Eleanor Finley Park, secret daughter of the practically famous business man located in Melbourne, who's life resides on the gorgeous beach island just off the coast. When Eleanor starts receiving horrifying gifts from a stalker, she returns to her f...
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Despite being born and initially growing up in the city, it was never my home.
Every time I found myself back here, I always felt so out of place. Whilst it felt familiar, it was never homely or even remotely comfortable.
I stood to the side of the footpath edging into a small alley behind me, I watched as hordes of people brushed past one and other, each person on a fast-paced route to their goal. It overwhelmed me, entering this mass crowd of people who knew exactly where and what they were doing. I wished it would allow me to take my time, rather than being swooped up and swiftly delivered into my near future.
As I hesitantly joined the current of pushing people, I eventually found myself at my destination. Quickly leaving the crowd by pushing open the cafe's door. To my dismay, it was equally as busy inside too.
"Eleanor!"
Shouted a familiar voice across the room, as he stalked over towards me, I desperately attempted to mentally prepare myself for the upcoming conversation, as I was still flustered purely over my journey here.
Like I said, I was no city girl.
"Hi, Theo."
My response came out a lot quieter than expected, my voice imitating the nerves that overwhelmed my thoughts.
He looked just like he had done the previous time we saw each other, which was probably about a year ago. I had always been somewhat close with my brother Theodore, unlike my other 3 brothers.
Since we were little, my brother has been a massive astrology fan, he used to beg our father to let him have more and more spiritual and astrological books. All the beliefs and ideas had always intrigued him, so much so that he believed every single thing those books said. But despite his begging, our father replaced his wishes for factual science books.
"Hey Nori, listen to this", he says as he runs into my bedroom.
I nodded patiently as he jumped onto the end of my bed, whist I was sat looking towards him from the head of my bed.
"Jupiter is the ruler of the sun, the moon, and the movement of the planets. It basically symbolizes how people are meant to do things, meet each other, and meet at a place at a certain time. I think it's true", he grins at me, as the last part of his comment was said quietly, like a secret.
"What do you think?"
"Well then, I'm glad Jupiter set a path for us to meet", I replied, spreading a satisfied grin across his face.
Soon after that, our father discovered his secret studies of astrology. He was no longer allowed to spend unaccompanied time with me, whilst my father directed him towards his future career in Astrophysics. He would claim that I was too much like my grandmother and that I was a bad influence on his sons.
Ever since then, me and Theodore were no longer best friends like we once were, but rather my half-brother, just a brother.
"Long time, no see Miss Park", he laughs as he embraces me.
I grimace at the use of my last name, another one of the differences between me and my brothers.
I only return a small smile.
"So?" He looks at me questioningly.
I had called him a couple of days ago, confessing that I needed his help. Merely telling him where and when to meet me, avoiding any of his extra questions over the phone.
I could guarantee his reaction. Initially, he would blow off the issue, blaming it on me over-exaggerating my problems. Since I wasn't some insanely rich, workaholic businesswoman like my brothers and father, they had a tendency to dismiss me and the issues that I encountered like it was merely a scraped knee.
"I've been receiving these notes."
He didn't say anything.
"I've got a stalker Theo. I swear. I know it, like someone's watching me. And- well I see shadows outside my apartment, that shouldn't fucking be there." I confess.
"Is that all that this is about? Jesus Eleanor, come to me with a serious problem when you're taking your medication. Especially when I'm not so busy, you know how important my job is." He dismisses as he stands to make his leave.
Called it.
"I am taking them", I sigh "and this is not a joke, it's been going on for months and it's only just gotten worse these past few weeks."
I take his puzzled face as an indication to pull out the most recent letters, which I had brought along with me.
The large majority of the letter's contents were just rambles of this person confessing their love to me. Handwritten, yes but incredibly neat and precise. They liked to tell me facts about myself. Which were always completely true.
As Theo slowly took the letters from me, his face still holding a confused expression. Slowly I watch as his face drops, reading the notes and understanding the severity of my problem.
"Shit Eleanor... Yeah, this is really serious. I know someone who can help."
He drops the see-through bag on the table and as it clatters down, my eyes look at the 'gift' that had been causing me so much grief.
It was teeth, children's teeth. All 20 were perfectly clean, perhaps even polished. Along with the note reading:
'You've been ignoring my advances, Eleanor. Do I need to begin more drastic attempts for you to have my attention? Maybe this will prove how much I need you.'
