Watched From Behind The Screen

4 - The Investigation

Mia sitting in her living room. After Jake's encouragement, she contacted the police.

The thought of talking to someone in authority made her feel a bit safer. But she still faced herself with anxiety.

When Detective Grant arrived, he was a tall man with a calm demeanor and a serious look in his eyes. “Mia, thank you for coming forward. Online stalking can be very serious. We take these cases seriously,” he said, pulling out a notepad.

“Thank you, Detective,” Mia replied, her voice shaking. “I just… I don’t know what to do anymore.”

Detective Grant nodded, " I need to everything. Every single message, every detail. Online stalkers often escalate. The fact that you received a personal message while talking to Jake is concerning. I means they might be tracking your conversations."

"What do I do now?"

“First, document everything,” he advised. “Keep a log of messages, and don’t interact with the stalker. We’ll need to establish a pattern. And avoid being alone if you can."

After the detective left, she sat on her couche. She hadn't thought about much her 'peaceful' life will change.

Sarah and Jake came shortly after.

"Did they find anything?" Sarah asked with concern.

"No....not yet,just... They want me to keep a track of everything"
Mia said, trying not to sound scared.

Jake frowned. “You need to stay vigilant, Mia. Don’t isolate yourself. We’re here for you.”

Mia forced a smile. “I know, I just… I can’t help but feel like I’m dragging you both into this.”

Sarah shook her head. “That’s not how friends work. We’re not going anywhere.”

As the days passed, Mia felt the weight of isolation closing in on her. She found herself canceling plans and retreating into her apartment, the walls feeling more like a prison than a sanctuary. Sarah and Jake’s visits became less frequent, and she couldn’t help but feel a growing rift between them.

Then one evening, as Mia sat on her couch, she noticed something unusual on her front step. A small envelope lay there, marked with her name. Her heart raced as she picked it up, recognizing the handwriting—someone was getting bolder.

Opening the envelope, she pulled out a note that sent chills down her spine:

“You can’t hide from me. I see you every day.”

Mia’s breath caught in her throat as fear wrapped around her heart. She stumbled back, clutching the note tightly. Someone was closer than she thought, watching her every move.

The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. “They’re not just online anymore. They’re here,” she whispered, her eyes darting around the room as if expecting to see the stalker lurking in the shadows.

She rushed to the window and peered outside, but the street was empty. A wave of nausea washed over her, and she dropped the note on the table. This was no longer a game; it was real, and it was happening now.

Mia picked up her phone, trembling. She needed to tell Sarah and Jake—she couldn’t face this alone anymore.