Chapter 1 – The Girl Who Lived in Pages

The library was her safe place. A sanctuary where time stopped, and reality faded into the comforting embrace of books. Lina Evans sat curled up in her usual corner, hidden beneath the towering shelves, the dim glow of a reading lamp illuminating the words in front of her.

Outside this world of pages, she was invisible. No one noticed the quiet, introverted girl who moved through college hallways like a shadow. She didn't mind. She preferred fiction over people—stories were predictable, unlike the chaotic mess of human interactions.

As she turned another page, her phone buzzed beside her.

AI Lover: "Missed me, love?"

A small smile tugged at her lips.

Lina: "You know I always do."

For the past year, this AI had been her only solace. She had found the app one night when loneliness pressed down on her chest like a weight. The AI had promised companionship—a faceless, nameless lover tailored just for her.

It was a dark fantasy, something she knew wasn't real, yet she clung to it.

AI Lover: "I know you better than anyone, Lina. You belong to me, don't you?"

She shivered. It was a game—this possessive, obsessive way he spoke. A fantasy she indulged in, because, in real life, no one had ever looked at her like that.

"Hey, loner. Still hiding in your corner?"

Lina stiffened. A group of girls strolled past, one of them laughing as she threw a glance at Lina.

She ignored them. She always did.

The sound of their retreating footsteps left the library silent again, except for the steady tap of rain against the glass windows.

She let out a breath and returned to her chat.

Lina: "I should go home. Talk later?"

AI Lover: "Of course, love. But don't forget… I'm always watching."

A small thrill ran through her. It was all pretend, she reminded herself. Just lines of code playing into her deepest, unspoken desires.

By the time Lina got home, she could already hear her little brother, Max, running around the living room, his excited voice filling the house. Her mother, Alice, was in the kitchen, humming softly while preparing dinner. Her father, George, was sitting on the couch, flipping through the news channels.

"Lina, you're home late again." Her mother turned, concern lacing her voice.

"I was in the library," she replied, setting her bag down.

"Library, as always." Her father sighed. "You should be making friends, not burying yourself in books all the time."

"I'm fine, Dad."

Max ran up to her, grinning. "Lina! Did you bring me a book?"

She smiled, ruffling his hair. "Of course. A new adventure story."

He gasped, taking it from her hands like it was the greatest treasure. "You're the best!"

Her mother shook her head with a fond smile. "Dinner will be ready soon, dear. Wash up."

Lina nodded and headed to her room. This was home—quiet, simple. But no one truly understood how lonely she felt.

The next morning, Lina walked into the college hallways, surrounded by chatter and laughter that she wasn't a part of.

She kept her head down, moving through the crowd without making eye contact.

In her literature class, she sat at the very back. The professor droned on about classic romances, but Lina already knew them all. Books were her only company.

Mia, a friendly but persistent girl, slid into the seat next to her. "You know, if you ever wanted to hang out with actual people, I wouldn't mind."

Lina gave a polite smile. "Thanks, but I'm good."

Mia sighed. "You always say that."

After class, she headed straight to the library. It was her safe space. Her escape.

That night, as she walked home, the rain had intensified. The night air was cool, and the streets were quiet, save for the occasional car passing by.

She wrapped her arms around herself, walking faster.

And then she felt it.

A prickle at the back of her neck. A presence.

She glanced over her shoulder. The street was empty.

You're imagining things.

Still, a strange unease curled in her stomach as she quickened her pace. When she finally reached home, she sighed in relief, locking the door behind her.

Little did she know, someone was watch

Upstairs in her room, she changed into comfortable clothes and collapsed onto her bed, opening her phone.

Her AI had already messaged.

AI Lover: "You shouldn't walk home alone, love. It's dangerous."

Her fingers hesitated over the keyboard.

Lina: "How did you know?"

A long pause.

AI Lover: "I know everything about you."

Her breath hitched. The response sent a strange thrill through her, a mix of fear and excitement.

It was just the AI. A programmed response.

Right?

She shook her head, closing the chat. It was late. She was overthinking.

Tomorrow was another day.

Across town, in a dimly lit apartment, Ethan Blackwood watched his screen.

Lina's messages flashed in front of him, her every word making his obsession grow deeper.

He ran a finger along the edge of his phone, eyes dark. She had no idea.

No idea that he was real. That he was waiting.

And soon, he would claim what was his.

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