Betrayed by Trust

Chapter 4-

Once they arrive at the phone store, Demi parks the car and turns to look at Rowan. "Alright, we're here. Let's get you that new number and a new account set up. Once we do that, everything should be set. I'll keep a watch out just in case, alright?"

Rowan was filled with hope as they stared at the store, unbuckling their seatbelt. They get out of the car while Demi stays inside the car. Demi watches as Rowan gets out of the car and walks toward the store. She stays in the driver's seat, her eyes scanning the area carefully, looking for any sign of trouble. She keeps the car idling ready to come to their aid if necessary.

As Demi sits in the driver seat watching, she notices that Rowan's phone begins to ring watching as they look at the screen and sees the unknown caller. She sits up straighter and narrows her eyes as she watches them hesitate to answer the phone. Finally, Rowan answers the phone.

The voice on the other end of the line is familiar, sending a chill down their spine.

"Ah, so you decided to pick up this time around, eh, darling?"

Rowan looks around to see where the person is hiding, phone still to their ear. There was a soft chuckle from the other end of the line as if the person on the phone was enjoying their growing fear.

"Oh, don't bother looking around, dear. I'm not close enough for you to see me yet. But I'm watching you... always watching...

"Tell me who you are, coward."

The person on the phone laughs again, their tone dripping with mockery.

"Oh, my dear, you want to know who I am, do you? Why ruin the mystery? It's much more fun to keep you guessing, don't you think?"

As Rowan changes their number and account, the constant ringing of their old phone fills the air. The person seems relentless, calling repeatedly as if desperate to get through to them. The clerk behind the counter keeps a professional demeanor, but they cast wary glances in their direction, clearly disturbed by the repeated calls.

Rowan makes a beeline for the car after throwing their old phone into the trash. Demi sees them and unlocks the door as they approach, noticing the relieved look on their face

"Everything okay? You look a little rattled."

Rowan explains everything that just happened while in the store and how the number wouldn't stop blowing up their phone. Demi listens intently as they explained what happened, her expression growing serious. She lets out a frustrated sigh and grips the steering wheel tightly.

"Damn it, I was hoping we would have some peace for a while. This person is really starting to drive me crazy the way they keep trying to get to you."

"It's over now, I threw away the old phone, they don't know where you live, they won't bug us anymore."

Demi takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, trying to calm herself down. She looks at Rowan and her expression is softer now.

"I hope you're right, but I can't shake the feeling that this person isn't going to give up so easily. Just promise you'll be careful, okay? And don't hesitate to call me if you need anything, no matter what time it is. I'll be here for you, always.