Extra Credit

New Place

"Don't worry Aria, I'll think of something," Mark said as we drove through a car wash.

"For now, I'm going to take you back to your apartment so you can pack a few things alright?"

I nodded in agreement at first before we came to the end of the car wash and speeded off towards my apartment.

"Actually Mark...I think it's best if I stay at my place."

He raised an eyebrow, "Why?"

"Because I dont want this guy to to bring any harm to you or Tracy," I told him.

He chuckled, "No offense, but you've felt a slap from Tracy, she can handle herself and so can I"

I folded my arms, "Well no offense but you also saw me fight her back...therefore I too can handle myself."

He glanced at me with a smirk that made my heart skip a beat, "Touche....but if you could really take care of yourself how does this jerk keep getting into your place?"

"Fair enough," I responded. "But we both know having me move somewhere else will only make him follow me."

"Then...let me change your locks." He said. "I'll even install secret cameras."

I giggled, "you wanna put cameras in my place?"

"Yeah its the best way to catch this animal." He said. "What? You scared I'll put one in your shower?"

"Maybe a little..." I said as I started blushing.

He licked his lips as he made a right turn towards my apartment complex. "I'd never invade your privacy...well..not knowingly as we found out."

I laughed, "Well thats good to know...how soon can you get the cameras up?"

"Tonight if you want." He said.

I smiled, "That would be wonderful."

We pulled up to the apartment complex a few moments later. Mark parked his truck and then gladly helped me out. We took our time walking up to my place, enjoying the fall heat.

"So are you gonna take my advice about Tracy?" I asked him.

He sighed, "I suppose...I guess I owe it to her to try to be a good boy."

I laughed, "Yes you do."

I fell silent as we approached my door. As i reached into my purse to grab my key Mark reached out and stopped me.

"Whats wrong," I asked as I looked up at him.

"Your door is open." He said.

I looked towards my door and indeed it was open. A chill went up my back as we slowly approached the door and pushed it open. I gasped upon seeing the inside of my place. My glass coffee table had been smashed in; my curtains were torn to shreds, the stuffing to my furniture had been torn out, my TV smashed to pieces, and the words, YOU CAN'T HIDE was spray painted on my walls. I walked into the place slowly feeling as that strange chill took over my body.

"Oh shit…" Mark whispered behind me. "This guy is sick."

I nodded before heading to my bedroom. Like the living room, my bedroom was completely destroyed. I raked my hand through my hair, wondering if this guy was more dangerous than we thought.

"Mark I need to call my dad." I told him as I took a seat on my bed. "I don't know if I can handle this."

He sighed and took a seat beside me. "Why not?"