There’s a click on the line, and all I hear is silence. I feel like I weigh a thousand pounds as my body slides to the floor, my legs no longer able to hold me up. I wrap my arms around my legs and try to get my trembling body under control. I sit in my dark hallway, contemplating on what I should do. I’m scared as hell. I want to call Asher and tell him what happened, but I also don’t want to see him. I know he’ll protect me, but I’m not ready to face him yet. And if I’m being truthful, I’m also worried about his reaction. I may be pissed at him, but I don’t want to see him get into trouble. And I have no doubt he’ll go off the deep end if he finds out this guy is still harassing me.
I pick my body up off the floor, my legs still wobbly, and creep down the hallway. The feeling of being watched is no longer present, but that doesn’t mean he’s no longer there. I peek my head around the corner and look out into the living room. I look to each window and see nothing out of place. Shivers still race up my spine though. I don’t feel safe here anymore.
I turn on my heel and rush to the bathroom that’s connected to my room. Locking the door behind me, I find Liv’s number and push send. I don’t want to involve her and Tony, but I have no one else I can call.
A rush of relief slams through me when I hear her voice, almost bringing me to tears again.
“What the hell, Pop? Why haven’t you been answering my calls?” she demands, hurt evident in her voice. “I’ve been worried sick.”
“Liv,” I whisper, fear making my tears impossible to hold back.
“Poppy? What’s wrong?” she asks, worry replacing the hurt.
“I’m scared.” I don’t know if it’s because I’m scared whoever may be watching can hear me, or if I’m just not capable of talking louder. “I think someone’s watching me.”
“Where are you?” she demands.
“In the bathroom,” I answer shakily.
I hear a shuffling sound and murmurs in the background before there’s a thump, then Tony’s voice comes on the line.
“What happened?” he asks harshly.
I cringe at his tone, but know it’s not aimed at me. Tony is very protective of Liv and will do anything for her. As her best friend, that protection includes me.
“N-nothing. I just had a c-creepy phone call from someone. Can I come over?”
There’s more shuffling and then I hear a door slam.
“Are your doors locked?”
“Yes,” I whimper pathetically.
“We’re on our way over. Just stay in the bathroom and on the phone with Liv until we get there, okay?”
I nod, then realize he can’t see me. “Okay. Please hurry.”
“We will.”
Seconds later, Liv’s voice sounds over the line. “Are you okay?” she asks.
I squeeze my eyes shut and rest my head back against the tile wall behind me. I take in a few deep breaths, trying to force back the bile rising in my throat, and wrap my arms around my middle.
“Physically, I’m fine. I just don’t understand why this is happening to me.” My voice is still shaky.
“Just take a deep breath, Pop,” Liv says calmly, trying her best soothe me. “We’ll be there in a few minutes.”
I suck in a deep breath through my nose and blow it out through my mouth. My racing heart pounds in my chest, and I can feel the beat in my ears. The top of my head prickles and my skin turns clammy. I’m on the verge of a panic attack. I’ve never had one before, but I’ve seen them firsthand and know the symptoms. I sit down on the toilet and put my head down between my knees. The sound of Liv breathing on the other end of the line is the only thing keeping me rooted in place.
I don’t know how long I sit there before Liv asks, “You still there, Poppy?”
“Yes.”
“We’re pulling in your driveway now. Come meet us at the door, sweetie.”
I get up on laden feet and frantically fumble with the lock. It takes me several tries to get the damn door open, then I’m rushing down the hall and over to the front door. As soon as I pull it open, I’m wrapped up in Liv’s arms. I don’t know who embraces who first, I’m just glad she’s here. I soak Liv’s shirt with tears as we stand on my stoop. Feeling Tony’s hand run up and down my back gives me comfort.
Several minutes pass when I feel Tony nudge both of us forward.