The Stalker

Chapter 20

After switch-up week and the confession Antonio and Sharna had, they became real competitors on the show. And people started to love their performances more and more every week. Finally Antonio’s full dance potential was showcased and everybody loved it. It was the rehearsal week prior to the semi-finals and only five couples were left and only three would make it into the finale. Antonio, and so Sharna as well, had to go to Pittsburgh due to prior commitments. Their two dances were amazing so far.

Antonio and Sharna had just finished a really good rehearsal and they were about to go catch a plane back to LA. Antonio already went to his car and fetch some things back home, before he would go to the airport to meet her there. Sharna’s phone rang and she answered it. At first she didn’t hear anything. But than a familiar voice spoke, she had heard that voice once before and it scared her.

“You gave me a hard time finding your new number, but remember: You are mine.”

Sharna responded on instict and said: “Did you give me that note.”

But the person on the other side hung up the phone and Sharna was glued to the floor. She didn’t move for a couple of minutes and then the first thing she did, was get her phone and call Val.

The moment the phone rang she had no idea what time it was in NYC and if he already was asleep, but she needed his voice.

“Val.”
“Val, he called again. I don’t know how, but he got my number. I don’t know what to do?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The creep who called me during the tour. He got my new number.”
“Are you alright? Should I come over?”
“Well, I’m alright now, but I was really scared for a second. Should I go to the police again?”
“Yes, it would be best if you go to the police again. I don’t know if you’re already in LA, but it is best if you go there. They have the file from earlier. You sure you are alright? I hear a tremor in your voice.”
“We are leaving to LA soon and I will go to the police the next morning. But Val, what if he also sent me the note from a couple of weeks ago. Should I also tell that to the police?” 
“If it worries you go tell the police about it. And then they can decide if it's relevant. But are you sure everything is alright?”
“Hearing your voice was enough to calm me, so no need to come over. You’ll be here in two days anyway.”
“If you say so. See you in two days and tell me when you get home and after you have been to the police. I want to know everything.”
“I will. I love you.”
“Love you too.”

Sharna was calmed down a little after hearing Val’s voice, but her hands were still trembling. She got all her stuff together and went to the airport. When she arrived, Antonio was already there and she felt a little safer. In the last couple of weeks they had grown so much closer and being in his surroundings made her feel safe.

He didn’t notice anything was wrong with her, because Sharna could hide it very well. They got on the plane and Sharna tried to sleep a little bit. But the voice speaking to her on the phone still rang through her head. You are mine, she had no idea what he meant by that, but it scared her. The first time she thought it was a joke. But now he also got her new number, this time she felt way more threated than before.

The plane landed and Sharna hadn’t slept. She and Antonio parted ways and Sharna took a cab back home. Normally when she would feel like this, she wouldn’t like to go home to an empty house. But it was far too late to go to Peta’s place. The cab dropped her off near her house and Sharna walked to her front door.

Sharna opened the door and put her bag down. There were several letters on the floor and Sharna took them and brought them to the table. Normally she wouldn’t open any of them until the next morning, but one of them was heavy.

It looked like the envelope contained more than just your average letter. Sharna was curious as to what it contained and opened the envelope. Inside there were photographs. She put them all on the table and was shocked. All the photographs were taken from her, but she never realized that they were taken.

Some were from the tour, others from a night out during the tour and on the bottom she saw photos of her and Val together, dancing and kissing. For some reason Sharna felt claustrophobic for a second, it felt like the walls were coming towards her. She felt like there was someone looking through one of her windows. The photos in front of her were taken on private occasions and contained people she loved and cared about. It felt like someone invaded her privacy.

Sharna had trouble breathing and for the second time she was glued to the ground, not knowing what to do. She wanted to call Val, but he would be too far away to help her. So this time she called Peta. She needed to let someone know what was going on with her.

“Shar, do you know what time it is?”
“Yes, I know, and I wouldn’t have called you if I didn’t need you.”
“What is wrong?” Peta was awake and got up from her bed, trying not to wake Maks.
“It is a long story, but I rather tell it at your place. I don’t feel safe her.”
“I’m on my way and I will pick you up. It is not a good thing to drive while you are upset. Just wait and I will call you when I’m outside your house.”

Peta was about to put on a pair of sweatpants and her jacket when Maks walked in.

“Why are you up, come back to bed.”
“Something is wrong with Sharna and I’m going to pick her up. She is scared of something.”
Before Peta had finished her sentence, Maks had gotten some clothes himself and was almost ready to go. He was not going to let his brother’s girlfriend get hurt or scared when he was around.

They got in the car and went for Sharna’s house, while they were in the car, it started to rain. They arrived at Sharna’s place and Peta went inside to get her. Sharna was sitting at her table, photo’s spread across it. Peta looked at all the photos and saw that they were all pictures of Sharna. Either close-ups or from her in a group.

“Hey Shar, are you alright?” Sharna looked up and Peta could see she had been crying. “
Hey babe, what is going on? What are those pictures about and why are you crying?”
“Can we please go?” Was all Sharna said.
“Yes, we can definitely go. No problem. Do you need to take anything with you?”

Sharna quickly gathered all the photos and put them in an envelope which had her name on it. She put the envelope in her bag and she was ready to go. Peta wrapped her arm around her and together they walked to the car.

The girls sat next to each other in the back of the car and Maks drove them home. The ride was silent, Sharna was sitting next to Peta and they were sitting very close together. When they arrived at Peta’s place, Maks realized the two girls needed some time for themselves and he gave Sharna a hug and Peta a kiss, before he went to his room.

“Before I ask you about what happened today. Have you already called Val and if not, wouldn’t that be a good idea?” Sharna nodded, after she called Peta, she totally forget the fact she could also call Val.
“I give you a minute, while I get some warm and comfy clothes for you and me. I’ll be back soon.”

Sharna got out her phone and dialed Val’s number.
“Shar, is everything alright? Did he call again?”
“No, he didn’t. But something is definitely wrong. I think he defintely found out where I live. When I got home I found an envelope, it was full of photographs with me in the middle. This time there wasn't a note, but I'm sure that he also sent the first letter.”
“How do you know it is him?”
Sharna was glad he didn’t doubt her in her idea of it being the caller who send the pictures.
“On the back of one of the close-ups it said: You are mine. That’s the same thing he told me over the phone.”
“Sharna, I’m coming home. I’m already booking my flight and this time you can’t stop me. This is no longer healthy. Where are you know? Maybe you can call Peta and Maks.”
“Thank you for coming. I’m already at their place. I just had to be away from home as fast as possible.”
“Sharna take care, I love you. I’ll text you when I know my flight details, but maybe I’m lucky and I can have a flight in an hour. I love you.”
“I love you too and I can’t wait to hug you. Stay safe.”
“You too.”

Sharna hung up the phone and right afterwards Peta came back. She had changed in some comfy clothes and brought some for Sharna. Sharna changed and the two girls sat down on the couch.
“Are you ready to tell me what is going on?”