Someone's Obsession
The Relocation
The final box was sealed. Arlo, the golden boy of the family, watched his old life disappear into the moving truck.
Frederick Smith (dad)
Don't frown, son. City A is waiting.
Arlo Smith
It’s weird, Dad. Leaving everything.
Emma Smith (Mom)
(Patting his arm) Nonsense, darling. We’re all still here. That's everything that matters.
Flix Smith 1st twin
(Entering, sharp and professional) Status update: new place is flawless. Movers are on schedule. Arlo, did you charge your laptop for the long drive?
Arlo Smith
Yes, brother. I'm not five.😑
Flix Smith 1st twin
You'll always be five to me, kid. Now hurry up. Alex is waiting.
Emma Smith (Mom)
Alex messaged! He said he secured the best table at Carbone’s for tonight. A welcome feast!
Flix Smith 1st twin
He’s excited to have his baby brother back. He's been scouting out all the cool places for you.
Arlo finally smiled. His brothers, his parents—his shield against the world. He was never alone.
Arlo Smith
A feast sounds good. Tell Alex I'm starving. City A, here we go.
After a while after everything is done. Flix guided them toward the waiting car.
Arlo climbing into the back seat, ready to embrace the life his family had perfectly arranged for him. The new city skyline glittered in his future, entirely unaware of the future that awaited him there.
The City A
The new penthouse apartment was vast and silent, smelling of fresh paint and expensive polish. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a spectacular view of City A’s glittering skyline.
Arlo Smith
Wow. This is... huge.
Emma Smith (Mom)
It's worthy of your brother, darling. And worthy of the three of you being together.
Frederick Smith (dad)
Flix earned it. Now, where is that other boy?
A voice, slightly louder and more casual than Flix's, cut through the quiet.
Alex Smith 2nd twin
(Calling from the hallway) The baby brother has arrived! Did you check him for lice, Mum? He’s been in a moving van all day.
Arlo Smith
(Grinning, running to him) Alex! You jerk!
Alex, effortlessly cool in a dark turtleneck and jeans, pulled Arlo into a quick, solid hug.
Alex Smith 2nd twin
Look at you. Still smelling like rosewater and privilege. Welcome to the concrete jungle, Arlo.
Flix Smith 1st twin
We just got here, Alex. Lay off the welcome roasting.
Alex Smith 2nd twin
It's tradition Felix,
Anyway, I stocked the kitchen. Only the highest-grade snacks. Arlo needs to be treated like royalty. And modified kitchen for mom.
Emma Smith (Mom)
Thank you, Alex. I swear you worry about him more than I do.
Flix Smith 1st twin
Someone has to. Now, little prince, I need to talk about Regal University.
Alex Smith 2nd twin
Naturally. Now, little star-to-be, you're going to Regal for the Arts program, right? The singing and dancing path
Arlo Smith
Yes! I want to be an Idol and Regal has the best programs, brother. 😁
Alex Smith 2nd twin
Right. But listen up. Regal is an elite institution. The Arts division is brutal, Arlo. Full of competitive, entitled monsters. They see normal people as targets.
Frederick Smith (dad)
Alex, keep the theatrics down.
Frederick Smith (dad)
It’s true! Just remember who you are. We watch out for you." (He softened, ruffling Arlo’s hair.) "Dinner in an hour. Go get freshened up till then.😊
Arlo grabbed his bag, his mind buzzing with Alex's warning. As he passed the massive living room windows, he paused to look down at the bustling street far below.
A black luxury sedan was parked across the street. It was sleek, expensive, and stood out. Arlo felt a strange pull. Just as he looked, the tinted window on the driver's side lowered, just enough.
Arlo couldn't make out a face, only the dark shadow of someone looking up. It felt like a deliberate, focused stare aimed right at their penthouse. A moment later, the window smoothly slid back up, and the car accelerated silently, vanishing into the City A traffic.
Arlo Smith
(To himself) That was... odd. Just staring up here.
The unsettling moment passed quickly, dismissed as city strangeness. He was Arlo. He was safe. He turned back toward the warmth of his family's voices, already feeling the energy of his protected new life.
1st day at Regal University
The following Monday morning, the penthouse was a hive of controlled, cheerful activity. Flix was on an early video conference, Dad was reading the financial papers, and Mum was meticulously packing Arlo's lunch bag.
Emma Smith (Mom)
(Handing him a polished, expensive lunch box) "Chicken salad, cucumber sandwiches, and your favorite chocolate chip cookies. Eat every bite, Arlo. And call me the moment your orientation is finished.
Arlo Smith
(Kissing her cheek) Mum, I'm going to college, not war. I’ll be fine.
Frederick Smith (dad)
We know you will, son. Just remember what Alex said—stay focused on your Arts major. Don't get distracted by the flash of City A.
Flix Smith 1st twin
(Leaning out of his office) And tell the Registrar that if there's any issue with his scheduling, they can call me directly.
Arlo Smith
(Sighing happily) Got it. Eat, focus, and let Flix threaten the administration. I'll see you tonight!
He took a cab straight to the sprawling, historic campus of Regal University. The gothic architecture and buzzing atmosphere of ambition were electrifying. Arlo, with his bright eyes, easy smile, and flawless style, naturally stood out.
His charisma was instant currency. By the end of the mandatory Arts Program orientation, Arlo was already exchanging numbers with a cluster of fellow aspiring performers.
Mira
(A sharp, enthusiastic girl with bright pink hair) You have to be kidding me. You look like you walked straight out of a magazine.
Arlo Smith
(Smiling warmly) And you look like the only person here who doesn't take this all too seriously. I’m Arlo. Arts, Vocal focus.
kai
(A quiet, focused boy with intense stage presence) Kai. Dance major. You sound like you belong in a Broadway lead.
Arlo Smith
Just working on it. You guys seem awesome. Let’s grab coffee after this, seriously. My brother, Alex, warned me that everyone here was going to be cutthroat, but you guys are great.
Mira
Oh, they are cutthroat. Wait until classes start. But you, Arlo, you're untouchable. You have that golden boy energy. No one's going to mess with you.
They spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the campus, Arlo's laughter ringing through the corridors. He was accepted instantly, his natural charm dissolving any pretension. The move was a success. His life was perfect.
As they walked past the grand, ivy-covered library, Arlo glanced toward the nearby fountain.
Standing still, slightly apart from the flow of students, was a figure. Tall, dressed entirely in black, and possessing an air of severe, almost sculptural elegance. They weren't looking at Arlo, but rather, staring intently at the water. Yet, the moment Arlo’s gaze landed on them, that person slowly turned their head.
It was a flash of pale, unsettlingly beautiful features. And the stare—it was the same deep, deliberate intensity Arlo had felt from the black car window two days before. It wasn't friendly, curious, or admiring. It was consuming.
The figure didn't smile, didn't nod. They simply held Arlo's gaze for a second too long, a chilling claim in their eyes, before turning and vanishing around the side of the library.
kai
Hey, Arlo? You okay? You just zoned out.
Arlo Smith
(Shaking it off, forcing a bright smile) Yeah, just... thinking about the coffee shop. I think I saw someone I knew, but nope, wrong person. Let's go!
He hurried his new friends along, dismissing the fleeting chill. But as he laughed with Mira and Kai, the image of that pale, fixed stare remained, a small, dark stain on his perfect day.
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