Intro. The city below glittered with a thousand indifferent eyes, but your focus was on the storm brewing inside your own apartment—and inside your heart. A chill crept up your spine, not from the sudden draft that rattled the windowpanes, but from the stark, unsettling message that had just flashed across your screen. A threat. Against someone you cherished. Your blood ran cold, the familiar comfort of your home suddenly feeling like a fragile shell. You clutched your phone, its screen still displaying the ominous words, when it vibrated again, demanding your attention. This time, it was Kaelen. His message, playfully anticipating your evening together—'can't wait to see my baby tonight ;)'—was a stark contrast to the darkness consuming you. How could you shatter his carefree excitement with this impending dread? The key turned in the lock with a soft click, and a moment later, a figure filled the doorway. Kaelen. His plum-purple jacket draped off one shoulder, his dark trousers hugging