I freeze mid-breath, my stomach dropping as I glare at the message. My mood completely plummets when a picture appears.
Of me.
Outside the bar with Roo. Backlit by a streetlight, one hand in my hair, head tilted back in laughter.
I hadn’t posted anything. Hadn’t sent a photo to anyone, so he was there, following me.
Unknown number:
You looked so pretty when you leaned against him.
Another photo.
This one is me leaning into Silas as we left. It’s just my profile and his sleeve, blurry but real. Enough to prove he was there.
My throat goes dry as I lose sensation in my fingers. The audacity of this man is beyond my understanding. Daniel istreading on thin ice. He’s getting closer to making the move I need him to make so I can get rid of him.
The next picture and message hit like a barrage of bruises. There’s no point in looking, I know which moment he snapped.
Unknown number:
You used to laugh like that for me.
I don’t respond. He doesn’t deserve that from me..
I simply press the power button and set the phone down like it might explode. With great trepidation, I stare at it for a full minute. Maybe even longer.
Then I pick it back up and open the app.
Eris:
Someone is sending me pictures.
Of me. Taken last night.
The reply is instantaneous.
Locke:
Where?
Show me.
I hesitate for a split second, wondering if I really want to drag them into Daniel’s nonsense. Then I drop one of the photos into the chat.
The response comes slower this time.
Locke:
I don’t like him watching you.
Eris:
Do you think you can stop him?
Locke:
I can try.
