Noah asked.
"Yeah," Ethan muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Just didn't sleep well."
Noah raised an eyebrow. "You sure? You've been spacing out a lot lately."
Ethan hesitated. Should he mention the strange things he'd been experiencing? The eerie sensation of being watched, the glimpses of glowing eyes?
He shook his head.
No. It sounded ridiculous, even to him.
"Yeah, just tired," Ethan said. "Midterms, you know?"
Noah didn't look convinced, but he let it go with a shrug. "Well, if you start seeing ghosts, let me know. I'll be the first to run."
Ethan smirked. "Good to know you've got my back."
Despite the lighthearted exchange, the tension in his chest didn't ease.
Something was still off.
After class, Ethan decided to take a different route home. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the city. He wasn't in a rush, so he took his time, hoping the walk would help clear his head.
As he turned down a quieter street, the uneasy feeling suddenly intensified.
His footsteps slowed.
The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.
A chill crept through him, despite the warmth of the evening air.
And then—
A shadow moved.
Ethan's heart pounded. His eyes darted toward the alleyway ahead. For a split second, he swore he saw a figure standing there—watching him.
He blinked.
Gone.
His breath came faster, his chest tightening.
He wasn't imagining it.
Something—or someone—was there.
And this time, he knew for sure.