Chapter 10

Mikayla's POV
I felt scared. I imagined various things that might happen, and my mind raced as I put unnecessary bad images into my imagination. What should I do? Okay, maybe I'm new to this house and used to the silence. I don't know much about this neighborhood—whether it's safe or not.
Trying to calm my anxiety, I tried not to panic. Maybe this was just a normal nighttime sound, but at that moment, all the bad thoughts filled my head.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. "Okay, Mikayla, stay calm," I said to myself. I decided not to let this fear take over me. I should be the one in control here.
I looked around to make sure all the doors and windows were locked. The peace in the house tends to make the feeling of unease subside, but the howling sound continues to echo in my mind.
If Rudolf still hasn't come home, can I contact him? Of course, I can call him and share my fears. Opening the messaging app on my phone, I started to text him, "Hey, Rudolf, where are you? There's a strange noise outside and I feel a little scared."
After sending the message, I sat on the couch, trying to occupy myself by waiting for his reply. I aim to keep my mind positive. If something is wrong, he will definitely be back soon.
A few seconds later, a sound outside the house caught my attention again. I heard the front door chain jangling. Maybe it was just the wind, maybe? But the sound made me even more nervous.
And as I searched for the courage within myself to face whatever was happening, I remembered Rudolf's words that I was not alone. In this darkness and uncertainty, I tried to stay strong and hope that I would soon find a solution to every fear that was bothering me.
Suddenly, the door opened and I was shocked. Ready with the wooden bat in my hand, ready to face anything, I immediately said, “Oh my gosh. It’s you, Rudolf.”
He stood in the doorway with a smile on his face, looking a little surprised. “I came home early because you sent a message. Are you okay?” he asked, his voice soft and caring.
I nodded, but to be honest, my fear was still haunting me. My gaze darted left and right, looking for something that might be strange with the atmosphere tonight. “I heard a wolf howl earlier,” I said, my voice shaking slightly.
Rudolf looked away for a moment, but he quickly focused back on me. “It was just the sound of the night, Mikayla. There’s nothing to worry about. It’s probably a wild animal around here. Although it sounds scary, they usually don’t come near human habitation.” He tried to calm me down as he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
However, that sense of calm still hadn’t fully come over me. “But it sounded so real. “I feel like I heard it nearby,” I said, sensing the tension in the atmosphere.
Rudolf nodded, understanding me. “I understand. It can be scary at night. Let’s turn on the lights and make it more comfortable,” he said, turning on the surrounding lamps.
Once the lights were on, the anxiety inside me began to ease a little. “See, everything is fine,” he said, trying to show that there was nothing to worry about. “You can feel safe here with me. We’ll face whatever it is together.”
I felt a little relieved, but the fear slowly faded. Rudolf’s presence seemed like a shield that protected me from the darkness and uncertainty of the night.
“Thank you for coming back early. I felt a little strange being alone here,” I said, trying to smile.
“You don’t have to thank me. I’ll always come back to make sure you feel safe,” he replied seriously.
I was still observing Rudolf’s behavior, which seemed a little strange, but he seemed normal. Despite my curiosity, I tried not to think too deeply about it.
“I want to rent a regular apartment tomorrow. I got some money from my afternoon job,” I said, trying to convince myself. I think this is the best decision rather than continuing to live here in fear.
“Okay, if that’s your decision. I support you, and I’ll take you there tomorrow,” Rudolf replied in a supportive tone. A sense of gratitude crept into my heart. Even though he was a stranger, he had shown me more concern than I expected.
The next day, after having breakfast with Rudolf and some casual conversation, I started to feel excited about looking for a new apartment. “When are we leaving?” I asked, impatient to start the day.
“We can leave now. I’m ready,” he replied, picking up a small bag and packing my things to leave. I felt a new spirit as if this new day was a new beginning for me.
We walked out of the house and onto the street. The morning air was fresh, and the warm sunlight warmed my skin. My heart began to beat with hope, hoping to find a comfortable and safe place for me to live.
“If I may ask, what are the criteria for the apartment you are looking for?” Rudolf asked as we walked.
“I just want a simpler place, not too far from the public. And, of course, affordable,” I answered, trying to describe what I wanted.
“Okay, we will look for it together. If there is a good place, I will make sure to help so that everything goes smoothly,” he said reassuringly.
After looking at several places, we finally found a small but comfortable apartment near the city center. The room was not too big, but it felt warm and clean, with a window overlooking the park.
“What do you think?” Rudolf asked as we walked around. “I think this has potential.”
I touched the walls and looked around. “This place is quite nice. It’s like what I was looking for,” I said with a big smile. There was a sense of relief when I saw this place.