Mae hadn't slept in days. Every time she closed her eyes, the man's face appeared in her mind, his voice echoing with that cold, calculated threat. Remember how it feels to be powerless. It wasn't just a warning anymore—it was a fact, one that had begun to worm its way into her every waking moment. Her world was collapsing around her, and there was no way to stop it.

She sat at the kitchen table, staring at the cold cup of coffee in front of her. It had gone untouched since she poured it nearly an hour ago. The hum of the refrigerator was the only sound in the apartment, but the silence felt oppressive, as though something sinister was lurking in the stillness. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched, even here, in the supposed safety of her own home.

The messages, the threats, the cryptic warnings—all of it was weighing on her, suffocating her. There was no escape, no matter how hard she tried to rationalize it. Every move she made, every thought she had, felt like it was being scrutinized by someone she couldn't see. And that was the worst part—not knowing who was behind it all.

Her phone buzzed, snapping her out of her daze. Mae's heart lurched in her chest as she reached for it, half expecting another chilling message from the unknown number. But when she saw the name on the screen, a wave of dread swept over her.

It was Charlie.

Mae hesitated, her thumb hovering over the screen. She couldn't deny the growing unease she felt whenever she spoke to him now. It wasn't just the fear of being watched—it was something deeper, something that gnawed at the pit of her stomach. But Charlie had always been a constant in her life, the one person she could rely on, and even now, she wasn't ready to let go of that comfort.

She answered the call, her voice barely steady. "Hey."

"Mae," Charlie's voice was soft, almost soothing. "Are you alright? I've been worried."

The concern in his voice felt genuine, but Mae couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. "I'm fine," she lied, trying to keep her voice from trembling. "Just... dealing with a lot."

There was a pause on the other end, long enough to make Mae's heart race. "I know," Charlie said finally. "I know things have been hard lately, and I want to help. I'm here for you, Mae, whatever you need."

She swallowed hard, her mind racing. Charlie had always been supportive, always there when she needed someone. But now, everything felt different. The walls were closing in, and even the people she thought she could trust felt like potential threats.

"I appreciate that," Mae managed, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just... I don't know what to do anymore. Everything feels so... heavy."

Charlie's voice softened even further. "You don't have to carry it all on your own, Mae. I'm here. Let me help you."

Mae wanted to believe him. She wanted to trust that Charlie could somehow make everything better, but the fear gnawing at her insides wouldn't let her. Trust no one. The words echoed in her mind, a mantra that had become all too familiar over the past few days.

"I... I just need some time to figure things out," Mae said, her voice shaking slightly. "I'm trying to be careful."

"Careful is good," Charlie replied, his tone shifting slightly. "But sometimes being careful isn't enough. You have to know when to act, when to step back. You can't always play it safe."

Mae's stomach twisted. There was something in his words, something she couldn't quite place. It felt like a warning, like he was trying to tell her something without saying it outright. But what?

"I'll be fine," she whispered, though the words felt hollow.

Charlie was quiet for a long moment before he spoke again, his voice low and deliberate. "Mae, if you ever feel like things are getting out of control, like you don't know where to turn... just call me. I can help."

The line went dead before she could respond, leaving Mae staring at her phone in stunned silence. There was an edge to his voice, something unsettling that made her skin crawl. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his offer than met the eye. But right now, she didn't have the energy to figure it out.

She set the phone down, her hands trembling slightly. The silence in the apartment felt heavier than ever, pressing down on her from all sides. She needed to get out, to clear her head, to escape the constant feeling of being trapped. But where could she go? Every place felt like a cage now, every street corner hiding invisible eyes that followed her every move.

Her thoughts drifted back to Frank. He had promised to keep digging, to find a way to help her. But even Frank seemed like a shadow of himself lately, his once confident demeanor eroded by the fear that had taken hold of both of them. And now, after their encounter with the man in the alley, Mae wasn't sure if she could rely on him anymore. If she was being watched, then Frank was too. Maybe he was in just as much danger as she was.

Mae stood up abruptly, pushing her chair back with a sharp scrape. The apartment felt like a prison, the walls closing in around her. She grabbed her jacket, her fingers shaking as she zipped it up. She needed air. She needed to breathe.

As she stepped outside into the cold night, the city felt quieter than usual. The streets were empty, the hum of traffic distant and muted. The air was crisp against her skin, but even the fresh air couldn't chase away the sense of dread that clung to her like a second skin.

She walked quickly, her eyes darting to every shadow, every alleyway, as if expecting someone to step out of the darkness at any moment. Her footsteps echoed in the quiet streets, the sound only amplifying the emptiness around her.

