Chapter 15 Walking Figure
Kate's POV
I was still wondering if this was really Lina, but with what I’m seeing now, I can’t even tell what’s real anymore.
I know I wasn't hallucinating. I wasn't imagining things. Neither did I make up all of these scenarios. I'm very certain that they happened.
Somebody is in my house. Somebody suddenly found a reason to haunt me.
I’ve lived in this apartment since I started my career as a therapist—thats about seven years now—seven years of quiet, untroubled days. And in my stay here, I've never witnessed such a thing before—never once have I witnessed something this crazy and horrible. So why now? Why all of a sudden?
Why is it when Lina came into my life that all of these started happening to me?
I couldn't think far of this. Maybe I'm overthinking things, maybe I'm not. But I'm dead scared right now and I don't know what to do.
Lina slowly stepped closer to me, carefully stretching her arms over to me as if she was trying to tend to a wounded bird.
Then she led me to the couch, her hand remained firm on my arm as she guided me forward.
My knees wobbled like I could crumble any second, but I didn't stop—I took every next step until I sat down slowly on the couch.
Lina rubbed my back slowly, whispering something I couldn't even process. I knew she was trying to calm me down, but the situation seemed out of hand already—it feels like I'm losing my mind.
I kept shaking like my body couldn't accept that everything was over and I'm in safe hands now—or maybe I'm not.
After a while, Lina got up quickly and walked towards the kitchen.
I almost cried for her not to leave my side—not even for a second. I was still scared and I could still feel the presence of something I couldn't set my eyes on.
My eyes followed Lina as she strolled to the kitchen, then the faint sound of the fridge door creaking open.
My fingers twisted the edge of my dress as I tried to breathe normally, but I couldn't ignore the strange feelings—something doesn't feel right.
When Lina came back with a bottle of chilled water, she seemed shocked to find me still shaking. She let out a soft sigh, then placed the bottle on the desk in front of me. After that, she crouched beside me, her hands resting firmly on my lap.
“Hey…it's okay, Kate. You're safe now,” she said softly, now brushing my arm softly.
“Fine?” My voice cracked. “Why is this happening to me, Lina? Why does it feel like I'm being punished for something I didn't do?” I've never felt this scared before.
Lina didn't take her eyes away from me as I spoke, instead, she paid full attention to me as I spoke.
Lina's lips parted slightly as if she was going to say something, but before the first word could even fly out, I'd already shut her up.
“Wait,” I said quickly, wiping my face like a widow who had just found her faith again.. “How did you even come here right when this was happening? Do you… do you know something?” I asked, my eyes wide open in disbelief.
As much as I tried to convince myself that Lina knew nothing about what's happening, I still couldn't get to accept whatever proof I brought forth.
Lina blinked at me quickly, silent for a second, her eyes unreadable. My heart skipped. I didn’t know if I wanted to hear her answer or not.
After a while, she sighed and slowly rose back to the seat, claiming the sofa just next to me, then she murmured quietly, “Kate, I don't know anything about what's happening to you—to us” She said calmly. “But…it feels like something out there doesn't want us apart. Luke we're being pulled together for a reason. All five of us.” Lina's lips parted slightly as if she wasn't done speaking, but she wouldn't say anything else. It was as if the words were scared to form.
“Detector, are you talking about something…supernatural?” I whispered fearfully, as if I was scared that the walls could hear me.
Lina nodded slowly. “That's what it feels like.” She agreed bluntly.
I still couldn't believe her. I thought asking many questions would help me figure something out.
After a while, I leaned forward softly, then I whispered, “But how did you make it here just in time?” I paused, then I shook my head briefly, “Are…you even real?” I know this was a crazy question to ask but I had to, I didn't know what to believe anymore.
It seems like I'm beginning to mix up reality and nightmares.
Lina didn't pick an offence, she simply explained herself like my question was just some random interview question. “I came because I had a dream,” Lina paused and gave a weak smile, then she continued,voice barely above a whisper. “You were screaming my name…over and over again. I woke up drenched in sweat and just knew something was wrong.”
I stared at her in disbelief. “You dreamed about me?” I asked with furrowed brows.
She nodded smoothly, “Yeah,” she said quietly. “And when I got here, I knew it wasn't just a dream.”
Lina suddenly glanced towards the window, then back at me, and her jaw tightened instantly.”We can't stay here,” she warned, her voice was oddly specific.
“What?”
“Come on, we need to leave now!” She said again, she sounded more urgent and creepy now.
I looked around quickly—scared, perhaps she was seeing something I couldn't see.
“Where are we going?” I asked,voice trembling.
Lina didn't answer right away—she just took my hand and helped me up. “You're not safe alone, Kate. Please,just trust me.” She added smoothly.
I looked deep into her eyes and for a second I thought I might see something I couldn't say.
If Lina isn't real, then I think I've finally gone crazy.
I don't have an option, I just have to believe her—she seems like the only one who can help me now.
Without wasting any more second, she grabbed my jacket from the arm chair, then carefully pulled me towards the door with her, pushed the front door open, and slowly, we made it out of my apartment.
The cold air hit my face as we made it out of the building. It was still raining, so we hurried to her car. My legs felt weak, but Lina didn't let go of my hand—she held me so tight like a mother would care for her only child.
We climbed into her car, and the engine roared to life at once. While she drove away under the rain, I leaned my head against the window, my mind blank except for one repeating thought—whatever was happening right now didn't seem to be over yet and for some reason, it felt like I'm just a walking figure, I can't feel myself—my real self.