"The Obsession" Chapter 2: The First Night

Emily’s POV

The next morning, I woke up to the soft light of dawn filtering through my curtains. I stretched lazily, savoring the unfamiliar silence of the city. Back home, I would have been greeted by the chirping of birds and the distant hum of my mom’s morning radio. Here, the only sound was the occasional honk of a car in the distance.

I swung my legs out of bed and padded over to the kitchen, my mind still lingering on my strange encounter with Liam. There was something about him that I couldn’t shake—an unsettling mixture of charm and danger that had me both intrigued and on edge.

As I sipped my coffee, I noticed a small box sitting on the counter, one I hadn’t unpacked yet. It was labeled “Bedroom: Misc.” and I realized I hadn’t even finished setting up my bedroom the night before. The move had taken more out of me than I’d thought.

I carried the box to my room, setting it down next to my half-assembled bed. The room was still a mess—clothes piled on the floor, furniture scattered haphazardly. I sighed, knowing I had a long day ahead of me.

But just as I was about to start unpacking, there was another knock on the door.

Emily

(thinking to herself) Who could that be so early?

I quickly ran a hand through my messy hair and smoothed out my pajama top before heading to the door. When I opened it, I was surprised to see Liam standing there again, this time holding a tray of coffee and a paper bag.

Liam

(grinning) Morning, Emily. Thought you might need a little pick-me-up. Moving can be exhausting.

Liam

Emily

(smiling, but slightly taken aback) Wow, thank you! You didn’t have to do that.

Liam

(with a shrug) I was up early anyway. Figured I’d be neighborly.

He handed me the tray and the bag, which smelled deliciously of fresh pastries. My stomach growled in response, and I realized I hadn’t eaten since the night before.

Emily

(gratefully) This is really sweet of you, Liam. Thank you.

Liam

(his eyes lingering on her for a moment) Anytime. So, how’s the first night in the new place?

Emily

(awkwardly) It was good! Still getting used to everything, but I like it so far.

Liam

(with a knowing look) The city takes some adjusting. But you’ll fit right in.

There was that tone again, the one that made my skin prickle. It was like he knew something I didn’t, something about this city, or maybe even about me.

Emily

(trying to steer the conversation) What about you? Have you lived here long?

Liam

(with a casual nod) A couple of years. It’s a good place—once you get to know it.

There was a pause, and I could feel him studying me, those piercing blue eyes seeming to see right through me. I shifted uncomfortably, unsure of what to say next.

Liam

(breaking the silence) Anyway, I’ll let you get back to settling in. Just thought I’d drop these by.

Emily

(smiling) Thanks again, Liam. This was really thoughtful.

Liam

(with a smirk) Like I said, anytime.

As he turned to leave, I couldn’t help but notice the way he moved—confident, almost predatory. There was a quiet strength to him, something that made me feel both safe and uneasy at the same time.

I watched him disappear down the hallway before closing the door, my mind racing. What was it about this guy that had me so on edge? He was just being nice, after all. Maybe I was reading too much into things. Or maybe it was just the strangeness of being in a new place, surrounded by new people.

But as I sat down with the coffee and pastries, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to Liam than met the eye. And that maybe, just maybe, moving here wasn’t going to be as simple as I’d hoped.

That night, as I lay in bed, the events of the day played over in my mind. I couldn’t help but wonder about Liam—who he really was, and why he seemed so interested in me. The city was full of people, yet he’d chosen to zero in on me, the new girl.

And then, just as I was drifting off to sleep, I heard it again: that soft, haunting melody from the apartment next door. It was the same song I’d heard the night before, only this time, it felt more intense, more deliberate. The music seemed to seep through the walls, wrapping around me like a shroud.

I pulled the covers up to my chin, my heart pounding. I didn’t want to admit it, but I was scared. Not just of the music, but of what it represented.

Because deep down, I knew that Liam wasn’t just another friendly neighbor. He was something else entirely—something dark, dangerous, and far too close for comfort.

And for the first time since moving here, I began to wonder if coming to Ridgewood had been a mistake.