Page 43 of Stalk Me

The Stone boy has proven more resistant than anticipated. Our observation confirms increasing contact with L despite previous warnings. Intelligence from Bay asset speculates intimate interaction during a recent storm event.

Recommend immediate action before the situation escalates to Level 4 commitment. M-Protocol authorized for both targets if necessary.

I've taken the liberty of sending the Stone boy an invitation to next month's gathering. If he accepts, we can handle both issues simultaneously and turn this liability into an asset.

Awaiting your approval for full extraction team.

D.G.

Below is my father's terse response:

Approved. Prep Stone for special demonstration with L as primary. Make sure he understands the honor being extended. Have Gallagher facilitate introductions at the school level. Timeline: 2 weeks.

S.Q.

The room spins around me as the words burn into my retinas. They're planning to bring Erik to one of their parties. Not just any party—a "gathering," which I know from experience is when they invite new, powerful members into their inner circle. The ones where the drugs are stronger, the guests more dangerous, and the entertainment… God, the entertainment.

Bile rises in my throat as memories flood back—hands holding me down, voices murmuring approval as I struggle to focus through a chemical haze. Special demonstrations. That's what they called it when they wanted to show off their particular brand of control. When they wanted to break someone new, someone who dared to challenge them.

And now they want to do that to Erik. With me as their unwilling accomplice.

I click through more emails in the thread, each one worse than the last. Reports on Erik's movements around campus. Analysis of his vulnerabilities, including his past struggles with addiction and his family's political connections. They even have his medical records—every detail of his overdose, every prescription he's ever filled.

"Stone has shown a lingering weakness for chemical assistance,"one email notes."Propose M-Protocol variant with targeted substance to expedite compliance."

They're planning to drug him. To use his past addictions against him. To make him compliant, just like they’ve done to me all these years, all these parties.

But why? Why target Erik specifically?

The answer comes in another email, this one from Belle's father to mine.

Sebastian,

My daughter reports your L has formed a significant attachment to the Stone boy despite our warnings. Surveillance confirms emotional vulnerability we can exploit. Daughter has gathered sufficient material to ensure cooperation from both sides.

Recommend applying classical conditioning approach: Use L's attachment against her, make her witness Stone's introduction to our circle. The psychological impact of seeing him broken should reestablish control parameters.

Once Stone understands proper service, we gain valuable access to his father's congressional committee. Two birds, one stone—if you'll excuse the pun.

Richard G.

I can barely breathe as the truth slams into me. They're using Erik to control me. And they're using me to control Erik, to get to his father—some congressman I didn't even know about. It's never been about protecting family secrets or keeping me in line. It's always been about power, about extending their reach into every corner of influence they can find.

My hands shake as I scroll through more emails. There are photos attached to some—surveillance pictures of Erik and me on the cliff during our hike, of us during the storm. In one, taken through my dorm window, Erik is holding me as I cry against his chest. The caption reads: "Evidence of emotional dependence. Optimal leverage point identified."

I knew they'd been watching us the entire time, but I had no idea just how meticulously they were cataloguing every moment of vulnerability, every instance of genuine connection. And now they're going to use it to destroy us both.

A new email pops up in the inbox as I watch—just sent, with "Update: Stone Acquisition" in the subject line. I click it open, dread pooling in my stomach.

Operation proceeding ahead of schedule. Target has accepted an invitation to next month's gathering. Gallagher girl reports Stone expressed excitement at the networking opportunity. Surveillance confirms that the target discussed the invitation with L, who attempted to dissuade him.

Recommendation: Accelerate timeline. Stone is showing signs of suspicion based on L's reaction. Suggest retrieval within 48 hours.

Awaiting authorization.

D.G.

Attached is a photo of Erik in the courtyard, smiling as he reads what appears to be a formal invitation on heavy cardstock. The same kind my parents send for all their special events.

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