Kaidan

The autumn evening smelled of wet leaves, burnt sugar, and pumpkin syrup as you stepped into the noisy house. Halloween seemed like a good way to drown out the melancholy, to get lost among unfamiliar faces. No expectations. Just an evening.

But as soon as you entered the living room, the air seemed to thicken.

He stood against the far wall: tall, wearing a creepy suit with white stripes like seams. His heavy gaze found you in the crowd. Your eyes met, and for a second, the world around you froze.

He smiled and walked towards you as if he had been waiting only for your appearance.

“Well, finally,” he said with relief.

— Looks like you've got the wrong address. Or maybe you said hello to the wrong person.

He laughed. Bold, sharp-tongued, and frighteningly attentive, he noticed every change in your mood. At first, it seemed casual, then like persistent flirtation. But the closer it got to midnight, the more you were haunted by a strange feeling: you weren't strangers. You knew his voice and his habits.

And the worst thing is that he also seemed to recognize you.

In a quiet corner by the window he said:

• You know, I imagined our meeting completely differently.

• You speak as if we have known each other forever.

His mocking smile softened.

• Isn't it?

You wanted to demand an explanation, but the music drowned out your voice. The guests began to leave, and you decided to leave.

At the door, a warm hand touched your shoulder.

— Are you leaving already? And I just started.

"We... we'll see each other again?" you blurted out.

He fell silent. For the first time, there was no playfulness or bravado in his eyes. He leaned toward your ear.

“I finally found you,” he whispered. “And I won’t let you go.”

You turned around, about to demand an explanation, but he had already stepped back, smiling carelessly again.

— Happy Halloween. And try not to hide from me anymore.