After what felt like hours, Mae found herself standing outside a small, dingy coffee shop. The neon sign flickered overhead, casting a faint glow on the sidewalk. It was the kind of place she wouldn't normally go, but tonight, she didn't care. She just needed somewhere to hide, somewhere to sit and think without feeling like the walls were closing in.

Inside, the shop was nearly empty, save for a few patrons hunched over their cups of coffee. Mae slid into a booth in the far corner, her back to the wall, her eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger. But no one seemed to notice her. No one seemed to care.

The waitress came by, her expression bored as she dropped a menu on the table. "What can I get you?"

"Just coffee," Mae said quietly, her voice barely audible.

The waitress nodded and walked away, leaving Mae alone with her thoughts. She leaned back in the booth, her eyes flicking to the window. The world outside felt distant, almost unreal. She could see people walking by, laughing, living their lives as if everything was normal. As if there wasn't a looming threat hiding in the shadows, waiting to strike.

Her phone buzzed again, and Mae's heart skipped a beat. She pulled it out, dreading what she might see. But it wasn't another threatening message—it was a text from Frank.

"I found something. We need to talk."

Mae stared at the screen, her mind racing. She wanted to believe that Frank had found a way out, that he had uncovered something that could finally give them the upper hand. But after everything that had happened, after the threats and warnings, Mae wasn't sure she could trust anything anymore. Was Frank still on her side? Or had he become just another pawn in the game?

Her thoughts spiraled as she tried to make sense of it all. There were too many questions, too many unknowns, and the fear was suffocating. Every instinct told her to run, to disappear before it was too late. But where would she go? And would running even matter?

The waitress returned, setting a steaming cup of coffee on the table in front of her. Mae barely acknowledged it, her mind still spinning with uncertainty. She needed answers, but more than that, she needed to survive. And right now, survival meant staying out of the spotlight, keeping her head down, and playing the game—whatever that game was.

As she sipped the coffee, her phone buzzed again, this time with another message from Frank.

"Meet me in the alley behind the club. Midnight."

The same alley where they had been threatened just days ago. Mae's stomach twisted, a knot of fear tightening in her chest. She didn't want to go back there, didn't want to put herself in danger again. But if Frank had found something, if he really had the key to getting them out of this mess, she had no choice.

She typed out a quick response.

"I'll be there."

As Mae sat alone in the booth, staring out the window at the cold, dark street, a sense of foreboding settled over her. She knew that whatever was coming next, it wouldn't be easy. The people behind Hell's Angels weren't going to let her walk away without a fight. And if she wasn't careful, she might not walk away at all.

The fear was constant now, a shadow over everything she did. But despite that fear, Mae knew she couldn't stop. She couldn't let them win. No matter how hopeless it felt, no matter how much danger she was in, she had to keep fighting

Mae stared out the window, the steam from her coffee curling into the air, dissipating before her eyes like the last remnants of hope. Her mind was a storm of questions, none of which had clear answers. She had agreed to meet Frank in the alley, the same place where everything had spiraled out of control, but a deep, gnawing fear took root in her chest. What if this was another trap? What if Frank had been compromised? Or worse—what if he was no longer the same Frank?

She rubbed her hands together, trying to steady her nerves. The city outside was alive with lights, cars rushing past, people walking, oblivious to the unseen threats lurking beneath the surface. To the rest of the world, it was just another Friday night. For Mae, it felt like a countdown to something she couldn't escape.

Her phone buzzed again—another message from Frank.

"Be careful."

The words, so simple, felt loaded. Did he know something she didn't? Was this a warning? Mae shoved her phone into her jacket pocket and took a deep breath. She had to get herself together. The fear was overwhelming, but she had no choice now. She couldn't back down, not when everything was on the line.

She paid for her coffee and slipped out of the booth, pulling her jacket tightly around her as she stepped back out into the cold night. The wind had picked up, biting at her skin as she walked down the street toward Hell's Angels. The knot of anxiety in her stomach grew with each step, her thoughts racing faster than her feet.

Maybe this is it, she thought. Maybe I've reached the point where I either break or fight back.

The club loomed ahead, its neon lights flickering like a pulse. The sight of it sent a shiver down her spine. She couldn't help but feel the weight of eyes on her, invisible but ever-present, watching her every move. The city was alive, but she felt utterly alone.

