Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 60904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Not many people have my number now that I’ve moved to England, and Bones has cut me out of his life.
It could only be Amala, Professor Hirst, or my stalker.
I don’t want to face the latter two, but Amala deserves my support. She was so distraught when we gathered with our classmates at the pub yesterday. I can help her through her grief without allowing her into my heart. I won’t put my new friend at risk of the curse that seems to follow me everywhere.
I brace my hands on my knees when I come to a reluctant stop, gulping air into my burning lungs. When I’m able to breathe more normally, I check my phone.
Anonymous
You shouldn’t run alone. Go back into town. It’s not safe for you out here. I might not always be around to watch over you.
Dread is an icy block in my stomach. My fingers tremble as I type out a reply.
Karolina
Leave me alone.
The response is immediate.
Anonymous
Never.
I breathe through the surge of fear.
Karolina
I’ll go to the police if you don’t stop.
Anonymous
No, you won’t. I know you. Now be a good girl and run back to town. It’s getting windy out here, and you’ll be chilled without your jacket.
Goosebumps pebble my arms as I become acutely aware of the breeze on my heated skin. My head whips around, and I search the park for signs of who might be watching me. There’s a young couple with a baby in a stroller, and a few students are kicking a football between them.
On the other side of the river, the willows no longer appear safe and inviting. Anyone could be hiding in the dense, overgrown foliage.
The back of my neck prickles.
I don’t want to obey this sick fucker, but staying exposed out here would be stupid. I’ll be safer in town, surrounded by tourists—witnesses if anyone tries to approach me without my consent.
Karolina
If you know me so well, then you’ll know not to fuck with me. Keep your distance, or you’ll regret it.
Anonymous
Don’t worry. I would never hurt you. Why do you think I got rid of Rich? He wasn’t good enough for you. He could never be worthy of you.
Karolina
And you think you are?
Anonymous
I know I’m not, but that doesn’t change anything. You’re mine.
I lock my knees to keep them from shaking. This freak is fixated on me, and I’m completely isolated. Not only because I’m outside of town; I don’t have anyone to turn to for help.
The police are out of the question. With my fake identity, I could lose my visa if they look too closely at my papers and realize I lied about who I really am.
Professor Hirst.
I have his number, and he knows about my stalker.
I might not want to lean on a near-stranger for protection, but I’m not stupid. I know it’s not safe to handle this on my own. If my stalker is watching me right now, he could make me disappear so easily. No one would even realize I was missing until I failed to show up for class.
Karolina
I’m done talking to you. I’m not yours. I don’t belong to anyone other than myself.
Anonymous
Liar.
My skin crawls. I can’t linger here.
I navigate away from the nauseating texts, find Rand’s number, and type out a hasty message to him.
Karolina
Are you free right now?
My phone rings.
That was fast.
I answer his call.
“What’s wrong?” Rand asks, voice slightly gravellier than usual.
I consider quipping that he’s making a big assumption, but he’s absolutely right. I wouldn’t contact him if I didn’t need his help.
“I got another message,” I say quickly. “I think he’s watching me.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m on the river path near Water End.”
“Go back towards town,” he says tersely.
Is he annoyed at me for contacting him?
“If you’re busy I can just—”
“I’m on my way. I’ll meet you on the path in less than ten minutes. Stay on the phone with me.”
“I really can handle myself. I didn’t mean to inconvenience you.”
He scoffs. “Your safety is hardly an inconvenience. In fact, you seem to minimize it more than is healthy. I didn’t take you for a fool, Lena.”
I bristle, but I start jogging back in the direction of town.
“I texted you, didn’t I?” I shoot back.
“And how long did you wait before you texted me?”
I huff. “You’re really living up to your nickname, Professor Asshole.”
That draws a chuckle from him. Some of the tension in my chest loosens.
Bantering with him is a merciful distraction from my fear.
“Save your breath for running,” he says. “You can insult me later.”
“I’m perfectly capable of running and talking. Plenty of breath to tell you you’re being rude and patronizing.”
“Then I suggest you increase your pace. If you can tell me off, you’re not running fast enough.”
“Maybe you’re the one who should be running toward me if you’re so worried about me.”
“I am.”