38. BEING WATCHED

Her bed lamp was on the floor, the lampshade cracked, its bulb flickering weakly before going out completely. The sight of it sent a jolt of fear through her, and she clutched the blanket closer, her mind racing. How had it fallen? She hadn't touched it, she was sure of that. The unsettling realization that someone or something might have been in her room while she slept made her skin prickle with fear.

She forced herself to take slow, steady breaths, trying to calm the rising tide of panic. Her eyes darted around the room, searching the shadows for any sign of movement. The darkness seemed to press in on her, making every shadow a potential threat. She felt her anxiety building, her thoughts spiraling into paranoia.

Every creak of the floorboards, every whisper of the wind outside seemed amplified, feeding her fear. She tried to reason with herself, to find a logical explanation for the fallen lamp. Maybe it was just the vibrations from the city, she thought, though the rational part of her mind knew that was unlikely.

Taliya swung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet touching the cool floor. She stood up slowly, her body tense, and moved toward the lamp. Each step felt like an eternity, her breath shallow and rapid. When she reached the lamp, she picked it up with trembling hands, setting it back on the nightstand. The simple act brought a small measure of control, but the fear still gnawed at her.

She looked around the room again, her eyes lingering on the dark corners and the closed closet door. The room felt oppressive, the darkness almost tangible. She couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't alone, that someone was watching her. Her heart raced, her chest tight with anxiety.

Desperate for some light, she fumbled for her phone, the screen casting a pale glow. She turned on the flashlight and swept it around the room, illuminating each corner, each shadow. There was nothing there, just the familiar outlines of the appliances. But the light did little to calm her nerves.

Taliya sank back onto the bed, clutching her phone like a lifeline. She told herself she was being paranoid, that it was just a nightmare playing tricks on her mind. But the fear refused to let go, lingering in the back of her mind like a persistent whisper.

She lay back down, pulling the blanket up to her chin, her eyes fixed on the ceiling. Sleep seemed impossible now, her mind too alert, too aware of every sound, every shift in the shadows. She felt trapped in her own fear, her body tense and unable to relax.

Hours passed in restless vigilance, her mind replaying the events of the evening, trying to find a thread of normalcy to cling to. Eventually, exhaustion began to overtake her, and she drifted in and out of a fitful sleep, her dreams haunted by shadows and whispers.

When morning finally came, the light streaming through the window brought a fragile sense of relief. But the memory of the night lingered, a reminder of how quickly fear could strip away the veneer of safety. Taliya resolved to be more cautious, to stay vigilant. But deep down, she knew that the events of the night had left a mark, one that would take time to heal.

Taliya stood in the middle of her hotel room, her eyes still red-rimmed from the restless night. She tried to shake off the lingering sense of unease that clung to her, a stubborn reminder of the fear that had gripped her. The sunlight filtering through the curtains did little to dispel the shadows in her mind.

She glanced towards the bathroom, considering taking a bath to calm her nerves. The thought of soaking in warm water, letting it wash away the tension, was appealing. But the idea of being vulnerable, of not being able to see or hear what was happening around her, made her stomach churn.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to rationalize her fear. The night before had been unnerving, yes, but it was probably just a nightmare and the fallen lamp an accident. She needed to reclaim her sense of normalcy, and a bath could help her do that.

With tentative steps, she walked towards the bathroom, her eyes darting around the room. Every creak of the floorboards, every whisper of the wind outside, made her heart race. She reached the bathroom door and hesitated, her hand hovering over the light switch.

"Come on, Taliya, it's just a bath," she whispered to herself, trying to muster the courage to step inside. She flipped the switch, and the bright light flooded the small space, chasing away the shadows.

She turned on the tap, letting the water run until it was steaming. The sound of the water filling the tub was oddly soothing, a reminder of mundane routines. She added a generous amount of bath salts, hoping their calming scent would help her relax.

Looking at the mirror and the corners of the bathroom, she covered them smartly with a wet tissues.

Undressing quickly, Taliya slipped into the warm water, feeling her muscles begin to unwind. She leaned back, closing her eyes, trying to focus on the heat enveloping her. For a moment, she felt a semblance of peace, the tension in her body slowly melting away.

But then the memory of the previous night intruded. The sight of the fallen lamp, the oppressive darkness, the overwhelming sense of being watched – it all came rushing back. Her eyes snapped open, and she glanced around the bathroom, half-expecting to see a shadow lurking in the corners.

She tried to shake off the paranoia, reminding herself that she was alone, that she was safe. But the fear was insidious, creeping into her thoughts and refusing to let go. Every sound, every flicker of light, made her heart skip a beat.

Just as she was beginning to calm herself, a loud thud reverberated through the room, making her jump. Her eyes widened in terror, her breath catching in her throat. The sound had come from her room door, as if something had been thrown against it with force.

Her mind raced with possibilities, each one more terrifying than the last. Was someone trying to break in? Had the intruder from last night returned? Her body froze, her instincts screaming at her to hide, to protect herself.

After what felt like an eternity, she mustered the courage to get out of the tub. Wrapping a towel tightly around herself, she crept towards the bathroom door, her heart pounding in her ears. She paused, listening intently for any further sounds. The silence was deafening, amplifying her fear.