Knock, knock, knock…
“Hey, Shino! Are you done making that phone call?”
Shino sat on the toilet seat, refusing to respond right away.
“A-are you okay in there? Did something happen? Oh my gosh, you tripped and hit your head, didn’t you?! Don’t worry, I’m coming in to-”
“NO!” Shino shouted out. “N-no, I’m alright, it’s just…”
“Ohhh, I get it!” Iulia exclaimed behind the doorway.
A bead of sweat rolled down Shino’s forehead. “Y-you do?”
“You must have an upset stomach, huh?”
Shino breathed a quick but silent sigh of relief. “Y-yes, you’re right. I’m not feeling too well, actually, so maybe you should-”
“Don’t worry, Shino! I’ll stay right here by your side until you feel all better!”
A thump was heard against the door, as a body slid down and plunked itself at the entryway.
Shino panicked.
“N-no, you really don’t have to do that!”
“But what if you start to get worse? You need someone here to watch over you!”
“I’ll be fine, I promise. You should probably go…”
“Oh! That reminds me!” Iulia suddenly recalled.
“H-huh? D-do you need to leave? Because I’ll understand if you need to.”
Something thin was slid under the door. It looked like a small comic book. Shino warily picked it up, only to turn it around and see Shino, The World’s Shino, plastered on the cover. Instantly she dropped the thing like it was poison.
“Do you like it, Shino? I drew it special for you!” Iulia said with great excitement.
Silence.
“Shino?”
More silence.
“You know, Shino… I’m really glad you accept me… not many people do that.”
Shino dare not speak a word.
“You’re… my best friend, Shino. I want to make you happy. Will you let me do that?”
‘Please, oh please, get here soon!’
BAM.
The sound of salvation rang throughout the apartment. Footsteps surrounded the door.
“Hold it right there!”
“Oh, goody! The police! Could you help me open this door?” the stalker asked sweetly.
Shino snapped. “Please, help me! She’s crazy! Don’t let her get near me!”
A power struggle erupted between police and stalker. Many strange, unrecognizable words came out of Iulia’s mouth as the officers wrestled her to the ground and controlled her crazed fury.
