3

When she arrived home, she began thinking of this mystery man, M.A. that had contacted her. Though the game they played was friendly at the moment, she had to wonder if he was indeed safe. He seemed to know where she was as she was there. She knew tO’Brieny was grocery day, so she took stock of what she had and made a quick list. She was going to run to the store as she remembered her clothes. So she dumped them in her soaking bucket and looked around for a bit in her laundry room.

As she was on her way out, she saw the blinking light on her phone. What now? She thought to herself.

You have been quiet. Did I scare you with dinner?

She looked at the note and thought to put it off until she was done with her errands. That took about an hour as a trip to the store never went easy or quick. She chose Wednesday to go because after going on every other day, she saw that it was less time on days like tO’Brieny. She usually went later, as well. When she got home and unpacked everything, she looked around at her house. Nothing was off, but she still had the feeling of being watched. She looked at her phone again and began to wonder; it had to be a by-product of knowing some had paid attention to her without her knowing as M.A. had before he saw the ad. To her, that was slightly weird. She didn’t think anyone ever really saw her. Though the paranoia she was feeling was building in her, the more she thought about it.

I am not sure I want to play the game anymore.

She sent it off and waited. It was straight and to the point. She started to feel slightly light-headed and tried to write it off as the relief of wanting to end the game. One side of her brain said that wasn’t right, though. She had been happy with the game earlier. Something was getting to her and messing with her since she got home. She couldn’t put her finger on it, though.

Why? Though I will admit it is rather fun for me, I don't want to scare you.

She wondered why that would matter. If she ended it now, she felt confident she would regret it later. M.A. had captured her attention as no other man had before. She wasn't sure what she wanted, but she was also too busy looking over her shoulder, not for him but something that wasn't right. Something was definitely wrong, but she couldn't place it.

I don't think it's you scaring me.

Honest and to the point. However, if he had been watching her tO’Brieny, maybe he would have seen something out of place. She was about to ask when he sent another message.

What exactly do you mean? Another guy from the sight? Or something else?

Her response was easy.

I don't know. Something is not right.

No hesitation.

Get out of your house. The response from him was instantaneous. She knew something was wrong, but she couldn’t think straight. Seeing it on her phone from him and him telling her to get out was probably what she needed to do.

What? She typed out. Though she understood it clearly, she wanted someone to tell her what to do. This was not like her. She was now pacing the floor in her kitchen.

Get out!

She did after grabbing a few things and threw them into her car. She was seriously freaked out. Though the air around her started to feel a little more clear. Her head didn’t seem so clouded either.

Now what? I am out.

Thinking......  He sent one message for another to follow quickly. Go to the hotel on base.

Why? She was battling with herself again. Though she knew he had nothing to do with the way, she felt she was wondering why he was helping her at all. Nothing was making to much sense even with the lighter feeling in her head with the fresh air.

Your house is probably bugged or drugged. Either way, you start to get paranoid and start questioning things around you. I know this is weird taking orders from someone you don’t know, but trust me.  His reply said everything she needed to hear. She didn’t question his motives too much. It seemed that he only wanted to help, and she knew that she would get the same advice from any of the members of her own team if she called one of them.

WHAT?!?!?!?! Though she could read the words and understand what was going on, it still didn’t seem real to her. She couldn’t believe that someone would target her in any way. She was a research doctor now. She hardly ever did go out into the field. She had people who reported to her when they did. It would take a lot for her to have to go out though she was a first responder. Things like this didn’t happen to her.

Just go to the hotel.

With that, she did. She drove back to the base and checked in. Luckily she could as they were already filled up and had one room left. She dropped the bag on the floor and sighed as she flopped herself on the bed. Though her phone was in her pocket the entire time, she didn’t message him or look to see if he sent her one for a while. Time was standing still as the more she thought about how she felt, the more she knew he was right. Something was probably in the house that set off her warning bells and made her doubt herself more. She would figure out what at a later time. Now she wanted to relax for a minute. The more she was out of the house though the clearer her brain was.

It took a few more minutes before she did look at her phone. If anything, she needed to thank him for helping her get out before something bad did happen. She didn’t know what was going on in the big picture, but whatever it was could not be good. When she did pull out the phone, she saw the blinking light of an envelope, and she let a small smile show through. It was nice having someone that was thinking about her.

Did you get a room? It was a simple question, but for some reason, she was happy he was concerned enough to ask. She didn’t want to think too much into what had happened at her house or the fact she was back on base, but the idea that someone cared was enough to lighten her feeling. Though her head did still feel slightly stuffy and off-center.

Yes. The last one. She was smiling as she typed it out. Right now, at least one person knew she was out of the house and safe in the base hotel. She was fine with that.

Good.

Did you bug my house? Though she didn’t want to think that he had anything to do with this, she did have to ask. The fact that he entered her life even virtually and then something like this, whatever this was, happened was just another of those coincidences that she really didn’t believe in. She had to ask.

No. That is a sixth date thing, not one beforehand. Plus, I don't know where you live. His answer made her laugh, and she knew it rang true. Even if he somehow could pull her file, the address that was listed was her apartment from before she bought this house. Everyone knew she had moved, but she had never updated her paperwork. So unless he was stalking her, he wouldn’t know where she lived.

Okay then. I guess I will have to believe you on that. She did believe him. Something in her was clearing the way to trust this person.

Princess. I like you, honestly, have for a while. When I saw your profile pop up as a possible match, I thought it was fate pushing me to act finally. I wouldn't do something to hurt or scare you. I thought you would like a game to figure out who I am so you could see me before you met me in a different way. At least I know you are close now. She reread the message a few times. He did know her. He was trying to make this fun for her with this game. He wanted a chance to do this blindly so she would get to know him. Everything was making sense except for the statement he had liked her for some time. That didn’t seem possible to her.

Are you in the hotel? She asked him back.

Maybe. He replied, and she knew he was. The idea that he was close by seemed to give her a sense of comfort. Nothing could get to her there on base. Knowing he was somewhere on the four floors of the base hotel was enough to help her nerves calm down as well.

Who are you? She finally asked. It was all leading up to this in her mind. She wanted to know, but at the same time, having this faceless being who seemed to like her was interesting. It was flattering as well. He had just said he liked her for a while. That meant someone had liked her all this time while she doubted herself. It was a boost to her.

Are you sure you want to know? He answered, and she knew that neither of them really wanted to say or know. At least not yet. This way, she could get to know him with no chance of just writing him off because of something superficial. If she did want to know, she would probably get a knock on her door within a few minutes.

I am not sure of anything right now. She replied as she sighed, and the noise filled her room. Nothing was really right for her, and she was drained from her day. The more time she spent focused on something, the more it seemed her mind worked better and was free from the effects of whatever had made her feel confused.

Then go to sleep. Just know you are safe here. He replied, and she could hear the sounds of the people on the floor above her as they walked around and got into the different beds. She smiled that people were around. Though she could have pulled out a computer to work, she wanted nothing more than to curl up. Sleep sounded great to her right now.

Safe, huh?  

And with that, she laid her head on the pillow and closed her eyes.