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I unbutton my pants, knowing that if I don’t rid myself of this painful erection, I will start burning down this fucking city.

3

Evelyn

I lay in my bed, unable to sleep. I thought that an orgasm would do the trick, but I was mistaken.

When I began, my thoughts were locked on the voyeur room, but the closer I got to finishing, the more my thoughts shifted.

My thoughts started with erotic scenes that made my insides bubble with need, but then I was thinking of him. I was thinking about how he would have touched me if I let him. His crude words caught me off guard, but they lit something up inside of me. A part of me wondered if I really wanted him to have his way with me. The part of me that craves darkness and destruction. I push the thoughts out and replace them with a rational one—I need to stop drinking in public.

My skin burns from the built-up tension that lingers around me like an orb. I can’t escape him. He dared to approach me after he ghosted me four months ago. Not that I wanted him to stick around or anything. I would probably be living with a lot more guilt than I already do. He is already infiltrating my thoughts.

I think back to the night he approached me, and my skin tingles at the thought. I should not be feeling any way about a man who self-proclaimed himself as the Devil.

Ihate the part of my subconscious that wants to explore the unknown and live a bit dangerously, but I know that Astra is always having a blast. She has the craziest stories. Sometimes I feel left out. I feel like I’m the outcast of the group. Her sister, Amara, never excludes me. She and I have a lot in common. I try to stick with her because she never does anything insane. She balances me, while Astra tries to tempt me with darkness.

Maybe I am just overly tired. I get up to put on a shirt, feeling a little uncomfortable walking around naked. After all, the masked man did leave me with two warnings tonight. One was an actual fucking note that he left on my nightstand, and the other threat was delivered in person. He is stalking me, watching me.

I locked all of my doors and windows, just to be safe, but let’s be honest. You can never be too safe. I slip a pocket knife under my pillow just in case he tries to make good on his stupid threats.

* * *

I open my eyes slowly and see that my phone reads 4:15 A.M. Fucking perfect. I throw my legs off the side of my bed to head into my bathroom. I grab a clean glass I have placed on my vanity and fill it with water.

I stare into the mirror and take a few drinks before dumping the rest and heading back to bed. I glance over to my balcony to see my curtains swaying slightly. I definitely had my doors closed when I went to bed. My feet move to their own accord, ignoring the pounding in my chest. I turn on my light and walk over to the balcony, only to find that the door is cracked.

My hands tremble as I pull back the curtain and peer out onto the balcony. It’s empty, except for my usual furniture. I’m just fucking paranoid. I open the door and step out on the balcony, letting the breezeflow over me. I take a few deep breaths, seeing that nothing is outside, and I go back into my room. I triple-checked that I locked the door. I plop down on my bed and open my phone.

I can’t go back to sleep now. I’m on edge. I open up Instagram and check Astra’s account. She posted several photos from tonight, as expected. I like her post, and a text notification pops up on my phone.

You’re up so early… That’s not like you, princess. Did something wake you? -D

I scan my room, looking for him. He has to be in here. I search under my bed, in the bathroom, the closet, everywhere. He is nowhere. Anger engulfs me as I feel threatened in my own fucking house.

I grab my phone to text him back.

Where the fuck are you hiding? If you want to fuck someone the worst way to do that is to piss them off you know?

My ears ring from the rage burning inside of me. I am about to snap. My phone pings, and I quickly open it.

Hate fucks are always the best. -D

I throw my phone across the room, feeling defeated. Why is he doing this? Doesn’t he have someone else to harass? All the curiosity I had earlier diminishes as my feelings transform from curious to flat-out hatred. He isn’t intriguing. He’s a fucking parasite.

I feel the room spinning around me as I make my way back to my bed. I get under the covers and cover myself completely. I need to go back to sleep. I can’t let him win at his own game. I take long, deep breaths to calm my nerves.

* **

I walk down the street towards the park. The street darkens as nightfall approaches. The street light illuminates the path. I take a deep breath and look up into the sky. I wonder how many people are also looking into the sky right now? Maybe thousands?

I continue to the entrance of the park and start walking to my favorite pavilion. It is lined with lush greenery and beautiful vines that intertwine, creating a vibrant web of life. As I walk up the path, I hear the crunching of leaves behind me. I turn to check, and no one is there. I scan the open field behind me and see no one: only a few stray birds and a couple of squirrels. I turn back around to close the distance between myself and my favorite space, but I immediately hit a brick wall.

The wall smells like scotch and mint. Only, this isn’t a brick wall. It’s a man. I lift my eyes to meet his. His face is covered with a matte black mask, and his eyes swirl like tides of the sea. My breath catches at the sight of him. His tattoos cover his neck, seeping out of the top of his suit. He looks like the Devil.

He leans close to my neck, heat radiating off of him.

“I love watching you, princess.”