Next Door Neighbor

CHAPTER 15: HE'S HERE

STEPHANIE'S POV:

It's been two days since I last saw the man in the tiger sweatshirt. Spencer has stayed here with me the whole time, taking time off work. The team hasn't found anything on the stalker yet, but we're hoping they'll dig up something soon.

Right now, we're just chilling on the couch, reading. "You feeling up for an episode of Dr. Who?" I ask. Spencer says yes and heads to the kitchen to make some popcorn. I hear a noise outside. I look out the window and I almost scream. The man in the tiger sweatshirt is here, staring right at me. "Spencer!" I shout, panic evident in my voice. Spencer comes running in, his hand on his gun holster. "The window. He's here." I whisper. Spencer rushes to the couch and peeks out the window. His eyes widen. He closes the drapes and ushers me away from the window. "Go to the bedroom, there are no windows. Stay there." He says. I walk into the bedroom and I hear him call Morgan.

Spencer joins me in the bedroom, locking the door behind him. He sits on the bed next to me. "You okay?" he asks. "Not really. Why is he here?" I question. "I don't know. I called Morgan, he's coming over here. We just have to sit tight until he gets here." Spencer tells me. He wraps an arm around my shoulders and I lean into him. "Maybe it's just a coincidence." I say. "Doubtful. An estimated 12.1 million U.S. women and 3.7 million U.S. men are stalked at some time in their life; and 6 million women and 1.4 million men are stalked annually in the United States." Spencer explains.

We sit in silence in the bedroom, his arms around me, protecting me from whatever might come. His gun sits on the bed next to us, just in case someone gets in. I hear a knock on the door and Spencer stands up, his gun at his side. "Reid, it's Morgan." I calm down. It's just Derek. Spencer unlocks the door, checks the room, and then walks over to the door. He unlocks it and Derek walks in. I cautiously exit the bedroom and join them in the living room.

"I checked the building. He's gone. Are you guys okay?" he asks. "Yeah, just a little spooked." I reply. "Hotch says to take the next few days off of work, stay with Stephanie. Do you guys want me to stay here for the night?" Spencer shakes his head. "No, go home and get some rest. We'll be fine. I'll call you tomorrow, alright?" Spencer says. Derek nods. "Stay safe you two. Call if you need anything." He tells us.

Derek leaves, so Spencer and I retreat back to the bedroom. He locks the door again and I lay down on the bed. "Do you think he'll come back?" I ask. "I don't know." Spencer sighs. "But no matter what, I'll do everything in my power to protect you."