When she reached the alley behind Hell's Angels, her heart was pounding so loudly she thought it might echo through the empty streets. The alley looked darker than before, the shadows thicker, like they were waiting to swallow her whole. She took a step forward, her breath catching in her throat as she scanned the narrow passageway.

Frank was supposed to be here, but he wasn't. Not yet.

Mae's eyes darted around nervously. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, that she was walking into a trap. Every instinct screamed at her to turn around, to leave before it was too late, but her feet remained planted. She couldn't run—not now.

Minutes passed, but they felt like hours. The tension in the air was suffocating, pressing down on her with the weight of a thousand unanswered questions. Just as she was about to give up and leave, she heard footsteps approaching from the far end of the alley.

Her pulse quickened, but she held her ground.

"Frank?" she called out softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

A figure emerged from the shadows, but it wasn't Frank.

Mae's heart stopped. The man from the other night—the one who had threatened her—stepped into the dim light, his face cold and expressionless. He took slow, deliberate steps toward her, each one sending a fresh wave of fear crashing over her.

"You don't listen very well, do you, Mae?" the man said, his voice dripping with menace.

Mae's mouth went dry. She tried to speak, but the words caught in her throat. She took a step back, her body tense with fear.

"You were told to stay in line," the man continued, his tone growing darker. "To stop asking questions. But here you are, still poking around, still thinking you can outsmart us."

"I—" Mae began, but the man cut her off, taking another step closer.

"This isn't a game, Mae," he snarled. "You're not in control here. We are. And if you don't start falling in line, we'll make sure you understand exactly what that means."

The threat was unmistakable now, hanging in the air like a guillotine ready to fall. Mae's mind raced, trying to find a way out, but there was none. She was trapped—just like before.

"Where's Frank?" Mae asked, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to sound strong.

The man's eyes flickered with something dark—amusement, perhaps, or something far more dangerous. "Frank's not coming," he said simply. "He thought he could help you, thought he could save you from us. But he's learning the hard way that no one escapes us."

Mae's blood ran cold. "What did you do to him?"

The man smiled, but it was a smile devoid of warmth or humanity. "You should be more worried about yourself."

Mae's body went rigid. She could feel the walls closing in around her, the reality of her situation sinking in deeper than ever. This wasn't just a warning anymore. This was an ultimatum. They had Frank, or worse, and now they were coming for her.

Her heart pounded as she took another step back, trying to put as much distance between herself and the man as possible. But he kept advancing, slow and methodical, like a predator toying with its prey.

"You can't run, Mae," the man said, his voice low and menacing. "You're in too deep. The only way out is to do exactly as you're told."

"I don't belong to you," Mae shot back, her voice stronger now, though fear still gripped her.

The man's smile widened, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You already do."

Mae's breath caught in her throat. The weight of those words settled over her like a death sentence. She could feel the fight leaving her, her strength draining as the reality of her situation pressed down on her. She had tried to stay strong, tried to fight back, but now, standing in that dark alley with a man who held all the power, she felt powerless.

Just as she thought she had reached her breaking point, another figure appeared at the mouth of the alley. Mae's heart leapt, her mind spinning with a mix of hope and dread.

It was Charlie.

He moved quickly, his eyes scanning the scene with a sharpness Mae had never seen before. The man stopped in his tracks, his expression hardening as he realized he was no longer alone.

"Charlie," Mae whispered, relief flooding her voice.

But something in Charlie's posture made her pause. He wasn't the calm, reassuring figure she had known before. There was a tension in his stance, a darkness in his eyes that sent a shiver down her spine.

"Leave her alone," Charlie said, his voice cold and commanding.

The man hesitated, glancing between Mae and Charlie, as if weighing his options. For a moment, the air was thick with unspoken threats, and Mae could feel the tension mounting.

But then, without another word, the man stepped back, his gaze lingering on Mae for a beat longer before he disappeared into the shadows.

Mae stood frozen, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she tried to process what had just happened. Charlie approached her slowly, his face a mask of concern, but something in his eyes still didn't sit right with her.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice softening as he reached out to touch her arm.

Mae flinched at his touch, but nodded. "I think so... What just happened?"

Charlie's expression darkened, but he didn't answer right away. Instead, he looked toward the alley where the man had disappeared, his jaw clenched.

"You need to be more careful," he said finally, his voice tight with something Mae couldn't quite identify. "There are people out there who want to hurt you. You can't trust anyone."

Mae's mind raced, her thoughts tangled in confusion. She wanted to believe Charlie, wanted to trust him, but the fear that had taken root in her chest wouldn't let her.

She was in too deep, and now, more than ever, she wasn't sure who was really on her side.