Insane - Who Are You To Judge? (Gripping Psychological Thriller)

Chapter 59 - Avery

I feel like an idiot. I was so focused on catching them that I didn't even pay attention to the details. How tall they were, what their hair was like, how they ran, not even their goddamn gender.

My reason gave me a huge scolding on the pathetic, long walk home.

Regardless of my lack of observation, I'm kicking myself about not catching the bastard. I was so close. So close. And who put that stupid log there anyway?

I stand on the pavement, facing my front door. There is nothing inside me that wants to walk up those steps and go into that house. If I do that, I truly lose. I don't like losing.

I pat down my coat. "Are you kidding me?" I growl, finding my pockets empty. I ran out of my house so fast that I forgot a key.

I'm about to journey round to the back door and break my kitchen window, when something catches my attention.

I take a closer look at the door and there is something hanging out of it.

"Of course, the letter." I sigh. How could I have forgotten about that? That's the entire reason I did all that cardio.

The envelope is slightly torn and jammed into the letterbox only a quarter of the way. But it isn't alone.

Caught in the metal's grasp is something else. Something blue – it looks like a plastic sort of material. I wiggle it, and the letter, free from the door's prison.

It's a glove. A disposable glove.

I suppose that's one way to eliminate the issue of fingerprints – though, I do it in a little bit more style with Italian calf leather.

I'm not sure exactly what I can do with this to help me find them, but one thing I am sure of, is that they most certainly did not leave it in my door on purpose. That means they slipped up.

I shriek, my lungs not expecting the bang that would come from the window. Inside my house.

The butterflies try to escape my stomach and I'm not far behind them, as I approach the window slowly, trying to work out who the shadow is.

I sigh and growl to myself as they come to open the door.

"My goodness, Buttercup. You know, you really shouldn't be creeping around a house like that. I thought you were a burglar."

I stare at Julian's smug little face, completely unamused. "Shut up." I shove past him. "What the hell are you doing in here anyway? Again?"

He shakes his head at me. "Avery, I thought we had gained clarity on this one already. I haven't got a job, and I'm going to keep bugging you and bugging you until I help you meet your untimely downfall."

I stare at him. Expressionless and silent. My silence starts to make him a little fidgety and he widens his grin. I merely stick my nose up and say, "If you break in here again I'm going to report you to the police and file for a restraining order. You ex-cons can't be having any more dealings with the police, can you?"

His face drops. "You wouldn't dare. I've got too much on you. Stop being grumpy, little grumpy pants." His tone changes as if he's talking to a five-year-old and he begins to approach me. When my expression doesn't change in the slightest, he holds his hands up. "Okay, okay. I'll go, I'll leave you to your night of self-pity. See you soon, Buttercup." Julian brushes past me on his way to the door, planting a kiss on my cheek as he goes.

As soon as he's gone I abruptly rub off the ghost of his lips and rip open the envelope to see what kind words my stalker has for me today.

Don't worry, it won't be long until we meet. Iknow you've been racking your brain trying to figure out who I am. When Ireveal myself you'll kick yourself for not knowing. But it won't be long. Itwon't be long.