Watched From Behind The Screen

6- Confrontation

Mia’s heart raced as she, Jake, and Sarah approached Emily’s house. The air was thick with unease, the shadows around them growing darker with each step.

“Are you sure about this?” Jake asked, glancing around nervously. “What if she really is involved?”

“We need answers,” Mia replied, her jaw set in determination. “If she’s connected to the stalker, we can’t let her manipulate us anymore.”

They knocked on the door, and after a moment, Emily opened it, her expression shifting from surprise to a guarded smile. “Hey! What’s up?”

“Can we come in? We need to talk,” Mia said, pushing past Emily, followed closely by Jake and Sarah. The tension was palpable as they settled in the living room.

“What’s going on?” Emily asked, trying to keep her tone light.

Mia took a deep breath. “We know about the party invitation and the messages. Are you involved with this stalker?”

Emily’s eyes widened, and for a moment, Mia thought she saw a flicker of fear. “What? No! I’d never—”

“Then why are you the only one who knew about it?” Jake interjected, his voice rising. “We think you’re hiding something.”

Before Emily could respond, her phone buzzed on the table. Mia’s heart dropped when she saw the name flashing on the screen: Unknown.

“Just let it ring,” Emily said, her voice strained.

“No,” Mia insisted, picking up the phone. “This could be a clue.” She answered, her pulse pounding in her ears. “Who is this?”

A sinister laugh echoed through the receiver, chilling Mia to her core. “You really shouldn’t have come here, Mia. It makes things so much easier.”

Mia’s grip tightened on the phone. “What do you want from me?”

“Just a little fun,” the voice replied. “But now, I see you brought your friends. They might make good company.”

Fear washed over Mia. “Where are you?”

“Right behind you.”

In an instant, a figure emerged from the shadows, and Mia’s heart sank as she recognized him—Mark, Emily’s boyfriend.

“Mark?” Mia gasped, stepping back. “But why?”

“It was so simple, really. I knew you’d be vulnerable,” he sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. “I just needed to keep you isolated.”

Mia’s mind raced, piecing together the clues. “The messages… the stalking. It was you all along!”

As Mark lunged toward her, Jake moved in front of Mia, ready to defend her. “Get away from her!”

Just then, Sarah grabbed a lamp from the side table and swung it at Mark, catching him off guard. He stumbled back, giving Mia just enough time to slip past Jake and make a run for the door.

“Call the police!” Mia shouted as she dashed outside, adrenaline fueling her escape.

They ran to the nearest neighbor’s house, pounding on the door until someone answered. “Help! Call the police!” Mia yelled, her heart pounding in her chest.

As they waited, she felt a surge of empowerment. They weren’t helpless. They had each other.

Within moments, sirens filled the air, and the police arrived. Mia watched as they apprehended Mark, the realization hitting her hard—she was finally safe.

Later, as she sat on the couch at home, the chaos began to settle. “I can’t believe it was Mark,” she said, shaking her head in disbelief.

Jake squeezed her shoulder. “You’re safe now. That’s what matters.”

“I know, but I feel so… shaken. I thought I could trust him,” Mia confessed, her voice barely a whisper.

“It’s not your fault,” Sarah reassured her. “You’ll regain your sense of normalcy. It’ll take time, but you’re strong.”

Mia nodded, trying to push the fear aside. “I just want to feel safe again.”

With the police investigating the situation, Mia knew the worst was over. She had faced her stalker, outsmarted him, and emerged stronger. Now, she just had to find a way to move forward.