Episode 2

Thunder rumbling, rain pouring; all this white noise wasn’t helping at all. She needed to sleep to get those haunting thoughts out at last. Jessica, her roommate, wasn’t back today as well. Cindy was alone in her flat, second night in a row but today she was more lonely than ever. She hugged her pillow tightly, trying to fixate her thoughts back to the lush garden in her childhood home; it was her happy place.

A pin-drop silence at Grand Central Terminal in New York is a rare sight. There is a train ready to depart in a few minutes, evident from the engine making a low roaring sound. Cindy stood at the tickets counter but no one was there. She made her way towards the train, staring at it with an intense gaze. She looked at the window of the train, and something weird in the reflection. When she focused her gaze, she realized there’s a man standing behind her with a knife swung in the air. She shut her eyes with force and screamed, the echoes of her voice missing with the whistle of the train and she woke up panting. Her body was burning and she was sweating like a pig in heat. But it was just a dream and that ear-piercing noise was of her doorbell ringing continuously. Someone has lost their patience early in the morning it seems. Cindy stood up to get the door. She opened the door while still rubbing her eyes to see Jessica at the door still pressing her index finger to the doorbell and leaning against the side of the entrance. Seems like Jessica still was sleepy.

Although Cindy hasn’t been so open to anyone lately, she still is a little relieved that she isn’t alone anymore.

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