Chapter 97. Edges of Paranoia

“I should not be here.” Myla thought to herself as she walked down the dark alley.

She tried to stop herself and turn back the way she had come, but it seemed like her will was as weak as her legs because they kept moving, carrying her deeper into the dark.

The tall brick walls on either side of her felt like they were pressing too close, swallowing the pale strip of sky above. The farther she went, the darker it became, the shadows thickening until they felt heavy enough to touch.

Then she heard footsteps behind her, causing her panic to spike through the roof as fear raised goosebumps all over her skin.

They were slow at first. Sounding deliberate and measured, like someone was walking without hurry because they knew they did not need to rush.

Myla’s breath caught, and she turned her head slightly,