Page 16 of Forbidden Harvest

Moving through the shop, I picture her going about her daily life, innocent and unaware. Soon, she’ll be mine, and I’ll finallyexpress what I’ve kept hidden. They say love is patient, but mine is a raging inferno. My birthday gift to her will be me, and I’ll make sure she never forgets it.

I pay, my heart pounding with anticipation.

Happy birthday, Aria. It’s time for us to be together.

The store’s bell jingles as I leave, lost in my twisted fantasies. Squinting against the sun, I pull my hood up, trying to blend in. Then I hear a familiar voice that makes my blood run cold.

“Jared? Holy shit, is that you?” Mason, an old high school friend, grins at me like an idiot. Irritation burns through me—I can’t risk someone telling Aria I'm back.

“Mason, hey man,” I force a smile. “Long time no see.”

“No kidding! What’s it been, like, two years?” He claps my shoulder. “You just disappear a year before graduation or what?”

I shrug. “Just needed a change of scenery, you know? Stayed nearby though, been working freelance web development.”

He doesn’t need to know I stayed to watch Aria, biding my time.

“That’s awesome, man. We should grab a beer and catch up!”

I force another grin, tamping down my annoyance. “Yeah, definitely. I’ll hit you up.”

We exchange half-hearted bro-hugs, and I cringe at the contact. As soon as he’s gone, I exhale slowly, tension seeping away. Too close.

I pull out my cell phone, scrolling through Aria’s photos. Her bright smiles, her graceful movements. Each image stokes the obsession burning in my gut.

Soon, she’ll be mine, and no one will stand in our way.

I pocket the phone and start the trek back to my dingy apartment.

No more risks—from now until Halloween, I’ll be a ghost. Invisible and untraceable until it’s time to give Aria her special gift.

12

ARIA

Excitement bubbles through me as I slip into my sexy pirate costume for the Halloween carnival. It’s my eighteenth birthday, and I can’t wait to celebrate under the glow of jack-o-lanterns and twinkling lights.

Smoothing my hands over the short dress, I admire how it encases my curves. No guy has come near me since the masked man incident last year. It wasn’t until the next day I found out whoever he was beat up Tyler. He got what he wanted without me trying to avoid men. I wonder if he’ll show up tonight as promised.

A pang of nostalgia tugs at my heart as I notice the old photo on my dresser. It’s been two years since Jared left without a word, disappearing from our lives like a specter in the night. I often wonder where my stepbrother ended up, if he’s happy, and if he ever thinks about me...

Shaking the thoughts away, I touch up my makeup and head downstairs. Mom’s waiting to take me to the carnival.

“Ready?” she asks, eyebrow raised at my costume.

“Yes,” I reply. “What time do you leave tomorrow?”

She smiles. “Early, about two in the morning, to catch our flight. We won’t wake you, sweetheart.”

I slide into the passenger seat of Mom’s car. As we pull out of the driveway, I catch Mom glancing at me from the corner of her eye.

“You look beautiful, sweetheart,” she says. “Just... be careful tonight, okay?”

I roll my eyes. “Mom, I’m eighteen now. I can handle myself.”

She sighs. “I know, I know. It’s just... after everything that’s happened...”

The unspoken words hang heavy. Aaron’s death, Jared’s departure, the masked stranger last year. I told her about it when I got home, and she was not happy. She wanted me to call the cops, but I told her it was probably someone just messing about for Halloween.

---