Beneath the Surface

Chapter 28

The automatic doors slid open with a quiet whoosh as Lizzie stepped out of the grocery store, her arms weighed down by several bags. The late afternoon sun was warm against her skin, and she squinted slightly as she made her way through the parking lot. It was supposed to be a simple errand, just a few things to stock the kitchen while Robbie was out for the evening. She hadn't planned on staying long, but she'd lingered in the aisles, trying to avoid the nagging sense of unease that had been following her for days.

Her mind wandered back to the white Corolla she'd seen on her way here. It had appeared behind her a few blocks from the store, following her turns a little too closely, though it always kept just enough distance to seem coincidental. At the time, she hadn't thought much of it—she told herself it was just paranoia—but now, as she glanced over her shoulder at the parking lot, she couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.

Lizzie reached her car and popped the trunk, setting the grocery bags down one by one. She took her time arranging them, making sure nothing was crushed. She needed the distraction. The normalcy. It was easier to focus on something mundane than to let her thoughts spiral.

As she straightened up, she caught a glimpse of the same white Corolla parked a few rows away. The driver's window was partially rolled down, but the glare from the sun made it impossible to see inside. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly looked away, telling herself she was overreacting. After all, this was L.A.—cars followed each other all the time. There was nothing unusual about it.

Still, the uneasy feeling settled in her stomach like a stone.

Lizzie hurriedly closed the trunk and got into the driver's seat, locking the doors as soon as she was inside. She gripped the steering wheel for a moment, her pulse quickening. She debated whether to call Robbie, but he was at a gig with his band, and she didn't want to bother him with something that was probably nothing.

Probably.

She started the car, pulling out of the parking lot and onto the main road, her eyes flicking to the rearview mirror. The white Corolla was still there, a few cars behind her. Her heart thudded in her chest as she took a few random turns, testing whether the car was truly following her or if it was just her mind playing tricks.

But with each turn, the Corolla followed.

Lizzie's breath quickened, her hands gripping the steering wheel tighter as she sped up, heading toward home. She tried to keep calm, telling herself that if she just made it to the house, she'd be safe. The garage would close behind her, and the locked doors would keep the world at bay.

As she neared her street, she caught sight of the familiar black Escalade parked down the road. The sight of it, strangely enough, brought a small sense of comfort. Whoever was inside had been watching her for days now, but unlike the stalker, the Escalade didn't fill her with dread. It felt more like... protection.

But from who?

Lizzie turned into her driveway, her heart pounding as the white Corolla crept closer. She quickly pulled into the garage and hit the remote, watching the door close with agonizing slowness. The Corolla rolled past, slowing down as it neared her house, and Lizzie's breath hitched. She stayed in the car until the garage door was fully shut, her heart racing.

Finally, she exhaled, leaning her head against the steering wheel. She was safe. At least for now.

After grabbing her groceries from the trunk, Lizzie made her way inside, locking the door behind her. She moved through the house like she was on autopilot, putting the groceries away while her mind raced. It wasn't just paranoia. She had been followed. And now, she was alone in the house, with Robbie not expected back until late that night.