Agatha
It was three o'clock, and I was still waiting for Mono. I'd called her, but she didn't answer. Hop didn't pick up either. My worry was starting to grow. The birthday cake I had made for Mono sat untouched on the table in the living room. I even considered calling the police.
Then, I heard a sound outside.
I slightly parted the curtain on the side of the living room facing the street. There she was, standing there. I felt a flicker of relief seeing Mono on the porch. I continued to watch her. I had planned to open the door and let her inside, but then I saw Kohl standing there—and my concern spiked. Why was he here? Was the time right?
While my mind raced with questions, I saw Mono approaching him. She was shouting, saying something. I thought to myself, I've done my part, I don't need to intervene, and turned away from the window to wait in the living room.
Mono
I flung the door open. The lights were off. Agatha must have been asleep, I thought. I hurried to find the first aid kit in the house. Just as I found it and was about to head to the living room, the room's light flicked on.
Agatha was sitting on the couch, looking straight at me.
"What time is it, Mono?" she asked, her irritation clear.
"I didn't even notice... Time flew. I'm sorry, Agatha," I said.
She stared at me for a moment, then her gaze shifted to my hand.
"How did this happen? Why is there blood on your hand, Mono?"
I looked at her. Should I explain? Would she judge me? Think I was crazy? Maybe...
"You can tell me, Mono. It's okay," she said softly.
I'd already had a hard childhood. If I told her this too... I could hurt her even more.
"It's nothing, Agatha. I tripped and hurt my hand," I said.
Then my eyes fell on the cake on the table.
"You... really made this for me? Why did you go through all this trouble?" I asked.
She stood and came over. She told me to sit, and I obeyed, sinking onto the couch. She went to the table and lit the candles on the cake.
"Everything is going to change now, Mono. Are you ready?" she said.
I narrowed my eyes at her. Why would she say something like that?
"What's going to change?" I managed to ask.
"First, blow out your cake, Mono. Then we'll talk. This time, I'll tell you everything," she said.
I wondered what she could possibly mean. I blew out the candles quickly. Agatha sat on the couch across from me, watching.
"I'm going to ask you something, and you have to tell me the truth, Mono. It's for your own good."
I stared at her, confused.
"Agatha... what's wrong? What are you going to tell me?" I asked.
"I want you to be honest, Mono. Answer every question I ask," she said firmly.
"Okay... ask," I said.
Agatha clasped her hands, looking down for a moment before lifting her head.
"This might sound strange... but Mono, have you ever felt like you were being watched?"
I stared at her. How did she know? Why ask?
"I... I don't know how to explain it," I said, a fear I couldn't describe rising in me.
"Answer me. Did you ever feel followed?"
I swallowed. My chest tightened.
"Yes..." I admitted.
When I looked at her, her eyes were glistening. She seemed to be in pain.
"Agatha, what's going on? How do you know? I never told you. I know there's something wrong with me... I'm not normal. Maybe I should see a psychologist," I said.
"No. There's nothing wrong with you," she said softly.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"The second question... Mono, what happened in the bathroom this morning?"
My eyes widened. Did she know? Was she watching me?
"How do you know? Were you watching me, Agatha?" I asked.
She shook her hands, signaling 'no.'
"Answer me. What happened in the bathroom?"
I felt a strange pressure weighing on me.
"I went to take a shower. I felt like someone was behind me. I opened the cabin—no one was there. I thought I was imagining it. Then I felt a burning on my back..."
She interrupted me.
"What did you see? Was there a mark on your back?"
My breath hitched, and I stood.
"Agatha, what's happening? Answer me!" I shouted.
She came over and made me sit. Her hands rested on mine.
"Answer me, Mono. Did you see it?" A tear slid from her eye.
"I thought I saw... but when I looked again, it was just redness," I said.
Agatha lowered her head.
"This is the last question, Mono. The most important one... Did any animal or person catch your attention? Someone who wouldn't take their eyes off you?"
"I'm scared, Agatha..." I admitted.
"Answer me, my dear. This is the most important question."
"Yesterday, while carving pumpkins, a man was standing across from the house. Just standing there, staring. Then I saw him earlier at the front door. He didn't speak... he just extended his hand. I don't remember what happened next," I said.
"I'm not asking about him. Is there something else?" she asked. I met her gaze.
"You saw the man outside too? And you didn't help me... just watched?" I asked, pulling my hands back.
"Mono, think carefully. Kohl isn't our problem right now," she said.
"Who's Kohl?!" I yelled.
"I'll tell you everything, my dear, but you have to answer," she said.
I thought about the forest earlier.
"It happened on the way here... I felt followed again. Then a crow was watching me from a tree. It didn't take its eyes off me until I left," I said.
Agatha exhaled deeply.
"Damn... Crowloks," she whispered.
"What? Crowloks? I've answered every question, Agatha. Now answer me!" I said.
Suddenly, Agatha stood.
"We have to go. Now. Go to your room and pack your things. Don't take much, just what's important. I'll contact Kohl. Hurry!"
"Don't be ridiculous, Agatha. What's going on?" I said.
"Not now, my dear. If we don't leave, they'll find us... and hunt us," she said, emphasizing the last word.
My legs tangled. She pushed me toward the stairs.
"You have ten minutes, move!"
I ran to my room, grabbed a small bag, threw in a few things, and rushed downstairs. Agatha had the door open, waiting.
"We have to go," she said.
Outside, a black car was waiting. I got in; she sat in the back. I wondered who was driving. The door opened again, and I got back in. Just as I settled in, I looked to the left... my breath caught. The man I had seen earlier was sitting beside me.
The car took off suddenly. We were moving so fast I thought we'd die.
The man didn't turn to face me. Agatha spoke:
"Mono, don't be afraid. He won't hurt you. This is Kohl."
I turned my head. He was just staring at the road.
"That's the man who was following me!" I said.
Agatha chuckled lightly.
"You misunderstood, Mono. He wasn't following you. He was protecting you."
"Protecting me from what?" I asked.
"Long story. I'll explain when we get there. But you mustn't be afraid of him."
I stared ahead at the long road. My eyelids grew heavy.
When I opened my eyes, I was lying in a bed. Agatha was on the other side of the room, busy with something. I slowly sat up.
"What happened, Agatha?" I asked.
"Nothing, my dear," she said.
I looked around. It was a small, old cabin. Just one room.
There was a knock at the door. Agatha said, "Come in."
The door opened. Kohl, whose name I learned that night, entered. He looked at me for a long moment, then approached. I stepped back. Agatha nodded that it was fine. He didn't sit beside me; instead, he pulled up a chair and sat across from me.
He extended his hand. Again... like before.
I didn't know what to do.
"I don't know what this means," I said.
He looked at me.
"You will, my lady," he said.
I swallowed hard...