The Stalker Next Door: 16. Run Till You Break

The city never slept, but Mara felt like it was holding its breath for her.

She sprinted until her lungs burned, until her bare feet felt shredded against the pavement. The night air knifed into her chest, searing with every gulp. She didn’t know how long she ran, only that her body moved on sheer terror, muscle memory fueled by survival.

She ducked into an alley, pressing against a graffiti-stained wall, gasping for air. Her heart slammed so hard she thought it might burst out of her ribcage.

Don’t stop. Don’t look back.

But she did.

Her apartment building loomed in the distance, several stories up. One of the windows glowed faintly — hers. Wide open. Curtains fluttering like taunting fingers. She thought she saw movement, a figure leaning out, but it was impossible to tell which one.

Her stomach dropped. She shoved herself deeper into the alley, trembling.

She was free. She should’ve felt relief. Instead, panic ate her alive.

She staggered