Heartless

Stalker

Chapter 9

Sweet Cheeks? Those words were vaguely familiar but I couldn't place where I heard them or the voice of the unknown wolf in front of me. "Who are you?" I walked out from behind the dumpster and the wolf folded his arms and leaned against the wall.

"I'm nobody. You okay?"

"Yes." I whispered.

"I'll walk you home to make sure you get there safely." He pushed off the wall and exited the alley onto the street. I wasn't sure what to make of him, but I took him at his words. I cautiously walked towards him leaving behind the darkness and rack my brain on his identity. I emerge only to have him walking in front of me towards my hotel.

I studied him as I trailed behind him. His hair was shaggy in desperate of a trim or cut and he was wearing well-worn ripped jeans and old sneakers. He seemed like a vagabond, someone who doesn't really belong, a wanderer.

What the... How did he know where'd I stay? We had stopped in front of the red roof inn and before I could process that this wolf knew where to go. He was gone before I could question him or even thank him for his help. I stood for a second glancing around for the wolf. I guess he was someone the Raven pack sent to keep a close eye on me.

I entered the hotel and went to the elevator waiting for it to open. I felt someone watching me and I check around me and saw no one. I couldn't tap into my wolf and expose my secret. Ding. The elevator brought me back from my paranoia and I stepped in pushing the second floor. Once I got off I cautiously walked to my room pulling out my room key and did another sweep of the empty hallway. I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was being watched. I will need to be really careful.

The next day I did the same boring routine since I moved into this town. I went to the local deli, got my lunch, and headed for the park. It wasn't a day the Wright family came so I claimed my usual bench and ate in silence. After lunch I walked around the park and along the streets where people were busy shopping, eating, running errands, and working.

The small downtown area comprised of small business owners and the local government buildings such as the police station/city hall, a library, and post office. I walked past the restaurants and clothing stores and headed for the only store that held a slight interest, Ink Spot. The Ink Spot was an arts and crafts store a smaller version of Michael's Arts and Craft. It had everything an artist, scrapbooker, or any crafter would like. I personally like to draw but haven't been able to indulge in it for years. The last time I was able to do anything with drawing or painting is when I went undercover as an artist two and half years ago. But the assignment was short. I needed something to do or I am going to absolutely insane.

I came out of the store with a sketch pad and pencils. I continued on my journey towards the fields where the sounds of whistles and yelling were beckoning me. I ended up at a baseball game of adult men and women players. They were wearing matching t-shirts brandishing their team name on them. The spectators varied from people in suits cheering on their co-workers, to mothers with their small children supporting their husbands.

I claimed a seat at the top of one of the bleachers and sat apart from the others. I began drawing the players on the field and lost in the moment of drawing. I had focused on the pitcher trying to capture his stance before he pitched his ball. I was almost finished when a shadowed overcast my drawing.

"That's pretty good, sweet cheeks." Great my watch dog is back. I slammed shut my book shoving it and my pencil back into the bag. "Why did you stop, you weren't finished."

"Why are you following me?"

"Making sure nothing happens to you."

"What are you talking about? Nothing is going to happen to me."