Storming through the house, I realize how stupid I sound, as the embarrassment bleeds through me, and I also recognize that none of what I just said made much sense.
"Poison!" My stalker shouts as my hand coils around the library door handle.
I freeze.
"Stop right there! Don't you move another muscle."
The bratty side of me that he brings out begs me to turn the handle and find solace in the stacks just beyond the door.
The saner side of me is what keeps me still. He just killed someone last night.
I don't want to be his next victim.
My heart races, emotions blazing through my stomach, searing a hole.
His hand on my shoulder shouldn't affect me as it does, and I try to push away the tingling sensation and the immediate urge to curl into him for comfort.
"What's going on with you today?"
"Nothing."
"Something."
Words I very much want to spew burn the tip of my tongue, but I have to remind myself I'm trying to remain alive until Allison finds me.
If I raise any red flags, he could get antsy and kill me.
If he thinks I know what he did last night, he could also kill me.
Fuck,if the wind blows wrong, he could kill me.
"My period is coming," I blurt, hoping it'll keep him solvent and get me off the hook for my meltdown.
His brows furrow as his gaze narrows on me. "You're right. Next week. I didn't realize it makes you so emotional."
He knows my fucking cycle?!
Of course he does.
"Well, if you ever kept me alert instead of drugging me, maybe you'd have known."
His eyes darken. "I'm going to let that one slide on account of how keyed up you are. But period or not, you'd best remember how to behave."
I swallow, using every ounce of energy I can muster to nod. "I'm sorry."
Appeased, he straightens. "I'll leave you alone to calm down. I have an errand to run. I'll bring dinner back. Hopefully, I'll find you right where I left you, being that you should've already learned you can't escape."
I bite my lip, watching him turn and exit the hall.
Taking a deep breath, I pivot and enter the library, running my fingers along the spines of the books as they give me comfort.
I hear my stalker's truck fire up before gravel crunches on his exit.
Bear hops up into a fluffy chair near the window, turning in circles before lying down.
If only I were as good as he is at being held captive, I'd have it made.
Jostled awake, I look around in confusion.
