Eternal Bloods

Part the Third: Stella (Eleven)

Part the Third: Stella

Eleven

I didn’t end at Andrew Westbrook.

                Instead, I ended up in Thriftway. My favorite store when my money’s down low.

                I still had goose bumps and if I got down at Andrew Westbrook, people might notice something went wrong with me so I decided to go to Thriftway.

                And I was here for almost an hour.

                I don’t know if I should stay here or just go home. After everything that had had happened, I can’t make myself feel calm, relax; something that should be tranquil. I can’t. I can’t make myself feel that. The whole thing was intense, dangerous and it looks like there were inner voices shouting at me, saying what should I do? Or what’s the best thing I can do? Is Liam safe or not?

                And you know what’s strange? Is that Liam knew those guys. I can’t be sure but it looks like it. From the way he acted a while ago, like incapacitating my stalker, he got it perfectly synchronized.

                I was so worried with myself if I could get away from them and Liam too, if he could make it. But I know he can.

                Now, I only have to wait…for Liam.

                I jumped a while ago when a cell phone vibrated at the back of my pocket. Strange, I didn’t bring my phone with me. The cell phone I was holding was not mine. An unknown number displayed at its screen. I was still holding it, waiting for the cell phone to ring again. It felt suddenly important to me, waiting for the ring again.

                I pretended to scan for clothes. Glad, there were still people buying clothes. I knew I would not attract attention. Absentmindedly, I grabbed a denim pants, examining it, seeing if it would fit my 27-inch waist. Maybe, I laughed at that. The pants seemed to go with a 24-inch waist. I returned the pants then after that, the phone rang again.

                I hurriedly went for the phone and answered it right away―even if it was not mine.

                “Hello?” I said.

                “Stella?” The voice said. The voice was familiar but I can’t be sure.

                “How did you know my name?”

                “That’s my phone you’re using.”

                “You didn’t answer my question. How did you know my name? And who the hell are you?” I asked irritably.

                “William.”

                So the phone I was holding was Liam’s.

                He must had―

                “I slipped my phone inside your pocket a while ago.” Liam explained. It looked like he was driving. The engine explained it.

                “Where are you?” I asked worriedly. He could be searching for me.

                “I should ask you that. Where are you?”

                “Thriftway, this is just a few blocks away from school. I’m lucky, the store’s still open.” I turned to look around and no one had noticed me then. Nice.