Stalk Her

I crinkled my nose up at her.

Who the hell could feel eyes on them, I’d thought at the time.

But right now, as I walk, there’s an echo of my steps. Only it’s not an echo.

I feel it.

Eyes on me, tracking my movements.

It’s not the first time either.

I could have sworn someone was following me a couple of weeks back, but I had brushed it off as paranoia.

When I’d turned to confront whoever it was, I found a guy just walking in the same direction before splitting off across the street.

Was he actually following me?

My chest tightens the closer the steps sound.

It’s still light out, so I shouldn’t need to feel wary and scared, but the fear trickles into my veins anyway.

A million flashes of news articles race in my mind, making sickness stir in my gut.

Checking the road for cars, I take off in a jog across it.

Clouds darken the sky, blotting out the sun, sending chills crawling up my neck.

Once I’m safely on the other side, I stare back to see if the person followed me across, but there’s no one there.

I know I’m not imaging this.

Racing inside the Anonymous building I shuffle nervously from foot to foot.

I’m not sure if this is allowed or frowned upon, but I need to see Ebony.

I need to tell her what a piece of shit Mr. Lee is and that I didn’t get to meet Mr. Ross.

A flamboyant boy struts towards me with a pretty smile on his lips.

“Hello, can I help you?”

Squirming a little I say, “I’m here to see Ebony.”

Sadness erases his smile, and he holds his hands together at his chest like he’s praying.

“I’m sorry, she’s unavailable right now. Can I help you with something?”

Folding my arms, I look behind him at a girl swiping a tear from her eye.

“Is Ebony ok?” I find myself asking. The whole place reeks of misery.

A scowl tugs down his brow as he comes closer to me, ushering me into a corner.

“Ebony has had to take some personal time. Her husband was killed in a hit and run, and she’s just devastated, as can be expected.” He raises his eyes to the ceiling and becomes animated with his hand movements.

“It’s just terrible, and Ebony is…”

Before he can finish, I’m backing away, my breathing heavy, and hands beginning to shake.

My mind races, and sickness burns up my throat scorching a path in its wake.

Placing a hand over my mouth I force it to retreat.

How the hell can this be?

Coincidence. Maybe it’s a different hit and run victim.

“Miss?” The boy calls out, but I’m running, pushing through the doors.

I don’t stop running until my lungs burn and my feet scream for relief.

Asher is sitting at the breakfast table when I make it back home, the soles of my feet screaming for me to kick off my boots and submerge them in cool water.

I should have taken the bus, but once I started running, I couldn’t stop.

This all seems so fucking weird.

Of all the people Fred could have hit in his car, it was Ebony’s husband?

“Hey,” Asher grunts without looking up from the stuff he’s reading.

“What’s all that?” I ask, out of breath and sweating profusely.

“Lawyer shit, and bills, and insurance forms. I think I’m going to have to ask my aunt for help paying for a decent lawyer.”

“Maybe you don’t,” I say quietly.

Green eyes look up at me, crinkles marring his forehead.

“What the fuck does that mean?”

Pulling out the chair, I sit and hold in a sigh when my feet thank me for the reprieve.

“He killed someone Ash, someone’s husband.”

Screwing up his beautiful face, anger flickers in his gaze aimed at me.

“Since when do you have morals? He’s my dad. He might be an asshole, but prison? He’d never survive it.”

Shrugging, I shake my head.

“I don’t know Ash.”

I get to my feet and open the fridge. There’s a brown bag in there, which I know will have a sandwich inside from my favorite shop.

“Thank you,” I grab the bag and turn to go up to my room.

“Your welcome, and I fed your mother for you, too,” he shouts, scolding me.

When I open my laptop there’s a message from Ebony.

Before I see the words, my stomach hits the floor. Does she know?

Hey Alice.

Did you call in to see my brother at LeeRoss Industries?

He hasn’t mentioned seeing you.

I’m sure he will be willing to help you out.

Think about it.

All the best,

Ebony.

Oh my God, this woman is a saint.

She’s just lost her husband, yet she’s still concerned about me? She clearly doesn’t know the connection we have now.

What will she think when she finds out it was my stepfather who is responsible?

I re-read her message and smile. She dropped the fact that Mr. Ross is her brother.

Deciding I need to find out more about her.

I type her name into Google and get thousands of hits.