Stalker X Stalker // Jhocey

Chapter 2

The following week, Stacey and her friends continued their morning jog routine. They enjoyed the fresh air, the exercise, and the chance to catch up with each other. But now, they couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. Jhoanna and her group had joined them a couple more times, each encounter more awkward than the last.

One particularly foggy morning, Stacey decided to jog alone. She needed some time to clear her head and think about everything that had been happening. She messaged Maloi, Sheena, and Aiah to let them know she was heading out early.

As Stacey jogged through the misty park, she felt a strange sense of unease. The usual tranquility was overshadowed by an eerie silence. She brushed it off, attributing it to the fog. She picked up her pace, the rhythmic sound of her footsteps on the pavement calming her nerves.

Meanwhile, Jhoanna, who had been keeping a close watch on Stacey, noticed her leave alone. She quickly messaged her friends.

"Si Staku, nagjogging mag-isa. Tara, puntahan natin," Jhoanna typed with excitement.

Mikha, Colet, and Gwen agreed, albeit with a hint of reluctance. They hurried to the park, hoping to catch up with Stacey.

Stacey, oblivious to Jhoanna's intentions, continued her run. She took a different path, one that led deeper into the park, away from the usual jogging trail. As she rounded a bend, she heard footsteps behind her. Her heart raced, but she kept jogging, trying to shake off the feeling of being followed.

Suddenly, she heard a voice. "Stacey!"

She turned around to see Jhoanna, Mikha, Colet, and Gwen jogging towards her. Stacey forced a smile, masking her surprise and discomfort. "Hey, guys. Anong ginagawa niyo dito?"

Jhoanna smiled, her eyes gleaming with an intensity that made Stacey uneasy. "Nauna ka, so we decided to follow. Pwede ba kaming sumama?"

"Sure," Stacey replied, trying to keep her tone light. "Pero medyo malayo pa to. Kaya niyo ba?"

"Kayang-kaya!" Jhoanna exclaimed, her enthusiasm almost unsettling.

They jogged together, but the atmosphere was tense. Stacey felt like she was being scrutinized, every move she made observed closely by Jhoanna. She couldn't help but notice the odd looks exchanged between Jhoanna and her friends.

After a while, they reached a secluded part of the park. The fog had thickened, making it hard to see more than a few feet ahead. Stacey slowed down, her instincts telling her something was wrong.

"Guys, medyo creepy dito ah. Baka pwede na tayong bumalik?" Stacey suggested.

Jhoanna's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "Sure, Staks. Let’s head back."

As they turned to leave, Stacey stumbled over a root, twisting her ankle. She cried out in pain, falling to the ground. Jhoanna rushed to her side, but her concern seemed superficial.

"Are you okay?" Jhoanna asked, though her tone lacked genuine worry.

Stacey nodded, wincing. "Yeah, I think so. Pero parang na-sprain ata."

Mikha, noticing Stacey's distress, knelt beside her. "Dali, tulungan na natin siya. Kailangan natin siyang dalhin sa clinic."

Jhoanna's expression darkened slightly, but she agreed. "Tama. Kailangan ni Stacey ng tulong."

They helped Stacey up, and she leaned on Mikha for support. As they made their way back, Jhoanna stayed unusually quiet, her eyes never leaving Stacey. The silence was unsettling, and Stacey couldn't shake off the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

Back at the entrance of the park, Maloi, Sheena, and Aiah were waiting. They had decided to join Stacey after all and had been worried when they couldn't find her. When they saw Stacey limping, supported by Mikha, their concern turned to alarm.

"Ano'ng nangyari?!" Maloi exclaimed, rushing to Stacey's side.

"Na-sprain lang," Stacey replied, trying to downplay the situation.

Sheena glanced at Jhoanna, her eyes narrowing. "Andito na naman kayo?"

Jhoanna's smile was strained. "We just wanted to help."

Aiah, sensing the tension, stepped forward. "Salamat sa tulong, pero kami na ang bahala kay Staku."

Mikha nodded, understanding the underlying message. "Okay, mag-iingat na lang kayo. Sana gumaling ka agad, Staks."

As Jhoanna and her group left, Stacey's friends gathered around her. "Ano ba talagang nangyari?" Aiah asked, her voice filled with concern.

Stacey sighed. "I don't know. But something about Jhoanna just feels off. Parang may ibang motive siya."

Maloi nodded in agreement. "We need to be careful. I don't trust her."

As they helped Stacey to the nearest clinic, they couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease. Stacey's peaceful jogs had turned into something much more sinister, and they knew they had to stay vigilant. The mystery surrounding Jhoanna's true intentions loomed over them, casting a shadow over their once carefree mornings.