Page 31 of Hide and Seek

Tentatively, I hold the sign up again. A few beats pass, then another flash appears in the same spot as before.

“Holy shit.” I yank the sign off the window and flip to the next page so I can write out another message.

1 for yes and 2 for no?

A single flash cuts through the branches.

Not wanting to waste time in case he changes his mind, I pull the sign down and write a question on a fresh page.

Do you want to hurt me?

Two flashes.

Relief fills me, and I scribble another message.

Do you know who does?

Another flash.

Do you know why?

A few beats pass, then there’s a single flash, a pause, then two more.

Was he saying both yes and no? I can’t exactly ask him to clarify, but not knowing what he meant is a little unnerving.

Chewing on my lip, I write out another question.

Are you the one I saw in the woods the other day?

A flash.

Did you help me when those guys jumped me?

Another flash.

I want to ask why, but that isn’t exactly a yes or no question. It takes a few seconds to come up with a new question, and I’m half expecting him to not answer as I finally press the page against the glass.

Do you like watching me?

I hold my breath as almost ten seconds pass with no answer. Then a single flash breaks through the branches.

The prickles of exhilaration that flicker under my skin are as confusing as the way my heart speeds up until it’s galloping in my chest.

That shouldn’t excite me. Having my stalker not only confirm that he’s real and watching me but also that he enjoys doing it should freak me the fuck out. Ishouldbe terrified, but I’m not.

I can’t explain it, and I’m not sure I want to even begin to unpack any of what’s going on in my head but knowing that he likes watching me is thrilling. I’m so used to people looking right through me unless they want something that I usually feel invisible, like I could disappear and no one here would notice.

“You need so, so much therapy,” I say to myself as I write out another question.

Do you like watching me when I go for my runs?

Another flash.

“You’re insane,” I mutter as I write out another question. “Certifiably insane.”

Do you ever want to do more than just watch me?

I hold my breath, then blow it out when I see a single flash in the leaves.