Chapter 23

Episode 23 (You’re In The Water)

ELSA

The walk in the hallway of my hostel was long, longer than expected. I closed my eyes and gave the kitten in my arms a little squeeze. He wouldn’t attack me now; he was done with the chaos for today. I was sure of that, but it didn't stop the trauma from kicking in—the feeling of being watched, the fear that I'd enter my room and Rose wouldn’t be there, the unsettling realization that he wasn’t just bragging.

The shiver I had immediately upon pulling the door knob open was out of this world. My room was empty. Rose wasn’t there, and not just her; her belongings were gone too. A white box on her bed with a red ribbon bow tie made my heart drop completely. That was the stalker’s signature design.

I dropped the kitten, whom I had named after her grandmother, Katty, on my bed and took hesitant steps towards the white box. My hands and fingers shook as they reached towards the box.

“Oh God, please…” I held my hand to my chest,