First suspicions

— In general, what can I tell you... - A man in a white coat passes a small piece of clearly medical handwriting. I can't make it out.

- Get treated. Plenty of water, bed rest. We don't go to school. In a week for an appointment. If the situation does not change, call. Is everything clear?

You shouldn't have expected anything else.

- Yes, good.

- That's nice. I'll go, and you rest.

After seeing the doctor to the exit, I returned to my room.

Last night the temperature reached forty degrees. I did not call an ambulance, limiting myself to antipyretics. The doctor came the next morning. By that time I was feeling better, but I'm still far from full recovery.

- A cold means...

I'll take it into service.

Since I'm feeling better, I should clean up a little.

In my memory, the house is so cluttered with all sorts of trash for the first time.

This is entirely my merit.

In my half-delirious wanderings, I completely forgot about it.

- Okay, let's get started.

The house is quite large. It may take half a day for a complete cleaning.

I have enough imaginary purity, without any perversions.

I'll do with washing dishes and dusting.

I can do it in a couple of hours.

...

...

........

- Phew... I wipe the sweat from my forehead.

Only the hallway remained. After that, the house can be called brand new.

Okay, I'm lying. I did everything with a blunder.

But at least the house doesn't look like a drug den anymore. Just a little... sloppy.

Still, I'm not the coolest housewife.

My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the intercom.

— Who could it be?

I definitely wasn't expecting anyone today.

There aren't even any ideas.

To begin with, let's look through the door peephole.

- Hmm?

Nobody?

- Intercom hooligans?

There is no desire to open the door. Except curiosity. Maybe it's really something important?

On the other hand, there's no one there, is there? So it's not that important.

- No, no and no.

I'll just open the door. Nothing terrible will happen.

All fears are groundless. I'm completely beaten up with these nightmares. Just open the door.

Door.

My hands are shaking.

I do not want. It's all just my paranoia. There is nothing terrible behind this door. It's empty. Or just a low person.

Yes.

A low man.

Just open the damn door. Somehow overcoming myself, I turn the handle. If these are really hooligans, they have definitely achieved their goal. I close my eyes, preparing for the worst.

...

...

Nothing is happening. I'm looking around. There is no one. Unless there is a small gift box in front of the entrance.

A box?

Did someone plant drugs?

Why is this the first thing that comes to my mind?!

Anyway, the fears really turned out to be groundless.

I decide to pick up the object lying on the ground.

- Okay, we should open it.

She was lying inside... a neat wicker basket with fruits and other goodies. It is braided with a bow, to which a note is attached.

"Everything will be fine. Get well."

- This...

It's the first time I've seen such a beautiful handwriting. Like a calligraphic one.

It would seem that I should be happy. Someone is worried about my health. So?

Not once at all...

This text...

"Get well."

...It scares a lot more than the desire to die in agony.

Does anyone know that I'm sick?

No one could find out about it.

I didn't tell anyone.

It could have come to this at school, yes.

But the lessons are not over yet. No one would have physically had time.

Who else?

A doctor?

What's the reason for him? He just left today.

And no one else knows about it.

Not a single person.

My paranoia.

Means...

It's true?

All this shit... Really?

Am I really being followed by a stalker and all my worries are justified?

It would be better if it were a lie.

I don't want to believe it.

I do not want.

Who did I surrender to...? Nobody needs me. This can't be happening.

But the facts are right in front of you.

Shut up.

I can't do anything about it anyway. Ya...

Exactly.

I'll barricade myself in.

I won't be enough for more anyway.

It sounds like a death agony.

With a heavy sigh, I fall to the floor.

Consciously.

This... despair?

And I want to live. Even if my head is empty.

No.

Let the barricade. I have to do something.

...

...

The first thing I do is close all the shutters in the house. Fortunately, they have something like a castle. Sunlight doesn't help me much anyway, so I'll get by.

Then I close the doors. To the maximum that is possible.

After that I stop. Still, a large part of me does not believe in this absurdity. Therefore, we will do without extraordinary things. The main thing is that it will limit the stalker's capabilities.

The final touch will be the bit. I leave it at the entrance. This is the best thing in my arsenal. I don't think I'll use it for such purposes... It's just calmer that way.

— ...

That's enough. I can only wait. Wait and hope for the best.