2

The morning sunlight spilled through the thin curtains of Ashwin’s bedroom, painting the room in soft golden hues. He blinked against the brightness, his body still curled beneath the thick blankets. For the first time in a while, he’d slept through the night without waking up in a cold sweat, his dreams free from the haunting images of water and the dark figure that always lurked beneath its surface.

Beside him, Hayden’s warmth was familiar, comforting. His arm was draped loosely over Ashwin’s waist, and his soft breathing fanned against the nape of his neck.

Ashwin shifted slightly, careful not to wake him. There was something peaceful about these quiet mornings before the day truly began. He pressed his palm against his forehead, exhaling slowly. Maybe today would be different. Maybe today, he wouldn’t feel the lingering pull of something he couldn’t understand.

He carefully slid out of bed, pulling on a loose sweater before padding toward the small kitchen. The house he and Hayden shared wasn’t large, but it was cozy—warm wooden floors, walls lined with bookshelves, and large windows that overlooked the trees surrounding Mount Haven. The town had a certain charm, tucked away from the rest of the world, quiet and safe.

By the time he finished making coffee, Hayden emerged from the bedroom, stretching. His dark curls were still messy from sleep, and he rubbed his eyes before grinning at Ashwin.

“Morning, babe.” His voice was still thick with sleep.

Ashwin handed him a cup of coffee, smiling softly. “Morning.”

Hayden pressed a kiss against his temple before taking a sip of his drink. “You okay? You look a little out of it.”

Ashwin hesitated before shaking his head. “Just...thinking. But I’m fine.”

Hayden studied him for a moment but didn’t push. Instead, he reached for the plate of toast Ashwin had set on the counter and took a bite.

“I’ve got work in a bit,” Ashwin said after a moment, settling into the chair across from him. “It’s a busy day at the shop.”

“Yeah? Anything special happening?”

Ashwin shook his head. “Not really, but we got a new shipment of books, so I’ll be stocking those for most of the day.”

The small bookstore and café Ashwin worked at was one of the town’s more popular spots, a cozy little place filled with old books, warm lighting, and the scent of fresh coffee. He’d been working there for years, and while it wasn’t particularly exciting, he loved it.

Hayden nodded. “I might stop by later if I get a break. Maybe steal you for lunch.”

Ashwin smiled, something inside him settling at the normalcy of it all. “I’d like that.”

After breakfast, he got ready for work, pulling on a simple oversized sweater and a pair of jeans. As he stood in front of the mirror, running a brush through his soft, wavy hair, his gaze flickered to his reflection. His features were delicate—large sea-green eyes, a small upturned nose, full lips. His skin was pale, almost luminous in the morning light, and his slender frame only added to his ethereal look. He had always been told he looked different—almost too pretty, too delicate for a man.

He sighed and turned away, grabbing his bag before heading for the door.

The bookstore smelled like ink, old pages, and fresh coffee, a scent that immediately made Ashwin relax. The little bell above the door chimed as he stepped inside, the warmth of the space enveloping him like a soft embrace.

“Ashwin!”

He turned to see Mira, his coworker, waving at him from behind the counter. She was a short, plump woman with dark brown curls and a wide, inviting smile.

“You’re just in time,” she said, gesturing toward the back. “Boxes of new arrivals just came in. The café’s already busy, so I haven’t had time to start unpacking them.”

Ashwin smiled. “That’s fine. I’ll get started.”

He set his bag down behind the counter, rolling up the sleeves of his sweater before making his way to the storage room. The new shipment had arrived in neat, cardboard boxes, stacked almost to the ceiling. He pulled out a box cutter and carefully sliced through the tape, peeling back the flaps to reveal the fresh, crisp books inside.

There was something satisfying about the process—unpacking, sorting, organizing. The rhythmic task allowed his mind to drift, the unease from his dreams fading into the background. For a while, it was just him and the quiet rustle of pages.

Occasionally, a customer would come in, breaking the stillness of the shop. An elderly woman looking for a new mystery novel. A teenage boy picking out a fantasy series. A young couple ordering lattes and browsing through poetry books together.

The hours passed in a steady rhythm, filled with soft chatter, the clinking of coffee cups, and the occasional whiff of cinnamon and vanilla from the café’s kitchen. Ashwin enjoyed these moments—being surrounded by stories, by people who loved books as much as he did.

At noon, the bell above the door jingled again, and Hayden strolled in.

“Hey, stranger,” he said, leaning on the counter with a smirk. “Still alive back here?”

Ashwin rolled his eyes but smiled. “Barely.”

Hayden held up a brown paper bag. “Brought you lunch. I figured you wouldn’t take a break unless someone forced you.”

Ashwin huffed but accepted the bag. “You know me too well.”

They sat in the small break area, eating in comfortable silence. Hayden talked about his morning—something about a neighbor’s dog getting loose, the usual small-town gossip. Ashwin listened, letting himself get lost in the normalcy of it all.

After Hayden left, Ashwin slipped behind the counter and began his usual routine. The brunch customers trickled in, regulars who greeted him with smiles and easy conversation. He enjoyed moments like these—simple, predictable, safe.

He fell into a rhythm, hands moving gracefully as he crafted drinks, took orders, and occasionally recommended books to customers. Despite the lingering unease from his dreams, today felt good. Normal.

Then the bell above the door chimed.

Ashwin turned, expecting another regular, but instead, his breath caught in his throat.

The man who stepped in was tall, easily over six feet, with broad shoulders and an air of quiet intensity. He had sharp features, thick raven-black hair that curled slightly at the ends, and stormy gray eyes that sent an unexplainable shiver down Ashwin’s spine.

Something about him felt familiar.

Too familiar.

The man’s gaze swept over the café before settling on Ashwin. His lips quirked into something akin to a smirk as he stepped forward, moving with a predator’s grace.

Ashwin found himself gripping the counter, his heartbeat picking up for reasons he couldn’t quite understand.

“Black coffee,” the man said, his voice smooth yet commanding.

Ashwin blinked, snapping himself out of his daze. “Uh, sure. Room for cream or sugar?”

“Just black,” the man said, but then, before Ashwin could turn away, he added in a quieter voice—one that sent a chill down his spine.

“You look different.”

Ashwin’s entire body froze.

His breath hitched, and for a moment, the world around him seemed to blur.

Did this man possibly know him?

But he had never met him before.

Right?

Swallowing hard, Ashwin forced a polite smile. “I’m sorry, I think you have the wrong person.”

The man didn’t look convinced. If anything, his smirk deepened, his gray eyes flashing with something unreadable.

“Maybe.”

Ashwin quickly turned away to prepare the coffee, hands slightly unsteady. He wasn’t sure why this stranger unsettled him so much, but something told him that this wasn’t their first meeting.

And that thought terrified him.

When he placed the coffee in front of the man, their fingers brushed and the man smiled.

"See you around...Ashwin," he read out his name on the nametag then he walked out, leaving Ashwin standing there—heart pounding, hands trembling, and an eerie feeling curling around his spine.

He had thought today would be normal.

He was wrong.