Page 25 of My Turn

I rushed to the closet and pulled out a broom. After unscrewing the brush, I returned to the back door and wedged the stick into the track so that the door couldn’t open. He’d have to break the glass if he wanted to get inside. I didn’t think the lock on the front door could be fucked with since it was coded. It did have an emergency spot for a key, but you couldn’t slide that part open if you didn’t have the fob.

It was safe here. He couldn’t get in.

Even though I wouldn’t be able to focus now, I moved back to the couch. I still felt like I was being watched, so I craned my neck to peer out the front window.

Oh, god. He was standing by my car again. His hands were in his pockets and he was just staring up at me, directly into this window as if he knew where I’d be.

Who the hell was he and why had he set his sights on me?

Last night was the first time I’d seen him. I didn’t know who would be interested in scaring me. Or was he stalking me?

No, no, no. I hadn’t earned a stalker. Nobody reallyearneda stalker but I figured in most cases, you had to catch their attention somehow, even if it was just a conversation that got them interested in you. I didn’t talk to anybody.

Maybe he’d seen me at the party last night. I did have passing conversations with a few people but nobody who seemed weirdenough to do this. I guess that was sort of the thing, right? A serial killer’s neighbors and coworkers often said they were the most normal person. Spoiler alert: they weren’t fucking normal.

Taking out my phone, I kept my eyes on him while I hit redial. I brought it to my ear and the man cocked his head.

“Hey,” Jayce answered.

“He’s back,” I whispered. It was pointless, but it felt right.

“Who? The guy in the mask?”

“Yeah. He’s outside right now.”

“What’s he doing?” he asked, sounding a little panicked.

“Just standing there. Watching me. He was on my balcony, Jayce. On the roof.”

“The roof? Hold on. Don’t fucking move. I’m coming over.”

“Hurry please. I’m so scared.”

“Stay on the phone, okay?”

The man looked down and I saw him doing something on his phone. A moment later, mine buzzed.

Erebus:Your boyfriend can’t help you.

I’m a shadow, Alana. I can make him vanish into the darkness too if you want. Think about it. He and his brother could be twin shadows.

“Alana?”

“I’m here. Maybe… Maybe you shouldn’t come.”

“Fuck that. Why would you say that?”

“What if he hurts you?” My voice cracked and my eyes welled with tears that I wouldn’t let fall.

“I’m worried aboutyou. Just stay put. I’ll be there soon.”

“Shit. He’s leaving.”

The man turned and slowly began to walk toward the street. I thought about going outside to see which direction he went, but that would be really stupid. It felt like I should be doingsomething, but my fight or flight instincts were apparently broken. I went into fainting goat mode.

“Five minutes,” Jayce said. “I’m almost there.”

“He’s gone.”

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