Ripping off the band-aid, I snap around and see a shadow that looks like the outline of a man. Not wanting to look more than necessary, I turn back around and enter the parking lot, pacing towards the far end where my car is parked, fumbling for my keys in my jacket pocket.
Relax, Lauren.
It must be someone else from the office.
I quicken my steps, almost breaking into a run. My heels click hard against the concrete pavement. When I turn around again, I notice that the figure has teleported closer, now sandwiched between two vehicles, stationary, as he watches me again. Sunlight cuts around him, so I still can’t see his face—just the outline of his body.
What the hell?
Is this guy following me?
Maybe I wasn’t being crazy, after all.
My pulse spikes, my breath becoming shallow.
I lunge forward.
And so does he.
Shit!
I dart past a long line of cars and beeline for the other side of the car park, my eyes catching sight of an alley up ahead. My vision has become blurry, but I know this alley. It leads to a crowded main street. I’m sure I can lose my stalker there.
My feet are starting to hurt, pain spreading through my ankles and down to the soles of my feet. I’d be able to run faster barefoot, but taking off the heels would cost me time that I can’t afford, considering how fast this man seems to be able to run.
A tear slips from the corner of my eye.
Dammit!
What if this is the end?
What if Nikolai was right all along?
Maybe he wasn’t telling me to stop digging so his organization would be protected. Maybe hewasactually telling me to stop for my own good.
I grit my teeth, the heels almost slicing my feet in half. Turning around, I notice the figure just a few feet away now. He’s obviously faster than me. He’s wearing a black balaclava to conceal his identity; long, black clothes, too.
No!
My body starts to overheat, my head feeling light.
I will my pained feet and legs to continue, to carry me faster, and make it across the alleyway. I try to quicken my pace even more, as much as my body will allow. Luckily, thanks to the surge of adrenaline, I’m able to keep sprinting. At the end of the alleyway, I see light. Cars drive past, one after the other.
Civilization!
People!
Thank God!
I race to the light at the end of the tunnel, hoping that I can turn the corner and make it to safety before the stalker catches up to me, but when I look back, he’s right behind me.
No!
It’s clear that running alone isn’t going to save me anymore. But maybe something else can.
I slip my shaking hand into my jacket pocket to pull out my phone, trying to navigate to the phone dial whilst running. Now would be a good time to have Nikolai’s number—I’m sure he’d come to my rescue and save me from this nightmare.
I settle for emergency services, inputting nine-one-one into the dial.
