TAKEOVER

7

Two days later, and Stan hadn't gotten a call from either Mathew, or particularly Isack. Which meant the deal was still on. The nervousness was starting to get to him, he expected a call, or something, anything.

Paranoia steadily creeping into his mind was now frequent, he felt like he was being watched. At first he felt something was off, but he couldn't pinpoint what it was, just a subtle shift in the air, a chill that clung to his skin despite the humid heat

It was until he crossed the street earlier that day when he noticed, a black sedan parked just across the street. He remembered seeing the same car across the street from his house the night before

It didn't show any signs of moving, nothing overtly to draw his attention, but its presence was enough to send a jolt of unease through him.

He wasn't alone

Now, sitting in class, that feeling had only gotten worse, his eyes flicked to the window, watching the street. Had the car followed him to campus? Or was it just paranoia

After the lecture, Stan pushed through the crowd of students, his head down quietly heading for the library. He decided against heading home, his paranoia wouldn't allow it. If he was being followed, he had to know by whom, and the library was a good place to gather his thoughts

As he made his way across the courtyard he occasionally glanced towards the busy street, instantly spotting the sedan, its tinted windows masking the one behind it

He sat on a nearby bench, a book in his arms as he pretended, stealing glances of the car far across the streets, it couldn't be a coincidence spotting that same car in the last three days. Maybe it was the police waiting for the moment to catch him in the act, maybe it was Mathew. Endless waves of thought occupied him, till he felt a tap on his shoulder

He turned. Martha, her signature smile lighting her face. "Hey, haven't seen you around lately. Everything okay?"

Stan looked up at her, his heart skipping a beat. "Yeah, just......busy, you know? Classes, projects, the usual" he made room for her to sit

Martha sat beside him, her presence instantly calming. "You? Busy with classes? That's hard to believe" she laughed lightly, brushing a stray curl behind her ear

Stan chuckled, though it felt forced. "Believe it or not, I do more than just annoy you all day"

"Really?", she teased. "Because every time I see you, you're either sleeping or on betting websites"

"Well, not every time" he said, leaning back against the back of the bench, trying to match her light mood. "What about you? How's everything?"

She sighed, resting her head against the back of the bench. "The usual, more assignments. But I'll survive" she turned her head to look at him, her eyes searching his face. "You sure you're okay? You've seemed......different lately"

Stanford hesitated, feeling the weight of her concern. But he couldn't tell her about this, he could be putting her in danger, he knew telling Martha would also be putting a tag on her head. A tag for Mathew, he couldn't bear to put her in harm's way

"I'm fine, really, just dealing with personal stuff"

Martha studied him for a moment, her smile fading slightly. "You know you can talk to me right? If there's something going on......."her voice soft, filled with concern "you don't have to handle everything alone"

He met her gaze, feeling a brief pang of guilt. She was genuine, kind, and the last person he wanted to drag into this mess. "I appreciate that, Martha, really. It's just complicated, but I'll be okay"