Soul Mate Anthologies

Lurking in the Shadows: 2

He hated the attention. The stares.

Perkss of being a celebrity, he reminded himself, no privacy. Yet, he fought and stayed on top.

It was why when he witnessed someone break into the nearby building, he decided to follow them, like a normal person.

He was glad he did what he had done.

Sneaking behind a possible robber. Genius move, but it was the dead of night and he was finally alone.

Except for the lithe stranger ahead.

Clearly they have no clue that they are being followed.

Well no matter, makes it easier and better for him. Especially when he realizes that the stranger has broken into a public library!

That was an interesting discovery.

Considering his work interviews and board meetings scheduled during the day, he would have to visit the place at night. When it is closed.

Well, people did say that he was crazy, though they might not have considered this.

Anyways, a few days later, he finally got the courage to go to the library, pick the lock and enter.

However, once he entered, he realized that he had no idea what to do next.

So he decided to read a book.

One book became two and so on, until he lost track and forgot the reason he came there.

So he returned there again. And again. And again.

Until one day, he heard footsteps behind him. But he did not move.

Instead he found a new goal.

To find a book and leave a potential message. Considering this stranger seemed to be in the library, they surely knew how to read.

At first he thought it didn't work, considering the lack of a response. The person was terribly shy or scared to make their presence known, so he didn't call out to them.

Though, he started trying to get a glimpse. First from the reflection on the windows, then off his phone screen but he couldn't get much.

Just that the stranger was a lady.

Her hands marred.

He wondered if that was why she hid herself.

So he decided to hell with it, he will find a way to talk to her and make her feel comfortable with him.

It's a fair trade considering how she had led him to a place where he could just relax, have some privacy and just breathe.

***

She was surprised about the book.

It wasn't anything elaborate nor was it too simple. It was a mixture of everything.

For nearly the fourth time, she found herself wondering if he had left it out on purpose.

But that couldn't be. No one knew of her presence here.

Besides, wouldn't he have a matching mark of his own to look for and chase after?

It was a week later that she found her answer.

***
He had broken in again, she noted, excitedly rushing out to see him.

Only to frown as she couldn't find his silhouette.

"Looking for me?"

She let out a shriek as she swung her arms, hitting him right across his chest.

"Sorry. Sorry. Hadn't meant for that!"

Despite her instincts telling her to run away, she found herself waiting to hear him out. For he seemed genuinely upset at having startled her.

"I'm Randell, and who might you be?"

She kept silent, fear choking her.

"Okay. Sorry to have scared you. I know I usually just keep to myself, but I thought maybe you'd like some company? Someone to talk to? If not, that's okay...I'll just continue to do what I usually do."

"You...you knew I was here?"

"Huh? Yeah. Truth be told, i started to come here after following you."

"Oh." She kept silent. Her mind turning over a hundred thoughts.

"Why?" That was what escaped her lips at last. The most prominent question of all.

"Try being a famous person, chased around town by the press, people claiming to be my match, nevermind that I have no mark to match with, and then ask why."

Realizing his outburst, he scratched his head nervously, "I mean, I wanted to be left alone and you had the right idea."

"I can leave you alone if you want." She offered.

"NO!" He all but shouted back, she recoiled but laughed as she saw him blush in embarrassment. "I honestly thought itll be nice to speak with you. Somehow, I get the feeling that you are different."

"Arent we all?"

"True but not all lurk in the shadows like us."