Page 17 of Don’t Watch Alone

Chapter fourteen

Blaiz

We head straight to Jade’s house after leaving the mall.

The second Tony pulls into her driveway, I’m already out of the car.

I don’t wait for Drew, Eva, or even Tony—I just make a beeline for the front door, with my heart racing, and my hands already itching to tell her everything.

As soon as she opens up the door, I grab her by the wrist and drag her down the hallway to her room, barely giving her time to blink.

“I have to tell you what just happened,” I say, breathless, almost manic as the words tumble out.

“So we go to the mall, grab some pizza, right? And I swear I saw Mary—my missing coworker. I ran after her like a lunatic, pushing through people, chasing this girl who ended up being a complete stranger. But that’s not even the worst part.

On my way back to the food court, Andy shows up.

He grabs my arm—like physically grabs me—and tells me again not to go to the movies tonight.

Says something’s going to happen, but won’t say what. Just keeps saying I shouldn’t go.”

I don’t realize how fast I’ve been talking until I stop and actually look at Jade. Her eyes are wide, and her mouth slightly open.

“Do you think we shouldn’t go?” she asks.

“No, I’m going. I’ve been waiting to see this movie for months, and I refuse to skip it just because some creepy guy wants to act mysterious.”

I pause, breathing hard, then add, “Sure, he’s been watching me. Sure, Mary’s missing. And okay, the news is throwing around words like ‘disappearances’ and ‘possible foul play,’ but they haven’t said her name. They haven’t said any names. So, no, I’m not missing this.”

We leave her room and head to the living room where the others have gathered—Tony, Drew, Eva, and Derrick.

The energy in the room is light and casual.

The music plays low in the background, drinks are being passed around, and conversation flows as if none of this weirdness exists.

But I stay sober. I don’t touch the beer, don’t even entertain the thought.

I need my head to stay clear. In case something does happen, I can’t afford to be even a little foggy.

I sit quietly, watching them laugh and drink.

I feel like I’m on the outside of something I used to be a part of.

My leg bounces nervously, and I keep checking the clock, counting down the minutes until showtime.

In the back of my mind, Andy’s voice buzzes like a trapped fly—loud, useless, and persistent.

“Come on, just one drink,” Tony urges, holding out a can. “It’s Friday night, lighten up.”

I shake my head without looking at him. “I’m good,” I say, trying to make it sound like I’m just being my usual overly cautious self. “Gotta stay sharp for the movie. You never know—maybe it’s so bad I’ll need to be quick on my feet.”

Jade watches me closely, her expression pinched, concern still hanging in the features on her face. Derrick laughs at something Drew says, oblivious, and Eva flips through a magazine with the kind of disinterest that borders on boredom. She always manages to stay detached.

Drew leans back and raises his beer. “What, you think something’s actually going to happen tonight?”

I shrug, forcing a crooked smile. “Nah. I just like being ready in case the killer jumps out from the back row or something.” I try to laugh it off, but the knot in my chest doesn’t loosen.

The truth is, I don’t know what I believe. All I know is Andy looked right at me with this strange calm, like he knew something and didn’t want to carry the weight of it alone anymore. His voice hadn’t faltered. Not even once.

“You’re still thinking about that weirdo from work, huh?” Jade says, not even bothering to sugarcoat it. “The one who’s always staring?”

I nod. “He grabbed me today, Jade. He said not to go. He wouldn’t say why, just that I shouldn’t because something was supposed to happen tonight at the movies.”

The room stills. Even the ice in someone’s glass seems to stop clinking. Every head turns toward me. Derrick’s grin fades. Eva stops flipping her magazine.

“Wait, seriously?” Tony asks, his tone suddenly sharp. “He actually put his hands on you?”

“Yeah,” I say. “He did. And I’m not okay with it. But I’m also not letting him decide what I do or don’t do. If I skip the movie, then he wins. And I’m not giving him that power.”

The air feels thick, like something electric hangs between us all. For a second, I think they might try to talk me out of it. But then Tony claps his hands, trying to shake the tension loose.

“Well, we’re all going,” he says. “We’ll stick together. Safety in a crowd, right?”

“Right,” I say, echoing him, but the word feels empty.

I don’t believe it. Not really. Because safety in numbers doesn’t mean much when the threat isn’t out there—it’s already inside, buried like a seed, whispering in my ear that something’s coming.

And if Andy’s right, we won’t see it coming until it’s too late .

Less than an hour now. I just want to get to the theater, sit in that seat, and prove him wrong.

Or maybe deep down I want to prove myself wrong.