The Alien and the Cursed Star

The Breaking News

"Julia has been found dead." the newscaster announced, the shocking news quickly spreading across screens and social media. Julia, a beloved actress, had been found lifeless in the ocean, sending shockwaves through the entertainment world.

Immediately, netizens began to point fingers, harsh criticism quickly directed to Sabrina. Accusations flooded social media, with many convinced that she was responsible for Julia's death. Some people say that they heard Sabrina wishing Julia to die. That the two are arguing in the restroom the night Julia died and fell down in the yacht.

Sabrina who does not know any of the happenings is currently outside her condo waiting for the elevator to shop. Her manager called her urgently.

"Stay at your condo now!"

Her manager is shouting advising her to stay inside her condo and avoid the public eye. She was still in shock at how she was the pointed person of killing someone.

Killing?! Really?

But it was already too late. Sabrina, in a state of panic, had forgotten her pin code and could not re-enter to her home.

"Damn! I forgot my pin code. When did I change it?!"

Sabrina frustrated pin her code, but it was all error.

As she stood helplessly outside, the situation took a dire turn.

Nathaniel was about to leave his condo for work when Sabrina suddenly appeared, pushing him back inside. Her eyes seem wild with fear, and she insisted she needed to stay with him for a while.

"Can I stay here for today? I will go once the reporters are gone."

Nathaniel stared at her. He hated having people in his space—his sanctuary. But one look at her face, full of panicked and he knew she wasn't here by choice. This is another version of Sabrina. 

"For today only." Sabrina added, almost pleading.

He sighed but gave a small nod. "Fine."

But he raised his hand between them.

"No touching. Stay at least a hundred meters away from me." He commanded.

Nathaniel's brother was the only one who entered his condo before. Nathaniel does not want to socialize. He has a different personality. When he is at work, he may be warm to others but after work, he prefers to be alone and not minding other's life.

"Do you live alone?" Sabrina asked sitting in the couch.

The guy did not answer her.

Sabrina tries to observe the living room, there no family pictures, not even one picture. She saw vases which she thinks are not that expensive, rather old.

Sabrina opens the television, but all the news is just her and Julia. Nathaniel snatches the remote from her hand, switching off the television.

"Watching television now is a torture." The guy added.

Right.

Sabrina is worried about what is going to happen. She knows she did not do anything. She did not kill Julia. 

Her tummy makes weird noises makes Nathaniel asked her.

"Hungry?"

Sabrina denied that she is hungry. But she is currently feeling hungry. She does not want to scroll in social media. Surely, she will see herself being suspected by people.

As the sun dipped lower on the horizon, Sabrina felt the weight of impending transformation press heavily upon her. She paced nervously in Nathaniel's living room, her mind racing with worry. She was particularly anxious about staying after dark. She knew that at 8PM, she would transform into an old lady, a secret she had to keep at all costs. Even to this man who just help her now. The minutes ticked by, and her anxiety grew. Sabrina can't help looking to that big wall clock. Only if she can stop time or make way to distract those annoying reporters.

"I need to do something." She talks to herself, glancing again and again anxiously at the clock.

It was already 5 o'clock, and the reporters outside her condo showed no signs of leaving. Their presence only added to her growing anxiety.

Nathaniel emerged from his room, pulling on his coat, signaling his intention to leave. Sabrina watched him, frustration bubbling within her.

"Where are you going?" she asked sharply.

He paused, meeting her gaze evenly. "Do you want to go out too?" he says, sensing her irritation.

Sabrina scoffed, turning away. "That guy." She was annoyed by his nonchalance and being sarcastic. She again focuses on what she can do, she cannot be here at 8PM.

Outside, the reporters are still waiting outside's Sabrina's condo. As Nathaniel stepped outside his door, they immediately goes to him, clamored for information bombarding him with questions.

"Do you see Sabrina going out in her condo this morning?"

"How is Sabrina as a neighbor?"

"Did you see her yesterday before she goes to the event?"

"Is she taking any illegal drugs?"

Nathaniel remained unbothered, refusing to give any response from the reporters and continue to go outside the building.

"I received a tip!" One reporter declared loudly, holding up a blurry photo. "Sabrina was spotted near the tent house."

Satisfied with the information, the reporters eventually dispersed, leaving the condo in peace.

"Thanks, manager." Sabrina texted her manager gratefully, knowing the false lead had bought her some much-needed privacy. Her manager who did the false information, editing her photo.

As the hallway is clear, Sabrina wasted no time. She punched in her pin code with renewed determination, blaming herself silently for her earlier lapse when she cannot remember her own pin code.

"Such an idiot." She scolded herself as the door clicked open. She hurried inside, relieved to finally find safety within her own walls.

Later that evening, after Nathaniel returned with food, he realized Sabrina's gone from his condo.

He set his food on the table, intending to leave her portion in the refrigerator. But just as he reached for the handle, a note caught his eye—stuck to the door with a magnet.

"You took too long outside. It is so boring here. I left."

It was Sabrina's handwriting.

The next morning felt strange and scary. Sabrina cautiously opened her door, only to find a small box left outside her room. Her hands trembled as she lifted the lid, revealing her own photographs inside, each one defaced and arranged ominously.

A cold shiver ran down her spine as she read the chilling message scrawled across them: "You are next."

Fear gripped Sabrina's heart, realizing the danger she was in. She closed the box hastily, her mind racing with questions.

Who would do this to her?

Why are people pointing her out to be the suspect?