Silas Sterling

I have a bedtime habit. I always end up hugging my giant teddy bear, wrapping my legs around it as if it's the only thing that helps me rest. It's soft, warm… almost addictive.

But last night something changed.

As I settled in, I squeezed it a little tighter than usual…

And then I heard it.

"Damn it... don't squeeze so hard..."

I remained completely still.

I dropped the stuffed animal abruptly, my heart beating too fast. It didn't make sense. It was just a stuffed animal.

A giant, soft cat, who had arrived in my room just two days ago.

Trying to convince myself that I was imagining things, I decided to check it out.

I hit him.

A second later, my phone turned on.

An incoming video call.

The name on the screen made me freeze.

Silas Sterling.

It was 2 in the morning.

I answered, still in shock.

Her face appeared on the screen… but she wasn't herself. Her breathing was ragged, her jaw was tense, and her eyes… lacked their usual coldness.

—…What are you doing? —he murmured, his voice low and rough.

I swallowed, trying to stay calm.

"Sleeping..." I lied.

His expression tightened even more.

There was an odd silence.

Heavy.

And then he spoke again, more quietly, more tensely—

—Your… pillow.

Pause.

—You shouldn't hit her so damn hard.

My hand was still buried in the belly of the stuffed animal.

Slowly, I lowered my gaze to him.

Something didn't add up.

None of this was normal.

And at that moment… I understood.

This was no coincidence.