Call Me Rumpel

Chapter Sixteen

I stare at the text hoping doing so will make it disappear.

How? How could they have hacked my account? Even if they did guess my password, I still should've been texted a code confirming I wanted to change it.

When I search through my previous messages, there is nothing to warn me about a potential intruder. I go back into the threatening text, my hands trembling as I read it again.

"Mish? You okay?"

"Aha." I barely get the words through my teeth as I type out a reply.

What do you want? Money??

It's only a few seconds before a bubble of ellipses appears, and it takes all my strength not to scream at them to hurry. I draw a breath, glancing around the room to see who else is typing. Of course, everyone is still reacting to the interloper's message, making it impossible to tell if anyone here is responding to me or if they're simply spreading Rumpel's makeover around.

When I look back at my screen, the imposter has replied.

Your first-born child ;)

My first-born child? I realise a beat too late they're referring to what happens in the fairy tale, and another that they mean my website. Call Me Rumpelstiltskin is my baby and they already have it. With my heart in my throat, I scan the text messages, searching for a clue who the sender could be. Of course, they have near-perfect spelling and grammar; either they're clever enough to disguise their usual text patterns, or they're as anal as I am in using correct English in any situation.

I feel stupid for asking if they want money. If they did, they could just as easily drain what's in the connected PayPal account, let alone wouldn't have bothered asking for secrets as payment for services.

"Wait, you don't think any of us would tell Rumpel your secrets, do you?"

I tear my gaze from my phone, ready to threaten this bastard with anything and everything I can think of, only to see Jordyn looking hurt. I quickly pocket my phone and plaster on a smile.

"Oh, no, of course not. Besides, when it comes to secrets, I'm squeaky clean, right?"

Ari rolls her eyes. "Don't we know it."

Jordyn nods, satisfied with my answer. I've become so good at faking happiness, she can't tell how I'm falling apart inside.

I have to calm down. To think logically. To get to the bottom of this before I actually do become a murderer.

With deep breaths, I try to do just that, thinking of other explanations for this catastrophe.

***

The halls are abuzz with Imposter Rumpel's latest blast, and by the time I get to my locker, the calm I've tried so hard to build is at risk of collapsing. Still, I work on my breathing as I lean against the cool metal, scanning the hall for a sign of William.

He's one of the first to have gotten his recess and is standing by Cory's locker, urging him to stop texting so they can get going. Keeping my eyes trained on my ex, I hit send on the text message I've drafted.

This isn't funny.

Now that I've thought about it, I've clearly misinterpreted the baby comment. If this is William's way of trying to get back together with me, it's not going to work.

He doesn't pull out his phone, but mine vibrates.

I don't know how it's possible that my stomach fills with even more dread as I see that, not only has the message been read, there's also a reply waiting for me.