"Alright, let's talk another time," I said.
There was a momentary pause before Doyle spoke again, “Michael, seeing you today was a bad idea. Maybe your father's right. I am hindering your healing process. It's probably better I keep my distance for a while."
Someone called Doyle's name in the background.
"Doyle, that's not—" I interrupted, but he cut me off.
"Sorry, got to go. Be safe, Michael," Doyle said, ending the call before I could say more.
I stared at my cellphone, my heart plummeting.
I curled up on the window ledge, wondering how today had started so amazing and turned wrong in an instant.
As I gazed out the window, debating how I could fix this, I noticed the same car from earlier parked across the street.
My heart raced. I wasn't imagining it after all.
The car's windows were tinted, making it impossible to see inside. Panic surged through me.
What if Liliana’s cronies had found me? I quickly dialed Doyle's number again, but it went straight to voicemail.
I grabbed a baseball bat from my closet, my heart pounding in my chest. Slowly, I crept downstairs, trying to stay as quiet as possible.
I peeked out the front window, but the car remained still.
My mind raced with possible scenarios. Should I confront the driver? Call the police? Tried shifting and running away?
I knew I couldn’t just sit here and do nothing.
Just as I was about to make a decision, the car door opened, and a figure stepped out.
I strained to see in the dim light. The figure moved cautiously, glancing around as if making sure no one was watching.
My grip tightened on the bat, ready to defend myself if necessary. To my surprise, the figure walked towards my house and stopped at the mailbox.
They pulled out a letter and placed it inside before quickly returning to the car and driving away.
I waited until the car disappeared before rushing outside to check the mailbox.
My hands trembled as I pulled out the letter. There was no return address, just my name scrawled on the front.
I tore it open and unfolded the single sheet of paper inside.
"Michael, Liliana misses you. She hasn’t forgotten you.”
I reread the words over and over again as I returned to the house. Immediately, I locked all the doors.
As an extra precaution, I checked the back door in the kitchen as well.
I returned to my room and remained by my window ledge, just to see if the car would come back.
The baseball bat, I kept nearby and the letter remained on my desk.
Shivering, I curled into a ball, eyes glued to the window. Memories of being Liliana's captive familiar came back to me.
Squeezing my eyes shut didn't make the memories disappear.
I found myself hyperventilating, my breaths coming in short, ragged gasps, my chest tightening as if an iron band was squeezing it.
