Chapter 44

Daphne

I walked down the quiet alley, glancing around as I checked the address written on the small piece of paper in my hand.

The air felt oddly heavy, as if the street itself were holding its breath.

Block 32.

I let out a quiet sigh of relief and headed toward it. Once I reached the door, I knocked and waited patiently.

That was when I felt it. The tiny hairs on the back of my neck rose, and my heart skipped.

Slowly, I looked over my shoulder.

People passing by were staring at me. One woman grabbed her child’s hand and pulled him closer as she passed me.

Not casually, intently. Some leaned toward their companions, whispering things I couldn’t hear.

My brows furrowed. I looked down at myself, scanning my clothes. There was nothing wrong with what I was wearing. No stains. No tears. Nothing strange.

Yet the stares didn’t stop.

The more people passed, the more they looked. The more they whispered.

Just as