First Encounter

LUCA'S P.O.V.

THE air was still, the night enveloping everything in its silence as I walked towards my car. The sound of my footsteps echoed through the empty parking lot as I reached my destination. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a dark figure lurking in the shadows.

I paused and squinted my eyes, trying to make out the figure in the shadows. My heart pounded in my chest as I took a step forward. Suddenly, the figure disappeared from sight, leaving me to wonder if I had just imagined it all.

After gathering my composure, I quickly got into my car and locked the door. As I drove home, I couldn't shake the feeling of being followed. The streets were empty, making the feeling even more intense.

I sighed with relief as I pulled into the driveway. I saw my girlfriend silhouetted in the window, waiting for me. As soon as I opened the door, she rushed to greet him with a warm embrace.

"How was school? I came here a minute ago." She asked with a smile so I smiled lightly and replied, "It was alright. Long day, glad to be home," as I kissed my girlfriend on the forehead. "You're home a little later than usual," she noted, her voice carrying a hint of concern. I shook my head dismissively, "Just ran into some traffic on the way here." I can't help but feel uneasy.

"Is it again with your family?" She asked with a concerned look on her face. I sighed, "Speaking of family, my parents called earlier." My girlfriend looked at me curiously and asked, "Is everything okay?"

I hesitated before responding, "I don't know. They've been pressuring me for money again. It's just...I can't keep doing this, you know? I have to put my needs and well-being first for a change." I slowly said before lowering my head.

"On top of everything, there's something else that's been bothering me." my girlfriend tilted her head slightly, "What do you mean?" I hesitated before replying, "I think someone's after me." My girlfriend furrowed her eyebrows, "Lucas, you're being paranoid." I sighed, "I know how it sounds, but I can't shake this feeling."

My girlfriend's dismissive response frustrated me to no end. I sighed, feeling more alone than ever before. "I'm going to freshen up," she said, "You should do the same."

I nodded reluctantly, watching as she went inside the house. The feeling of dread only deepened with each passing moment.

THE next day, I arrived at the lecture room early as usual, taking my seat at the back. A man who I hadn't met before entered the room, setting his briefcase and belongings on the desk. The man seemed to be in his mid-thirties, with a charismatic presence that made me sit up and take notice.

The man stood tall, about 6 feet 2 inches, with dark hair that fell in waves around his face. Almond-shaped eyes peered out from beneath thick brows, the color of rich espresso. His skin was fair, almost translucent in its paleness. Despite the dark circles under his eyes, he retained a certain allure that drew attention from those around him.

During the lecture, I felt a pair of eyes burning into the back of my head. I turned around and caught the new professor's gaze, locking eyes with him for a brief moment. His smile was subtle, but there was a hunger in his eyes that sent a shiver down my spine.

The man turned to face the class, his smile spreading into an almost too-wide grin. "Hello, class. My name is Professor Ethan Thompson, and I'm delighted to be your Instructor for this semester's psychology course."

Mr. Thompson calmness in the face of his student's discomfort was eerie rather than comforting. His smile remained fixed, never quite reaching his cold, dark eyes. There was a predatorlike quality to his movements, calculated and purposeful, that left me feeling like prey being encircled by a serpent.

I shook my head focusing on the lesson instead of thinking of something else. "Gosh I hate this." I thought of myself while looking forward to the blackboard.

Few hours later; At lunchtime

My friend, Max and I were at the cafeteria eating our foods, as we ate our foods, Max leaned in and said, "You know, there's been a few students who've gone missing near the Eden residence." I raised an eyebrow, my interest piqued. "Really? How come I haven't heard about this?" Max shrugged, "Not sure, but it seems a little odd, right? Considering how close it is to campus."

I waved him off, "Come on, Max. It's probably just a rumor. People disappear all the time. There's no need to jump to conclusions."

Max persisted, recounting rumors about strange noises and sightings around the area. I listened reluctantly, occasionally rolling my eyes and dismissing Max's concerns. "You're starting to sound like those ghost hunters on TV, Max," I said, a hint of irritation in my voice."

As Max continued to go on about the rumors, my mind began to wander. The sounds of the cafeteria faded into the background, replaced by the memory of Professor Thompson's intense gaze during the lecture. Suddenly, the feeling of being watched returned, making me swivel in my seat to find professor Thompson standing nearby, a slight grin playing on his lips.

"Interesting conversation going on here," he said casually, his eyes locked on mine.