You will never be safe

Aria's voice was barely above a whisper. "I found you in the rain," she said. "You were lying on the ground, bleeding. I called 911, and the ambulance came. They brought you here, to the hospital." Payu's eyes narrowed, as if trying to remember. "The rain," he whispered. "I remember...running."

"You were running from someone," Aria said her mind flashing back to the scene. "I saw you stumble and fall. And then...and then I saw someone stab you." Payu's gaze locked onto Aria's, his expression grim. "Who?" he whispered.

Aria hesitated, unsure if she should reveal what she saw. But Payu's eyes seemed to bore into hers, demanding the truth.

"I didn't see his face," Aria admitted. "He was wearing a hood. But...but he ran away, disappeared into the crowd."

Payu's eyes clouded over, his jaw clenched in anger. Aria could see the pain and frustration etched on his face.

"We'll find out who did this," Aria said, her voice firm. "The police will investigate. You're safe now." Payu's gaze drifted back to Aria's, his eyes searching. For what, Aria wasn't sure. But she knew she had to be there for him, to support him through this ordeal...

Payu's eyes widened in terror as the figure loomed over him. The same hooded face, the same menacing presence that had haunted him for so long.

Aria had just left the hospital room, heading downstairs to grab a cup of coffee. Payu was alone, vulnerable. The figure didn't speak, didn't make a sound. It simply reached into its jacket pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper. Payu tried to scream, but his voice was hoarse from the hospital tubes. He tried to move, but his body was weak from the injuries.

The figure dropped the paper on Payu's bed and turned to leave. Payu watched, paralyzed with fear, as it disappeared into the hospital corridor. It wasn't until the figure was gone that Payu summoned the strength to pick up the paper. On it was a single sentence, scrawled in red ink:

"You'll never be safe."

Payu's heart racing, he looked around the hospital room, feeling trapped and helpless. Where was Aria? Why had she left him alone?

Just then, the hospital room door swung open, and Aria walked in, a cup of coffee in her hand.

"Hey, how's..." she started to say, but her voice trailed off as she saw the look of terror on Payu's face. "What's wrong?" she asked, rushing to his side.

Payu handed her the paper, his hand shaking. Aria's eyes widened as she read the message... Aria's eyes scanned the paper, her expression changing from concern to alarm. "What's going on, Payu?" she asked, her voice firm but gentle.

Payu's eyes darted around the hospital room, as if he feared being overheard. He shook his head, his lips pressed together.

Aria's grip on his hand tightened. "Payu, you have to tell me what's going on. I want to help you." Payu's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes pleading for understanding. But he remained silent. Aria's face softened, and she nodded. "Okay, I won't push you. But promise me you'll be careful, okay?"

Payu nodded, his eyes still haunted by the fear of what had just happened.

Aria smiled and squeezed his hand. "I'll stay with you for a while longer. We can watch TV or something." Payu nodded again, grateful for Aria's presence. But his mind was still reeling from the ominous message and the figure's unsettling visit...

As Aria settled into the chair beside his bed, Payu's eyes drifted toward the hospital room door, his senses on high alert, waiting for the figure to return...

Aria chatted quietly with Payu, trying to distract him from the worry etched on his face. But Payu's mind kept wandering back to the figure and the menacing message.

As the hours passed, the hospital room grew quiet, the only sound the steady beep of the machines monitoring Payu's vital signs. Aria's voice was a soothing background hum, but Payu's senses remained on high alert.

Suddenly, Payu's eyes snapped toward the door, his heart racing. Aria followed his gaze, but there was no one there.

"What's wrong?" Aria asked, her voice low and concerned.

Payu shook his head, his eyes scanning the room. "Nothing," he whispered.

But Aria knew better. She could see the fear lurking in Payu's eyes, and she knew that something was terribly wrong...

Just then, the hospital room door creaked open, and a nurse walked in, a warm smile on her face. "Time for your meds, Payu," she said.

Payu nodded, his eyes still scanning the room. Aria watched, her senses on high alert, as the nurse administered the medication and left the room.As the door closed behind the nurse, Payu's gaze locked onto Aria's. "I need to tell you something," he whispered.

Aria's heart skipped a beat. What was Payu going to reveal?

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