The Stalker (Elvis Presley Story)

Chapter 17

"Well, of course he was mad, Melissa," Toni said the next morning. She pulled the straps of her pink bikini down and rubbed more sun screen on her freckled shoulders. "You didn't give him a chance to explain."

"Let's not talk about Elvis anymore. Or Steph." Melissa sat down on the tiled edge of the pool, her feet dangling in the cool water. Maybe if they didn't talk about Elvis, she could forget about him.

Not likely. Seeing Elvis and Steph stuck together like they were glued had made her furious. But it also hurt. A lot. She'd even dreamed about it and woke up with tears on her face.

Sighing, Melissa pulled up the strap of her bikini and stared out at the road. A white car drove slowly by the motel. Her gaze followed it for a moment, then she looked back at Toni. "Have you seen bearyshnikov?" She asked. "I looked everywhere for him last night, and this morning, and I couldn't find him."

"Maybe you left him back in Glenwood junction."

Melissa shook her head. "I'm positive I brought him."

"He'll turn up," Toni said.

He'd better, Melissa thought. That stuffed bear was her good-luck charm. And the way things were going, she needed all the luck she could get.

"Come on in the pool," Toni urged, splashing water on her. "We actually have it to ourselves and you're just sitting there."

Melissa stood up at walked around to the diving board. Standing on the end of it, she bounced a couple of times, then raised her arms.

A white car drove slowly down the road. The same white car she saw driving by the motel. It's him she thought with a shiver. He's here, right now.

In a panic, Melissa jumped in feet first. "He's here!" She cried., swimming furiously underneath the diving board. "The stalkers here! He's driven by twice already in a white car!"

Toni scrambled out of the pool and looked around. "There's no white car there now," She said, shading her eyes against the sun. "He must be gone. Are you sure it was the same car both times?"

Melissa nodded, still beneath the diving board. Her teeth were chattering.

"Calm down, Melissa!" Toni urged. " You've got to calm down. Maybe it wasn't the stalker. It could of been just some guy who saw two gorgeous girls in sexy swimsuits and decided to cruise by for a second look."

Melissa climbed out of the pool and sluiced water off her face. Toni could be right, she told herself as she climbed onto the board again. You're freaking out. Jumping at anything that looks suspicious.

Don't let him control you!

As she climbed out of the pool, she glanced towards the road. The white car moved slowly by the motel, one more time.
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Half an hour later, Melissa left the motel and headed for the theater. She needed to dance. To practice. To try to forget Elvis and the stalker.

As she started down the road, her eyes darted nervously back and forth. That tall, stooped man by the phone booth. Was that the stalker?

Or was it him up ahead, the heavyset, bearded guy coming out of the 7-Eleven?

Or was he in his white car, waiting for her around the corner?

Nervously, Melissa hitched her duffle bag higher on her shoulder and picked up her pace. By the time she reached the drive leading to the theater, she was running.

Quickly, she went around the back and pulled open a stage door. The backstage was dark. The entire theater was dark.

"Anybody here?" Melissa called out. No answer. Rehearsal was over two hours away and the theater was empty. 

Melissa hurried through the wings and flipped on some stage lights, illuminating the burger palace set. The crew must have worked on it all night, Melissa thought.

She dropped her bag and slipped out of her wraparound denim skirt. Underneath she wore a dark blue body suit. She pulled on some leg warmers and a pair of ballet slippers, then walked to center stage.

As she began some leg stretches, Melissa felt that familiar fear wash over her again. Was the stalker near? Watching her?

She peered into the empty auditorium. Up to the catwalk. At the scaffolding above her.

No one.

Stop thinking about him, Melissa told herself. Stop thinking about the stalker, and Elvis. just dance.

Melissa took the hand of her imaginary partner and began her routine.

"And one and two and three and four. No!" She came to abrupt stop. "On the downbeat, Melissa," She lectured herself. "The downbeat."

Back to first position. "And one and two and three and four."Melissa began again. Better, she thought, but still not good enough.

Do it again.

She counted the beats in her head, then stopped.

We're those footsteps she heard?

She looked around again. Didn't see anyone.

She waited, listening.
The theater was quiet.
Too quiet.

Get out of here, she told herself. Remember what happened last time you were alone on an empty stage.

Shuddering at the memory of that single rose falling towards her from the catwalk, she turned to leave.

Had she heard something again? A quiet rustle from behind the set? Melissa spun around. She was almost center stage, directly in front of the doors of the burger palace. Wood on the bottom. On top, sheets of milky plastic, stretched tightly to look like glass.

Was that a shadow behind them?

Melissa's heart knocked against her chest. She started to move again.

Suddenly, a loud creaking sound split the air.

Melissa gasped. The whole set was falling towards her. She started to scream. Took one running step.

And then pain exploded in her head.

She felt her knees buckle, felt her body falling.

Saw the dusty stage floor rise up towards her face.

And then her world went black.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter! And thanks for reading! xoxo