There was no answer, just silence that made my skin crawl.


    But I couldn’t back down now. I gathered my courage and raised my voice, demanding, “Who is it?”


    “It’s me.” came the reply.


    Then I heard footsteps, followed by an exnation: “Your blind date from this evening at the café.”


    Him? I didn’t expect it. One meeting was all it took for him to follow me here? The realization sent a chill through me. This felt even worse than I had imagined.


    The hallway was pitch ck, and though a sliver of moonlight filtered through the window, it only illuminated the space a few steps ahead. I couldn’t see him yet.


    I gripped my keys tighter, ready to defend myself, and asked, “What do you want following me?”


    “Don’t misunderstand. I’m not trying anything,” he said, his tone oddly calm. “I just wanted to make sure you’re safe. You’re a young woman, and it’ste. Walking alone is dangerous.”


    That exnation made meugh, though not in a good way.


    He thought he was keeping me safe?


    I was terrified of him following me, and now I was supposed to feel safe? We’d barely exchanged words, and now he was telling me he wanted to protect me? I wasn’t a fool.


    But considering he had already followed me this far, angering him wouldn’t do me any good. I held back my irritation and said, “Thanks, but I’ve arrived home. You can go now.”


    Before I could even finish speaking, he appeared from around the corner of the stairs, saying, “I’m a bit thirsty. Can you spare me some water?”


    The excuse was so flimsy it was obvious he had other intentions. My grip on the keys tightened even more. I rejected him outright. “It’s toote. It’s inconvenient.”


    But he continued climbing the stairs, stepping closer. “You’re about to date me, so what’s so inconvenient?”


    Fear coursed through me as he drew nearer. My heart was pounding now, and I warned, “Don’te any closer.”


    He smiled in the dark, his expression turning sinister. “It’s just some water. Why is it such a big deal?”


    My hand trembled, but I was determined to defend myself. I raised my keys, ready to strike if necessary.


    Then, just as he reached thest step, I lunged at him with the keys, but before I could make contact, a cold breeze swept past my face. There was a loud crash, and the man was suddenly thrown backward, mming into the wall. He bounced off and crashed face-first into the stairs.


    I blinked in disbelief. The man crumpled into a heap, clearly dazed.


    As I turned around, a familiar voice called out, “Went on a blind date?”


    It was Josh.


    Before I could respond, he addressed the man on the ground coldly. “Get up and get out. If you don’t, I’ll report you


    for


    harassment and trespassing.


    The man stirred, barely moving at first. He seemed too beaten up to get up, but after a few seconds, he struggled to rise, his face bloodied from the fall. He nced at me for a moment.


    Without missing a beat, Josh raised his hand to cover my face and snapped, “You want to lose your eyes?”


    The man, terrified, scrambled to his feet and bolted down the stairs without another word. I was left standing there with Josh, who hadn’t moved. His hand remained over my face, and I found myself leaning against him, my thoughts scattered, speechless.


    The silence between us felt suffocating. I wanted to speak, but the words just wouldn’te. Finally, Josh spoke up. “A blind date, huh?” His tone was sharp, yet somehow, it stung.


    I’d never imagined a blind date could end in danger.


    田


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