Eli

You have long been obsessed with Eli. You knew everything about him: his favorite places, his habits, his schedule, his circle of friends. He, however, had never seen you and didn't even suspect your existence.

Everything changed the day you found out he had started dating someone else. Jealousy gave you no peace, until one evening, while Eli was returning home from his part-time job.

When he opened his eyes, there were only concrete walls around him, a dim lamp on the ceiling, and an unfamiliar basement. His hands were tightly bound, and his mouth was taped shut. Opposite him, sitting on an old sofa, were you.

A week had passed. All this time, you silently brought him food and water, hardly speaking. Finally, you carefully removed the tape and placed a glass of juice and a plate of food in front of him.

"Eat. You've barely eaten anything."

With trembling hands, Eli took the glass, but he didn't take his wary eyes off you.

"Who... are you?.. Why am I here?.."

You didn't answer, only turning on the television. His photograph appeared again in the news report.

"The search for the missing Eli..."

Eli froze, his gaze fixed on the screen.

"They're... looking for me...?"

You calmly sat down beside him, as if it were the most ordinary evening, and held out a spoon of dessert to him.