The Black Rose

The Library

Anna

I’m at the library today, chatting online with a friend half way around the world about my mystery man. This morning I woke up to the sound of someone knocking on my apartment door. It took me a minute to get to the door but when I opened it no one was there. Tapped to my door were a single black silk rose and a note that simply said: I’ll be watching you.

I looked either way down the breezeway outside my door, but it was empty. I have to admit it’s both creepy and romantic. Never have I ever imagined that any guy would be interested or want to keep tabs on a freak like me. My friend has told me to be careful and that I should report anything else to the police.

Then she goes on to rant about her previous stalker experience, which is half the reason why she moved so far away. She’s a very pretty girl, gosh darn super model really, there are thousands of guys who would die to be with her. Compared with her, I can’t even begin to understand why anyone would want to stalk me.

I lie and tell her that I’ll call the police the second I get home. It’s not that I don’t believe there are dangerous people out there, I know there are. I just want to wait. He hasn’t threatened me or done anything bad yet. As silly as it sounds, this seems kind of like an adventure and I don’t want to miss out.

Sighing, I log out of the chat and continue to search the internet for random things, wondering if my stalker really is watching.

Stalker

I can see her, through the shelves of books, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. Trying to look inconspicuous to others, I pick up a random book and pretend to read as I watch her. She’s wearing the cutest little outfit today, blue jeans, a light blue t-shirt that has this white lacy fabric attached to the bottom and a bright orange jacket that says ‘One World’ on the back.

I can just make out what’s written on her screen. She’s typing in a private message chat box to someone called Bixtrix01. I notice her screen name is AnnAL48 and wonder if I should send her a message. Then decide against it, messages can be traced. I may be new to stalking, but I’m not a complete idiot.

I see that her chat buddy has sent her a long message and catch a few glimpses of words. Stalker, Scared, He tried to kill me. Followed by a short message: You should call the police! I watch as my angel secretly debates what she’ll tell her friend.

Her hands rise off the keyboard and rest under her chin. She stares at the keys for a long moment, then looks up to the ceiling. I can’t help but wonder if she’s talking to god. Please let her give me a chance, I silently pray as well just in case he’s listening.

She finally looks back to the screen, sits up a little in her chair and types the words ‘yea, I’ll call them when I get home, promise’ all while shaking her head no. my heart skips a beet and a smile touches my lips. She’s all mine.

I stay and watch her the rest of the time she’s here. When she finally decides to leave, I follow.