Lilo did not move for a long time.
The alley stayed quiet. No footsteps. No voice. No sign the man ever existed.
Only the cold night air remained.
He looked down at the ground.
The glowing symbol was gone.
Like nothing happened.
Lilo tightened his grip on the book. His hands still shook.
"You need to explain," he said under his breath.
No response.
He started walking home, slower this time. Every shadow felt alive. Every sound made him alert.
When he reached his house, he locked the door fast.
He dropped his bag on the floor and placed the book on the table.
Silence filled the room.
"Talk," Lilo said.
For a few seconds, nothing happened.
Then the book opened.
The pages flipped on their own.
A sentence appeared.
You ignored the warning.
Lilo frowned. "I didn't trust you."
Another line formed.
You survived.
He paused.
"…Fair."
More words appeared.
You want answers.
"Yes."
The pages turned again.
Then follow the rules.
Lilo leaned closer.
"Rules?"
The book wrote slowly this time, like it wanted him to read every word.
Rule 1: When I warn you, listen.
Lilo exhaled. "Alright…"
Rule 2: Do not show me to others.
He nodded.
Rule 3: Not everyone you meet is human.
Lilo froze.
"…What?"
The words stayed.
No change.
No explanation.
A chill ran through him.
"Then… that man…"
The page flipped.
He was chosen.
Lilo's mind raced. "Chosen for what?"
No answer.
The book continued.
Rule 4: When the mark appears, do not run blindly.
Lilo clenched his fists. "You told me to run."
The next line appeared fast.
You were not ready.
Silence again.
Lilo stepped back, trying to process everything.
"Why me?" he asked.
The book stayed still.
Then slowly, one last sentence appeared.
Because you can see me.
Lilo stared at it.
"…That's it?"
No reply.
The book closed.
Lilo ran a hand through his hair and sat down.
This made no sense.
A book that warns him. A man that vanished. Rules that sound like a game.
But it did not feel like a game.
It felt real.
Too real.
A soft tapping sound came from his window.
Lilo looked up.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
He stood slowly and walked closer.
Outside, someone stood in the dark.
Watching.
Not moving.
Not blinking.
Lilo's heart pounded again.
"…Not everyone is human."
He stepped back.
The book slid across the table by itself.
Then it opened.
One short line appeared.
Do not open the window.