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?
