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“So why have you been so secretive lately? Got something you’re hiding?”

He knows me better than anyone. He can sense that something is off, even before I do, half of the time.

“You could say that.”

“Well, what is it? It’s obviously consuming you.”

“It’s not an it. It’s a her.”

He looks at me as if I have lost my fucking mind.

“Excuse me, what? You— hiding a girl?”

“Well, I’m not hiding her. She is hiding from me.”

“You? Stalking a girl?”

“To put it mildly? Yes.”

“Jesus Christ. Somebody call the fucking priest. My friend has been possessed.”

I punch him in the arm harder than intended.

“Fucking stop. She is infuriating. She’s clouding my fucking thoughts. It started as a mission. A challenge. I wanted to ruin her and her stupid fucking morals, but now. Now, I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing.”

“Does she like you?”

My laugh explodes from my chest.

“She hates me. She wants to deny the fact that her body reacts to me. She craves me, but her immature brain tells her otherwise. I watched her masturbate, and she admitted she was thinking about me, though.”

“You did what? Why did she let you watch her if she hates you?”

“I watched her on the cameras I have installed at her house. I’m stalking her. Remember?”

“You have lost your fucking mind haven’t you?”

“Maybe.”

Imight have lost my fucking mind— but I think it’s time I show my little princess just how far I will go to have her. She hasn’t seen anything yet.

6

Evelyn

The week has been flying by. I have been on time to all of my classes, spending time catching up on my reality TV shows, and reading my favorite thriller books. Psychological thrillers are my favorite. I have always wondered what it would feel like to have that kind of fear and panic swarm around me.

When I read books, I can escape into another world. I can feel the rush from the thrill, without actually being in danger. I have always wondered about the feelings, but now I know what they are. Now, as I read my book curled up on my cozy chair, I feel my skin grow hot as the girl gets abducted. My body reacts in a foreign way. My mind wanders to him.

Luckily, it’s been a few days since he has sent me any unwanted messages, but I still catch myself checking my phone and glancing over my shoulder everywhere I go. I know he will be back.

The last text I sent to him sends a shiver down my spine. I told him that I was thinking about him— in a very sarcastic way, but it was the truth. I was trying to relax in my bathtub to unwind, but he infiltrated my thoughts. The way his presence swallowed me whole in the alley, the way he drew me into him in the club, and the way he caressed my neck.I clench my legs at the reminder. I don’t understand why my body reacts the way it does, but I can’t give in. I’m not supposed to.

I know that he was watching me in the tub. Why else would he ask me who I was thinking about? I have searched my entire room for cameras and can’t find anything. Wherever they are, they are hidden well. The uncomfortable thing about it is that I didn’t wholly want to find them. I felt my face flush when I realized he was watching me, and it turned me on. I wanted him to watch me. To look at what he can’t have. A part of me wouldn’t mind doing that again.

I have always looked at people who do wild things for fun. Things like skydiving, base jumping, sleeping around, Hell, even doing drugs. I always imagine what it would be like to do those things, but I never act on the thought. I would never do any of that. It goes against my moral compass. I know I shouldn’t, so I won’t— but the thought lingers. Maybe I should try something new?

I slam my book closed, tossing it to the wooden table beside me. I need to clear my head. I decided to make a journey to one of the local trails. It is one of my favorites— secluded, quiet, and breathtaking. It’s only 4 P.M., so I have more than enough time to complete the 2-hour hike before nightfall.