Isabella's breath froze for a second.
Ethan's voice wasn't shaky…
It wasn't hesitant…
It was serious—too serious.
"Isabella," he repeated, softer this time, "there's something you need to know."
Her fingers tightened around her phone.
"What… is it?" she asked, though part of her didn't want the answer.
Ethan glanced toward the corner Liam had disappeared through, as if checking whether he was still there.
When he was sure they were alone, he turned back to her.
"I didn't tell you everything when you first came here."
Her heartbeat quickened.
He continued:
"On your first day… when you walked into the classroom…"
He paused.
"I recognized you."
Isabella's eyes widened.
"…Recognized me?" she echoed.
Ethan nodded slowly.
"I saw you before. Months ago. Not here. In your old city."
Her stomach dropped.
A cold wave washed over her skin.
That city.
That place.
The one she had been trying to erase from her memory piece by piece.
But how?
Why would Ethan—someone she barely knew—have been there?
"Ethan… what are you talking about?" she whispered.
He didn't look away.
"I was there the day you—"
A sudden sound cut him off.
A metal clang.
Loud and sharp—like a locker being kicked.
Isabella flinched violently.
Her breath hitched, and her eyes squeezed shut for a second.
Not again. Not this.
Ethan instantly stepped back, giving her space, hands raised slightly—not touching her, not crowding her—just letting her know he wasn't a threat.
"It's okay," he said calmly. "It's just someone down the hall."
But Isabella wasn't calm.
Not after hearing Ethan say he had seen her in her old city.
Not after the message from the unknown number.
Not after Liam's warning.
Something was happening around her—closing in on her—
And she had no idea who to trust.
"What were you going to say?" she asked, trying to steady her voice.
Ethan hesitated again.
"I was there," he repeated quietly.
"The day of your accident."
Her breath vanished.
No.
No, he couldn't know.
He couldn't have seen that.
No one here was supposed to know.
She stepped back without thinking.
Ethan's eyes widened slightly.
"I'm not here to scare you. I'm telling you because you deserve to know the truth. Someone else knows about that day. And they're trying to use it against you."
Isabella shook her head.
"Why? Who would—?"
Before she could finish, her phone buzzed again.
Another message.
Same unknown number.
With trembling hands, she opened it.
This time, it wasn't words.
It was a photo.
A blurry hallway picture…
Taken just minutes ago.
Of her.
Standing with Ethan.
Talking.
Right where they were now.
Isabella felt all warmth drain from her face.
Someone was watching them.
Right now.
Right here.
Ethan saw the photo over her shoulder, and the calm expression he always wore vanished completely.
"We need to leave," he said sharply.
"Why?" Isabella whispered.
"Because whoever sent that…"
He looked around the hallway, eyes scanning every corner.
"…they're close."
Isabella's pulse hammered in her ears.
The hallway suddenly felt too quiet.
Too empty.
Too dangerous.
Ethan took a slow step toward her—not rushing her, not grabbing her—just being close enough that she didn't feel alone.
"We'll go somewhere safe. Somewhere open. Come on."
But just as they turned to walk away—
A voice echoed from behind them:
"Isabella."
She froze instantly.
Because it wasn't Ethan's voice.
And it wasn't Liam's.
It was deeper.
Familiar.
And she hadn't heard it since the day everything in her life shattered.
Her knees weakened.
No…
It couldn't be.
But the footsteps approaching behind them said otherwise.
Ethan's eyes widened in alarm.
He whispered only one word:
"…Run."
---
🔻 End of Chapter Six
🔺 Chapter Seven Teaser:
Who is the person calling Isabella's name?
Why was Ethan at her old city?
And how far will the unknown watcher go?