OUT OF REACH

~Kelsey~

I adjusted the itchy blonde wig on my head, tucking a few stray strands behind my ears as I stepped out of the small boutique that had hired me despite my lack of experience.

My oversized sunglasses slipped down my nose but I quickly pushed them back up, nervously scanning the street as I locked the store.

Despite how many times I had tried to convince myself that I was safe and he would never see past my disguise, I couldn't shake the feeling that he was watching my every move.

He was hiding somewhere, waiting to strike again.

I had seen a few suspicious looking vehicles but it always ended up being nothing.

The suspense was slowly driving me insane and paranoia clung to me like a second skin, suffocating every breath I took.

Every whisper of fabric, every uneven footstep behind me sent a jolt of dread down my spine and I hated it.

I took a deep breath.

I was being ridiculous. He wasn’t jobless enough to be monitoring my every move.

I was safe as long as I was outside.

I moved carefully, taking longer routes home and avoiding alleys and deserted streets.

I ducked into several random stores, pausing to pretend I was interested in things I didn’t need. By the time I reached my street, my nerves were completely frayed.

But I let myself relax. This property now belonged to Mr Alessandro. My stalker would be more than crazy to come here.

I climbed the front steps, already reaching for my keys when my eyes landed on the small vase on the porch.

A large black box nestled securely untop of it, suffocating my plants.

A chill crawled up my spine.

I hadn’t ordered anything. No one knew where I lived.

Except him.

Swallowing hard, I bent down, my fingers trembling as I lifted the lid.

A single dead rose lay inside. Its petals were smudged with streaks of black and brown.

Was this some type of threat?

Beneath the rose lay a small folded card.

I reached for it and took a deep breath before opening it.

It was blank.

No name, no nothing- only an address scribbled at the bottom of the paper.

My stomach dropped as I realized that the address on the card was Marcus's home address.

I slammed the lid shut and stumbled back, my breath quick and uneven.

The street was completely empty, but suddenly, it felt like there were eyes watching, laughing at my fear and making fun of my trauma.

I turned sharply, scanning the rooftops, the yard, garden and tool shed.

Nothing!

There wasn't even a sign that anyone had been here.

I wasn’t stupid enough to believe I was alone, he was definitely somewhere with a wide grin plastered on his stupid face.

I grabbed the box, stormed inside and locked the door behind me.

I checked the windows. The back door. Even the closets, as if he could be hiding inside.

Only when I was certain I was alone did I let my knees buckle.

I sat on the floor, my dad's old baseball bat clutched in my trembling hands.

I wouldn’t go to the address.

I wouldn’t play his game. He could go ahead and report me to the police. There was no evidence to prove I had hurt Marcus.

I would remain hidden and avoid him until he gets bored and goes back to wherever the fuck he came from.

I spent the entire night practicing swings just incase my stalker decided to show up. I grabbed a kitchen knife and a rusted steel pipe, they would do enough damage incase he showed up and tried to attack me again.

Unfortunately, or rather fortunately, he never showed up.

The silence stretched for several more days.

He didn’t appear in my room, he didn't contact me. It was like he had disappeared.

By the eight day, I convinced myself that maybe, just maybe, he was done with me.

I could finally let my hair down and live like a normal girl.

Mr Alessandro had began renovating the mansion and when I wasn't in the boutique, I spent my time overseeing the renovations.

This night was no different, I stayed late at the kitchen, cleaning up after the carpenters. Dust clung to my skin, my muscles ached and the air smelled like fresh wood and varnish.

I was beyond exhausted.

I needed rest. I had barely showered or slept properly since my stalker came into my life. But now that he was gone, I can finally get much needed rest.

I slipped out of my dirty clothes, filled the tub with hot water and lavender soap, and turned down the lights.

Steam curled around me as I sank into the hot water, the heat soothing my sore body. I let my head rest against the edge of the tub, the distant sound of the wind outside lulling me into a hazy calm.

My eyelids grew heavy and I soon drifted into sleep.

~

The sound of slow music jolted me awake.

My heartbeat quickened as I realized the music was coming from my bedroom.

I sat up slowly, water sloshing around me. My skin prickled with unease as I turned my head toward the bathroom door.

It was locked.

The entire house was locked.

But someone had gotten into my room.

The music was coming from there.

My heartbeat pounded in my ears, my body frozen in the cooling water. Every instinct screamed at me to stay still. As long as the person didn't know I was in here, they would think the house was empty and leave.

Suddenly, my eyes caught movement at the edge of my tub.

I inhaled sharply, my entire body locking up as I reached for my phone.

I turned on the flashlight and pointed it towards the edge of the tub.

My heart skipped a beat and a scream escaped from my throat.

He was there!

Standing just feet away, watching me.

Watching me sleep.

My stomach twisted violently, my fingers wrapping around my phone like my life depended on it.

My throat was dry and my lips trembled violently as I tried to speak.

His dark eyes remained fixed on me like a predator watching its prey and I trembled under his gaze.

"Get out of the tub, Kelsey-Grace."