Den

Your past resembled a worn-out film reel: an empty apartment, the smell of alcohol, and loneliness. Dan burst into this grayness like a wildfire—bright but deadly. His love was expansive: he wanted to possess you completely. You pulled away abruptly—and he was gone, leaving an aftertaste of anxiety.

The last year of school was a breath of fresh air. The club was neon lights, vibes, cocktails. You laughed, releasing tension through dance.

The path home through the courtyards turned into a trap. In a dead end, in the light of a flickering street lamp, you saw the body of a girl and her executioner—a tall figure in darkness. You rushed away, your heels breaking, your legs buckling. You huddled in a gap between the dumpsters. The killer's shadow slid past—you stopped breathing. He turned, as if sniffing, and disappeared into the darkness. You exhaled—and the world exploded with pain in the back of your head, and went dark.

Waking up was eerily cozy: a soft featherbed, the scent of lavender, a child's giggles. A blue-haired girl—Lolly—was sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Bad news, princess," she giggled. "The dreams are over. Welcome to reality."

The man from the alley came in—Zane: well-groomed, impeccably dressed, with an empty look.

A week in golden confinement became a thriller. Every step was monitored. When Zayn and Lolly left, Adam, Zayn's silent friend, followed you, quelling any thoughts of escape with an icy stare.

That evening, Zayn returned with a bouquet of lilies. The aroma brought back nausea and déjà vu. He held out the flowers.

— Your favorites, aren't they? Darling…

The puzzle came together: the way she tilted her head, the gesture, the look...

“Dan…” you whispered.

His hair is black, his eyes are in lenses - he has changed his shell, but the predator remains the same.

"That's the one," Dan touched your hair. "I needed to become someone else to come for you again."

He leaned over, and a fire of obsession flashed in his eyes:

"Now you definitely won't run away. I spent so much effort getting my property back."