𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫!

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐞

"So, did you like the party last night?" Jesse asks practically bouncing in anticipation for my answer. My best friend and roommate is the love of my life but also is so perky and extroverted, it makes me mad sometimes. Maybe it's jealousy because I will never be so excited for little things like if my friend likes partying or not.

"I did, your friends were cool and all but one guy was a little weird."

"Who? Andrew? He's a little...odd these days. He wasn't always like that though. It's like he's being controlled to be this way. But anyways I won't invite him next time if that makes you feel better." I listen but am also reading my book. She notices and asks in her playful tone, "do you fear someone always watching? Something in the dark, waiting for you to notice them when reading those kinda books?"

"I didn't, until now." I don't look up to see my friend's eyes, but keep my head in my book.

The blonde furrow her brows in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Jess, I have this feeling someone is watching me," I confess, probably sounding just as defeated as I feel. "Ever since the party, I don't know, I just feel like there's eyes on me. Plus last night, I came home from work and as I went to undress for my shower there was flashing outside. Maybe it's my imagination but I think someone's watching me."

"Maybe your protagonist could tell you how to get out of the situation!" She tries to make light of the situation and I smile at her attempt. "All jokes aside, I have a nail file you should put in your purse." She walks off to find it, leaving me quite confused at the island of the kitchen of our apartment.

"A nail filer?" I look at the pink filer she got me.

"It's only a disguise, silly! Lift up that little bar on the side." So I did, and when I lifted it up there was a blade. "Remember to slash not stab!" She smiles brightly as I nod in appreciation.

"Thank you, Jess."

"No problem! Now, what do you say, brunch?"

- - -

The knots in my stomach are tied as I walk down the alley way.

Why does this have to be the only way home?!

I keep walking trying to get to my car when a flash of light blinds me...then another...and another. "Hello?" I call out and hear my echo as the only response.

Am I hallucinating?

I brush it off and make my way back to my car. Putting the keys in and turning the key to start it up earns me another unexpected flashing. "Would you please stop? I don't know who you are or what you want but please leave me alone!" I scream out. "I'm so tired, my day was awful, just please leave me the hell alone."

Nothing. I take a breath and start driving home, not realizing this would just keep happening for a week or two...

Written on: 9/04/21

Edited on: