Over the next few days, I kept seeing him.
Sometimes at a distance, watching. Other times, closer—too close.
Like when I left work late one night and spotted him across the street, standing beneath a streetlight as if waiting for something. Or when I ran errands and noticed him sitting on a bench nearby, gaze lingering in my direction.
At first, it unsettled me. I considered calling someone, but he never actually approached me. Never tried to talk again.
It was like he was waiting.
And strangely, I wasn't afraid. Just... confused.
Then, one evening, everything changed.
It was raining.
The downpour had started while I was on the bus home, and by the time I reached my stop, the streets were slick with water. I had forgotten my umbrella, so I ran, my clothes already damp, hair clinging to my face. I barely noticed my own breath coming in short puffs as I reached the steps of my apartment building.
But just as I pulled my keys from my pocket, I heard footsteps behind me.
I turned fast—too fast. My foot slipped on the wet pavement.
Before I could hit the ground, strong hands caught me.
I gasped, heart racing as I found myself staring up into familiar blue eyes. The streetlights reflected off the rain in his silver hair, making him look almost unreal.
Axel.
His grip on my arms lingered for a second before he let go, stepping back.
"You again?" I huffed, brushing wet strands of hair out of my face.
"Are you following me or something?"
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he reached into his bag and pulled out something small, holding it out to me.
An umbrella.
I blinked at it. Then at him.
"Seriously?"
"You'll get sick," he said simply.
I hesitated.
"Why do you care?"
Axel exhaled, tilting his head slightly.
"Because I do."
His voice was calm, but something about the way he said it made my chest tighten.
I didn't take the umbrella right away. Instead, I studied him—the way the rain clung to his jacket, the way his silver hair darkened with dampness, the unreadable look on his face.
Then, cautiously, I reached out and took the umbrella from his hands.
"...Thanks."
Axel gave a small nod before turning to leave.
By this time, I couldn't just let him go.
"Wait."
He paused, glancing over his shoulder.
I swallowed. "Why do you keep showing up?"
A silence stretched between us, broken only by the sound of rain hitting the pavement.
Finally, Axel exhaled.
"You'll know soon."
And with that, he walked away.
That was the night I stopped ignoring him.
I didn't know why, but something inside me told me he wasn't just some stranger. That he was important.
And I was going to find out why.
---
Over the following week, Axel and I started talking more.
It wasn't sudden. It happened in small moments.
Him casually appearing when I got off work, walking beside me without saying much. Sometimes it annoyed me, but over time, I got used to it.
He wasn't pushy. He didn't force a conversation. But when he did speak, his words stuck with me.
One evening, as we walked side by side, he suddenly asked,
"Why do you wear contacts?"
I stiffened.
"What?"
"Your eyes," he said, glancing at me. "They're not black, are they?"
My steps faltered.
No one ever brought that up. Not even my coworkers.
"...It's easier this way," I muttered. "People stare."
Axel didn't respond right away. Then, to my surprise, he said,
"They're beautiful."
I nearly tripped.
"What?"
I shot him a look, expecting him to be messing with me, but his face was serious.
Axel shrugged.
"Just saying what I see."
I turned away quickly, hoping he didn't notice the warmth creeping up my face.
---
Day by day, things kept changing between us.
One evening, we sat on a bench near my apartment, sharing a bag of snacks I had bought. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the quiet street.
"Have you ever felt like... something bad is coming?" I asked, staring at the sky.
Axel didn't answer immediately.
When I looked at him, his expression was distant.
"Yeah," he finally said. "I have."
I studied him—the way his jaw tightened slightly, the way his fingers curled around the edge of the snack bag.
"Axel..." I hesitated. "What aren't you telling me?"
He glanced at me, and for a moment, I thought he was going to say it.
But then he sighed, shaking his head.
"Not yet."
That answer again.
I exhaled, frustrated.
"You keep saying that."
"I know," he said quietly.
"But when I tell you, you have to believe me."
I frowned, confused.
Before I could push further, he changed the subject.
And for some reason... I let him.
Looking back, I think I already knew.
Deep down, I had always known.
That something was coming. That my dreams weren't just dreams. That Axel was the key to all of it.
I just wasn't ready to accept it.
Not yet.
To be continued.