Nameless // Van McCann

11. Being Watched

My suspicions were confirmed and I didn't know what to make of it. I just sat there dumbfounded. Before you question my thoroughness, I'll have you know I searched every possible place and found every iteration of the list available but there was no Liv or Olivia that matched her description. She was simply non-existent, making me wonder if I was being catfished.

My curiosity drove me to call Dan out of desperation but he didn't pick up. Perhaps he was busy with work and still had training. Was I being played? Was this some kind of sick game? I shut my computer down and rubbed my eyes. My eyes were strained from looking at the screen too long so I closed my eyes in an attempt to rest them.

"I don't know what's happening anymore, Cookie."

Cookie cocked his head at the mention of his name. It was noon and I wasted half my day only to find nothing. It was time for lunch so I went to the kitchen to put together a half-hearted sarnie. I wasn't even tasting my food; I only ate to quell my hunger. Figuring I was worrying too much, I decided to take Cookie out for a walk. The walk was more for me than for him.

As I made my way down the street, I was trying to come up with a plan to figure out who she is and what she wants from me. I was dead curious what her ID would say but looking inside her purse won't be easy unless she leaves it unattended. And what if it's a fake ID? They're quite easy to make.

Shortly after I told her I was fine, she texted me saying she had a great time which meant she was up for another date. The thought of seeing her again excited me but my excitement was different this time. She's alluring, I'll give her that. But now I was determined to get to the bottom of this mystery and I wondered if she knew I wouldn't stop until I got answers.

I'm usually straightforward when it comes to getting what I want but I had to tread carefully. If I came on too strong, I'd scare her off which I didn't want. I'm too emotionally invested in this mystery. Everything I say and every move I make from now on is calculated. My curiosity outweighed the feelings I had for her but they were still there. Partway through my walk, I felt my phone buzz so I took it out. As soon as I saw it was Dan calling, I quickly answered, almost dropping my phone in the process.

"Fuck, that was close," I muttered.

My heart was beating rapidly at the near miss. I was glad my reflexes were still quick from playing footy in my teenage years or else my phone would've been a goner. I pressed the phone to my ear.

"Alright, mate?" I greeted him.

"Hi Van, sorry I missed your call. I'm just calling to see what you needed. Is now a good time to talk?" Dan responded.

"Yeah...'course!"

"You're not busy doing my shit, are ya? Have they hired my replacement yet?" Even though I couldn't see Dan, I knew he was smiling smugly. He knows his departure is a huge impact to the company.

"I've no idea. I got taken off the interview panel, remember?" I could hear Dan laughing.

"That's right! So what'd you call for?" I stayed silent, trying to put my words together carefully.

"I was wondering if you could tell me what you know about Liv."

"Still thinkin' about her, aren't ya? Well I gave you her number, didn't I? Have you reached out to her yet?"

"I have but that's not the point," I said, frustrated. "It doesn't add up. She's not really Liv, is she?"

"I don't know what you're—"

"Did you even go to school with her? Or is that a lie too?" I asked, cutting him off. Dan went silent and for a moment, I thought he hung up on me. "I don't know what kind of sick game you're playing but I'm done with it. Who is she?" My words were harsh but I didn't have the patience anymore.