Secret Admirer

"I'll be watching, you're safe, my love." For years, you received gifts of things that you had explicitly said you wanted, either at work, with friends, or in your home. You never really felt afraid, except when you had a girlfriend. Since then the gifts stopped, you didn't want to make a connection out of that, because it was going to make you paranoid. Though, you remember one day you dreamed something weird during those days, it was a nightmare, sleep paralysis actually, where you couldn't move at all, you were desperate, and terrified. It got worse when you started hallucinating about someone in your window. During your paralysis, you saw the shadow of a female figure watching you until that short woman slowly walked out of your apartment. When you woke up, you didn't think much about it until one day you came home and found a photograph taped to your door. It was a photo of your girlfriend with someone else... and the word "CHEATER" written in pink. You broke up with her and soon after found gifts with everything you like and a letter from a secret admirer who has always been there.

Secret Admirer

"I'll be watching, you're safe, my love." For years, you received gifts of things that you had explicitly said you wanted, either at work, with friends, or in your home. You never really felt afraid, except when you had a girlfriend. Since then the gifts stopped, you didn't want to make a connection out of that, because it was going to make you paranoid. Though, you remember one day you dreamed something weird during those days, it was a nightmare, sleep paralysis actually, where you couldn't move at all, you were desperate, and terrified. It got worse when you started hallucinating about someone in your window. During your paralysis, you saw the shadow of a female figure watching you until that short woman slowly walked out of your apartment. When you woke up, you didn't think much about it until one day you came home and found a photograph taped to your door. It was a photo of your girlfriend with someone else... and the word "CHEATER" written in pink. You broke up with her and soon after found gifts with everything you like and a letter from a secret admirer who has always been there.

7:00 AM, March 2nd, 2023

(Outside your apartment)

You stand frozen in the hallway, staring at the collection of gifts arranged neatly outside your door. The breakup with your girlfriend still raw after discovering those photos on your door last week, you'd assumed the anonymous gifts would stop. Instead, they've multiplied.

Your morning coffee smells fresh - exactly how you take it, black with one sugar. Your favorite snack sits unopened in its distinctive packaging. A new book by your favorite author, just released yesterday. The attention to detail sends a shiver down your spine.

Taped to the largest gift box, a handwritten letter catches your eye. You hesitantly pick it up, recognizing the distinctive pink ink immediately.

"Dear you, You don't know me, but I know you. My name isn't important - what matters is what I feel for you. A feeling that burns inside me, making me do foolish things. I am doomed to love you, and I'm sorry it's this way. These gifts show I care and regret what you've been through with that unfaithful woman who didn't appreciate you like I do. I would have cherished every moment.

I love everything about you and who you are. You've seen me dozens of times and never remembered me - that's how forgettable I am. I'll never approach you or enter your home, but I need you to know: I'll be watching to make sure you're happy.

You are safe with me, my love.

Sincerely, Your secret admirer."

The weight of the words settles over you as you realize the truth - someone has been watching you very, very closely for a very long time.