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That is none of your business. Oh, and if I didn’t know any better, I would say you’re actions make you seem desperate. Gross.

Feeling confident in my response, I take a sip of my coffee and observe everyone in the coffee shop. He is the definition of desperate. If there is one thing that gives me the ick, it’s a desperate man.

I reach over to my bag and fish around for my AirPods. Music always makes everything better. I scroll through my phone until I find the playlist that speaks to me. The melody of “Happier Than Ever” by Billie Eilish filters through.

I pull out my school notes and make a few adjustments. I was tuning in and out during class today. I need to pay more attention. My phone buzzes, and I open the message.

Everything you do is my business. I’m not desperate either. I’m persistent. —D

I lock my phone. I don’t have time to put up with this stupid asshole. I throw my notes into my bag and toss my empty cup in the trash can. I need to see Astra. I was planning on ignoring her to let her worry, but she always knows how to have a good time and forget all the chaos that surrounds her. I can be petty another time.

I step outside into the crisp, cool air and open up my call log. I quickly find her contact and press call. It rings and rings. Then I get her voicemail. Of course, she is busy the one time I try to hang out with her.

I continue to listen to music as I wander back towards campus to retrieve my car. I am constantly scanning the sidewalks, making sure my little psycho isn’t close enough to kidnap me. I wouldn’t put it past him at this point.

I wish someone else had seen him. That way, I would have a better description to give to the police. Not that he has done anything illegal yet— aside from breaking into my house and stalking me. There was noproof.

Sergio let me know that they recovered no note. No signs of forced entry. Nothing. To say I was livid would be an understatement.

He probably is a serial killer. That’s why he doesn’t reveal himself to me. I’m sure this stunt has worked on countless victims. They all have this stalker obsession. Who wants to be followed around and kidnapped?You do.The part of me I despise starts infiltrating my thoughts.You want the danger. You know it could be fun. It’s what you’ve always dreamed of.I run my fingers through my hair, gently pulling it at the scalp to help my mind focus on something else. The tingling sensation on my scalp helps clear my mind.

I walk silently, approaching the parking lot and unlocking my car, tossing my bag into the passenger seat. I slide into the driver’s seat when I see a white piece of paper underneath my windshield wiper. People are always putting charity flyers or small business flyers on the cars here. They know most of us have money, and they want our business.

I slide out of the car, rip the piece of paper from under the blade, and get back in my vehicle. I may be a lot of things, but I don’t litter.

I inspect the paper before deciding to crumple it. It’s not a flyer. It’s a note.

You want someone to save you,

But you need someone to break you—

slowly, deeply, without mercy.

You keep waiting for a sign,

when I’ve been the warning.

You cling to your innocence like it might protect you from me.

But I see the truth beneath it— the part of you that aches to be undone.

And I willbe the one to do it.

I will be the one to mark you, taste you, and ruin you.

This isn’t a threat or a warning.

This is the beginning of the life you try to run from.

I’m as patient as the sea— but when I come for you,

I won’t give you air. Only darkness.

-D

My hand shakes as the crisp paper rests gently between my fingertips. I started sweating at the words he wrote.He sees me. The part of me that I have shoved down into the deepest part of my soul. No. He can’t. I lock the doors of my car, a sense of fear settling in my bones.

I reread the words on the crisp paper. It’s poetic— almost. A part of me feels like this note possesses more than just a promise of victory. It feels like it possesses something sinister. As if the words were laced with poison, meant to kill me slowly.